On July 31, The Incredible Hulk #181, considered to be “The Grail,” for collectors and containing the first full appearance of Wolverine sold for $8,100.
Review by W.A. Demers
NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Bodnar’s July 31 sale pleased comic collectors, while its August 1 auction targeted Barbie doll fashionistas. At the Important Estate Comic Book Collection sale, The Incredible Hulk #181, in “very fine condition” and considered to be “The Grail” for collectors, containing the first full appearance of Wolverine — and with the Shanna the She-Devil value stamp intact — sold for $8,100.
The following day at the Fashion Through the Eyes of Barbie! 1950s to Present Day auction, a virtual Barbie runway was topped by a Silkstone Dahlia Barbie doll from a single-owner collection of a consignor who enjoyed and displayed many of her dolls. Complete in its box, the doll included a Barbie Collector Platinum label and sold for $1,320.
“The July 31 sale was the better of both days,” said owner Joe Bodnar. “There were more than 3,000 registered bidders with 550 participating across three platforms, Bodnar’s Auction, LiveAuctioneers and Invaluable.” It was a white glove sale with all 263 lots finding buyers and it totaled $62,680.
The comic book auction attracted more than 100,000 page views over two weeks, according to Bodnar, with more than 1,000 live viewers on sale day. Bodnar’s auction platform took in close to 60 percent of the action. Bodnar said, “We did a live broadcast online and had Mike Zapcic, our expert, who talked about all of the comics as we sold them.” Zapcic runs Kevin Smith’s comic book store, the Secret Stash, in Red Bank, N.J.
Marvel Comics’ The Amazing Spider-Man #129 contained the first appearance of Frank Castle, The Punisher, a former US Marine-turned-violent vigilante. The “Super Key” issue appeared to be in VF condition and crossed the block at $4,200.
The Amazing Spider-Man #129 from Marvel Comics contained the first appearance of Frank Castle, also known as The Punisher — a former US Marine-turned-violent vigilante. Considered a “Super Key” issue, this one appeared to be in very fine condition and it was bid to $4,200.
More of Marvel’s Amazing Spider-Man was offered with The Amazing Spider-Man #3. This issue contained the first appearance of Doctor Octopus—Doc Ock for short—whose main super power is telepathy. In what appeared to be in very good condition, the issue grabbed $2,520.
The first full appearance of Galactus and the second appearance of Silver Surfer were the draws in Marvel’s Fantastic Four #49. In apparent fine condition, the issue was lofted to $1,800.
The Silver Surfer does surface for the first time in Marvel’s Fantastic Four #48, where Galactus also makes a cameo appearance. This example climbed to $1,680.
Cresting at $1,680, Marvel’s Fantastic Four #48 saw Silver Surfer surface for the first time, and there was a cameo appearance of Galactus, a cosmic character who needs to consume planets to sustain his life.
A double lot crossed the block with Marvel’s The Incredible Hulk comics, including #180 and #182. These issues held the first and third appearances of Wolverine, respectively, and the comics earned $1,170.
Marvel’s The Silver Surfer #1 relayed the origin of Norman Radd, the astonomer who is transformed into the Silver Surfer. A bidder won this key issue for $900.
“We run two-day auctions every three weeks, from antiques and collectibles to pop-culture toys and comics. The next comic book auction is November 6,” said Bodnar.
Prices given include the buyer’s premium as stated by the auction house. For information, 732-210-6388 or www.bodnarsauction.com.
