The launch of ComicLink’s big Spring Featured Auction is just days away, opening on Wednesday, May 15, 2019. This will be one of their biggest auctions of the year featuring the best in vintage comic books with a large number of impressive keys issues across all eras, including many in superb condition that ranks them at or toward the top of the CGC census. Top highlights include Fantastic Four #5 (first Doctor Doom) CGC 9.6 White Mountain pedigree (highest, one of two) and Incredible Hulk #1 (first Hulk and origin) CGC 8.0 with near-newsstand fresh off white to white pages. It also contains a strong selection of world class comic and fantasy related original art including the Todd McFarlane cover to Spider-Man #4 with Spider-Man vs. the Lizard, and the Barry Windsor-Smith cover to Conan the Barbarian #5.

ComicLink is also accepting consignments for the next Focused Auction launching in June, which will also be an exciting one as it will promote other categories of collectibles including certified coins (both U.S. coins and ancients), cards, WATA-certified video games, movie posters, and more. Sellers interested in consigning may contact ComicLink at buysell@comiclink.com or (617) 517-0062 (option 1) to speak with Josh Nathanson, Douglas Gillock, Jason Crosby, Jon Signorelli, or Ross Kearney. Upfront cash advances are available upon receipt of seller material.

The Spring Featured Auction is going to be a blockbuster with a large number of impressive key issues across all eras, including many in high grade condition that ranks them at or toward the top of the CGC census.

Some of the newest comic books added to the Auction Preview include Silver Age and early Bronze keys such as Amazing Fantasy #15 (first Spider-Man and origin) CGC 4.0, Amazing Spider-Man #1 (second Spider-Man, first Jameson) CGC 7.0 and CGC 6.0, Daredevil #1 (first Daredevil and origin) CGC 9.4, Giant-Size X-Men #1 CGC 9.8, Wonder Woman #98 (first Silver Age origin, new team) CGC 6.0, Action Comics #242 (first Brainiac) CGC 5.5, Green Lantern #87 (first John Stewart) CGC 9.8, and Thunderbolt #1 (first Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt) CGC 9.8 Fantucchio pedigree (single highest graded).

Some of the latest Golden Age offerings to be added are Wonder Woman #34 CGC 9.6 (highest graded, one of three) and #25 CGC 9.4 (top four), Four Color #291 (Barks “Magic Hourglass”) CGC 9.6 (single highest graded), Action Comics #17 CGC 4.0, Batman #7 CGC 7.5 and #68 (Two-Face cover) CGC 9.0, Ginger #4 CGC 7.0 (single highest graded), and Brick Bradford #6 (Schomburg robot cover) CGC 9.4 (top three).

Newly added late Bronze and Modern offerings include Ms. Marvel #1 (Carol Danvers becomes a superheroine) CGC 9.8, Amazing Spider-Man #194 (first Black Cat) CGC 9.8 and #212 (first Hydro-Man) CGC 9.9 (single highest graded), and Venom: Lethal Protector #1 CGC 9.8 black cover printing error.

Marvel Silver Age and early Bronze Age keys in the Auction Preview include Amazing Spider-Man issues from an original owner collection. Among the offerings just back from CGC, are Amazing Spider-Man #26 (fourth Green Goblin) CGC 9.8 (highest, one of five) and #28 (Ditko black cover, first Molten Man) CGC 9.6. The preview has more examples from this collection, including Amazing Spider-Man #13 (first Mysterio) CGC 9.2, #101 (first Morbius) CGC 9.8 and CGC 9.6 Northland pedigree, #129 (first Punisher) CGC 9.8, and Annual #1 (first Sinister Six) CGC 9.6 Curator pedigree.

Fantastic Four highlights include #1 (first Fantastic Four and origin) CGC 7.0 and CGC 6.0, #2 (first Skrulls) CGC 9.0 and CGC 8.5, #5 (first Doctor Doom) CGC 9.6 (highest graded, one of two) White Mountain pedigree, and #48 (first Silver Surfer and Galactus) CGC 9.6 and CGC 9.4.

There are three examples of the Silver Age key Incredible Hulk #1 (first Hulk and origin) CGC 8.0, CGC 6.5, and CGC 3.0, as well as the Bronze Age key #181 (first full Wolverine) CGC 9.6.

