CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #60 (1947)
The first overall Human Fly in Marvel Comics appeared as a jewelry thief in the Golden Age comic book Captain America Comics #60. At first, "The Human Fly" was the name of a circus act. When Captain America and Bucky go to investigate, they learn that the circus performer’s suit was likely stolen by a window washing company; one owned by a Hyram Heale, who turns out to be the first Human Fly.
With the age of Captain America Comics #60 comes its rarity and high flying FMVs. Altogether, there are only 42 CGC slabs in the census. The latest sale of note is a CGC 8.5 slab that sold in late 2019 for $1,600. With that, the highest-graded CGC slab in existence graded at a CGC 9.4 has a theoretical FMV of $15k.
THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #10 (1976)
The current most ubiquitous Human Fly appears to be the Richard "Rick" Deacon version who first appeared in the Silver Age comic book The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #10. Ubiquitous as in this version is the one that has appeared as a villain in the 80s Marvel cartoons and even a Lego video game. You can tell this one apart from the others from his yellow suit, green muscle trimmings, and red eyes.
Facing flagging sales at the Daily Globe, J. Jonah Jameson convinces scientist Harlan Stillwell to create a new adversary to Spider-Man. Unfortunately, gang member Richard Deacon forces him to use him in his experiment; ultimately, turning him into the Human Fly.
With only around ~121 slabs graded at CGC 9.0 and above, the sales volume for this book is relatively low. Although CGC 9.8 currently holds an FMV of 9.8, the price range over the last decade has often swayed widely from the low $100s to as high as the most $500 sale in mid-2019. Now that J. Jonah Jameson is in the MCU, this one could soon pop up on speculation lists. Just try to catch one on the lower end of the range.
THE HUMAN FLY #1 (1977)
Of all the books mentioned in this blog, the overall most popular one in the market in terms of sales volume is hands down The Human Fly #1. This book features the1st appearance of a superhero version of the Human Fly; just one year after the above villainous Rick Deacon one. After Rick Rojatt is nearly killed in a car accident, he undergoes a series of treatments that replaces much of his skeletal structure with steel. Rick defies the odds and rehabilitates himself. At first, he dons the Human Fly identity to perform stunts for charitable causes, he soon finds himself up against criminals.
Since the beginning of the decade, sales of CGC 9.8 slabs of The Human Fly #1 have increased on the high end reaching as high as $200 while remaining flat at the low end of its range around $100. Similarly, CGC 9.6 sales prices have increased in volatility with a range of roughly $25-75, but staying flat overall. Although superheroes are the more common book to speculate on, the villainous version of the Human Fly might have better odds of experiencing a spike.
“You forget I was created to destroy you. I can match your power one for one – Only I can fly. Whereas all you can do is die!” – The Human Fly to Spider-Man
