Amazing Adventures #1, Marvel Comics, June 1961
I’ve had this book in my “Future Spotlights” file for years. I’m not really sure why I haven’t wrote it up until now, but it simply can’t wait any longer. This week I shine the Undervalued Spotlight on Amazing Adventures #1. Please don’t confuse this book with Spotlight #188 which was Amazing Adventures Vol 2 #1.
Amazing Adventures #1 has so much stuff going on. Let’s start with the Kirby Monster cover. Kirby Monster covers are actually a vibrant collecting strain and they are very much like Lays potato chips; you can’t just have one.
How about the Kirby/Lee/Ditko trifecta? The book features the three maestros as the creative team and that is always a selling point.
OK so let’s then talk about this whole “Marvel’s first Silver Age hero” business. Technically this book is, but for whatever reasons the character did not take off and was soon abandoned. No matter how you slice it though this is a very important Marvel Silver Age book.
And then we have the whole Doctor Strange thing. This Doctor Droom is essentially Dr. Strange; Stan Lee has been quoted as saying Doctor Strange was kind of his second try at Doctor Droom. By the summer of 1963 the Marvel revolution was well on its way and the July 1963 Doctor Strange intro in Strange Tales #110 was the hit that Amazing Adventures #1 did not turn out to be.
Finally from an investment perspective, if we think this book belongs among the Marvel keys then it is grossly undervalued. Comics from this early Marvel era have enjoyed rapid value appreciation over the past few years yet the current market remains cool to this book. CGC graded copies are getting around Guide across most grades.
If it was just one of the above things I’d accept your doubts but there are too many pluses to this book. Amazing Adventures #1 will have its day.
The 45th Overstreet price breaks for this book is $944/$2122/$3300 in the 8.0/9.0/9.2 grade splits.
Strengths that make this comic a good long term investment are:
- First appearance Dr. Droom, Marvel’s first Silver Age hero
- Kirby Monster cover
- Doctor Strange precursor
- Kirby/Lee/Ditko creative team
Walt,
I couldn’t agree more! For any doubters, I suggest trying to find one. Yes, they are out there, but compare the quantity you can locate to any other Silver Age Marvel key, including the elusive TTA #27 — there’s a lot fewer of these. I’ve acquired both books since January, and this one is far fewer and further in-between.
Also, keep in mind — we’re talking 5 months before FF#1 — For Marvel hero books with 10-cent covers, its this and the first two FF’s.
Lastly, besides being Lee’s first attempt at Dr. Strange, the character, later renamed Dr. Druid, was redefined as The Ancient One’s back-up choice to Stephen Strange. If Brother Voodoo is actually a cameo character in the Dr Strange movie, how can this guy not at least be mentioned as the Marvel cinematic universe expands to include the magical realm? (And for those who like to rummage dollar bins, Hulk #210 reintroduces Dr Druid to Marvel continuity, though the original Amazing Adventures stories were reprinted with some minor tweaks in Weird Wonder Tales in the ’70s. The Torr cover above was also used when that story was reprinted in Strange Tales #175, but the Dr Droom story was not reprinted there.)
Yes, this book is tougher and it’s one of those that has loads of potential. Demand will increase with awareness so lets get the word out!
What an Amazing over….Kirby really was named King Kirby for a reason…Wow