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 we’re going to look at some forgotten superheroes of the Golden Age.  Let’s get started.

Blue Bolt

Blue Bolt was a popular superhero in the 1940s created by Joe Simon.  The series, published by Funnies Inc., would last 105 issues, ending in 1951.  The character’s primary superpower was lightning bolt projection, which he gained after being struck by lightning – not once, but twice!  We’re going to take a look at two issues as both are notable.

Blue Bolt #1 was published in May 1940 and was one of the first comics to be titled after the main character.  This is Blue Bolt’s first appearance.  There are 28 copies in the CGC census, none higher than two 9.0 copies.

The most recent sale was for a restored 7.5 graded copy in August 2020, which went for $782.

The highest price paid for a copy was way back in August 2002; one of those two 9.0 graded copies went for $9,488 in a Heritage auction.  The price has come down considerably since. It has been eight years since one of those 9.0 copies changed hands, however.

Blue Bolt #2  is notable as the first instance of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby – the creators of Captain America, along with a number of other historic comics – working together on a book.  There are only 15 copies of this comic in the CGC census, with the highest grade being a 9.6.

The most recent sale was a 1.0 graded copy, which sold in November 2021 for $338.  The highest price paid was $6,900 for that 9.6 graded copy in a Heritage auction back in August 2002 – the same auction as the aforementioned sale of Blue Bolt #1 in a 9.0 grade.

The book would only sell one more time, in a Heritage auction for $5,975 in May 2014.  Considering the rarity and historical importance of the first two issues of the Blue Bolt series, these are definitely to be considered undervalued books.  They’re rare and hard to find, but worth the hunt if you can get your hands on a copy.

Moon Girl

Moon Girl was essentially a Wonder Woman rip-off published by EC before they got into the horror/crime/war end of the comics universe.  The primary difference is that Moon Girl was from Samarkand, as opposed to Paradise Island. She derived her powers from a moon rock.

What is unique about Moon Girl, however, is that her first appearance was in two comics published simultaneously.  So, let’s take a look at both.

Hitting newsstands in October 1947, Moon Girl and the Prince #1 currently stands at 51 graded copies in the CGC census.

The last sale was in a Heritage auction on June 14, where a 7.5 graded copy sold for $1,620.  The highest sale was for the lone 9.0 copy in a Heritage auction in June 2021.  The price was $10,200 and is the only recorded sale of this copy.

There are only 12 graded copies of Happy Houlihans #1, the book published on the same date as Moon Girl and the Prince #1 and also featuring Moon Girl, in the CGC census.

The most recent sale was an 8.0 graded copy which sold for $780 in a Heritage auction on February 8.  The highest price paid was for a 9.0 graded copy – one of four copies in that grade – which sold for $2,220 in a Heritage auction in November 2021.

Of the two books, both could be categorized as overlooked comics, particularly when compared with other EC books, while Happy Houlihans #1 is remarkably undervalued, perhaps because collectors aren’t aware that Moon Girl’s first appearance was in two comics published simultaneously.

The Flag

And now we come to the absolute weirdo of this group.  Our Flag Comics #2, published by Ace Magazines in October 1941, features the debut of The Flag.  Haven’t heard of him?  Not surprising.

The fall of 1941 was a peak time for patriotic heroes, and it’s pretty clear from this character, that publishers were running out of ideas.  Jim Courtney was born with a birthmark in the shape of an American flag.  Upon touching this birthmark, he could utilize his super-speed and the strength of 100 men.  Told you it was weird.

There are 17 copies of Our Flag Comics #2 in the CGC census, the highest being a 9.4.  The latest sale was for a 1.0 graded copy which sold for $144 in June 2020.  The highest price paid was for the lone 9.4 graded copy in a Heritage auction in July 2003, with the price being $4,600.  And that’s the last recorded sale of that issue in that grade.

For comparison’s sake, Our Flag Comics #1, which features the debuts of forgotten heroes Captain Victory and the Unknown Soldier (not to be confused with the DC character of the same name), has 29 graded copies in the CGC census and its highest sale was for $10,350 for a 9.2 graded copy in a Heritage auction in July 2002.  For much less, you could have the first appearance of The Flag, a slightly more memorable and definitely more bizarre character.

Now, can someone please explain to me why so many obscure Golden Age books were going for top dollar in Heritage auctions in the early 2000s?

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.

Want more Undervalued and Overlooked Comics coverage?

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 represent advice on behalf of GoCollect.