the list of the 100 most expensive comics of the comics of the copper age updated update to prices of 2022
Find record sales and minimum values for comics from the Copper Age. that’s the period from 1981 to 1991.
You are reading: Comic books from the 80s
why the ‘copper age’?
Collectors referred to the early period of comics as the golden age. Which made sense at the time. so they needed to call the 60’s revival somehow. they chose the silver age.
bronze age… I’m undecided. copper age… ridiculous. why “modern age” instead of “iron age”? because someone woke up and smelled the stupid coffee. #endrant
if you missed the other episodes, use these links: golden age comics | silver age comics | bronze age comics | modern era comics
massive news! the 100 most expensive comics of the copper age in the list1. teenage mutant ninja turtles #1 first impression, origin and first appearance of the team, break new ground!
1. teenage mutant ninja turtles #1 (1984):origin and first appearance, tmnt1st print
record sale: $245,000 (not a typo!)minimum value: $950
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see our teenage mutant ninja turtles comics price guide
2022 update: original tmnt comic #1 breaks new ground
has long been the most expensive comic published in the 1980s.
But the September 2021 sale of a cgc 9.8 for $245,000 sets this incredibly popular book even further apart from the rest of the field.
2021 update: next 9.8 sale will be critical
an exclusive cgc 9.8 series sold in December 2021 for just over $190,000. but the next sell off of a “simple” 9.8 will reveal whether or not the market can sustain the current level.
even if the only copy of new mutants #98 in 10.0 is released, I can’t see how the #1 position would change.
This price is unprecedented! has drawn the attention of the comics world firmly to focus on what has been an era of growing interest for many years.
2nd and 3rd impressions are now in the top 100! see below.
other recent sales at lower grades:
- 9.6$66,000
- 9.4$46,500
- 9.2$36,000
- 9.0$31,200
- 8.5$30,000
- 8.0$24,000
- 7.0$15,000
- 6.5$13,300
2. marvel super heroes secret wars #8 joins the $30k club!
2. marvel super heroes secret wars #8 (1984): first encounter between symbiote and spider-man
record sale: $32,250 (cgc 10.0)$6,000 (cgc 9.9)$840 (cgc 9.8)minimum value: $30
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2021 update: idiot buy
a crazy buy during the pandemic. I guess if you can’t go to restaurants then you should spend five years of the restaurant budget on a single cgc 10.0.
ridiculous. you could have a really nice silver age key for the same price.
3. albedo #2, the first rabbit usagi yojimbosamurai slashes the opposition!
3. albedo #2 (1984):origin and first appearance, usagi yojimbo
record sale: $31,000minimum value: $450
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the samurai rabbit storms the list!
another massive advance for potentially the hardest book of the 1980s (even harder than tmnt #1 at high grade).
the deadly long-eared samurai just broke a record, with 9.8 selling for $31,000 in May 2019. this is only the second book of the copper age (so far!) to break the barrier of the $30,000.
2021 update: rabbit runs slower
Most recent sale is $19,800 (July 2020), proving that this is another book with more supply than demand at the higher levels.
4. wolverine #1 1988, 1st patch
4. wolverine v2 #1 (1988):first in the series
record sale: $17,600 (cgc 10.0)$1,550 (cgc 9.9)$200 (cgc 9.8)minimum value: $20
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of all the books in the world… wolverine #1? you would have put a lot of money into making #2 a copy of new mutants #98. but you would have lost.
In June 2016, someone was crazy enough to buy the only cgc 10.0 copy of this book for over $17,000, making it now the fourth most expensive comic of the ’80s.
to put it in perspective, you could have bought a copy of amazing hulk #181 in cgc 9.8 and a copy of new mutant #98 in cgc 9.9 for roughly the same money!
2021 update: Relax if you have this book
the only 10.0 in the census set the stupid record.
Since then, everyone who has a copy of this book thinks they have a gold mine. I’m sorry to burst your bubble. I doubt the owner will ever get the money back from him.
if another 10.0 appears, the value of the first one is halved.
7. bone #1 (1991):first issue
record sale: $13,200minimum value: $190
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2021 update: bone breaks into the top 10
This huge sale of new records catapults the number 1 bone into the five-figure club. this is a genuinely tough book, one that we rarely see in collections.
10. batman the killer joke (1988):recounted the origin of the joker; paralyzes barbara gordon
Record Sale: $7,400 (cgc 10.0)$1,680 (cgc 9.9)$220 (cgc 9.8)minimum value: $20
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2021 update: money to burn?
another stupid purchase of a cgc 10.0 means this book is ridiculously high up in the top 100 most valuable comics of the copper age.
