Golden Age Marvel Comics #1, Certified by CGC, Realizes $223,500 in ComicLink Sale

Two classic issues from the Marvel Comics family, both certified by CGC®, lit a fire under bidders in a ComicLink auction on August 28, 2026, finishing hot with about $400,000 combined between them.

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Leading the sale was a Marvel Comics #1 with a Cookeville Collection pedigree graded CGC 2.5, which realized $223,500. Published by Timely Comics (a predecessor of Marvel Entertainment), Marvel Comics #1 includes the first appearance of the Human Torch. This Human Torch, which is different from the character of the same name from the Fantastic Four, was an android named Jim Hammond with the ability to engulf his body with fire. Decades later, the Golden Age character was revived by Marvel when they revealed the Vision, an android who was built using “spare parts” from the Human Torch and who later joined the Avengers. There is speculation that Hammond’s android Human Torch may soon appear in the VisionQuest TV series on Disney+.

This issue also includes the first appearances of Ka-Zar, Angel, Jungle Terror, and Masked Raider, and the origin of Namor the Sub-Mariner. Later it would serve as the title inspiration when Timely Comics became “Marvel Comics” in 1961.

Upon its release in November 1939, this book sold 80,000 copies, but only 76 examples are recorded in the CGC Population Report.

Another sizzler was a Marvel Spotlight #5 graded CGC 9.8 that realized $177,300. This issue features the first appearance of Ghost Rider — a stunt motorcyclist who sells his soul to Mephisto and becomes a fiery-skulled spirit of vengeance. Its popularity has only grown as Ghost Rider has moved from a cult favorite to one of Marvel’s most recognizable supernatural characters. At San Diego Comic-Con 2026, Marvel Studios announced that Ghost Rider will debut in the MCU starring Ryan Gosling.

With more than 7,200 examples in the CGC Population Report, this is one of only seven graded CGC 9.8 Universal.

Other CGC-certified comics sold in this auction include:

• a Fantastic Four #5 graded CGC 9.4, which realized $100,001
• a Human Torch #1 graded CGC 9.4, which realized $88,000
• a Batman #1 graded CGC 1.0, which realized $67,000
• a Suspense Comics #3 graded CGC 1.5, which realized $57,600
• an Incredible Hulk #5 graded CGC 9.6, which realized $54,341
• a Captain America Comics #36 graded CGC 9.0, which realized $52,100
• an Incredible Hulk #181 graded CGC 9.8, which realized $50,000
• a Tales of Suspense #57 graded CGC 9.8, which realized $47,000
• an Amazing Fantasy #15 graded CGC 5.0, which realized $44,777
• a Marvel Mystery Comics #3 graded CGC 6.0, which realized $43,500

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.

CGC is part of the Certified Collectibles Group, a global provider of expert and impartial authentication and grading services for collectibles. Since 1987, the Certified Collectibles Group companies have certified more than 110 million collectibles, including coins, banknotes, comic books, cards, autographs, and stamps.