Is the era of the billion dollar movie franchise over? looks like it’s for the foreseeable future. Wonder Woman 1984, Black Widow, Suicide Squad, and Snake Eyes: G.I. all of joe’s origins underperformed financially due to the pandemic. the comic book hiatus is a traumatic blow to popular culture. still, I’ve noticed that a lot of modern “comics fans” don’t read comics. therefore, I want to inform those people about the 25 most valuable comics that you should know about as a potential investor.
You are reading: Top 25 most valuable comic books
Do you want my advice? start reading comics! the billion-dollar movies you love so much get their ideas anyway.
and you can also start learning about investing in comics.
Do you know what makes some comics very valuable? rarity. important plots. seminal works by famous creators.
and the first appearances of the main characters.
People are watching comic-related series and movies now more than ever. and many new investors can turn to comics to make some basic investments.
first appearance of the black widow as a potential investor
i loved scarlet johansson as black widow in the marvel cinematic universe. (The Black Widow mantle will pass to Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova character.) However, Black Widow’s first appearance did not occur in 2010’s Iron Man 2.
The comic book character Black Widow first appeared in Tales of Suspense #52 in March 1964. This was during the silver age of comics.
none of us will be animating in a comic book movie anytime soon. it seems we’re all too busy at home streaming anyway.
and, if you can save money for comic book movies in this economy, maybe you can try investing in the more valuable comics.
Look at it this way: You can learn the true comic book canon from the comics instead of the movies while making a good investment.
so here are the 25 most valuable comics.
but first, a mini style guide.
cgc ratings and comic eras
In this ranking list of the 25 most valuable comics, I will refer to the “cgc ratings” and the “ages” of comics.
There are four distinct “ages” of comics published since 1938. The exact years for each age differ from person to person.
These are the four:
The golden age of comics ran from 1938 to 1956. This is the era when superhero comics became popular.
The silver age of comics ran from 1956 to 1970. Comics were heavily censored by the comics code authority and creatively regulated during this period.
the bronze age of comics ran from 1970 to 1984. comics creatively freed themselves from the authority of the comics code. the stories begin to reflect real-world problems.
(The copper age is sometimes referred to as the years between 1984 and 1991, but not everyone agrees.)
The modern era of comics began in 1984 and continues to this day.
this list of the 25 most valuable comics will go back from the modern age to the golden age.
25 – preacher #1 (April 1995) vertigo/dc comics
are you a fan of amc’s preacher? well, it started out as a comic back in 1995.
preacher tells the story of an amoral preacher, jesse custer, who gets caught up in a battle between heaven and hell.
A copy of Preacher #1 with a 9.8 cgc rating sold for $230 in July 2021.
This comic is an affordable entry point for investors. Garth Ennis, one of the story’s writers, has a feverish and loyal fan base. also, the preacher ip might be revised in the future.
24 – the walking dead #100 – red foil variant cover edition (June 2012) comics image
Jeffrey Dean Morgan is one of the best actors of his generation.
but if you think his characterization of the popular fan-favorite horror character negan first appeared in the sixth season of the tv show the walking dead in 2016, then you obviously don’t read comics much.
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negan previously made his first appearance in the historic 100th issue of the walking dead.
The red foil variant cover edition of this comic, which is all black and features negan’s bloodstained lucille bat, sold for $875 in June 2021. It has a cgc rating of 9.8.
23 – amazing spider-man #700 – steve ditko variant cover (January 2013) marvel comics
The existence of this comic helps me better understand why modern comic book fans, those who don’t read comics, don’t read comics.
Dealing with decades of comic book canon can be intimidating. still, in my opinion, that’s not a reason not to try.
in amazing spider-man #700, peter parker “died”. (not really and not for long). this problem paved the way for dr. octopus to take on the mantle of spider-man as the top spider-man for a few years. (yes, really).
This comic, with a variant cover drawn by spider-man co-creator steve ditko, sold for $700 in August 2020. It has a cgc rating of 9.8.
22 – malibu sun #13 (May 1992) malibu comics
todd mcfarlane became a comic book superstar in the 1990s when he and several other creators released image comics.
mcfarlane’s signature series is spawn: a slain assassin who is reincarnated as an unwitting agent of the devil.
technically, spawn’s first appearance occurred in a promotional comic, malibu sun #13, just before the official release of the comic pictured.
spawn #1 released in May 1992 and is still in print to this day. It was adapted into a movie in 1997 and could soon be rebooted with Jamie Foxx in the title role.
