Marvel-ous 'Mega Key’ Silver Age holy grail comic in Lichfield auction

The Avengers #1 Monday 2nd November

BIDDERS are expected to assemble when a rare Marvel comic goes to auction in Lichfield next month.

The copy of The Avengers #1 published in 1963 marks the very first appearance of the premier superhero team in Marvel Comics.

In extremely good condition for its age, with all pages intact and only minor signs of wear and tear, the comic carries an estimate of £1,000 to £1,500 with Richard Winterton Auctioneers and goes under the hammer on November 2.

The iconic issue is among a single-owner collection of approximately 700 comics to be sold across 30 lots in the same auction.

The archive also features some early Spider-Man comics, including:

• The Amazing Spider-Man #6 – First appearance of the Lizard

• The Amazing Spider-Man #13 – First appearance of Mysterio

• The Amazing Spider-Man #46 – First appearance of the Shocker

• The Amazing Spider-Man #101 – First appearance of Morbius

A spokesperson for Richard Winterton Auctioneers said: “This wonderful collection came to us following an email valuation enquiry and is a super example of how getting in touch can uncover some truly special items.”

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and famously billed as ‘Earth's Mightiest Super-Heroes’, the original team debuted in The Avengers #1 in September 1963.

Unlike in the modern movies, the founding members came together entirely by chance – Iron Man, Thor God of Thunder, The Hulk, Ant-Man and The Wasp.

Captain America became the first major addition to the team early on, when he was found frozen in a block of ice in The Avengers #4 and revived by the group, quickly becoming the team’s definitive leader and moral compass.

“The Avengers remain a massive global household name thanks to multi-billion-dollar multimedia franchises,” auctioneers added.

“Interest in the original 1963 The Avengers #1 comic book remains exceptionally high because it features the very first team appearance and the origin story.

“The issue is widely considered a ‘Mega Key’ Silver Age holy grail for collectors and investors alike – a tier reserved for the absolute titans of the medium.

“A ‘Mega Key’ introduces a concept that fundamentally changes the entire comic book industry forever. The Avengers #1 is such as it introduces Earth’s Mightiest Super-Heroes as a team, establishing a crossover formula still used by Marvel in Hollywood today.

“The Silver Age refers to the period of intense artistic advancement and explosive mainstream popularity which ran roughly from 1956 to 1970.

“Consequently we expect a huge amount of interest in the sale on November 2.”

The catalogue can be viewed online a week before the sale via our Auction Calendar.

 View in person at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, between 10am and 4pm on Friday, October 30.

The auction starts at 9am and people can bid live in the room, go online or get in touch for a pre-arranged telephone bid.

For more information, to arrange a free valuation of all types of comics and other collectable, or to enquire about a home visit for large collections or house clearances, email [email protected] or call 01543 251081.