Other Marvel Silver Age and early Bronze Age offerings include a just added Avengers #1 (first Avengers) CGC 8.5 and CGC 7.5, #2 CGC 9.4, #4 (first Silver Age Captain America) CGC 9.6, and #57 (first Vision) CGC 9.8, Silver Surfer #1 (origin of Surfer) CGC 9.6 and #4 (Thor battle cover) CGC 9.8, Iron Man #1 CGC 9.8 (first generation CGC label) and CGC 9.6, Tales of Suspense #39 (first Iron Man and origin) CGC 7.0, and #57 (first Hawkeye) CGC 9.2 Curator pedigree, X-Men #1 (first X-Men and Magneto) CGC 6.5 and CGC 5.0, Werewolf By Night #32 (first Moon Knight) 9.8 (PGX), Thor #165 (first full Adam Warlock) CGC 9.6, Strange Tales #110 (1st Doctor Strange) CGC 7.5, Marvel Spotlight #5 (first Johnny Blaze Ghost Rider) CGC 9.6, Marvel Super-Heroes #13 (first Carol Danvers) CGC 9.4 Western Penn pedigree, Tomb of Dracula #10 (first Blade) CGC 9.8, and Conan the Barbarian #1 (first Conan in comics) CGC 9.8.

DC offerings from the Silver Age and early Bronze age include Showcase #22 (first Silver Age Green Lantern and origin) CGC 7.5, Action Comics #252 (first Supergirl and origin) CGC 7.0, All-Star Western #10 (first Jonah Hex) CGC 9.8, Batman #234 (first Modern Two-Face) CGC 9.8 and #251 (Adams Joker cover) CGC 9.6, Brave and the Bold #25 (first Suicide Squad) CGC 7.5 and #54 (first Teen Titans) CGC 9.2, Justice League of America #6 (first Amos Fortune) CGC 9.6 (highest, one of two), Superman #199 (first Superman/Flash race) CGC 9.4, and Metal Men #1 CGC 9.4.

The auction has the Warren key Vampirella #1 (first Vampi) CGC 9.6 and Spirou #1072 (first Smurfs cover) CGC 9.6.

DC Golden Age offerings include Detective Comics #3 (one of only six CGC Universal examples) CGC 5.0, #33 (first origin of Batman) CGC 3.0 and CGC 7.5 Extensive P, #38 (first Robin and origin) CGC 5.0 Moderate (B-3), #45 (first Joker story in title) CCG 6.5, and #225 (first Martian Manhunter) CGC 8.5 (one of the top four graded overall), Action Comics #33 (Superman cover) CGC 9.0 (single highest graded), All Star Comics #3 (first JSA) CGC 5.5 Extensive (P) and #8 (first Wonder Woman) CGC 2.0, Superman #13 (WWII cover) CGC 9.2 (single highest graded) and #35 (Lois Lane cover) CGC 9.6 Hawkeye pedigree (highest, one of two), More Fun Comics #55 (first Doctor Fate) CGC 2.0 and #67 (Spectre cover) CGC 6.5, Wonder Woman #6 (first Cheetah) CGC 5.5, Batman #2 (second Joker, second Catwoman) CGC 4.0, #11 (first Joker cover in title) CGC 7.0, #23 (Joker chess cover) CGC 7.0, and #36 CGC 9.4 (highest, one of five).

Timely offerings are Captain America Comics #13 (WWII, “Remember Pearl Harbor” cover) CGC 7.0, #19 (horror cover) CGC 8.5, and #33 (“Brenner Pass” Schomburg cover) CGC 5.5, Marvel Mystery Comics #10 (Schomburg WWII cover, Torch vs. Sub-Mariner battle conclusion) CGC 7.5 and #40 (Schomburg zeppelin cover) CGC 7.0 (A-2), Human Torch #1 (first Toro and origin) CGC 5.0, #2 (Schomburg cover) CGC 5.5, and #3 (Schomburg cover) CGC 6.5, USA Comics #10 (Schomburg Captain America cover) CGC 7.0, Daring Mystery Comics #2 (early Schomburg Timely cover) CGC 4.0, and Daring Comics #9 (Schomburg cover) CGC 9.0 (top two).