A copy of this comic with a cgc rating of 9.8 sold for $3,100 in May 2021. If there is a reboot of the film franchise directed by Spawn’s Jamie Foxx, keep an eye on the value of this comic.
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21 – invincible image comics #1 (January 2003)
comics creator robert kirkman, who created the walking dead, is prolific. Invincible is the story of teenager Mark Grayson, who learns that his father is an alien. mark then develops superpowers.
invincible ran for 144 issues and ended in 2018. the comic has an avid fan base that just expanded with the release of the animated series.
a 9.8 cgc graded copy of this comic sold for $4,100 in July 2021.
20 – the walking dead #1 (October 2003) image comics
This is the modern-age horror comic that became a global pop culture hit in the 2010s.
In the coming eras of postmodern comics, this is a comic to look out for value.
the walking dead #1 features the first appearances of rick grimes, shane walsh and morgan jones.
a 9.8 cgc graded copy of this comic sold for $3,000 in July 2021. the walking dead #1 has risen in value steadily since 2016.
19 – edge of spider-verse #2 – greg land variant cover (September 2014) marvel comics
if you loved the appearance of spider-gwen in the 2018 animated movie spider-man: into the spider-verse, then this is one of the most valuable comics you should know about.
gwen stacy was originally peter parker’s first love interest. Gwen died in Peter’s arms in The Amazing Spider-Man #31, released December 1965.
gwen stacy was revived as an alternate version of spider-man from another dimension in 2014’s edge of spider-verse #2. there’s also a deadpool-inspired variation called gwenpool (don’t ask).
A 9.8 cgc grade copy of this comic, with a variant cover sold by greg land, sold for $6,500 in May 2021.
18 – marvel special edition #15 (December 1973) marvel comics
shang chi, the kung fu master, was a character created in the 1970s following the popularity of bruce lee. marvel has used the character in comics ever since.
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now shang chi will soon appear in a live action mcu movie.
shang chi made his first appearance in the special edition of marvel #15 in 1973.
A copy of this comic with a 9.8 cgc rating sold for $12,000 in June 2021.
shang chi may become the next superstar of the mcu, so don’t lose sight of the value of this comic.
17 – iron man #55 (February 1973) marvel comics
people who have never read a comic already know who thanos is.
but if you’ve never read a comic book before, you might think it first appeared in the post-credits sequence of the 2012 avengers movie.
thanos first appeared in the bronze age of comics in iron man #55. Drax the destroyer, a supremely powerful cosmic being in the comics, also made his first appearance in this issue.
A copy of this comic with a 9.8 cgc rating sold for $7,250 in December 2020.
16 – friend of superman, jimmy olsen #134 (December 1970) dc comics
the justice league movie was supposed to feature darkseid as the great villain of the dc extended universe.
Those plans didn’t work out.
but who knows what will happen in the future? Fan interest in Darkseid could be reinvigorated with the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League Cut.
superman’s friend jimmy olsen #134 features the first appearance of darkseid.
A copy of this comic with a 9.8 cgc rating sold for $12,500 in September 2020.
15 – amazing spider-man #129 (January 1974) marvel comics
Were you a kid in the 1980s? then you’ve lived long enough to see four actors play the Punisher in live-action movies and cable TV.
Since 1989, Dolph Lundgren, Thomas Jane, Ray Stevenson and Jon Bernthal have played the grim vigilante. the punisher is a character whose popularity will not diminish any time soon.
amazing spider-man #129 features the first appearance of frank castle, the punisher.
A copy of this comic with a 9.8 cgc rating sold for $39,000 in June 2021.
14 – x-men #94 (Aug 1975) marvel comics
x-men #1 was first published by marvel comics in 1963. the comic was a loose allegory for the civil rights movement of the 1960s.
professor x and magneto were very loosely based on dr. martin luther king and malcolm x respectively.
The comic fell out of favor for a few years and was cancelled. it was revived as reprints of previous issues before being restarted in 1975.
the 1975 x-men team that appeared in x-men #94 was diverse. storm was from Africa, thunderbird was Native American, nightcrawler was German, and banshee was Irish.
