The Last Christmas ##1
Image Comics • The Last Christmas
Writer
Gerry Duggan & Brian Posehn
Interior Artist
Rick Remender
Cover Artist
Hilary Barta
Publication Date
May 2006
Cover Variant
Regular Cover (Cover A)
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
A post-apocalyptic dark comedy where Santa Claus becomes a marauding, gun-toting warrior after a tragedy kills Mrs. Claus and the North Pole is overrun by zombies and mutants.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Fine- (CGC 7.5 range due to unauthenticated ink/handling)
Condition Details
Visible corner blunting at top right and bottom left. Spine shows minor stress marks. There is unauthenticated signature ink on the front cover which, unless witnessed, marks the grade down. Bag and board storage indicates general care, but slight edge wear is visible.
Estimated Market Value
Raw (with unverified signatures): $15 - $30. If signatures were CGC/CBCS witnessed/verified: $80 - $120. Standard raw copy: $5 - $10.
Recent Sales
Unsigned first printings regularly sell for under $10. Signed copies vary wildly; a CBCS verified signature series copy sold for approximately $90 in late 2023.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for standard grading. Since the signatures are already present and were not witnessed by a grading company representative (appearing as 'Green Label' or 'Qualified'), grading would likely lower the marketability. CBCS Verified signature service would be the only viable route to preserve value.
Notable Features
First issue in the series. Signed by Gerry Duggan, Brian Posehn, and Rick Remender (unverified). Notable early work by Rick Remender before his rise to major fame at Marvel.
Authentication Notes
The cover features handwritten signatures and an inscription 'To Eva, Hail Santa!' in black ink. The top left margin also has a handwritten note: 'Signed by B. Posehn, Gerry Duggan & Rick Remender'. Without a Certificate of Authenticity or witnessing, these are considered 'unauthorized writing' by major graders.