$7,400 would buy you a very, very respectable copy of Avengers #1. ffs.
most expensive copper age comics #11 – #20
11. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (2nd Edition)
record sale: $6,750minimum value: $100
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2021 update: second impression is the poor man’s first impression
It’s a sign of how popular tmnt #1 has become that the second edition is now so high up on the list of the most valuable comics of the 1980s!
new entry! raphael #1: tmnt one-shot spin-off (1985) first impression; 1st Casey Jones
record sale: $6,100minimum value: $50
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12. amazing spider-man #252 (1984): first appearance, symbiote (black spider-man suit) regular edition
record sale: $6,000 (cgc 9.9)$895 (cgc 9.8)minimum value: $10
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what is the true first appearance of the symbiote?
While asm #252 gets all the attention and love, there are two other concurrent first appearances further down the list of most expensive comics of the 1980s.
- spectacular spider-man #90
- marvel team-up #141
asm #252 is the most expensive of the three comics largely due to the cool cover and the fact that there are more awesome spider-man collectors out there.
There is also an expensive Canadian priced variant and a kiosk variant (see below).
13. gobbledygook #1 (1984): rare book by eastman and laird, photocopied and stapled; fakes are common
record sale: $71,400minimum value: $5,000
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a super rare and mysterious book that will become much more valuable over time. if you can find one…
14. daredevil #181 (1981): elektra’s death
record sale: $5,760 (cgc 9.9)$160 (cgc 9.8)minimum value: $5
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another idiotic place to put almost $6k.
15. amazing spider-man #316 (1989): classic mcfarlane venom cover
record sale: $5,000 (cgc 9.9)$660 (cgc 9.8)minimum value: $10
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16. superman (1988): “this island bradman”, bradman’s private commission for his son’s bar mitzvah
record sale: $5,000minimum value: $100
click to see the complete history of this strange comic on ebay | have yours appraised
17. vampirella #113 (1988): rare ending issue; most returns were reported to have been destroyed
See Also: Most Valuable Comic Books of the 1970s – Personal Finance Advice
record sale: $4,000minimum value: $30
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20. teenage mutant ninja turtles #1 (3rd edition)
record sale: $4200minimum value: $120
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3rd edition is now in the top 20!! amazing.
most valuable copper age comics #21 – #50
21. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 (1984): Second appearance of the Turtles’ first impression
record sale: $4880minimum value: $30
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22. teenage mutant ninja turtles #3 (1985):rare comic variant of “photo of the laird”
record sale: $25,000minimum value: $100
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25. primer #2 (1982): first appearance, grendel
record sale: $3200minimum value: $40
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28. star wars #421st boba fett in comicsregular edition
record sale: $4500minimum value: 30
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29. amazing spider-man #238 (1983):first appearance, hobgoblin regular edition
record sale: $2,700 (cgc 9.9) $1,800 (cgc 9.8)minimum value: $40
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see our amazing spider-man price guide
new mutants #98, first appearance of the deadpool newsstand variant
record sale: $11,700minimum value: $70
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30. the transformers #1 (1984): origin and first appearance, the transformerscanadian price variant
record sale: $3400minimum value: $30
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read our transformers comic price guide
33. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3 (1985):First Appearance
record sale: $1450minimum value: $40
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36. Batman #386 (1985) – First Appearance of the Black Mask Canadian Price Variant
record sale: $2030minimum value: $20
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new entry! cry for dawn #5 (1991) second edition
record sale: $2,000minimum value: $20
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41. incredible hulk #377 (1991):rare third printing
record sale: $1900minimum value: $10
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Only the third edition appears in the list of comics from the copper age. the first and second printings of this book are worthless.
The books are easy to identify, with totally different colored covers and prices.
most recent sales:
- 1st print $95
- 2nd print $150
44. aliens #1 (1988): first solo aliens comic; classic copper age comic book movie link
record sale: $2370minimum value: $10
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hellblazer leading the way on television
The announcement of a television deal for hellblazer has cemented john constantine’s first full appearance on the list of best comics of the copper age.
You might want to get your hands on a copy of Swamp Thing Saga #25, which reportedly has a character cameo.
46. the transformers #1 (1984): origin and first appearance, the transformersregular edition
record sale: $3400minimum value: $20
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Newsstand variants are becoming a big news in Copper Age comics collecting.
48. love and rockets #1 (1981) – rare self-published independent comic; one of the rarest comics of the copper age
record sale: $1550minimum value: $400
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49. dc comics presents #47 (1982):1st appearance of he-man and the masters of the universeregular edition
record sale: $1,740minimum value: $20
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50. star wars #682nd appearance of boba fett in comicscanadian price variant
record sale: $5280minimum value: $40
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Most Valuable Copper Age Comics (1980s) #51 – #75
51. the crow #3 (1989)first impression
record sale: $1500minimum value: $30
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53. evil ernie #11st evil ernie and lady death
record sale: $1440minimum value: $100
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55. amazing spider-man #265first silver saber
record sale: $1330 (cgc 9.9)$280 (cgc 9.8)minimum value: $10
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56. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 (1985):1st printing
record sale: $1830minimum value: $40
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59. amazing spider-man #239 (1983):spidey vs hobgoblin battle regular first issue
record sale: $1250 (cgc 9.9)$330 (cgc 9.8)minimum value: $10
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60. marvel team-up #141: ties for first symbiote canadian price variant
record sale: $1,220minimum value: $30
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62. the raven #21st edition
record sale: $1,230minimum value: $40
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all four issues of ravens are now on the main list of copper age comics.