A copy of this comic with a 9.8 cgc rating sold for $54,000 in April 2021.
This comic is one of the fundamental themes of the bronze age of comics.
now that disney, owner of marvel comics, owns a majority stake in fox, the x-men will return to live-action movies in the future. check out this comic.
13 – werewolf by night #32 (Aug 1975) marvel comics
This Bronze Age comic is valuable not for the main character but for the guest character.
werewolf by night #32 features the first appearance of marc spector, aka moon knight.
moon knight can best be described as a marvel analog of batman. Oscar Isaac will soon play the character in a Disney+ streaming show.
A copy of this comic with a cgc rating of 9.8 sold for $74,000 in May 2020.
12 – green lantern #76 (April 1970) dc comics
At the dawn of the bronze age, the popularity of the green lantern was waning. therefore, it was associated with Green Arrow for the first time in this issue.
In the 1970s, Bronze Age comics began to reflect society creatively and more realistically. green lantern #76 launched the story of “heroes who travel hard”.
Instead of patrolling space, Green Lantern toured America with Green Arrow and investigated issues of corruption, racism, environmental pollution, and other crises of the time.
A copy of this comic sold for $47,000 in December 2014. It had a cgc rating of 9.8.
11 – marvel spotlight #5 (Aug 1972) marvel comics
Nicholas Cage starred in two disappointing Ghost Rider movies in 2007 and 2012.
Even though Cage did his best, the character’s popularity just didn’t translate from the comics to the big screen. however, the character remains very popular with comic book fans and reappeared in the television show shield.
marvel spotlight #5 is the first appearance of johnny blaze and ghost rider.
A copy of this comic with a 9.8 cgc rating sold for $290,000 in June 2021.
10 – house of secrets #92 (May 1971) dc comics
You may remember Swamp Thing from the cheesy 1982 film directed by Wes Craven.
a television broadcast series based on the character ran in the now defunct dc universe for one season.
However, Swamp Thing has been a fan-favorite comic book character for decades.
house of secrets #92 features the first appearance of the swamp thing.
A copy of this Bronze Age comic with a 9.8 cgc rating sold for $68,000 in March 2018.
9 – teenage mutant ninja turtles #1 (may 1984) mirage studios/ eastman and laird
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was created and self-published by creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird in 1984.
This comic was released in the first year of the modern era of comics. tmnt #1 also created pop culture’s first standalone comic craze that endures to this day.
a 9.8 cgc graded copy of this comic sold for $90,000 in August 2019.
8 – the incredible hulk #181 (November 1974) marvel comics
Remember how I mentioned how modern comic book fans think Black Widow made her first appearance in the MCU’s Iron Man 2 instead of Tales of Suspense #52?
well, the first appearances of comic book characters, especially popular characters, add to the value of a comic.
Wolverine made his first full body appearance in Incredible Hulk #181. (Technically, Wolverine made his first partial appearance in a single panel in Incredible Hulk #180.)
The first appearance of the wolverine is one of the most important developments of the bronze age.
probably only one 9.9 cgc grade copy of this comic exists. is one of the most valuable comic books of all time, selling for over $150,000 in March 2011.
7 – avengers #1 (September 1963) marvel comics
See Also: David Archer – Book Series In Order
The thing that annoys me the most about comic book fans who talk about the Avengers are those who talk about the 2012 movie but have never read the comic.
These multi-billion dollar movies get their source material from comics. If you love these movies, you’re missing out if you haven’t read the classic comics.
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and this comic will stand the test of time as one of the most valuable comics to own.
It has been estimated that there are only three issues of avengers #1 with a 9.6 cgc rating. one of them sold for $275,000 in July 2012.
6 – incredible hulk #1 (may 1962) marvel comics
I grew up watching bill bixby and lou ferrigno play bruce banner and the incredible hulk, respectively, on television.
Eric Bana, Ed Norton, and Mark Ruffalo have since played the Hulk in live-action movies, and Ruffalo became a fan favorite.
In September 2016, a copy of Incredible Hulk #1 with a cgc of 9.2 sold for $375,000.
5 – fantastic four #1 (November 1961) marvel comics
See Also: David Archer – Book Series In Order
There have been numerous attempts to successfully adapt the Fantastic Four for the big screen.
none have been very successful.
Non-comic readers can meet the Fantastic Four through cartoons and video games.
