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Highest Graded Copies of Marvel's Lovers Series, up for Auction

The Marvel romance series Lovers represented a changing of the guard in comics, as the series took over numbering from Blonde Phantom's title

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Another series that survived Marvel's 1948-1950 romance boom and bust, Lovers provides us with a particularly stark reminder of the changing conditions that motivated publisher Martin Goodman to go all in on the genre.  With superheroes on the decline at the time, the series took over the number from the famous female superhero title Blonde Phantom with issue #23.  The new title lasted for a respectable 64 issues 1949-1957, managing to survive what was a tumultuous time for the comics industry in general and Marvel in particular.  Stan Goldberg, Jay Scott Pike, Vince Colletta, and Al Hartley all had significant work in the series, with other familiar names such as John Romita, Matt Baker, Carmine Infantino, Jack Kamen, Joe Kubert, Bill Everett, and Russ Heath also making contributions.  An overlooked series containing work by many legendary creators, there are a number of issues of Marvel's Lovers series, including several highest-graded copies up for auction in the 2023 October 26 – 27 Romance Comics Featuring L. B. Cole Showcase Auction #40224 at Heritage Auctions.

Lovers #62 (Atlas, 1954) CGC VF+ 8.5 Off-white pages. The single highest-graded CGC copy of the issue. Vince Colletta cover. Overstreet 2023 VF 8.0 value = $83; VF/NM 9.0 value = $124. CGC census 10/23: 1 in 8.5, none higher.

Lovers #61 (Atlas, 1954) CGC VG/FN 5.0 Off-white pages. Vince Colletta cover. Jay Scott Pike, Paul Reinman, and Russ Heath art. Overstreet 2023 VG 4.0 value = $30; FN 6.0 value = $45. CGC census 10/23: 1 in 5.0, none higher.

Lovers #36 (Atlas, 1951) CGC FN/VF 7.0 Off-white to white pages. Frank Sieminski art. The first copy we've ever seen. Overstreet 2023 FN 6.0 value = $45; VF 8.0 value = $90. CGC census 9/23: 1 in 7.0, none higher.

Lovers #72 (Atlas, 1955) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white to white pages. Vince Colletta and Jay Scott Pike art. Tied for CGC's highest grade with just one copy. Overstreet 2023 VF 8.0 value = $82. CGC census 10/23: 2 in 8.0, none higher.

Lovers #47 (Atlas, 1953) CGC VG/FN 5.0 Off-white pages. Al Hartley cover. Alice Kirkpatrick and Jay Scott Pike art. Overstreet 2023 VG 4.0 value = $30; FN 6.0 value = $45. CGC census 10/23: 1 in 5.0, none higher.

Lovers #53 (Atlas, 1953) CGC FN+ 6.5 Off-white pages. Al Hartley cover and art. Alice Kirkpatrick and Jay Scott Pike art. Overstreet 2023 FN 6.0 value = $45; VF 8.0 value = $83. CGC census 10/23: 1 in 6.5, none higher.

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Mark SeifertAbout Mark Seifert

Co-founder and Creative director of Bleeding Cool parent company Avatar Press since 1996. Bleeding Cool Managing Editor, tech and data wrangler, and has been with Bleeding Cool since its 2009 beginnings. Wrote extensively about the comic book industry for Wizard Magazine 1992-1996. At Avatar Press, has helped publish works by Alan Moore, George R.R. Martin, Garth Ennis, and others. Vintage paper collector, advisor to the Overstreet Price Guide Update 1991-1995.
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