Mint Fantastic Four #48 sells for record $431,250 at ComicConnect

A mint CGC 9.9 copy of Fantastic Four #48, the first appearance of the Silver Surfer, sold for a record $431,250 at ComicConnect's Event Auction 67, beating the prior high by a wide margin. The result underscores how top-tier condition, first appearances and recent film exposure continue to drive major comic-book prices.

Why it matters: - Fantastic Four #48 is one of Marvel's most collectible issues because it introduces the Silver Surfer and expands the Galactus storyline. - The $431,250 sale sets a new benchmark for the issue and shows how extreme-grade comics can command premium prices. - The result also reinforces the strength of the market for key Silver Age Marvel books tied to iconic characters and movie buzz.

What happened: - A mint copy of Fantastic Four #48 from 1966, graded 9.9 by CGC, sold for $431,250 at auction. - ComicConnect announced the sale on Sept. 23, 2026. - The auction closed on Sept. 14 and was part of Event Auction 67. - The book's sale price broke the previous record of $110,000 for a signed 9.8 copy sold in 2021.

The details: - ComicConnect described the copy as the only known example in mint condition. - Vincent Zurzolo, president of ComicConnect, said the book was expected to bring an unprecedented price because of its unique condition. - Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created the Silver Surfer and Galactus arc that runs through Fantastic Four #48, #49 and #50. - Comic fans prize the issue because both Galactus and the Silver Surfer are first appearances. - The 2025 film Fantastic Four: First Steps added momentum by reintroducing the heroes' backstory and featuring Galactus and the Silver Surfer in a climactic battle. - Zurzolo said the bidding drew an unusually broad mix of collectors.

Between the lines: - The sale shows that condition can matter as much as character significance in the highest end of comic collecting. - Recent film tie-ins can widen the buyer pool, even for decades-old books that already have strong collector demand. - ComicConnect and Metropolis Collectibles have been leaning into the top end of the market, where record-setting prices can generate headlines and reinforce bidder confidence. - The companies also pointed to earlier records this year, including a private sale of a 9.0 Action Comics #1 for $15 million and a subsequent $5 million sale of a 7.0 Action Comics #1. - ComicConnect said its April Death of Superman Special Edition Art Auction topped $10.2 million, with Dan Jurgens' Superman #75 cover art topping $1 million and the issue's original