guest: this is “action” 1 and “detective” 27. the first appearance of superman in “action” 1 and “detective comics” is the first appearance of batman. I knew about comics, but I… and I collected comics, but I wasn’t really going for the keys, as they call them. I was just a completionist. I was just completing comic runs. And then one day I was like, “You know what? I’d really like to have these books because of their historical importance.” So I bought them about ten or 15 years ago.
Evaluator: What do you think of when you think of superman?
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Guest: First of all, he was like an immigrant, a force for good. as I think most immigrants are.
appraiser: and batman?
guest: batman is the same, although batman is darker. In batman, there is not only the fight against evil, but also, I think, a desire to redeem.
Rater: I think you’re absolutely on to something when you talk about superman because, let’s face it, he completely changed the world in 1938. I mean, he’s the first superhero comic book, and he basically created the comic industry. superman was created by jerry siegel and joe shuster in the basement of jerry siegel’s house in cleveland, and what I find fascinating, they originally had him as a villain…
guest: hm.
Evaluator: …in 1933, and after a while they realized that this comic strip was not going to work. heroes have longevity, and we can see that because these two superheroes have lasted over eight decades. this is “action comics” 1. this is the most important comic in the history of comics, because it is the dawn of the golden age, with superman. and it’s interesting, because when detective comics published it in 1938, they printed 200,000 copies, but they didn’t know it, because there are actually 11 stories in the “action comics” book. it just so happened that superman is the lead and on the cover.
guest: hm.
Rating: And when the 200,000 copies sold out, it took them a couple of months to realize he was superman. The creators of Batman are Bob Kane and Bill Finger. Interestingly, all four of these creators were inspired by Douglas Fairbanks and “The Mask of the Fox.” It is in this time period of the 1930s that the rise of Hitler occurred. these creators were all Jewish immigrants, and the fate of our world really hung in the balance. So why not create these superheroes that will give inspiration and hope to generations of people? what did you pay for these?
Guest: For this one, at the time, I think I paid around $55,000. this one cost me less. it was about $40,000 $45,000.
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Tester: Today, believe it or not, you’re probably looking at about 100 copies of each one out there. these have been restored.
guest: mm-hmm.
Appraiser: If I had a book in poor condition, this would bring it up to a much better, you know, higher level, much more presentable. In addition, it would increase the value.
guest: mm-hmm.
appraiser: but not as much as one that is in its original condition. we’re looking at “detective comics” today, now, this is rated 7.0 on a scale of one to 10 in restored condition. An estimate of this, an auction estimate, is going to be between $200,000 and $250,000 today.
guest: oh wow. oh That is much more than I would have imagined. (giggles)
appraiser: and that, that’s all the layaway plan now. (laughs)
guest: well no, the guy who sold it must be hitting the wall right now. but then we all did that at some point.
evaluator: well…
guest: but this is good to know.
appraiser: if this were an original…
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guest: oh.
Appraiser: is now looking at $800,000 to $900,000.
guest: hm.
evaluator: and “action” are the same. I mean, this is the second most important comic. this is the last holy grail. most important of the comics of the golden age. this is rated lower than “detective”, it’s 5.5, but it’s a bigger comic. so again, you’re looking at an auction price probably somewhere, at least $175,000 to $225,000.
guest: mm-hmm.
Appraiser: And again, if it was a 5.5 in its original condition, I’d be looking at $800,000 to $900,000.
guest: my socks go up and down.
evaluator: (laughs)
guest: of joy. thanks no socks, but, you know, it’s, it’s interesting. I mean, I’m glad I did.
appraiser: mm-hmm.
guest: just, I’m a, like, like… I’m a collector. Like I said, a completist. so it’s really wonderful to know that at least I’m also helping to protect the books. but at the same time, they will help me in the future. not only me, my son. my, my family. so that’s good to know.
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