Mile High Copy of Daredevil Comics #1 to be Offered at Auction!

Dallas, Texas: Before blind attorney Matthew Murdock developed super-senses and donned the blood-red garb of The Man Without Fear, another crusader for justice bore the name "Daredevil." Bart Hill, uncannily proficient with the deadly boomerang, clad himself in a split blue-and-red costume, with a distinctive spiked belt, and fought such arch-villains as the Claw and Adolf Hitler during the dark days of the Second World War.

Introduced in the pages of Silver Streak Comics #6, cover dated September 1940 and issued by Lev Gleason Publications, in a story by Jack Binder, Daredevil originally wore a yellow-and-blue costume, and, like his 1960s namesake, was a hero with a disability: he was mute, due to the traumatic shock he suffered in the event that made him an orphan and left a boomerang-shaped scar on his chest. Vowing to fight crime, Bart Hill studied the art of boomerang throwing, and set out on his vigilante career.

With the next issue, however, Jack Cole, the creator of Plastic Man, changed everything. No longer unable to speak, it would soon be revealed that Bart Hill was now raised by Australian aborigines, who taught him how to use a boomerang, and also gave him his distinctive red-and-blue costume. Also in this issue, Daredevil battled the Claw for the first time, the evil, monstrous genius that had been intent on world domination since Silver Streak Comics #1. First a mere back-up feature, Daredevil quickly became the company's greatest superhero success.

Now the star of Silver Streak Comics, it was only natural that Daredevil would receive his own book, and Gleason pulled out all the stops for his premiere issue. Titled Daredevil Battles Hitler on the cover, this landmark comic saw all the heroes of Silver Streak Comics - including The Silver Streak, Lance Hale, Cloud Curtis, Dickey Dean, The Pirate Prince, and Daredevil himself - team up to oppose history's most infamous real-world villain - a full five months before the US entered the war in Europe. It was a battle royale the likes of which has rarely been seen, before or since, making this one of the most important and desirable books of the entire Golden Age.

"Aside from the classic cover, and the feature it illustrates," said Lon Allen, Director of Sales for the Comics Division of Dallas-based Heritage Auction Galleries, "this book also features an 'Origin of Hitler' story, and, for good measure, throws in a battle between Daredevil and The Claw, to boot. Imagine, six daring heroes, two vile villains, and enough action to satisfy even the most jaded reader! That's a lot of content for one thin dime!"

"The copy that we're offering in our upcoming auction," said Allen, "hails from the prestigious Edgar Church/Mile High Collection. In stunning condition, with outstanding page quality, this is not only a classic book from a classic pedigree, it's also the finest-known example of this comic in existence, according to the current CGC Census. Honestly, it looks like it could be fresh off the newsstand, although it's fully 65 years old!"

"Whatever factors drive your collecting interest, be it condition, pedigree, key issue, artist, historical significance, or what have you," said Allen, "this impeccable specimen has it all, and I expect it's going to be one of the stars of our Summer auction."

Daredevil Comics #1 Mile High pedigree (Lev Gleason, 1941) CGC NM 9.4 White pages
Estimate: $60,000 & up

Daredevil Comics #1 Mile High pedigree (Lev Gleason, 1941) CGC NM 9.4 White pages will be offered in Heritage Auction Galleries' upcoming Comics Signature Auction, to be held August 10 -12, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. For more information, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com/Comics.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HeritageAuctions.com.

Heritage specializes in rare, high-grade comic books, as well as vintage comic and animation art, illustration art, classic toys, movie posters and comics-related collectibles.

Prospective consignors and sellers of top-end comics material, toys, and original art are invited to call Ed Jaster at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 288 or Lon Allen at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 261 to discuss their rare comics and original illustration and comic art. Or visit www.HeritageAuctions.com and click on the "Sell Now" tab. Or simply email Ed Jaster at EdJ@HeritageAuctions.com or Lon Allen at LonA@HeritageAuctions.com.

Music and Hollywood memorabilia collectors should contact Doug Norwine at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 452 or email DougN@HeritageAuctions.com.

Movie poster consignors please call Grey Smith at 1-800-872-6467, ext. 367 or email GreySm@HeritageAuctions.com.

To reserve your copy of a catalog for any upcoming Heritage auction, please contact Nicole Jewell, c/o Heritage Auction Galleries, 3500 Maple Avenue, 17th Floor, Dallas, TX 75219, or call 1-800-872-6467, ext. 272.