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Jumbo Comics #1 (Fiction House, 1938) Condition: Qualif Jumbo Comics #1 (Fiction House, 1938) Condit

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Comics Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,500.00 USD
Jumbo Comics #1 (Fiction House, 1938) Condition: Qualif Jumbo Comics #1 (Fiction House, 1938) Condit
<B>Jumbo Comics #1 (Fiction House, 1938) Condition: Qualified VG/FN.</B></I> The first published comic book art by Jack Kirby is a milestone in any comic fan's book, and it came this issue, which was also the very first comic published by Fiction House! The issue is on Overstreet's list of the 100 most valuable Golden Age comic books, it's called "rare" by Overstreet and is a Gerber "8." It also has the first appearance of the publisher's most prominent character, Sheena, Queen of the Jungle, drawn by ace artist Mort Meskin. There were many other big-name contributors as well, including Bob Kane, who drew the Peter Pupp gag feature. Kirby drew both the Count of Monte Cristo and Wilton of the West stories, both signed "Jack Curtiss" -- this was before the artist, whose real name was Jacob Kurtzberg, had settled on the Kirby pseudonym. Some sources attribute the Diary of Dr. Hayward feature, signed by "Curt Davis," to Kirby as well! Another well-known name is Dick Briefer, who drew the Hunchback of Notre Dame. And we haven't even mentioned Will Eisner yet -- he not only contributed art to this issue, he and partner Jerry Iger came up with the concept for the series, convincing Fiction House, a pulp magazine publisher until then, to try its hand at comics. The comic has a mix of features typical of the early Golden Age, with adventure and gag features supplemented by tidbits on movie stars like Fay Wray (and even Buddy Ebsen!), and sports stars like Honus Wagner and Helen Wills Moody. And guess what, Mickey Mouse even appears in one panel. If you've ever wondered how the long-running series got its name, here's your answer -- it's quite literally jumbo, measuring 10.5" x 14.5". And another oddity is that it's printed on alternating red and green paper! We have expressed our grade as "qualified" because the centerfold is detached. Overstreet doesn't list a grade above VF for this issue, and indeed, the format makes it all but impossible that a NM- copy could have survived. The only copies we had ever seen before were very low-grade; we wouldn't be surprised if this is among the best surviving specimens. Overstreet 2005 GD 2.0 value = $2,100; VG 4.0 value = $4,200; FN 6.0 value = $6,300.