The new “Avengers” movie has churned up excitement in the local comic book shop as the movie opens this weekend. Some incredible news came from ComicLink, a rare and vintage comic book art seller, who reports that a copy of ‘Tales of Suspense #39’ (the first appearance of Iron Man) sold for $375,000.

The sale was for a CGC 9.6 graded copy of the comic, the highest grade of this particular issue in the world, and easily a record setting amount. The site reports that there have been three 9.6 graded copies of this book, but nothing any higher.

ComicLink states that a 9.4 graded copy sold for $145,000 back in January.

A couple of months ago, the first appearance of Thor in ‘Journey into Mystery #83’ sold for $222,200.

Actor Nicolas Cage shocked the comic book world when he sold his first appearance of Superman, “Action Comics #1,” for $2.1 million.

With two feature films, Iron Man (played by Robert Downey Jr.) has been increasing in popularity of the last several years. Now the Shellhead will be in “The Avengers” and another solo film, “Iron Man 3,” due in 2013.

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