Pre-code horror includes Gaines File examples of Vault of Horror 28 CGC 9.8 (highest, one of five), #33 CGC 9.8 (highest, one of five), #38 CGC 9.8, and #39 CGC 9.8, Haunt of Fear #10 CGC 9.8 and #11 CGC 9.6 CVA (top four), Tales From the Crypt #22 CGC 9.6, plus EC war title Two-Fisted Tales #18 (first issue) CGC 9.8 (highest, one of four), Underworld Crime #7 (pre-code crime cover) CGC 7.0, Worlds Beyond #1 (Fawcett pre-code horror) CGC 9.4 Mile High pedigree (highest, one of two), and a group of scarce mid-to-high grade examples of Uncanny Tales from the Atlas title.

Other Golden Age highlights include two key Carl Barks issues – Four Color #9 (first Barks Donald Duck, “Donald Duck Finds Pirate Gold”) CGC 8.0 and #386 (Uncle Scrooge #1) CGC 9.2, Police Comics #1 (first Plastic Man and first Phantom Lady) CGC 2.5, Phantom Lady #20 CGC 8.0, Thrilling Comics #41 (Hitler cover) CGC 6.5, Silver Streak Comics #6 (first Daredevil and origin) CGC 4.5, Daredevil Battles Hitler #1 CGC 4.5 and CGC 8.0 Moderate (p), Jungle Comics #11 (dinosaur cover) CGC 9.0 (top three) and #70 (skull cover) CGC 9.4 (single highest graded), and Planet Comics #38 CGC 9.4 Mile High pedigree.

The auction will also feature late Bronze and Modern examples, such as Albedo #2 (first Usagi Yojimbo) CGC 9.8, X-Men #101 (first Phoenix) CGC 9.8, and Batman Adventures #12 (first Harley Quinn in comics) CGC 9.8.

Some newly added examples of comic and fantasy-related original art in the upcoming Spring Featured Auction include Jim Lee Superman/Batman #10 cover with the two icons plus Wonder Woman in an ideal pose; Paul Smith X-Men Classic #87 cover reimagining of the Colossus vs. Juggernaut battle cover from Uncanny X-Men #183; Gene Colan Captain America #120 cover with a great Cap with Shield in battle image; Mike Zeck Captain America #300 cover with a Captain America vs. Red Skull battle scene; Greg Capullo Batman V2 #3 cover with Batman vs. the Court of Owls’ Talon; and Adam Kubert Wizard Magazine #115 cover with a “Split Screen” Wolverine and Ultimate Wolverine and New Avengers #50 cover with Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Captain America.

Previously announced art includes Barry Windsor-Smith 1971 cover to Conan the Barbarian #5, “The Claws of the Tigress”; Frank Miller Detective Comics #1000 variant cover featuring his Dark Knight can Carrie Kelly Robin; Steve Ditko Mr. A illustration from 1969 featuring Ditko’s most personal creation; Dave Gibbons Watchmen #7 page with Nite Owl and Silk Spectre taking the Owlship for its first ride in years; Chris Ware Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth page; John Byrne pages from Iron Fist #6 with Iron Fist battling Colleen Wing, Fantastic Four #247 with the Fantastic Four fighting Doom’s robots, and Incredible Hulk Annual #7 with Bob Layton inks; Gil Kane Defenders #52 cover, a great Hulk vs. Sub-Mariner battle scene, Giant-Size Master of Kung-Fu #3 cover with Joe Sinnott inks featuring Shang-Chi in battle with the Si-Fan Assassins and Sword of the Atom #1 cover, the start of a new era for Ray Palmer depicted by his co-creator; and Michael Kaluta Detective Comics #428 cover featuring a moody early Bronze Age Batman.

