Incredible Hulk Realizes $780,000 in Heritage Auction

A blockbuster lineup of classic comics that are certified by Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) took center stage in a recent Heritage Auctions sale. A dozen CGC-certified rarities led the way with six-figure results in the Comic and Comic Art Signature Auction on June 26-29, 2025!

The top comic book in the auction was an Incredible Hulk #1 graded CGC 9.2 (lot 91016), which realized $780,000. Published in 1962 by Marvel Comics, this comic introduced readers to the iconic character of the Hulk and marked the birth of a legendary superhero franchise. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, this debut issue chronicled the origin of Dr. Bruce Banner, who, after a gamma radiation accident, transformed into the uncontrollable green behemoth whenever he experienced intense anger.

In his first appearance, the Hulk was depicted as gray. However, this color choice led to printing issues, and the character was changed to green in the second issue. This wasn’t the only CGC-certified copy of Incredible Hulk #1 sold in this auction, which also included a CGC 7.5 (91172) that realized $78,000, a CGC Signature Series 6.5 signed by Stan Lee (lot 91173) that realized $34,800, a CGC 5.5 (lot 93383) that realized $30,000 and a CGC 5.0 (lot 93384) that realized $19,200.

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Another marvelous result was a Fantastic Four #1 graded CGC 9.2 (lot 91013), which realized $600,000. This comic from the earliest days of the Silver Age helped inaugurate the modern Marvel era of comics as we know it today. Released by Marvel Comics in 1961, this is the first appearance of the Fantastic Four by the iconic duo of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Fantastic Four’s popularity led to numerous film adaptations, though Hollywood has struggled to translate their legacy to film. Now the team is back on screen once again, with Fantastic Four: First Steps premiering in July 2025, starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Marvel’s First Family.

This wasn’t the only CGC-certified copy of Fantastic Four #1 sold in this auction, which also included a CGC 9.0 (lot 91014) that realized $180,000, a CGC 7.0 (lot 91158) that realized $42,000 and a CGC 6.0 (lot 91159) that realized $26,400.

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Flying into third place, an Action Comics #1 Cover Only graded CGC CVR (lot 91003) saw bidding go up, up and way up to realize $408,000. Published in 1938, Action Comics #1 launched the Golden Age of comics with the introduction of Superman by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. The comic was an immediate hit, and the franchise rapidly expanded with merchandise, radio programming and movies. DC then decided to give Superman his own title, another first for the burgeoning comic industry. Superman #1 hit the stands in the summer of 1939 and instantly sold out, proving the star power of the superhero. The hero returns to the big screen again in July 2025 for his latest film, starring David Corenswet.

Interestingly, this wasn’t the only cover-only Superman grail sold in this auction, which also included a Superman #1 graded CGC CVR (lot 91103) that realized $78,000.

Other CGC-certified comics sold in this auction include:

• a Whiz Comics #2 (#1) graded CGC 7.0 (lot 91019), which realized $288,000
• a Batman #1 graded CGC 3.5 (lot 91008), which realized $186,000
• a Captain America Comics #1 graded CGC 5.5 (lot 91009), which realized $174,000
• a Captain America Comics #1 graded CGC 4.5 (lot 91010), which realized $162,000
• a Superman #1 graded CGC 1.8 (lot 91102), which realized $156,000
• an X-Men #1 graded CGC 9.2 (lot 91020), which realized $156,000
• an Amazing Fantasy #15 graded CGC 7.5 (lot 91006), which realized $138,000
• a Fantastic Four #5 graded CGC 9.2 (lot 91015), which realized $108,000
• a Journey into Mystery #85 graded CGC 9.6 (lot 91017), which realized $90,000
• a Batman #1 graded CGC 1.8 (lot 91042), which realized $84,000

Prices realized include buyer’s premium.

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.