A treasure trove of rare and previously unseen comic books, featuring the inaugural appearances of iconic Marvel and DC characters, is set to go under the hammer in London later this month, with the entire collection carrying a staggering guide price exceeding £2 million.
The Allure of Escapism Drives a Booming Market
According to Adam Pace, a 48-year-old comic book and artwork expert at the London auction house Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s, the value of childhood comics is soaring as people increasingly seek refuge from modern anxieties. "We live in such torrid times - anything that’s comic related, sci-fi related, shows on Netflix and Amazon Prime - it’s all an escape from the life we’re living," he explains.
This trend persists despite whispers of 'superhero fatigue' in cinemas, where not a single Marvel or DC film ranked among 2025's top five highest-grossing movies. For dedicated collectors, the original printed pages hold an enduring appeal that transcends the silver screen.
From Lofts to Investments: Comics as Tradable Assets
Adam Pace observes that comic books have evolved into serious tradeable commodities, much like Pokémon or sports trading cards, which now command "obscene amounts of money." He notes a significant shift in the collector profile: "You’ve got a lot more music celebrities and actors getting into this field - you now have people who work in stocks and shares getting into this field because it’s a commodity."
This high-profile interest was perfectly illustrated by an anecdote involving American rapper Eminem. British presenter Jonathan Ross reportedly secured an exclusive UK interview with the star by offering him a copy of the immensely valuable Amazing Fantasy #15, which features Spider-Man's first appearance.
Hollywood's Direct Impact on Comic Book Valuation
The influence of blockbuster films on comic book prices is profound and immediate. Adam Pace describes it as a speculation market. "When She-Hulk hit Disney+, everyone speculated on her first appearance," he says, noting its price initially rocketed to between £250 and £500 before settling around £100 after the show ended.
He highlights Iron Man as a prime example of cinematic alchemy. "Iron Man comic books were a 'lost cause' before Robert Downey Jr. brought the tech billionaire to life on screen," Adam reveals. "As soon as the film came out in 2008, that elevated Iron Man’s status into just below Spider-Man."
The upcoming auction, named The Alan McCulloch Collection, is a testament to this value, featuring several key issues:
- Amazing Fantasy #15 (First Spider-Man): Valued at £25,000.
- Amazing Spider-Man #1 (First solo book): Valued at £10,000.
- Journey Into Mystery #83 & #85 (First Thor and Loki): Valued between £5,000 to £10,000.
- Tales of Suspense #39 (First Iron Man): Valued around £10,000.
Adam emphasises the rarity of such items in the UK, recalling how he personally had to take the two copies of Amazing Fantasy #15 displayed at a recent London Comic Con home with him each night for safekeeping.
The Enduring Power of the Physical Page
Despite attempts to digitalise the industry, Adam Pace believes physical comic books will continue to appreciate in value. He attributes this to the tactile, historical experience they offer. "It's like walking into an old book store... you've got the smell of the books, you've got it in your hand, there's something historical there, you can flip the page and the character will jump out at you."
He ends with a sobering thought for anyone clearing out their attic: "The issue that we have now is that some books will be found in basements and lofts and garages and people won’t know what they were." He recently received a consignment of incredibly valuable comics, including Amazing Fantasy #15 and Amazing Spider-Man #1, that were moments from being thrown onto a bonfire, having been discovered in an old ammunition box.
The auction for The Alan McCulloch Collection commenced at 4.30pm on 28 November. Further details can be found on the Stanley Gibbons Baldwin’s website.
