Expert: Chris Brown - 2/16/2010

Question
QUESTION: I have tried comic book sites and I have not been able to find any information on a starman comic book that I have. It says it is copyright 1941. DC comics #70 Janurary. The back cover has ads for Red Ryder rifles. I have enclosed a picture. I hope you can help. Thanks Donna

ANSWER: Hi Donna

Unfortunately, I did not receive any scan.  It sounds like you are referring to Adventure Comics 70, which does feature Starman on the front cover saving a green-suited man from a yellow car.  The back cover has an ad for Daisy Air Rifles and does also make mention of Red Ryder.  You can see a scan of the front cover of this comic here:

http://www.comics.org/issue/1954/cover/4/?style=default

If this is the comic you have, it has a publication date of January, 1942 but it could be that it was copyrighted the year before.  It features an early appearance of Starman, who first showed up in issue #61.

This comic is pretty valuable.  Its exact value is very dependent on its condition.  The price guide lists it at $200 in solid used condition, up to around $3000 in newsstand new condition.  If you are hoping to get a value estimate, please send me a scan and/or a description of the most significant flaws.

Feel free to follow up if you have other questions.  Congrats on having a great old comic!

Chris

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: For some reason it will not let me send the photo. First it says it has to be jpeg which it is, then it has a message about copywrited photos. Is there another e-mail I can contact you at? I looked at the site you sent and it is the same comic. I can send the photos of the problem areas as I mentioned in my first e-mail if I can get it through. Thanks for your help. Donna

Answer
Hi Donna

You can send me an email at chijae1 at hotmail with scans attached.

By the way, the prices I listed are "retail," or what a comic store or professional comic dealer would generally charge for this comic.  You would get a percentage of those prices if you wanted to sell it to a store or a dealer.

Chris