Action Comics 1
The release of Action Comics 1 is widely seen as the moment when the superhero genre was born. The issue introduced both Superman and Lois Lane, making it irresistible to wealthy comic book collectors. Emphasis on wealthy: Action Comics 1 is the most expensive comic ever sold, going for $5.3 million in a private sale.
Detective Comics 27
There is perhaps only one comic book character more iconic than Superman, and that’s Batman. The Caped Crusader’s introduction in Detective Comics 27 is one of the most important moments in comic book history, and the issue has a price tag to match. The current record for a copy is $1.7 million, but that is widely expected to be exceeded in future auctions.
Amazing Fantasy 15
Amazing Fantasy 15 holds the record for the second most expensive comic book ever sold, with a copy fetching $3.6 million in 2021. The issue’s incredible value comes from the fact that it marks the first appearance of Spider-Man, now one of the most popular superheroes of all time.
All-Star Comics 8
Wonder Woman isn’t technically the first female superhero (that honor belongs to Fantomah), but she’s definitely the best-known. That makes All-Star Comics 8 – which introduced the Amazonian superhero – incredibly desirable to collectors, and it’s previously been sold for a whopping $1.6 million.
Brave and the Bold 28
While never as popular as the Avengers, the Justice League of America still retains a loyal fan base, particularly amongst dedicated collectors. Released in 1960, the 28th issue of Brave and the Bold introduced the superhero squad to fans, making good quality copies worth upwards of $750,000.
Incredible Hulk 1
Not only does this comic mark the introduction of Hulk – one of Stan Lee’s most iconic creations – it’s also the only comic in which the character is grey (he was changed to his trademark green the following issue). This makes the comic a two-for-one special for collectors, and it’s worth just shy of $500,000.
Phantom Lady 17
Published in 1954, Seduction of the Innocent accused the comic book industry of corrupting children, leading to the implementation of the Comics Code Authority and bringing the Golden Age of Comics to an end. One of the issues specifically mentioned in the book is Phantom Lady 17, making it a historically important comic with a current value of $456,000.
Marvel Comics 1
Published in 1939, Marvel Comics 1 gets it value from the fact that it’s the first ever issue bearing Marvel’s name (they were previously released as Timely Comics). In addition, the copy also introduced Human Torch and Ka-Zar, and it has a classic cover drawn by the legendary Bill Everett. The fifth most expensive comic of all time, Marvel Comics 1 has sold for $2.4 million in the past.
Fantastic Four 1
As well as introducing the Fantastic Four, Fantastic Four 1 is widely regarded as the start of the Marvel age of comics, and the moment when Stan Lee started hitting his stride. Unsurprisingly, this makes the issue seriously valuable, and in 2022 one was sold for $1.5 million.
All-Star Comics 3
Superhero teams might be all the rage these days, but the concept didn’t exist until the third issue of All-Star Comics. The comic introduced the Justice Society of America – whose members included Doctor Fate, Sandman, the Flash and Green Lantern – a distinction which makes it worth well over $350,000
Amazing Spider-Man 1
Despite the name, the first issue of Amazing Spider-Man is actually the second comic in which the web slinger appears. As the first comic named after the superhero, however, it’s still very valuable, with a copy selling for just shy of $300,000 in 2016.
X-Men 1
In addition to introducing the X-Men, X-Men 1 also introduced Magneto, one of the most acclaimed Marvel villains of all time. Thanks to this lucrative combination, good condition copies of X-Men 1 have sold for over $800,000, and – according to expert collectors – a mint condition copy would likely go for over $1 million.
Archie Comics 1
The reason for the high price tag attached to copies of Archie Comics 1 is pretty self explanatory; it’s the first ever issue of Archie Comics. While copies aren’t hugely rare, it’s hard to find one in good condition, which is why one sold for $167,300 in 2011.
Avengers 1
The Avengers franchise is absolutely huge these days, so you’d expect copies of the comic that introduced the superhero team to sell for millions. Avengers 1 is comparatively common, however, which has kept the price down. That said, mint condition issues will still go for well over $350,000, so they’re not exactly cheap.
Amazing Spider-Man 14
Green Goblin is one of the most iconic Marvel villains of all time, so it’s not surprising that his introductory comic is worth a pretty penny. Although copies of Amazing Spider-Man 14 aren’t as rare as some of the other issues mentioned here, they can still go for upwards of $200,000.
Avengers 4
Avengers 4 marked the first Silver Age appearance of Captain America, making it incredibly desirable to collectors with a soft spot for the character. In 2017, a copy of the comic went for $143,400, setting a record that it has yet to beat, although most experts believe it will.
Batman 1
Batman 1 introduces not one, but two of the most iconic Batman characters of all time: Joker and Catwoman (the Caped Crusader himself was introduced in an issue of Detectives Comics). Unsurprisingly, this makes it akin to catnip for collectors; in 2021, a mint edition copy of Batman 1 went for a staggering $2.2 million.
Captain America Comics 1
As you’ve probably worked out by now, comics with ‘1’ in the title tend to be worth a lot of money, especially when they introduce now-iconic characters. The first issue of Captain America Comics marked the first appearances of its title character, as well as Bucky and Red Skull, and – having previously sold for $3.1 million – it’s currently the third most expensive comic in history.
All-American Comics 16
In 2018, a mint copy of All-American Comics went for $215,000 at auction. The reason for this princely price tag? The comic marks the introduction of the Golden Age Green Lantern (Alan Scott), a character that many collectors are incredibly fond of.
