Black Laughter #1 (1972)
Published in 1972 by Black Laughter Publishing, this rare anthology was created by James M. Dixon. It features adult-oriented satire and biting social commentary through characters like Mr. Habeas Corpus, challenging racial stereotypes with a radical, independent creative voice.
Notes
Published in 1972 by Black Laughter Publishing, Black Laughter No. 1 is a seminal work in the history of independent African American media. Emerging during a transformative era of Black self-expression, this magazine-sized comic anthology offered an unfiltered look at American life through a lens of biting satire and adult-oriented humor. Collector and historian Rico Jones lists Black Laughter as one most disruptive Black comics due to its ability to utilize satire as a tool for social critique.
The Creator and Vision
The primary creative force behind the project was James M. Dixon. Unlike mainstream comics of the early 1970s, which were bound by the restrictive Comics Code Authority, Black Laughter was an independent venture. Dixon served as the publisher, lead writer, and primary illustrator, crafting a publication that spoke directly to Black audiences without the editorial sanitization found at larger houses like Marvel or DC.
The issue is best known for introducing the character Mr. Habeas Corpus, Attorney at Law, a satirical figure who navigated the complexities and absurdities of the American legal system.
Market Rarity and Valuation
Black Laughter No. 1 is considered one of the rarest “scarce gems” of the Bronze Age, largely because it is omitted from the standard Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide. Its scarcity is reflected in its high market value and low survival rate. As of 2024, the CGC Census lists only 14 total graded copies in existence, making any certified copy a significant find for collectors of Black history and independent comics. Also, although the back cover promised a second issue for December 1972, it never materialized.
Recent sales data reflects its growing status as a “holy grail” for niche collectors:
CGC 9.2: A copy sold for approximately $2,600 in 2018.
CGC 8.5: Current market valuations range from $4,200 to significantly higher, with some high-end listings appearing for much more due to its extreme scarcity.
CGC 6.0: A mid-grade copy sold for $336 in December 2021.
Raw (Ungraded) Copies: Even low-grade raw copies have recently fetched between $840 and $900, a massive jump from 2016 when a “Fine” raw copy sold for just $240.
References:
“A Chronology of Black Characters In Comics Pt. 2.” Museum of UnCut Funk, 18 May 2016, museumofuncutfunk.com/2016/05/18/a-chronology-of-black-characters-in-comics-pt-2/.
“Black Laughter #1.” Black Comic Lords, 2024, blackcomiclords.net/portfolio/black-laughter-1/.
“Black Laughter v1 #1 (11/72) Population Report.” Certified Guaranty Company (CGC), 2024, cgccomics.com/population-report/magazines/black-laughter-1.
“Black Laughter (1972) #1.” MyComicShop, Lone Star Comics, www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=26254340.
“Black Laughter #1 (1972) Prices.” PriceCharting, 2024, pricecharting.com/game/comic-books-black-laughter/black-laughter-1-1972.
“Weekly Shaker Report: February 2nd, 2024.” CovrPrice, 2 Feb. 2024, covrprice.com/cp-content/2024/02/weekly-shaker-report-february-2nd-2024/.
