FANTASTIC FOUR (1961-96; 2003-12) #1
CGC F/VF: 7.0
(Stock Image)
SOLD ON: Wednesday, 12/05/2012 12:07 PM
$15,000
Sold For
9
Bids
PUBLISHER: Marvel
COMMENTS: ow/white pgs
1st appearance of Fantastic Four, w/ origin; 1st app. Mole Man; Jack Kirby cover/art; the Marvel Age begins here (11/61) COMIC BOOK IMPACT rating of 10 (CBI)
Read Description ▼
1st appearance of Fantastic Four, w/ origin; 1st app. Mole Man; Jack Kirby cover/art; the Marvel Age begins here (11/61) COMIC BOOK IMPACT rating of 10 (CBI)
DESCRIPTION
ow/white pgs
1st appearance of Fantastic Four, w/ origin; 1st app. Mole Man; Jack Kirby cover/art; the Marvel Age begins here (11/61) COMIC BOOK IMPACT rating of 10 (CBI)
Fantastic Four #1 didn't just make history with the first appearance of Mister Fantastic, the Thing, Human Torch, and Invisible Girl (along with the debut of the tragically evil Mole Man). This artifact of a first issue also marks when Stan Lee and Jack Kirby secured the Silver Age of Comics and launched the Marvel Age of Storytelling. Their bold vision for the Fantastic Four would provide an unexpected depth to this tale of an experimental space flight gone wrong.
The Mole Man's sad backstory was just one of the many signs that Marvel was out to redefine superhero comics. For starters, this first issue of Fantastic Four was fully dedicated to a single story. That included an epic origin establishing that the Fantastic Four didn't bother with secret identities. The generous page count also allowed for plenty of petty infighting amongst the team — who didn't even wear costumes, although Stan would give in to public demand over that by the third issue.
Fantastic Four would also redefine the Marvel Comics Group, which was literally a set of comics that distributors sent to retailers. Marvel's monster books (including Tales to Astonish and Tales of Suspense) began selling as well as Fantastic Four once characters like Thor, Iron Man, and Ant-Man began to take over their pages.
The pop-culture passion for the Fantastic Four has seen an impressive revival since Marvel Studios recovered the film rights to the company's first super team. In addition to the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps featuring the Silver Surfer and Galactus, fans also have high hopes of (finally) getting the Mole Man as a villain. It's also been confirmed that the Fantastic Four will join Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom in both 2026's Avengers: Doomsday and 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars.
______________________________________________
It may be apocryphal, but legend has it that the Fantastic Four resulted from a golf game between Marvel's Martin Goodman and DC's Irwin Donenfeld, in which Donenfeld bragged about an upcoming superhero team book (Justice League of America), which prompted Goodman to practically chain Jack Kirby and Stan Lee to a desk until they came up with a team title to rival DC's upcoming blockbuster. While the title's origins are likely more drab than that, there's no denying that the competitive nature of the struggling comics business in the early Silver Age prompted feverish experimentation and risk-taking at the scrappy Marvel offices, resulting in clever, exciting series such as this, a first issue brimming with daring ideas, startling characterization, and brash ebullience.
Any Marvel key collector will tell you that this is one of the Silver Age keys most likely to turn up in middling condition, its cheap paperstock and rushed printjob combining with the unforgiving white background to make many original copies seem drab and worn. This higher-grade copy is a treat, with nice sharp colors and bright whites, and minimal wear. If you're going to invest in this book, this is a fine grade to consider, and a great copy for the savvy investment collector.
We realize many of you would like to bid on this auction lot, so for this listing, ComicConnect.com offers a 6 month, interest free, time payment plan with a 20% non-refundable deposit paid by check, money order or wire transfer.
Overstreet 2012 FN/VF (7.0) value = $16,750.
