the 10 most expensive comics in history
I don’t know what’s weirder, seeing a high-end copy of one of these books or any of them actually for sale. the books on this list are like a total solar eclipse in that they only appear once in a while. however, when they do, collectors jump at the chance to drop thousands, and even millions, of dollars.
Some books are so rare that they haven’t changed hands in perfect condition for a generation. While this list contains very few surprises as to which books stand out, you may be surprised at exactly how much they’ve sold for.
You are reading: Top 10 most expensive comic books
here are the 10 most expensive comics in history.
1. marvel comics #1: $350,000
when you consider that this book is the first appearance of namor the sub-mariner, the human torch and is the first book published by what would become marvel comics, it’s obvious that it sold for a ton of money .
What makes this book so impressive is that it “only” has a 9.0 rating. yes, a book this age at 9.0 is impressive, but understand, if it was a 9.2, you could probably get over $550,000. this book, if to a higher degree may very well have been the most expensive book on this list. unfortunately, it isn’t and that’s fine.
2. tales of suspense #39 – $375,000
When Marvel Studios launched the first Iron Man movie back in 2008, it was loosely based on this book. Since that movie came out, everything Iron Man has become hotter than a summer day in the desert. Whether or not the character deserves the attention is for another list.
Unlike other books on this list, it may not be worth what it seems. After all, before the release of the insanely successful MCU, Iron Man was nothing more than a “B-list” character. Until that time comes, $375,000 is nothing to shake a stick at.
3. Star Comics #8: $411,000
What do you get when you release a comic book that contains the first appearance of one of the most beloved heroes of all time?
$411,000, that’s what.
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all-star comics #8 hosts the first appearance of wonder woman and because of that, she’s on this list. look, gal gadot, like linda carter before her, is the wonder woman of this generation. her acting, behavior and appearance are perfect.
Unlike some of the other books and characters on this list that have risen due to the current state of comic book popularity, Wonder Woman is and always will be timeless. when the comedic movie journey is over, wonder woman and her worth will still stand.
4. flash #1 – $450,000
At the time of its sale, this book was the second largest sale ever. Don’t read too much into that, however. When it was sold, the highest sale in history occurred just a single month earlier and it was surpassed twice later that year.
Coming from the same collection as many other high-end Golden Age books, Flash #1 attracted a lot of attention when it hit the market. Investors and collectors flocked to get a piece of comics history. The book features the first appearance of both Flash and Hawkman and is one of the rarest books in existence. therefore, it must be part of this list of the most expensive comics in history.
5. x-men #1: $492,937
What’s the difference between an X-Men #1 graded 9.6 and the same book graded 9.8? About $250,000.
It’s absolutely amazing how much a slight dent in a corner, a bent staple, or a stress mark can affect a book’s value. when this 9.8 copy of x-men #1 sold, it became the highest selling of this book of all time. More impressively, at 9.8, it will be the only book rated this highly on this list of the most expensive comics ever.
6. superman #1 – $507,500
The first of two Superman appearances on this list, Superman #1 deserves to be here. not only is he arguably the most recognizable character in comics… my trip to ethiopia with our sister company comics for cause confirmed it… he is, well, superman!
In 2017, superman #1 sold for a whopping $507,500. what makes this so remarkable is that it’s not even the character’s first appearance. Of course having the first issue of such an iconic character as superman is something to brag about and I can’t say he would turn it down if he ever got the chance.
7. Batman #1: $527,625
The product of a frenzied bidding war, Batman #1, Graded 9.2 joined the upper echelon of comic book sales when it climbed to just over $500,000.
This book, as you probably know, features the first appearance of the Prankster, the Catwoman (formerly the Cat), and Hugo Strange. if that doesn’t impress you, know that this one hardly ever goes on sale. this is the kind of book that is left in a will. and the benefactor of that will spends his entire existence dreaming of the day it will be his.
8. Detective Comics #27: $1,075,000
The best part about this copy is that it has only been graded 8.0. That same collection that boasts that Flash #1 from earlier has this book in it…in a higher 8.5 grade. Unfortunately for us and not so unfortunate for its owner, the book has not been sold since 1994.
In 1994, that 8.5 sold for, and I use this jokingly, a measly $125,000. imagine if it hit the market today? I’m thinking $1.5 million.
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Most surprisingly, there are known copies of both 9.0 and 9.2. the amazing thing is that if that 9.2 were to hit the market, it would probably be at the top of this list of most expensive comics ever.
9. incredible fantasy #15 – $1,100,000
At the time of the sale of this book, which by the way is graded 9.6, the record sale of a Silver Age book was just under $300,000. For this to sell above a million is startling.
granted, this is spider-man’s first appearance, but still. $1,000,000? Now that Spider-Man is firmly back home at Marvel, he’s just as sure this one will go up in price like a LeBron James clothing sale.
10. Action Comics #1: $3,200,000
Was there any doubt?
Considered the holy grail of comics, action comic #1 is the first appearance of superman.
The one that sold in 2014 is not only the best selling book of all time, there are others like it. First, another 9.0-rated copy exists and sold for $2.16 million just three years prior. and second, apparently, there is a collection of the church, the same one that the aforementioned flash #1 is part of. the owner won’t rate it, but rumor has it it would have an amazing 9.2.
What makes this sale so impressive is that aside from the one that sold for $2.16 million, there are four other copies of the #1 action comics that have grossed $1 million or more.
and done. the best-selling and most expensive comics in history. I hope you enjoyed. if you are one of the people who has a copy of any of these and would like to donate them, by all means please do so.
cheers,
joel
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