DALLAS, TX.- An exquisite copy of Amazing Fantasy #15 (Marvel, 1962) CGC NM 9.4 — the fabled first appearance of "Spider-Man" — is expected to bring $400,000+ as the top lot in Heritage Auctions' Feb. 18-20, 2016 Comics & Comic Art Signature® Auction in Dallas.

"We think this comic has the potential to realize the highest price ever paid at public auction for a Spider-Man comic book," said Lon Allen, Managing Director of the Comics Department at Heritage. "It could soar well past our estimate."

In 1980, when Walter Yakaboski saw a good opportunity, he took it. He was a comic book collector and had the opportunity to buy a handful of key early Marvel comic books for the very tidy sum of $10,000 — a good bit to spend in those days. Among them was this gem of a copy of Amazing Fantasy #15. He figures today that the portion of the $10,000 that went for the Spider-Man comic was about $1,200.

"Whoever buys this comic will be joining an elite club," said Allen. "There are only a handful of these comics in this condition that exist. We expect the top collectors will be watching this auction closely."

Hailing from the same collection as the Amazing Fantasy #15 is another very desirable Near Mint book, a copy of The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC NM 9.4, which should draw its fair share of consideration from collectors and fans. It is expected to bring more than $130,000.

The top lot on the original comic art side is spectacular in its own right, John Romita Sr.'s Amazing Spider-Man #62 original cover art (Marvel, 1968), a wonderful image featuring Spidey tussling with the enigmatic Inhuman Medusa, a very hot property right now with upcoming appearances slated in both TV and film projects. It is estimated at $150,000+.

"This cover is in the larger 'twice-up' size that collectors covet," said Todd Hignite, Vice President at Heritage. "It's fresh-to-the-market too. The consignor bought a handful of pieces of comic art in the 1980s and put them away as he focused on collecting other things. He'll have a tidy return on investment to say the least."

Joining the top of the original comic art offerings is a superb Jack Kirby and Bill Everett original in the form of the cover to Thor #176 (Marvel, 1970), what may well be the best of just four Thor covers produced by this legendary team. It's expected to bring $90,000+.

Further highlights include, but are certainly not limited to:

• The Avengers #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC NM 9.4: Estimate $100,000+.

• Superman #1 (DC, 1939) CGC GD 2.0: Estimate $75,000+.

• Wally Wood Daredevil #9 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1965): Estimate $75,000+.

• Ross Andru and Mike Esposito Amazing Spider-Man #179 Cover Green Goblin Original Art (Marvel, 1978): Estimate $75,000+.

• Michael Golden Marvel Fanfare #1 Spider-Man and the Angel Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1982): Estimate $50,000+.

• Curt Swan and George Klein Superman #188 Cover Original Art (DC, 1966): Estimate $50,000+.