Artist Information
Jack Kirby is called 'The King of Comics' for a reason, during his career that spanned six decades he gave us many of the most iconic characters the medium would ever see. From his introduction of Captain America at the height of World War II it was clear he wasn't your ordinary comics artist. But it was his creative explosion at Marvel Comics in the 1960's that cemented his legacy, over a short period of time Kirby would give us The Fantastic Four, Iron Man, The Hulk, The X-Men, Thor, Ant-Man and Nick Fury just to name a few. Kirby would then go to DC and create his Fourth World, introducing Darkseid, Mister Miracle, The New Gods and a host of cosmic supporting players. Long live The King!
1st appearance of Fantastic Four, w/ origin; 1st app. Mole Man; Jack Kirby cover/art; the Marvel Age begins here (11/61) COMIC BOOK IMPACT rating of 10 (CBI)
Fantastic Four #1 didn't just make history with the first appearance of Mister Fantastic, the Thing, Human Torch, and Invisible Girl (along with the debut of the tragically evil Mole Man). This artifact of a first issue also marks when Stan Lee and Jack Kirby secured the Silver Age of Comics and launched the Marvel Age of Storytelling. Their bold vision for the Fantastic Four would provide an unexpected depth to this tale of an experimental space flight gone wrong.
The Mole Man's sad backstory was just one of the many signs that Marvel was out to redefine superhero comics. For starters, this first issue of Fantastic Four was fully dedicated to a single story. That included an epic origin establishing that the Fantastic Four didn't bother with secret identities. The generous page count also allowed for plenty of petty infighting amongst the team — who didn't even wear costumes, although Stan would give in to public demand over that by the third issue.
Fantastic Four would also redefine the Marvel Comics Group, which was literally a set of comics that distributors sent to retailers. Marvel's monster books (including Tales to Astonish and Tales of Suspense) began selling as well as Fantastic Four once characters like Thor, Iron Man, and Ant-Man began to take over their pages.
The pop-culture passion for the Fantastic Four has seen an impressive revival since Marvel Studios recovered the film rights to the company's first super team. In addition to the upcoming Fantastic Four: First Steps featuring the Silver Surfer and Galactus, fans also have high hopes of (finally) getting the Mole Man as a villain. It's also been confirmed that the Fantastic Four will join Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom in both 2026's Avengers: Doomsday and 2027's Avengers: Secret Wars.
______________________________________________
It may be apocryphal, but legend has it that the Fantastic Four resulted from a golf game between Marvel's Martin Goodman and DC's Irwin Donenfeld, in which Donenfeld bragged about an upcoming superhero team book (Justice League of America), which prompted Goodman to practically chain Jack Kirby and Stan Lee to a desk until they came up with a team title to rival DC's upcoming blockbuster. While the title's origins are likely more drab than that, there's no denying that the competitive nature of the struggling comics business in the early Silver Age prompted feverish experimentation and risk-taking at the scrappy Marvel offices, resulting in clever, exciting series such as this, a first issue brimming with daring ideas, startling characterization, and brash ebullience.
Any Marvel key collector will tell you that this is one of the Silver Age keys most likely to turn up in middling condition, its cheap paperstock and rushed printjob combining with the unforgiving white background to make many original copies seem drab and worn. This higher-grade copy is a treat, with nice sharp colors and bright whites, and minimal wear. If you're going to invest in this book, this is a fine grade to consider, and a great copy for the savvy investment collector.
We realize many of you would like to bid on this auction lot, so for this listing, ComicConnect.com offers a 6 month, interest free, time payment plan with a 20% non-refundable deposit paid by check, money order or wire transfer.
Overstreet 2012 FN/VF (7.0) value = $16,750.
Artist Information
Jack Kirby is called 'The King of Comics' for a reason, during his career that spanned six decades he gave us many of the most iconic characters the medium would ever see. From his introduction of Captain America at the height of World War II it was clear he wasn't your ordinary comics artist. But it was his creative explosion at Marvel Comics in the 1960's that cemented his legacy, over a short period of time Kirby would give us The Fantastic Four, Iron Man, The Hulk, The X-Men, Thor, Ant-Man and Nick Fury just to name a few. Kirby would then go to DC and create his Fourth World, introducing Darkseid, Mister Miracle, The New Gods and a host of cosmic supporting players. Long live The King!