WHIZ COMICS #1
CGC VF/NM: 9.0
(Stock Image)
SOLD ON: Friday, 12/07/2012 2:12 PM
$312,000
Sold For
42
Bids
PUBLISHER: Fawcett
COMMENTS: ow/white pgs, 1 of 1! Library of Congress Copyright copy
1st appearance of Captain Marvel, w/ origin; 1st app. of Dr. Sivana, Shazam the Wizard, Ibis the Invincible, Spy Smasher; Whiz Comics #2 (#1 as first issue on newsstands); C.C. Beck cover/art; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
Highest Graded
Read Description ▼
1st appearance of Captain Marvel, w/ origin; 1st app. of Dr. Sivana, Shazam the Wizard, Ibis the Invincible, Spy Smasher; Whiz Comics #2 (#1 as first issue on newsstands); C.C. Beck cover/art; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
Highest Graded
DESCRIPTION
ow/white pgs, 1 of 1! Library of Congress Copyright copy
1st appearance of Captain Marvel, w/ origin; 1st app. of Dr. Sivana, Shazam the Wizard, Ibis the Invincible, Spy Smasher; Whiz Comics #2 (#1 as first issue on newsstands); C.C. Beck cover/art; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
Highest Graded
Whiz Comics #2 marked the first appearance of Captain Marvel — and the first issue of Whiz , with the title's official "#1" being an internal publication for copyright use. Despite being denied the impact of an Action #1, Captain Marvel still became a superhero presence to rival Superman. In fact, the beloved icon managed to outsell Superman on the comic stands, with Whiz often moving as many as five million copies per issue.
DC's lawyers weren't happy with any of this, starting with how the cover of Whiz #2 resembled the cover of Action Comics #1. The idea of young Billy Batson becoming Captain Marvel by saying "Shazam!," however, was C.C. Beck and Billy Parker's own immortal spin on the new superhero mythology. DC still gathered an army of lawyers to pummel Fawcett Publications. The resulting lawsuits would eventually drive Fawcett out of business. Whiz Comics #2 remains a top collectible, with Fawcett's family of Marvels still a cornerstone of the comics industry. That includes an acclaimed Shazam! series that began in 2023 as a showcase for Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family.
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This recently discovered Golden Age gem is part of a collection of books unearthed from the Library of Congress. This copy is the highest graded first appearance of Captain Marvel in the form of a CGC graded 9.0 VF/NM Whiz Comics 2 (#1) with ow/white pages from February 1940 (the reason for the 2 is due to continuity with the ash-can version featuring Captain Thunder). Created by Bill Parker and drawn by C.C. Beck, Captain Marvel was an instant hit with adults and children; his sales even surpassed Superman during the Golden Age. This drew the wrath of DC who sued Fawcett as they believed Captain Marvel too similar to Superman and wanted to put Fawcett out of business. Legal issues aside Captain Marvel and Whiz continued to sell well for years. This issue also premieres Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, Spy Smasher, Ibis the Invincible and many more. A truly monumental book, difficult to find in unrestored condition and one of the top Golden Age comics to collect and invest in.
But that is just part of the picture. This is the very copy that Fawcett Publications sent to the U.S. Copyright office at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. to secure the historic contents published in Whiz Comics 2. While the original copyright registration card has been lost to the ages, the faint outline of the paperclip that originally held it in place can be seen at the top of the front cover. Truly Historic.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us at 212.895.3999 or support@comicconnect.com so that we may approve your account for placing offers. (This policy was instituted to protect consignors and bidders against bids from fraudulent accounts, and to ensure the integrity of the bidding process).
Overstreet 2012 VF/NM (9.0) value = $79,000.
Artist Information
Beck was the artist most closely associated with the original Captain Marvel at Fawcett Comics, he was the main illustrator for Whiz Comics in the Golden Age while also working on Ibis the Invincible and Spy Smasher. Later in his career he specialized in Golden Age recreations, he also created the oddball Fatman and the Flying Saucer title for Milson Publications.
1st appearance of Captain Marvel, w/ origin; 1st app. of Dr. Sivana, Shazam the Wizard, Ibis the Invincible, Spy Smasher; Whiz Comics #2 (#1 as first issue on newsstands); C.C. Beck cover/art; Comic Book Impact rating of 10 (CBI)
Highest Graded
Whiz Comics #2 marked the first appearance of Captain Marvel — and the first issue of Whiz , with the title's official "#1" being an internal publication for copyright use. Despite being denied the impact of an Action #1, Captain Marvel still became a superhero presence to rival Superman. In fact, the beloved icon managed to outsell Superman on the comic stands, with Whiz often moving as many as five million copies per issue.
DC's lawyers weren't happy with any of this, starting with how the cover of Whiz #2 resembled the cover of Action Comics #1. The idea of young Billy Batson becoming Captain Marvel by saying "Shazam!," however, was C.C. Beck and Billy Parker's own immortal spin on the new superhero mythology. DC still gathered an army of lawyers to pummel Fawcett Publications. The resulting lawsuits would eventually drive Fawcett out of business. Whiz Comics #2 remains a top collectible, with Fawcett's family of Marvels still a cornerstone of the comics industry. That includes an acclaimed Shazam! series that began in 2023 as a showcase for Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family.
________________________________________________
This recently discovered Golden Age gem is part of a collection of books unearthed from the Library of Congress. This copy is the highest graded first appearance of Captain Marvel in the form of a CGC graded 9.0 VF/NM Whiz Comics 2 (#1) with ow/white pages from February 1940 (the reason for the 2 is due to continuity with the ash-can version featuring Captain Thunder). Created by Bill Parker and drawn by C.C. Beck, Captain Marvel was an instant hit with adults and children; his sales even surpassed Superman during the Golden Age. This drew the wrath of DC who sued Fawcett as they believed Captain Marvel too similar to Superman and wanted to put Fawcett out of business. Legal issues aside Captain Marvel and Whiz continued to sell well for years. This issue also premieres Dr. Thaddeus Sivana, Spy Smasher, Ibis the Invincible and many more. A truly monumental book, difficult to find in unrestored condition and one of the top Golden Age comics to collect and invest in.
But that is just part of the picture. This is the very copy that Fawcett Publications sent to the U.S. Copyright office at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. to secure the historic contents published in Whiz Comics 2. While the original copyright registration card has been lost to the ages, the faint outline of the paperclip that originally held it in place can be seen at the top of the front cover. Truly Historic.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us at 212.895.3999 or support@comicconnect.com so that we may approve your account for placing offers. (This policy was instituted to protect consignors and bidders against bids from fraudulent accounts, and to ensure the integrity of the bidding process).
Overstreet 2012 VF/NM (9.0) value = $79,000.
Artist Information
Beck was the artist most closely associated with the original Captain Marvel at Fawcett Comics, he was the main illustrator for Whiz Comics in the Golden Age while also working on Ibis the Invincible and Spy Smasher. Later in his career he specialized in Golden Age recreations, he also created the oddball Fatman and the Flying Saucer title for Milson Publications.