However, his best adventures occurred in comics, especially in his characteristic silver age stories.
This comic is one of the most valuable comics out there. a copy with a grade of 9.6 cgc sold for $450,000 in 2008.
4 – x-men #1 (September 1963) marvel comics
See Also: David Archer – Book Series In Order
In the 1980s and 1990s, marvel comics nearly went bankrupt. therefore, the company licensed many of its characters for use in films to numerous film companies.
until recently, the x-men and sd could only be adapted for film and television by fox. Fox is now majority owned by Disney, which owns Marvel, so this will change in the future. (Still confused? No wonder modern comics fans prefer the live-action adaptation to the comics.)
Anyway, at some point in the future, hopefully we’ll get a new Disney-produced X-Men movie franchise.
this blockbuster pop culture phenomenon was made possible by the publication of x-men #1 in 1963.
A copy of this comic with a 9.8 cgc rating sold for $493,000 in July 2012.
3 – amazing fantasy #15 (Aug 1962) marvel comics
See Also: David Archer – Book Series In Order
During the silver age of comic books, amazing fantasy was a comic book anthology that was losing popularity.
It was actually in danger of cancellation.
The editors of AAmazing Fantasy gave Stan Lee and Steve Ditko carte blanche to create whatever they wanted in issue #15. Spider-Man’s first appearance occurred in that issue.
Just imagine: if an amazing fantasy was very popular, we might never have experienced spider-man!
A copy of this print graded 9.6 cgc, or near mint condition, sold for $1.1 million in March 2011.
2 – marvel comics #1 (September 1939) timely/marvel comics
This comic is a time capsule of history: World War II began the same month that Marvel Comics #1 was published.
marvel comics #1 features the first appearance of the android human torch, which is not the human torch from the fantastic four. (it’s tricky, you have to be a comic book reader!)
a pennsylvania mailman bought a copy of marvel comics #1 in 1939. it has been in mint condition ever since.
That copy sold in November 2019 for $1.26 million. It has a cgc rating of 9.4, so it’s in near mint condition.
1 – action comics #1 (June 1938) dc comics
See Also: David Archer – Book Series In Order
At the time of this writing, it’s unclear if fan-favorite Henry Cavill will return as Superman on the big screen. (signs don’t look good). There probably needs to be an official confirmation either way before fans can leave the issue.
Such fan-based psychodrama did not exist in 1938. We can only have such fan debates now because of a comic that was published 82 years ago: Action Comics #1.
in 1938 there was no such thing as a “superhero comic book”, relative to the modern context.
then in June 1938, Action Comics #1 introduced the modern comic book superhero as we know him. launched the golden age of comics.
Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, this comic was the big bang that created the comic book industry as we know it today.
It is rare to find a genuine copy of Action Comics #1. Around 200,000 copies were printed in 1938. today there are probably less than 100 copies.
probably only 2 copies exist in near mint condition with a cgc rating of 9.0.
actor nicholas cage paid $2.1 million for one of the existing 9.0 cgc prints in 2011. the other 9.0 cgc print sold for $3.2 million through ebay at 2014.
start realistically
There’s a reason I started this list with affordable comics.
If your knowledge of comics starts and ends with the movies, dip your toes into investing in comics slowly.
As Forbes recently reported, the value of many comics is skyrocketing due to film and television adaptations.
You could start investing with a few dollars or a few hundred dollars. however, you should know what is rare, popular, and what collectors like in the market.
you might be able to find an action comic n. #1 with a cgc rating of 1.0 or 2.0 at a very low price. but you have to buy it from someone who doesn’t know the value. and then you would have to sell it to a collector who wants it. And you won’t be able to if you don’t understand the market or the power of sentiment for collectors.
You don’t need a lot of money to start collecting and investing in comics. but you need a foundation of basic comics knowledge and the comic collector’s mind to get started. check with comic book collectors or serious appraisers for more information.
You could invest in comics through fractional investments, but that’s a more suitable investment strategy for veteran investors.
start reading comics and find out what you like and what you think might be a worthwhile investment.
read more
the most valuable comics of all time
the most valuable comics of the 1950s
the most valuable comics of the 1960s
the most valuable comics of the 1970s
the most valuable comics of the 1980s
the most valuable comics of the 1990s
100 most valuable comics
See Also: David Archer – Book Series In Order