First Marvel Comic Published Sells for $1.26 Million

印刷用画面を開く

Posted

Category: Human Interest

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. mint condition / mɪnt kənˈdɪʃ ən / (n) – excellent, perfect, or brand-new state
    Example:

    A collector would pay a lot of money for an old cassette player in mint condition.


  2. top-rated / tɒp ˈreɪ tɪd / (adj) – regarded as the best or of the highest quality
    Example:

    The morning talk show is the channel’s top-rated show.


  3. practice / ˈpræk tɪs / (n) – something that is commonly or regularly done
    Example:

    In my family, it is common practice to kiss the elders’ cheeks as a greeting.


  4. historic / hɪˈstɔr ɪk / (adj) – famous in history
    Example:

    The historic building is where the country’s national flag was first raised.


  5. hefty / ˈhɛf ti / (adj) – large in size or amount
    Example:

    I sold my laptop and made a hefty profit.


Article

Read the text below.

A near-mint condition copy of the very first Marvel comic published sold for $1.26 million at a public auction in Texas.


The issue, called Marvel Comics no. 1, was published in 1939 and originally cost only 10 cents. The Certified Guaranty Company, a comic book grading service, gave the comic a 9.4 rating out of 10, making it the top-rated copy of the issue in existence.


The comic introduced classic Marvel characters such as the Human Torch and Angel. Its cover art was drawn by Frank R. Paul, a famous science fiction artist.


According to auction house Heritage Auctions, the issue was first bought by a mailman from a newsstand in Pennsylvania. The mailman had a practice of buying the first issues of comic books and magazines. Since then, the issue’s owner had changed only a couple of times. According to the auction house, the issue’s new owner wanted to remain anonymous.


Heritage Auctions’ senior vice president, Ed Jaster, considers the issue historic and treats it as the grandfather of all Marvel comics. He said that without it, people would not be able to enjoy Marvel comic books and films today.


Despite the hefty price, Marvel Comics no. 1 is not the most expensive comic book ever sold. In 2014, a copy of DC Comics’ Action Comics no. 1 was sold online for over $3.2 million. The comic marked the first appearance of one of DC Comics’ most beloved superheroes, Superman.


Before Marvel Comics no. 1, the most expensive Marvel comic ever auctioned was Amazing Fantasy no. 15. It cost $1.1 million and featured Spiderman, Marvel’s famous web-slinging superhero.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Would you be willing to pay a large sum of money to buy a comic book in mint condition? Why or why not?
• If you were the owner of Marvel Comics no. 1, would you sell it? Why or why not?

Discussion B

• Why do you think some people are willing to pay a hefty price for something that is originally sold cheap?
• Do you think it’s fair to pay a hefty price for something that is originally sold cheap? Explain.