Art includes Gene Colan Daredevil #20 page 1 title splash with a Daredevil in action – this is one of the earliest and best large art Colan Daredevil splash pages ever to hit the market; Andy Kubert Joker’s Asylum: Joker #1 cover with a maniacal yet superb depiction of the clown prince of crime; John Buscema and Joe Sinnott three pages (sold separately) from Fantastic Four #112, the Thing/Hulk battle issue, plus a Buscema recreation of his now iconic cover for that issue with the Thing facing off with the Hulk; Jim Aparo Man-Bat #1 cover with Man-Bat vs. Batman; Al Milgrom Iron Man Annual #4 cover with Iron Man and the Champions vs. M.O.D.O.K.; Alan Davis Excalibur #62 cover with an intense Nightcrawler in action; Brent Anderson Ka-Zar the Savage #4 cover with Ka-Zar and Shanna; and Sal Buscema Rom #32 complete 22-page interior art featuring a key early Rogue appearance plus Mystique.

Others include George Pérez New Teen Titans Archives #1 cover portrait of the ’80s team by their co-creator and two rare Pérez X-Men pages from X-Men Annual #3 page with Terry Austin inks; Neal Adams Brave and the Bold #84 page from the first Batman/Sgt. Rock team-up, Strange Adventures #212 page from the classic Deadman series, featuring the ghost of Boston Brand and his entire supporting cast, and Defenders #1A cover from 2017 featuring the Netflix street level heroes (Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Luke Cage and Iron Fist); Earl Norem painted cover to Savage Sword of Conan #41; Bill Sienkiewicz Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #6 cover with the first appearance of the Ultimate Punisher, aiming to take down Spider-Man; June Brigman and Kevin Nowlan Alpha Flight #45 cover featuring the return of Sasquatch; Chris Bachalo X-Men: Regenesis #1 cover with a great team portrait of the modern team; Mark Texeira Punisher War Journal #16 cover featuring an explosive image of the Punisher in action; J.G. Jones Black Widow #3 cover with Black Widow vs. Black Widow; Jim Starlin Marvel Graphic Novel Death of Captain Marvel page with the Marvel heroes reacting to the news of Mar-Vell’s impending demise; Adam Kubert Origin II #4 cover featuring a savage Wolverine; Bob Hall West Coast Avengers #4 cover from the final issue of the original miniseries with the team battling Graviton; and Terry Dodson Wonder Woman #2 cover.

Other original art offerings include an Adam Hughes double page splash from the recent landmark Ben Grimm/Alicia Masters wedding issue, Fantastic Four #650; Boris Vallejo Tinirau painting; Sanjulian painting of three green haired vixens; Art Adams three covers including Agents of Atlas #1 with Marvel’s heroes of the 1950s, America #2 variant cover with a portrait of Marvel's popular young heroine America Chavez, and Amazing Heroes Preview Special #5 with the Flaming Carrot and Gumby; Nick Cardy two pages (sold separately) from 1965’s Aquaman #22 with the newly wed Aquaman and Mera; Gene Colan Doctor Strange #183 splash with the masked Strange, Clea and Wong; and Jason Fabok Justice League #50 cover from the epic finale of “The Darkseid War” that closed out the New 52 era – featuring the lord of Apokolips looming above an ideal depiction of the JLA.

Others include Barry Windsor-Smith Rune #0 cover; several Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pages by Eastman and Laird plus their Gobbledygook #2 cover created in 1983 before TMNT #1; Al Feldstein “Bill Gaines and Friends” painting featuring EC’s beloved publisher and their iconic horror hosts; Don Heck Journey Into Mystery #99 page from a 1963 Thor story with the Thunder God and Odin arguing over Thor’s right to marry Jane Foster; Don Newton Batman #368 title splash and battle page from the key issue where Jason Todd officially becomes the second Robin; Stephen Platt Prophet #6 cover; Tim Sale Detective Comics #763 cover featuring a “Jokerized” victim; Herb Trimpe Incredible Hulk #175 page with Hulk battling Black Bolt and Marvel Treasury Edition #25 double page spread with a huge image of Hulk; J. Scott Campbell Danger Girl/G.I. Joe #1 cover; Richard Corben “Curse of the Monolith” illustration from Sword and Fantasy; Gene Day Marvel Premiere #59 cover with Doctor Who; and Steve McNiven Death of Wolverine #3 cover with Kitty Pryde and Wolverine together again after all these years.

ComicLink’s upcoming auction schedule, Comic Book Exchange, and Comic Art Exchange can be viewed on their website.