Oklahoma Comic Collection Auctioned After Owner's Passing

Lifetime collection of late attorney Eric J. Groves heads to ComicConnect auction

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The remarkable comic book collection of the late Oklahoma City attorney Eric J. Groves is being auctioned off by ComicConnect this month. Groves, who passed away last July at the age of 82, was known for his civic leadership, preservation efforts, and passion for comic book history and collecting. His trove includes first appearances of iconic characters like Captain America, The Flash, Wonder Woman, Mickey Mouse, and Blue Beetle, as well as a deep selection of prized Golden Age titles.

Why it matters

The sale of Groves' lifetime comic collection to a major auction house raises concerns among fans about the fate of such significant private collections, which often end up dispersed on the speculator market rather than preserved in a museum or public institution.

The details

Groves' collection will be featured in ComicConnect's Event Auction 65, running from February 23 through March 15-19. The collection is said to include first appearances of many iconic comic book characters as well as a deep selection of prized Golden Age titles.

  • Eric J. Groves passed away in July 2025 at the age of 82.
  • ComicConnect's Event Auction 65, featuring Groves' collection, will run from February 23 through March 15-19, 2026.

The players

Eric J. Groves

A late Oklahoma City attorney known for his civic leadership, preservation efforts, and passion for comic book history and collecting.

ComicConnect

A major auction house that is hosting Event Auction 65, which will feature Groves' lifetime comic book collection.

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What they’re saying

“There goes another collection straight onto the speculator market instead of a museum. And once more, it's a shame. It's great if the guy was a historian, but why it's okay with anybody involved that the collections just get sold into a sales cycle is stupefyingly bizarre as it's sad.”

— Avi Green (bleedingfool.com)

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate around the fate of significant private comic book collections, as they are often sold off to the speculator market rather than preserved in museums or public institutions where they can be appreciated by fans and researchers.