Hello, and welcome back to our weekly column where we take a look at a few undervalued or overlooked comics from one of each of four comic book eras – Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age, and Copper Age – all in an attempt to find value for you, the comic book investor and collector.  Whether you’re a high roller or a bargain shopper, there will be something in here for everyone.  This week, it’s the Golden Age.  Let’s get started.

The First Female Hero in Comics

If you asked just about anyone who the first female hero in comics was, most would answer, “Wonder Woman.”  They would be wrong.  Sheena, Queen of the Jungle was the first heroine in American comic books, predating Wonder Woman by three years. 

Created by Will Eisner and S.M. Iger, Sheena’s first appearance was in UK comic book Wags #46.  Her first appearance in an American comic book was in Jumbo Comics #1, published by Fiction House – their first comic publication - in August 1938.  Sheena would go on to appear in all 167 issues issue of Jumbo Comics, which ceased publication in April 1953, as well as in her own 18-issue solo series.

Looking at the numbers for Jumbo Comics #1, we find… nothing.

There is not a single copy in the CGC census.  Nor are there any copies in the CGC census for issues two through eight.  These are beyond rare issues.  Jumbo Comics #1, which, besides the first appearance of Sheena, also contains the first published artwork by Jack Kirby, is considered one of the rarest and most valuable comic books from the 1930s.  It is estimated that no more than 20 copies are still in existence.  So, if you’re a Sheena collector, and you want her first appearance – good luck!  But seriously, just because you can’t have that super rare issue, doesn’t mean you can’t have others.Undervalued & Overlooked Comics 5/28: Golden Age

This brings us to Sheena, Queen of the Jungle #1.  There are 47 graded copies of this book in the CGC census, a respectable number for a comic published in April 1942.  The highest graded copy is a 9.2, which sold for $6,500 in a ComicConnect auction in September 2021.  The most recent sale was a 6.5 graded copy, which sold for a slashed $1,100 on eBay on January 15.

This is an incredibly affordable comic, particularly when you consider its historical importance.  What makes it so affordable is that the character is forgotten and the comic overlooked by the majority of comic collectors, and thus, an undervalued Golden Age gem.

Seduction of the Funny Animals

Undervalued & Overlooked Comics 5/28: Golden AgePerhaps you’ve heard of Seduction of the Innocent, Frederic Wertham’s screed that nearly wrecked the comics industry in the mid-1950s.  If you have, you know all about the decapitations, mutilations, “headlights,” etc. that are noted in the book.  But did you know that there are funny animal comics listed in that book as well?

One such is Four Color Comics #250, featuring none other than Bugs Bunny.  Published in October 1949, this comic is cited in Seduction of the Innocent for violence and racial stereotypes, not particularly surprising if you’ve ever watched a Looney Tunes cartoon from this era.

There are only 11 copies of Four Color Comics #250 in the CGC census, less a note of its rarity in general, and more an example of the dearth of funny animal comic collectors.  An 8.0 copy sold in the March 1 Heritage auction for $720.  Considering what other books cited in Seduction of the Innocent go for, this is an absolute steal.  There are bargains aplenty outside of the popular superhero and horror genres.  Consider this just one example.

The First Horror Comic

Undervalued & Overlooked Comics 5/28: Golden AgeMany horror comic fans will tell you that the first horror comic was Eerie Comics #1, published by Avon in December 1946.  But if you’re a horror completist, you have to look to a comic published three years earlier for the true first horror comic.

Classic Comics #13, published by Gilberton in August 1943, features a comic retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  True, this is not a comic with original stories.  However, both comics were sold in March auctions, which makes comparisons inevitable.

There are 103 copies of Eerie Comics #1 in the CGC census.  A 7.5 graded copy sold in a March 17 ComicConnect auction for $11,250.  In comparison, there are only 36 copies of Classic Comics #13 in the CGC census, and an 8.0 graded copy sold for $960 in a March 29 Heritage auction.  That’s a 33% drop from its all-time high of $1,434 set in a Heritage auction in 2014.

Maybe it’s the numerous reprints and the confusion of the HRN numbering system (which isn’t that hard) that’s causing collectors to overlook and undervalue Classic Comics/Classics Illustrated.  Take advantage of others ignoring this book and go out and get yourself the first horror comic book ever.

Next Week: Bronze Age Undervalued & Overlooked

Well, that’s all we have time for this week.  Join us next week as we take a look at some undervalued and overlooked Bronze Age comics.

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Are there any Golden Age comics you think are undervalued and deserve more attention?  Let us know below.

*Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not reflect advice on behalf of GoCollect.