*Marvel: Lee & Kirby’s Fantastic Four added to its many innovations in 1966’s FF #52, when they introduced the first black super-hero in comics. Previously, the vanishingly rare heroic black characters in comics had been either embarrassing sidekicks or ‘noble savages’, but the Black Panther was the monarch of a highly sophisticated and technologically advanced African nation, Wakanda, and was to become not only one of the FF’s greatest allies, but a mainstay of their fellow heroes, the Avengers. Following his spectacular big-screen success, T’Challa’s earliest appearances have never been in higher demand, and every time I check out the current Fair Market Value of this issue, it’s zoomed up in price. Our latest pence printed copy is graded on the low side, with moderate spine wear, a 1 cm upper spine split with tiny chip out, edge wear all round including small colour-breaking creases, with a longer crease across the bottom right cover corner. There is a small residue of something white around the Torch’s knee, but this is tiny and barely shows; an otherwise unmarked cover image. Staples are okay, but the bottom one is off at centrefold. Page quality also okay, if a little dingy. The first few pages have small tears near the top left edge, which do not significantly impact on the enjoyment of the issue. 
PICTURED: FANTASTIC FOUR #52 GD/VG p £400 SOLD