Heritage Auctions March 13 Horror Comics Showcase Auction realized $161,965 across 118 lots, achieving a 100 percent sell-through rate and drawing participation from 451 bidders, a strong showing for the ever-popular Horror Comics genre. Many of the comics offered dated to the pre-Comics Code era, when horror titles flourished before the Comics Code Authority was introduced in 1954. The genre was among those most heavily scrutinized during the eras public debate over comic books, making surviving examples from the earlier period particularly desirable among collectors today. Heritage Auctions has hosted numerous Horror Comics Showcase auctions in recent years, reflecting the genres growing collector base. Pre-Code horror continues to resonate with collectors because the material is so visually striking and historically significant, said Rick Akers, vice president of comics and comic art at Heritage. These books capture a moment when artists pushed boundaries, and collectors clearly respond to that. The top lot in the sale was Witches Tales #25 File Copy (Harvey, 1954), graded CGC NM- 9.2, which realized $13,420 and set an auction record for the grade. Featuring a striking decapitation cover by Howard Nostrand, the issue represents one of the highest-graded copies Heritage has encountered, with interior story art by Nostrand and Bob Powell. Black Cat Mystery #37 (Harvey, 1952) CGC VF- 7.5, with a skull-and-graveyard cover by Warren Kremer, realized $7,320, an auction record for the grade, and Dynamic Comics #11 (Chesler, 1944) CGC GD/VG 3.0, featuring a classic cover by Gus Ricca and art by George Tuska, brought $5,368. Crime SuspenStories #22 (EC, 1954) CGC VG- 3.5, the infamous decapitation cover by Johnny Craig, famously cited during the U.S. Senate investigation into comics and juvenile delinquency, sold for $5,124. The issue ranks #1 on Overstreets Top 10 Crime Comics list and includes art by Reed Crandall, Bernie Krigstein, Joe Orlando and Jack Kamen. Dark Mysteries #10 (Master Publications, 1953) CGC FN 6.0 realized $4,392, setting an auction record for the grade. The issue features a dramatic witch-burning cover by Hy Fleishman and interior art by Al Hollingsworth and John DAgostino. The auction also produced additional record results for specific CGC grades, underscoring the strength of the Horror Comics market. Some of those records included Witches Tales #22 File Copy (Harvey, 1953) CGC VF+ 8.5, with a zombie-filled subway cover by Lee Elias, realizing $2,684, an auction record for the grade, and Witches Tales #21 File Copy (Harvey, 1953) CGC VF+ 8.5, featuring a cover by Lee Elias, realizing $2,318, an auction record for the grade. The results reflect continued enthusiasm for pre-Code horror comics, one of the most distinctive and historically significant areas of comic-book collecting. Additional results from the March 13 Horror Comics Showcase Auction can be found by visiting www.HA.com.