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white pgs; 1 of 2 at the top; Jon Berk Copy
Lou Fine/Will Eisner cvr/art; 1st issue (was Wonder Comics); 1st app. of the Flame
Edgar Church / Mile High Copy
Highest Graded


Wonderworld Comics #3 only came about after Wonder Comics #2 barely made it to newsstands. The executives at Detective Comics, Inc. had filed a lawsuit over the publication of Wonder Comics #1, claiming that the book's Wonder Man was a blatant copy of Superman. The case was brought to court in Detective Comics, Inc. v. Bruns Publications, Inc., 111 F.2d 432 (2d Cir. 1940), in which Will Eisner refused to perjure himself about the derivative nature of the Wonder Man, and the subsequent decision forced Fox to drop the character after just one issue. This was the first copyright lawsuit in comic book history which set a precedent for DC Comics' vigorous protection of its properties.

The demise of Wonder Comics and Wonder Man, however, gave birth to Wonderworld Comics — picking up the book's numbering with the introduction of Lou Fine's creation, The Flame. (The future Golden Age legend had just made his professional debut with Wonder Comics #2.) The Flame's secret identity is that of Gary Preston whose father drowned in a flood, but managed to save baby Gary by placing him in a basket, which was washed downstream to Tibet, where he was rescued by a group of lamas. The numinous nannies nurtured Gary and taught him their mystical secrets. Through his training, he gained the ability to control fire and temperature, the power to travel from place to place by materializing inside of a flame (even a match flame), and he could even raise his own body temperature to the point where he would burst into flames. There is little doubt that The Flame's introduction in July 1939 led to the creation of the Human Torch in October 1939.
Allow me to sing the praises of this incredible book, there are many facets that combine to make this comic an outstanding treasure. First off, it’s a Mile High copy, any book from the pedigree to end all pedigrees is a desirable comic, anything bearing the name Edgar Church is sure to sell at awe inspiring prices. Next, the book is also from the storied Jon Berk collection, one the most valuable and complete collections of Golden Age comics ever to come to auction. Third, this is one of two of the highest graded copies on the census, and it is just stunning. Only the tiniest of imperfections can be found on this amazing cover, which is a collaboration between Lou Fine and Will Eisner, two of the foundational artists of the GA. Shimmering colors, perfect construction, I could go on, but suffice to say, in an auction overflowing with amazing comics, this book is sure to help close out the final evening with another savage bidding war.


Overstreet Guide 2019 NM- (9.2) value = $15,180.

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