An autographed copy of a rare variant edition of Black Panther #1, signed by the late Chadwick Boseman, goes up for auction on Oct. 29.
The variant comic is a specialty item from the Middle East Film & Comic Con, held annually in Dubai since 2012. The book is also signed by Black Panther director Ryan Coogler and by the late comics legend Stan Lee.
Bidding opens at $8,000, said seller Nate D. Sanders Auctions. The book is graded 9.8 by CGC Signature Series, which certifies it was signed by Boseman and Coogler in 2017 and Lee in 2018. Boseman adds the number "42" next to his signature, an apparent reference to his starring role in the 2013 film 42 as Brooklyn Dodgers legend Jackie Robinson, who wore that number.
Boseman died in August at age 43. He was diagnosed with Stage III colon cancer four years before he died but kept the news secret while getting treatment. Boseman played T'Challa, king of Wakanda within four Marvel Cinematic Universe films. He also starred in Marshall, 21 Bridges, Da 5 Bloods and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, released posthumously on Netflix. Black Panther made Boseman an international star, and he intended to star in Black Panther 2 and Marvel's What If...? Disney+ animated series.
Lee, chief writer and editor of Marvel Comics in its early years who co-created Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, the Hulk, Daredevil, the Avengers and other mainstays, died in 2018 at age 95. Lee made cameos in 60 MCU films, TV shows and movies from other studios featuring Marvel characters.
Source: Nate D. Sanders Auctions