First Issue of Captain America Comic Book Fetches $3.1 Million at Auction

The gross sales are fueled by a resurgence of curiosity in superheroes attributable to blockbuster movies and to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has heightened the need for collectibles, Barry Sandoval, vp of Heritage Auctions, mentioned in an interview late Thursday. He remembers the joys in February 2010 when Heritage bought its first comedian for greater than $1 million, a replica of Detective Comics No. 27, which was the debut of Batman.

“The Covid-19 period kind of led to a common explosion in collectibles,” Mr. Sandoval mentioned. “That’s a part of it. A part of is individuals, with every passing yr, have a greater really feel for what the shortage of these items is at excessive grade. Thirty years in the past, one might need been a bit extra reluctant since you didn’t know what number of different good copies could be on the market.”

The movies didn’t damage, Mr. Sandoval mentioned. In a bit greater than a decade, the Captain America movie franchise has seen three well-liked additions: “Captain America: The First Avenger,” in 2011; “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” in 2014; and “Captain America: Civil Warfare,” in 2016. The movies grossed greater than $2 billion, in accordance with IMDb.

“Even for those who’re shopping for one thing strictly since you find it irresistible, with no considered resale or funding or something like that, you’re all the time a bit extra comfy for those who suppose, ‘Oh, OK — if I did need to do away with this I may get my a refund or earn cash,’” Mr. Sandoval mentioned. “The truth that Captain America has been in so many latest motion pictures, I feel that offers individuals a greater consolation stage.”

The copy that was bought Thursday additionally had many benefits. It got here from a revered assortment, generally known as the San Francisco Pedigree Assortment, and was in near-mint situation, Mr. Sandoval mentioned. Furthermore, he mentioned, the unique Captain America problem has had a particular place within the hearts of comedian e-book aficionados.