CGC-certified Detective Comics #27 Realizes More than $500,000 in ComicConnect Auction

From the first appearance of Batman to the origin of Marvel, Golden and Silver Age comics graded by Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) were sold for impressive amounts in ComicConnect’s Event Auction #63 on September 18, 2025. Many of the comics in this auction originated from the True North Collection, which includes more than 200 first issues and first appearances assembled by a Toronto businessman and collector since 2008.

“This collection represents a veritable time capsule of new characters and stories in comics history from the Golden Age up to now,” ComicConnect CEO Vincent Zurzolo said. "It was incredibly exciting to see a collection like this, acquired over years of careful curation.”

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Leading the auction was a Detective Comics #27 graded CGC 8.5 Restored, which realized $520,950. Published in 1939, this historic comic features the first appearance of Batman by creators Bob Kane and Bill Finger. The character’s introduction was an attempt to mimic the success of Action Comics' Superman. Batman was indeed a success, which led to the Caped Crusader's own solo series in 1940. There are only 87 copies of this classic comic in the CGC Population Report, with nearly half of them Restored; of those, only five are graded higher than this one.

More members of the Justice League were also found in this auction, including a More Fun Comics #73 graded CGC 9.4 from the Mile High/Edgar Church Collection, which realized $460,127. This comic famously included the first appearances of Aquaman, Green Arrow and Speedy. Published in 1941, this comic also carried other anthology staples like Doctor Fate and the Spectre.

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Marvel joined in the excitement also, with a Marvel Comics #1 graded CGC 6.0, which originated from the personal collection of actor Nicolas Cage and realized $419,110. Published by Timely Comics, Marvel Comics #1 includes the first appearance of the Human Torch. Not to be confused with the character who would later appear with the Fantastic Four, this Human Torch was an android named Jim Hammond with the ability to engulf his body with fire. This issue also includes the first appearance of Ka-Zar, Angel, Jungle Terror and Masked Raider, and the origin of Namor the Sub-Mariner. Later, the title served as the inspiration for Timely Comics’ transition to Marvel Comics in 1961.

Also sold was an Amazing Fantasy #15 graded CGC 8.0, which realized $289,000. Stan Lee and Steve Ditko revolutionized the superhero genre in 1962 when they introduced Spider-Man in this final issue of Amazing Fantasy. Superheroes up until that point were always adults, while the teenager was their sidekick. With Spider-Man, Lee said he wanted to create a teen hero who was more than a sidekick. His debut was a gamble, and it quickly paid off. Over the decades, Spider-Man has grown into one of the most beloved and recognizable characters in the world.

The original owner of the True North Collection also has a restored 9.4 Action Comics #1 being offered through a private ComicConnect sale.

“As the prices for unrestored comics increase," Zurzolo said, "so will those for restored copies. They become more desirable and attainable as they are ‘more affordable,’ comparatively speaking.”

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Also in this auction was an incredible lineup of Silver Age U.K. Price Variant comics, including many that are the highest-graded variant copies in the CGC Population Report. Among them was a Fantastic Four #48 U.K. Price Variant graded CGC 9.4 that realized $8,177, and an Amazing Spider-Man #5 U.K. Price Variant graded CGC 9.0 that realized $4,138.

Other CGC-certified comics in this auction included:

• a Superman #1 graded CGC 9.4 Restored, which realized $121,900
• a Detective Comics #66 graded CGC 9.0, which realized $53,538
• an All Select Comics #1 graded CGC 8.0, which realized $36,160
• an Adventure Comics #40 graded CGC 4.5, which realized 35,905
• a Captain America Comics #1 graded CGC .5 Restored, which realized $35,659

About CGC

Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for a vast variety of pop culture collectibles. These divisions include CGC Cards, CGC Video Games and CGC Home Video. CGC Cards provides expert card grading for sports cards, TCGs and non-sports cards. CGC Video Games is dedicated to video game grading for the most popular consoles, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation and more. CGC Home Video provides expert VHS grading in addition to other types of videocassettes, DVD, Blu-ray and more. CGC also offers seamless solutions for autograph collectors with CGC Signature Series and JSA Authentic Autograph services.