See Also: How to get ARCs and Read Books for Free! | Reedsy Discovery
65. Incredible Hulk #340 (1988): McFarlane Wolverine cover; one of the iconic covers of copper age comics
record sale: $3400minimum value: $20
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Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8 (1984): Canadian Price Variant
record sale: $16,800minimum value: $10
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68. x-factor #6 (1986):first appearance, apocalypse canadian price variant
record sale: $1,050minimum value: $30
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69. sonic the hedgehog promotional supplement #1 (1991)rare gift
record sale: $850 (cgc 9.9)$110 (cgc 9.8)minimum value: $100
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70. thor #337 (1983): First appearance of the beta ray billcanadian price variant
record sale: $2950minimum value: $20
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don’t miss the most valuable modern comics!
71. amazing spider-man #239 (1983):Canadian price variant
record sale: $1,250minimum value: $20
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74. sandman #8 (1989):first appearance of the deathregular edition
record sale: $4,560minimum value: $10
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most valuable copper age comics #76 – #100
watchmen #1 (1986)a classic series of copper age comics
record sale: $1380minimum value: $20
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78. marvel super heroes secret wars #1
record sale: $1500 (cgc 9.9)$275 (cgc 9.8)minimum value: $10
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79. x-factor #6 (1986):first appearance, apocalypse kiosk variant
record sale: $1,050minimum value: $30
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80. batman #359canadian price variant
record sale: $680minimum value: $20
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83. x-force #2 (1991):deadpool’s second appearance
record sale: $660 (cgc 9.9)$80 (cgc 9.8)minimum value: $20
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86. the raven #4 (1989) first impression
record sale: $620minimum value: $40
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89. marvel team-up #141ties for the first edition symbionteregular
record sale: $1,220minimum value: $30
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92. sonic the hedgehog #1 (1991): rare, first sega appearance
record sale: $1,000minimum value: $60
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check out our video game comic pricing guide
93. gram. Yo. joe #21 (1984):first appearance of storm shadow; Canadian price variant called “silent problem”
record sale: $3,000minimum value: $80
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96. gram. Yo. joe #21 (1984):first appearance of storm shadow; the so-called “silent problem” 2nd impression
record sale: $3,000minimum value: $80
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97. batman #428 (1989): a death in the family pt. 3, robin dies; classic story arc from copper age comics
record sale: $450minimum value: $20
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98. punisher #1 (1986): first solo comic appearance, Canadian price variant
record sale: $940minimum value: $10
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read our punisher comic price guide
99. batman #357 (1983):first appearance of jason todd and the killer croccanadian price variant
record sale: $1,750minimum value: $50
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100. x-factor #6 (1986):first appearance, apocalypseregular edition
record sale: $1,050minimum value: $20
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Most Valuable Copper Age Comics: Books That Almost Made The List
101. silver surfer v3 #44 (1990): first appearance of the infinity gauntlet
record sale: $410minimum value: $20
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104. tales of the teen titans #44 (1984): first appearance of nightwing
record sale: $850minimum value: $30
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Sales of these copper age comics have dropped in version 9.8. the single 9.9’s sales record is over 15 years old and will be broken when it changes hands again.
105. omega men #3 (1983): first appearance of wolf
record sale: $400minimum value: $10
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106. batman #404 (1987): miller’s year one begins
record sale: $700minimum value: $10
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what are copper age comics?
the era of copper age comics is in dispute. some comedians would write it off entirely, saying that the modern age begins when the bronze age ends.
for those who buy, we can say that it begins with the secret wars of marvel and the crisis of dc, and ends with the mass defection of marvel staff to create comics.
So, let’s say the age of copper is from 1981, 82, 83, 84, or 85 to 1991 or 1992. For the purposes of this article, we’ll call it 1981 to 1991.
prices on the most expensive copper age comics list are influenced by 80’s kids in the workplace, who can now afford to indulge in their nostalgia.
Speculators are also driving up the prices of the most expensive comics from the Copper Age, as books from the 1960s and 1970s become unaffordable for many.
don’t miss the most valuable modern comics!
most valuable comics from other times
moving from the most expensive comic book of the copper age to the comic price guide menu
See Also: Lan Samantha Chang