(Stock Image)
SOLD ON: Wednesday, 04/14/2021 9:45 PM
This auction has ended.
PUBLISHER: MLJ
COMMENTS: ow pgs
Alex Schomburg WWII cover; Irv Novick/Bob Fujiani art.
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ow pgs
Alex Schomburg WWII cover; Irv Novick/Bob Fujiani art.During WWII, many comic book publishers sold millions of comics with superheroes fighting Nazis or Japs or Japanazis. Archie Andrews was a different kind of comic character. His appearances in Pep Comics allowed teenagers to relate to a normal kid with normal problems that teens had (especially the dating variety). The gang from Riverdale provided much needed relief from the war effort that dominated the news. This issue marks Archie's first cover appearance.
Archie wasn't a total overnight sensation -- it took a few appearances for him to really cook -- but not long after his first go-round, he was stealing cover time from MLJ's hero stable, and this first cover appearance makes one feel a little badly for the Shield and Hangman, who couldn't help but know they were being shunted aside for a redheaded runt and his hottie gal pals. Sorry, Bentley of Scotland Yard, your day is nearly done. Seven decades on, the Archie gang is still instantly recognizable and beloved around the world -- this historic book is just the beginning of a long road of success and is a must-own for any Archie fanatic. This copy of Pep #36, the first Archie cover appearance, still packs a punch, retaining its pizzazz nearly eighty years after publication. There are thirty-five copies of this book registered with CGC, and that obviously makes this book an extremely rare collectible which has tremendous upside potential due to the evergreen fandom for Archie and his pals which has been on the rise in recent years thanks to a variety of TV shows and all manner of Archie spinoffs in the comics.
Overstreet Guide 2020 VG/F (5.0) value = $4,625.