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The Coming of the Silver Surfer and Galactus up for Auction

Fantastic Four #48 has been an important Marvel comic book key for decades, and for good reason — it's the first appearance of the Silver Surfer and Galactus, incredibly popular characters who went on to be involved in countless pivotal storylines.  But in the Marvel Cinematic Universe era, Fantastic Four #48 is arguably more important than ever.  This 1966 issue represented a level-up in the cosmic menaces that Marvel heroes would face, arguably leading to characters and concepts like Thanos, Captain Marvel, Guardians of the Galaxy, and the Eternals.  And with the Fantastic Four coming to the MCU in a film directed by Jon Watts, surely Galactus and the Silver Surfer won't be far behind.  A popular key for decades, there's a Fantastic Four #48 (Marvel, 1966) CGC VF- 7.5 Off-white to white pages, as well as the second part of the story in Fantastic Four #49 (Marvel, 1966) CGC FN/VF 7.0 White pages up for auction this week at the 2022 January 23-24 Sunday & Monday Comic Books Select Auction #122204 at Heritage Auctions.

Fantastic Four #48 (Marvel, 1966)
Fantastic Four #48 (Marvel, 1966)

As a longtime Fantastic Four collector myself, this has always been one of my favorite issues of the run.  The set-up really has the kind of impact that lets the reader know that what's coming is not some ordinary cosmic threat.  It's something else entirely: "The powerful being known as the Watcher appears inside of Reed's laboratory. He explains that he is responsible for the atmospheric disturbances, for he has been attempting to conceal Earth's existence from the attention of the Silver Surfer. He further explains that the Surfer is the advance scout of Galactus, a powerful cosmic being that consumes the elemental energies of entire worlds, leaving them as little more than dried, lifeless husks."

With the Fantastic Four and its associated characters set to enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe at last, Fantastic Four #48 is likely to be even more sought-after by collectors in the future.  But you can get a very nice copy now with Fantastic Four #48 (Marvel, 1966) CGC VF- 7.5 Off-white to white pages, as well as the second part of the story in Fantastic Four #49 (Marvel, 1966) CGC FN/VF 7.0 White pages up for auction this week at the 2022 January 23-24 Sunday & Monday Comic Books Select Auction #122204 at Heritage Auctions.

Fantastic Four #48 (Marvel, 1966)
Fantastic Four #48 (Marvel, 1966)

Fantastic Four #48 (Marvel, 1966) CGC VF- 7.5 Off-white to white pages. First appearances of the Silver Surfer and Galactus. The Inhumans and the Watcher appear. Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott cover and art. Overstreet 2021 VF 8.0 value = $1,708. CGC census 1/22: 379 in 7.5, 1215 higher.

View the certification for CGC Certification ID 3860463001 and purchase grader's notes if available.

Fantastic Four #49 (Marvel, 1966) CGC FN/VF 7.0 White pages. Second appearance of the Silver Surfer, first full appearance of Galactus, and first cover appearance for both characters. Part two of a three-part epic. Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott cover and art. Overstreet 2021 FN 6.0 value = $423; VF 8.0 value = $1,142. CGC census 1/22: 319 in 7.0, 912 higher.

View the certification for CGC Certification ID 3860463002 and purchase grader's notes if available.

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Mark SeifertAbout Mark Seifert

Co-founder and Creative director of Bleeding Cool parent company Avatar Press. Bleeding Cool Managing Editor, tech and data wrangler. Machine Learning hobbyist. Vintage paper addict.
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