As we previously reported in Scoop, a CGC-certified 9.2 Incredible Hulk #1 brought $125,475 as part of Vintage Comics and Comic Art Auction, which was held November 19-21, 2009. As a whole, the auction took in $4.8 million at Heritage’s Dallas offices.

The auction was followed just days later by the sale of 9.0 copy for $100,000 by Pedigree Comics, suggesting the market is strong for high-grade copies the early issues of the jade giant, long considered difficult finds for Silver Age collectors.

"Overall we’re very pleased, of course," said Barry Sandoval, Director of Comics Operations at Heritage Auctions. "The market is quite strong. Collectors took full advantage of great prices on a broad and striking array of superb books and vintage art and our consignors fared just as well – we had seven consignors bring in more than $100,000 and four of those surpassed $200,000."

Heritage that Mint and Near Mint Golden Age comics remained in high demand in the auction, with a CGC 9.4 Human Torch #2 realizing $92,612.

"This comic, which comes from the Gary Keller Collection, was purchased by Keller in 2006 for $74,750," said Sandoval. "In just three years the book gained almost $18,000 in value, The fact that it went for more now shows what a savvy collector he is and also that the market is still strong."

A CGC-certified.9.0 Showcase #22 (the first appearance of the Silver Age Green Lantern), one of the two highest graded copies of that issue to date – also from the Gary Keller Collection – closed at $59,750. Heritage said that the issue more than tripled in value since he acquired it in 2006,

The auction house pointed out that original Peanuts artwork continues to be a steady staple of the comics market, including the June 25, 1961 Sunday strip, which features Snoopy and sold for $53,775.

Heritage set a record for original fanzine illustration art with Steve Ditko’s Comic Crusader #4 Mr. A "Debaters" splash page from 1968, which went for $38,837 against a pre-auction estimate of $5,000+.

Todd McFarlane’s original cover art for Amazing Heroes Preview Special #170 closed at $26,000, the CGC 5.5 “D” copy of Detective Comics #31 realized $26,290, John Buscema and Dan Adkins’s original cover for Sub-Mariner #8, featuring the Sub-Mariner vs. the Thing, sold for $19,120.