Page 58 - JOA 12-20

Detective Comics #27 Sets New Record; James Bond & Julius Cesar

CGC-certified 6.0 copy of Detective Comics #27, the first enough to look back at the man who frequently introduces himself as
appearance of Batman, has set a world record when it sold for “Bond. James Bond.”
A$850,000. ComicConnect brokered the transaction. After almost six decades on the silver screen, it’s nearly impossible
In 2010, a CGC-certified 8.0 copy of the issue became the second to imagine a more ubiquitous introduction in cinema, and it didn’t
comic book ever to hit $1 million or more when it sold for $1,075,500 take long after the character’s creation for him to start moving in
at Heritage Auctions on February 25, 2010. It remains one of only that direction.
eight transactions to achieve that price range, but the strength of the Ian Fleming’s secret agent 007 of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service first
market is made clear by the appeared in hardcover in the novel Casino Royale in 1953 and by 1954
performance of this 6.0 copy the CBS television network had sensed enough potential to have
getting so close to that rari- it adapted as an episode of
fied neighborhood. its anthology series
“While the comic is very Climax!. That TV version
rare and highly sought after, of Bond, which starred
the price also reflects the vast Barry Nelson, is just a
influx of money flowing footnote to those beyond
into collectibles markets the most serious 007
across various categories,” enthusiasts, and for
Vincent Zurzolo, Chief several years the property
Operating Officer of didn’t go any further.
ComicConnect, said. But the stage was set.
He cited other notable When producers
recent pop culture sales Albert R. “Cubby”
such as the 2009 Mike Broccoli and Harry
Trout rookie baseball card Saltzman cast Sean
that sold for $3.9 million Connery in the role of
in August 2020, and an Bond for 1962’s Dr.
unopened box of 1999 No, they put both the
Pokémon first edition character and the actor
trading cards, which sold on the map. The
for $375,000 in October. suave, sophisticated,
Both of those transactions British secret agent
and others seemed to defy with a duty to queen
the uncertain times in and country, a pas-
which we’re living. sion for women, a
For ComicConnect, it wry sense of humor,
follows other sales in sim- This CGC-certified 6.0 copy of Detective Comics and a license to kill
#27, the first appearance of Batman,
ilar situations, such as sold for $850,000 at ComicConnect, quickly became an
their sales of Action a record sale in that grade. The U.S. one-sheet for The Spy Who Loved Me institution for
Comics #1 (Superman’s Image courtesy of ComicConnect. by artist Bob Peak. movie-goers.
first appearance) sale for Image courtesy of Heritage Auctions. Eventually,
$1,000,000 and $1,500,000 and an Amazing Fantasy #15 (Spider- Connery gave way to George Lazenby, who gave way to Connery again,
Man’s debut) for $1.1 million after the 2009 recession. who gave way to Roger Moore, who gave way to Timothy Dalton, who
“For comic book collectors and investors, this is a remarkable time,” gave way to Pierce Brosnan, who gave way to Daniel Craig. For more
Zurzolo said. “There’s every reason to believe that we’ll continue to see than 50 years, James Bond films have spawned action, adventure,
unprecedented activity in the comics and collectibles markets.” romance, gadgets, and some truly collectible movie posters.
They’ve included superb artwork by the likes of Robert McGinnis and
Movie Posters: Collecting 007 Bob Peak, great photo images such as the lobby card of the Gert
Sean Connery. George Lazenby. Sean Connery. Roger Moore. Frobe/Sean Connery exchange from Goldfinger (Bond: “Do you expect me
Timothy Dalton. Pierce Brosnan. Daniel Craig. to talk? Goldfinger: “No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die.”), and so much
The recent passing of Connery and the COVID-19-inspired more. They’ve been the subjects of books, including James Bond: 50 Years
delays in the release of No Time To Die have given us all pause of Movie Posters, which was released in 2012 along with the film Skyfall.

56 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles