A near-mint issue (CGC 9.4) of "Marvel Comics" #1, featuring the 'Human Torch', 'Namor the Sub-Mariner' and 'Ka-Zar', published by Timely Comics in 1939 for ten cents, has sold at auction for $1.26 Million (USD):
"...in 1939, pulp magazine publisher Martin Goodman founded Timely Publications in New York City, contracting with the newly formed comic-book 'packager' Funnies Inc. to supply material.
"His first effort, 'Marvel Comics' #1 (Oct. 1939), with a painted cover by pulp magazine illustrator Frank R. Paul, featured the first appearances of writer-artist Carl Burgos' android superhero, the 'Human Torch'...
"...Paul Gustavson's costumed detective the 'Angel'...
"...and the first published appearance of Bill Everett's anti-hero 'Namor the Sub-Mariner'.
"The comic book quickly sold out 80,000 copies, prompting Goodman to produce a second printing, cover-dated November 1939 that sold approximately 800,000 copies.
"Without question, this is the granddaddy of all Marvel Comics," said Heritage Auctions about the sale. "Captain America #1 (1941) recently sold for just under $1 million.
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