Andrew Mangum Cancer Benefit Auction

Andrew Mangum is a talented artist (Grimm Fairy Tales, American Wasteland) that has worked all over the comics industry most notably in the horror genre for publishers like DC Comics, Image, and Frazetta Comics to name a few. This summer he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and some of his friends and colleagues have come together to try to raise money for his medical expenses.

There is going to be a ton of stuff available via E-bay auction from some great comic creators like: Steve Niles, Phil Hester, Eric Powell, Andrew himself and many more. Plus there will be a lot of hard to find and collectable CGC-rated comic books and a lot of signed books from artists like John Cassiday, Matt Wagner, J.G. Jones, George Perez, J. Michael Linsner, and Mark Kidwell. If you are a comic fan or collector you are sure to find items of interest in these special offers.

So if you’ve got some spare cash, try to check out these auctions and get some great swag for a great cause. Here’s the link for the Andrew Mangum Cancer Benefit Auction.

Comix 4 Sight steps up to help John Ostrander

 John Ostrander has helped to tell the stories and shape the histories of many of the most memorable characters in comics. His work at DC has been showcased in titles like Justice League, Batman, the Spectre, Suicide Squad and many others. You might remember him as the man who first helped to reshape Barbara Gordon from her injuries at the hands of the Joker and past as Batgirl into her rebirth as Oracle.

A writer in the industry since 1983, his work is not limited to his memorable work with DC. In the 80’s with Timothy Truman he co-created the character Grimjack for First Comics. Ostrander has also been one of the main writers for Star Wars: Republic and Star Wars: Legacy for Dark Horse Comics. During his long career he has also written for publishers like Valiant, Chaos, Eclipse, and Marvel. But this listing of career statistics is not simply about the volume or length of service as he has also been nominated for numerous industry awards including the Comics Buyer’s Guide Award for Fan Favorite Writer 4 straight years.

At this point you might be asking why the brief career bio on John Ostrander? Well, John has been battling glaucoma for years and has recently gone thru some expensive surgeries in an effort to save his sight. So far these procedures have been successful but they and the treatment’s surrounding them, are also much more expensive than his medical insurance would cover. A group of his friends and fellow comic creators decided to see if there was something they could do to help. A charity auction was held last Saturday at the Chicago Comic Con and with the group’s efforts both online and at the convention reportedly $30,000 has been raised so far.

The giving does not have to end with the auction at this year’s Chicago Comic Con. There will be additional items for an online auction at comix4sight.com and if you’d just like to donate what you can to the cause there is info on the site for that as well. So if you’ve enjoyed his work, or if you just love comics, check out the page and see if you might be able to help.

'Unrestored' copy of first Superman comic book for sale

(CNN) — After being hidden away for years, a copy of the original “Superman and Friends” comic book will make a comeback — at a price of about $400,000, a comic expert said Thursday.

Action Comics #1: First Appearance of SupermanStarting Friday, comic book collectors and Superman fans will have the opportunity to bid on a comic classic — an “unrestored” copy of Action Comics No. 1, said Stephen Fishler, owner of Comic Connect, an online liaison between comic book buyers and sellers. The book’s owner is not being identified.

The auction is attracting a lot of interest.

“One bidder wanted to trade his Ferrari for the comic book,” as part of an under-the-table deal, Fishler joked. But he said the auction will remain public. “I couldn’t see myself trading in my Toyota Prius” — even for a $375,000 car.

Why is this comic book so unique?

“Of the 100 existing copies, 80 percent have been restored, but people want an untouched copy,” Fishler said. The book is listed in “fine” condition, a six on the 10-point rating scale.

“It’s the Holy Grail of comic books,” Fishler said.

Co-created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the comic book first appeared on newsstands for 10 cents a copy in June 1938.

Nearly 12 years later, a young boy on the West Coast found himself in a secondhand book store, where he persuaded his dad to loan him 35 cents to buy the comic book.

Until 1966, the owner forgot about the book, which was hidden in his mother’s basement. Since then, he’s been holding onto it, hoping to see it increase in value, Fishler said. He has not been disappointed.

“There has been a lot of interest shown on the book in the collectibles market,” said Fishler, who predicted the comic book will sell for about $400,000. But, he added, no minimum price has been set for the auction, so “whatever it sells for, it sells for.

“I’ve known Action Comics to sell for around $750,000,” comic book sales associate Bill Peterson said. “I don’t have any intention on making a bid, but I know people who don’t mind dropping several thousand for a classic comic.”

The comic book marked the first appearances of Lois Lane, Giovanni “John” Zatara and, of course, Superman. The book is in high demand because “there was no such thing as a superhero before Superman. It spawned everything that came after — like Batman and Spider-Man,” Fishler said.

Even during the current economic downturn, Fishler expects the book to do well.

Those who can afford to bid, he said, “would ordinarily put money into the stock market. But that’s a shaky proposition.” These days, the comic book may even be a better investment than putting money into a CD or a bond, Fishler speculated.

Because the book was published at the close of the Great Depression, it contains advertisements that may appear quaint and quirky to 21st century readers. For only $1.25, one could buy a blonde wig, a live chameleon, a whoopee cushion, a Bible “the size of a postage stamp” or hypnosis lessons.

“Some books seem to go in and out of fashion,” reads the auction blurb at comicconnect.com. But “Action Comics No. 1 will never be one of those books.”