Posted in: Comics, Heritage Sponsored, Vintage Paper | Tagged: bill everett, centaur

The Rare, Complete Saga of Amazing Man Comics, Up for Auction

A superhero created by Bill Everett and his mom Grace, Amazing Man starred in a series that has become a favorite of Golden Age collectors.

According to a letter that surfaced on eBay in 2009, Bill Everett's mom Grace Everett is likely the co-creator of Centaur superhero Amazing Man.  In a letter dated March 1, 1939, she wrote, "Bill has a lot of work to do on his present three comic strips, and Centaur Publications wants him to do a new one… I'm going to spend all day tomorrow at the Public Library, doing some research work for Bill. He has a new character, for a strip which Jacquet wants him to do in competition with the new one now being syndicated – called the 'Superman' I think. We've wracked our brains for a new kind of character; and all I can think of now is to back over some old folk tales, foreign ones if necessary, and try to find some unusual character around which we can build an unusual story for these modern times. Bill is rushing through another strip and two covers, so I am going to help him in this research. Of course I love to do it."

This would not be the last time that Lloyd Jacquet, then an art director for Centaur and a foundational figure of the Golden Age of comics, would work with Bill and Grace Everett.  Jacquet would go on to found comic book production studio Funnies, Inc. with Bill Everett, and Grace Everett would become a letterer there, at least briefly.

Around five months after Grace Everett's letter was written, the character debuted in Amazing-Man Comics #5, the first issue of the series, having been trained by monks in Tibet while he was growing up.  The abilities he achieved included a laundry list of superpowers, such as superhuman strength, speed, and toughness, as well as telekinesis.  The series lasted for 22 issues through #26, and Amazing Man then reappeared in Stars and Stripes Comics.

Amazing-Man Comics has long been a favorite of serious Golden Age collectors, and there are many rare issues with issues #25 and #26 being considered the rarest by many, and issue #22 the most popular for its insane cover.  But the entire series hits the trifecta of rare, interesting, and popular among collectors.  Incredibly, the entire 22-issue run of Amazing-Man Comics is up for auction in the 2024 August 1 – 2 Rarities of the Golden Age Comics Showcase Auction #40259 at Heritage Auctions.

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