FANTASTIC FOUR (1961-96; 2003-12) #1
CGC FN+: 6.5
(Stock Image)
SOLD ON: Thursday, 12/07/2023 7:27 PM
$36,070
Sold For
31
Bids
PUBLISHER: Marvel
COMMENTS: white pages; Stan Lee Signature Series
1st appearance of Fantastic Four, w/ origin; 1st app. Mole Man; Jack Kirby cover/art; the Marvel Age begins here (11/61) COMIC BOOK IMPACT rating of 10 (CBI)
Read Description ▼
1st appearance of Fantastic Four, w/ origin; 1st app. Mole Man; Jack Kirby cover/art; the Marvel Age begins here (11/61) COMIC BOOK IMPACT rating of 10 (CBI)
DESCRIPTION
white pages; Stan Lee Signature Series
1st appearance of Fantastic Four, w/ origin; 1st app. Mole Man; Jack Kirby cover/art; the Marvel Age begins here (11/61) COMIC BOOK IMPACT rating of 10 (CBI)
Fantastic Four #1 didn't just make history with the first appearance of Mister Fantastic, the Thing, Human Torch, and Invisible Girl (along with the debut of the tragically evil Mole Man). This artifact of a first issue also marks when Stan Lee and Jack Kirby secured the Silver Age of Comics and launched the Marvel Age of Storytelling. Their bold vision for the Fantastic Four would provide an unexpected depth to this tale of an experimental space flight gone wrong.
The Mole Man's sad backstory was just one of the many signs that Marvel was out to redefine superhero comics. For starters, this first issue of Fantastic Four was fully dedicated to a single story. That included an epic origin establishing that the Fantastic Four didn't bother with secret identities. The generous page count also allowed for plenty of petty infighting amongst the team — who didn't even wear costumes, although Stan would give in to public demand over that by the third issue.
Fantastic Four would also redefine the Marvel Comics Group, which was literally a set of comics that distributors sent to retailers. Marvel's monster books (including Tales to Astonish and Tales of Suspense) began selling as well as Fantastic Four once characters like Thor, Iron Man, and Ant-Man began to take over their pages.
The pop-culture passion for the Fantastic Four was recently renewed when Marvel Studios recovered the film rights to the company's first super team. In addition to the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps featuring the Silver Surfer and Galactus, fans also have high hopes of (finally) getting the Mole Man as a villain. It's also been confirmed that the Fantastic Four will join Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom in both 2026's Avengers: Doomsday and 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars.
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In recent years the signature series market has exploded, drawing in new collectors attracted to the charm and novelty of autographed keys, and older collectors whose interest in comics may have waned over time. It's especially nice having a significant Marvel issue signed by the walking personification of the Marvel Age, Stan "the Man" Lee, and this attractive 6.5 copy of FF #1 stands out from the pack thanks to the inscription from its co-creator. Investors and collectors have found that having a comic signed can help it break out from the pack, making it more attractive to potential buyers and adding a little "zing.” Not that this clean, unrestored copy with white pages needs any help -- but, certainly, it makes it all the more special and all the more likely to attract bids and compliments in this Event Auction. A Fantastic Four #1 6.5 sold for $45,600 in November 2022, and that copy did not even have a signature by Stan Lee.
Overstreet Guide 2023 FN+ (6.5) value = $36,575.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 24 hours in advance of the item closing at 212.895.3999 or support@comicconnect.com so that we may approve your account for bidding. (This policy was instituted to protect consignors and bidders against bids from fraudulent accounts, and to ensure the integrity of the bidding process.) Once approved, please log out of your account and then log in, for the approval to take effect.
1st appearance of Fantastic Four, w/ origin; 1st app. Mole Man; Jack Kirby cover/art; the Marvel Age begins here (11/61) COMIC BOOK IMPACT rating of 10 (CBI)
Fantastic Four #1 didn't just make history with the first appearance of Mister Fantastic, the Thing, Human Torch, and Invisible Girl (along with the debut of the tragically evil Mole Man). This artifact of a first issue also marks when Stan Lee and Jack Kirby secured the Silver Age of Comics and launched the Marvel Age of Storytelling. Their bold vision for the Fantastic Four would provide an unexpected depth to this tale of an experimental space flight gone wrong.
The Mole Man's sad backstory was just one of the many signs that Marvel was out to redefine superhero comics. For starters, this first issue of Fantastic Four was fully dedicated to a single story. That included an epic origin establishing that the Fantastic Four didn't bother with secret identities. The generous page count also allowed for plenty of petty infighting amongst the team — who didn't even wear costumes, although Stan would give in to public demand over that by the third issue.
Fantastic Four would also redefine the Marvel Comics Group, which was literally a set of comics that distributors sent to retailers. Marvel's monster books (including Tales to Astonish and Tales of Suspense) began selling as well as Fantastic Four once characters like Thor, Iron Man, and Ant-Man began to take over their pages.
The pop-culture passion for the Fantastic Four was recently renewed when Marvel Studios recovered the film rights to the company's first super team. In addition to the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps featuring the Silver Surfer and Galactus, fans also have high hopes of (finally) getting the Mole Man as a villain. It's also been confirmed that the Fantastic Four will join Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom in both 2026's Avengers: Doomsday and 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars.
______________________________________________
In recent years the signature series market has exploded, drawing in new collectors attracted to the charm and novelty of autographed keys, and older collectors whose interest in comics may have waned over time. It's especially nice having a significant Marvel issue signed by the walking personification of the Marvel Age, Stan "the Man" Lee, and this attractive 6.5 copy of FF #1 stands out from the pack thanks to the inscription from its co-creator. Investors and collectors have found that having a comic signed can help it break out from the pack, making it more attractive to potential buyers and adding a little "zing.” Not that this clean, unrestored copy with white pages needs any help -- but, certainly, it makes it all the more special and all the more likely to attract bids and compliments in this Event Auction. A Fantastic Four #1 6.5 sold for $45,600 in November 2022, and that copy did not even have a signature by Stan Lee.
Overstreet Guide 2023 FN+ (6.5) value = $36,575.
If you are a new customer planning to make a first-time purchase over $25,000, please contact us 24 hours in advance of the item closing at 212.895.3999 or support@comicconnect.com so that we may approve your account for bidding. (This policy was instituted to protect consignors and bidders against bids from fraudulent accounts, and to ensure the integrity of the bidding process.) Once approved, please log out of your account and then log in, for the approval to take effect.