Detective Comics 35
As well as its iconic cover, Detective Comics 35 is notable for containing a splash (a single image that takes up an entire page of a comic) which depicts Batman holding a gun. The Caped Crusader soon adopted a strict no firearms policy, making this comic a unique curiosity. That, of course, makes it highly desirable to collectors, and the issue has sold for almost $120,000 in the past.
Captain America Comics 2
While nowhere near as lucrative as the debut issue, Captain America Comics 2 still comes with a hefty price tag. The issue introduced Cap’s now iconic circular shield, and it’s previously sold for $113,500. That was back in 2012, so it’s probably worth even more now.
Action Comics 23
Comic book issues introducing now-iconic characters almost always fetch top dollar, which explains why a copy of Action Comics 23 sold for $72,000 in 2020. The issue introduced Lex Luther, the bald-headed supervillain who would eventually become Superman’s arch-nemesis.
Captain America Comics 36
Captain America Comics 36 is another issue notable for its cover, which depicts Cap yanking Hitler out of an open-topped car while hanging from the wing of a plane. This makes the issue desirable to comic book collectors and history buffs alike, and it’s previously sold for $162,000.
Daredevil 1
Notable for introducing the character of Daredevil (as well as its surprisingly brutal cover art), Daredevil 1 can sell for around $250,000. There are quite a few copies floating around, however, so you’d need one in perfect condition to fetch the big bucks.
Adventure Comics 40
Although there’s a bit of debate amongst collectors about which issue Sandman first technically appeared in, most agree that it was Adventure Comics 40. That makes it one of the most valuable comics in the world, with a copy selling for $81,000 back in 2012.
Detective Comics 1
The first installment of the Detective Comics series, this issue is also noteworthy for introducing the character of Slam Bradley, a niche character that collectors tend to be fond of. Its cover is also considered iconic, which helps explain why it has previously sold for six-figure sums.
Wonder Woman 1
While not quite as valuable as All-Star Comics 8 – the comic that introduced Wonder Woman – the superhero’s first solo title is still worth a hefty sum to the right buyer. The last time an issue of this comic sold was in 2011, and it went for $291,100. These days, it would likely go for considerably more.
Whiz Comics 2
For reasons that don’t make a lot of sense, Whiz Comics 2 is actually the first issue of the series. The comic introduced Captain Marvel, who was created as Marvel’s answer to Superman (this wasn’t lost on DC, who promptly sued). No copies of this comic have sold for a number of years, but in 2012 one went for $385,500.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1
Most comics on this list were printed at least 60 years ago, which explains why there aren’t many copies left in good condition. The first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, on the other hand, was only printed in 1984. However, due to a limited initial print run, not many can be found these days, and they can be worth around $250,000.
Tales of Suspense 39
Released in 1959, Tales of Suspense 39 introduced another character who would go on to become one of the most popular superheroes of all time: Iron Man. There is believed to be a single mint condition copy of the issue left, and it’s almost certainly worth seven figures.
Detective Comics 38
While not as iconic as Batman, Robin is still one of the most notable characters in DC history, and his introduction in Detective Comics 38 started the trend of superheroes having sidekicks. While a copy hasn’t sold in a number of years, Detective Comics 38 is estimated to be worth around $500,000 today.
Action Comics 10
The third issue to feature Superman on the cover, Action Comics 10 is one of the rarest comic books around. In fact, a copy hasn’t been sold since 2011, when one went for $258,000. Experts believe that, were a copy to go to auction now, it would likely fetch double that.
Captain America Comics 36
While nothing between the covers of Captain America Comics 36 is particularly noteworthy, it’s the front cover itself which makes this issue so desirable. With what is considered one of the most iconic Marvel covers of all time, this issue has previously fetched $204,000 at auction.
Captain America Comics 74
Continuing the theme of wildly expensive Captain America comics, this issue has fetched upwards of $200,000 at auctions. Once again, the value comes from the cover, which serves as a clear example of the brief pivot to horror that Marvel attempted in the early 40s.
Flash Comics 1
As you’ve probably guessed, Flash Comics 1 introduced Flash; as an added bonus, the comic also marked the first appearance of Hawkman. One of the most desirable Golden Age comics of all time, copies of Flash Comics 1 have fetched prices as high as $450,000 in both private sales and auctions.
Detective Comics 140
The Batman franchise has spawned some of the most memorable supervillains in comic book history, and the Riddler is one of the most famous. The enigmatic character was introduced in Detective Comics 140 – released in October 1948 – an issue which has previously sold for as much as $456,000.
Fantastic Four 5
Few villains have had as much of a cultural impact as Doctor Doom, the masked mad scientist who went on on to become the Fantastic Four’s nemesis. The supervillain was introduced in Fantastic Four 5, a comic which has continued to see a rise in value. In 2022, a good quality copy sold for $160,000.
Journey Into Mystery 83
One of the most valuable comics from Marvel’s Silver Age, Journey Into Mystery 83 marks the introduction of Thor, the Asgardian god who would go on to become one the most popular superheroes in Marvel history. In 2023, a copy of this comic sold at auction for $432,000.
Action Comics 7
While not quite as desirable as Action Comics 1, the seventh issue of Action Comics is notable for being the second time that Superman appeared on the cover; starting from issue 19, the Man of Steel appeared on every cover. Mint copies of Action Comics 7 have fetched prices upwards of $200,000 at auction.
Action Comics 13
As well as marking the fourth time Superman graced the front cover, Action Comics 13 introduced Ultra-Humanite, a particular favorite amongst collectors. Once again, a copy of Action Comics 13 hasn’t been sold since 2011, making the highest current price for the issue $182,000.
