The Most Expensive Comic Books Ever Sold
Posted on 7/14/2022
When comic books were first published in the late 19th century, they only cost a few cents. By 2004, the most expensive comic book was sold for $350,000. Today, comics are continuing to go up in value and setting new sales records that exceed $5 million.
Below is a list of some of the most expensive comics ever sold, as of this writing.
UPDATED: SEPTEMBER 13, 2024
ACTION COMICS #1
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In 1938, National Allied Publications (now called DC Comics) published Action Comics #1 and the first appearance of Superman by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. It became known as the first superhero comic and the start of the Golden Age of Comic Books. Action Comics #1 is invariably at or very near the top of the list of most expensive comic books.
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SUPERMAN #1
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For many years, Superman was hands-down the most expensive comic book character with his debut in Action Comics #1. After losing the record briefly to Spider-Man in 2021, Superman got back up to reclaim his position as the most valuable hero — but it wasn't Action Comics anymore, it was Superman #1. Published in 1939 by DC Comics, Superman #1 was the first comic book series devoted entirely to a single character.
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AMAZING FANTASY #15
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In the final issue of Amazing Fantasy, Stan Lee had convinced the publisher to let him try out a new teenage hero he created with Steve Ditko. The issue became the highest-selling book for Marvel, and Spider-Man was rushed into his very own series.
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CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #1
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Published by Timely Comics (now called Marvel Comics) by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon, this comic features a classic cover, depicting Captain America punching Hitler. It was recreated for a scene in the Captain America movie in 2012.
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MARVEL COMICS #1
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Published by Timely Comics in 1939, Marvel Comics was an anthology series that introduced characters like The Human Torch (who was different from the Fantastic Four’s Johnny Storm), and this title would become the namesake when Timely changed its name to Marvel Comics.
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BATMAN #1
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This issue from 1940 is Batman’s first solo title and features the first appearance of Joker and Catwoman.
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FANTASTIC FOUR #1
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The first family of Marvel Comics, The Fantastic Four — Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), Sue Storm (Invisible Girl), Jonny Storm (Human Torch) and Ben Grimm (Thing) — debuted in 1961 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.
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TALES OF SUSPENSE #39
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This 1963 comic features the first appearance of Iron Man by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Larry Lieber and Don Heck. The character was created as an examination of Communism and the Cold War, and he was given his own solo series in 1968. (That same year, Tales of Suspense was renamed Captain America.)
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DETECTIVE COMICS #27
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While the first issue of Detective Comics was published by National in 1937, it was 1939’s issue #27 that made history with the first appearance of Batman by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. Detective Comics was the title inspiration when the publisher changed its name to DC Comics.
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ALL-STAR COMICS #8
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While the Justice Society of America adorns the cover, inside, this comic features the first appearance of Wonder Woman. The 1941 issue also includes the first new look for Dr. Fate and the first cameo for Hawkgirl.
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THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1
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Spider-Man was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko and debuted in Amazing Fantasy #15 by Marvel Comics in 1962. The new superhero immediately found success with readers, so Marvel rushed out his own series, beginning with Amazing Spider-Man #1 in 1963. The comic focuses on Spider-Man’s adventures with stories that recount how Peter Parker received his powers and teamed with the Fantastic Four against the Chameleon.
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SHOWCASE #4
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Published in 1956 by DC Comics, this book is the first appearance of the Silver Age Flash, Barry Allen. Among more than 500 graded copies in the CGC Census, this is the single highest-graded copy, and it holds the current sales record for this issue.
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X-MEN #1
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Published by Marvel Comics in 1963, this comic features the first appearance of The X-Men and the original team roster (Cyclops, Beast, Iceman, Angel and Marvel Girl) along with Magneto and Professor X.
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INCREDIBLE HULK #1
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Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, this issue features the first appearance of the Incredible Hulk. When the first stories were published, Hulk was originally grey but later changed to green due to the cost of ink.
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THE BRAVE & THE BOLD #28
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The Brave and the Bold is in a league of its own after trading hands in a private sale for a hefty six figures. Featuring the first appearance of the Justice League of America, The Brave and the Bold #28, with the highest GCG-recorded grade of 9.6, recently sold in a private sale for $750,000. This sets a new record for the book, and also makes it the highest-selling DC Silver Age comic.
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PHANTOM LADY #17
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While most of this list is the typical heroes you’d expect to find, Phantom Lady stands out from the rest. Published in 1948 by Fox Features Syndicate, this comic features a classic bondage cover that was cited in Dr. Frederic Wertham’s infamous book on the dangers of comic books, “The Seduction of the Innocent.”
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DETECTIVE COMICS #140
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This first appearance of The Riddler from 1948 took home a hefty six figures in the same online auction that sold Phantom Lady #17 featured on this list.
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FLASH COMICS #1
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Featuring the first appearance of the Golden Age Flash, Jay Garrick, this comic was published in 1941. After the start of the Silver Age, a new Flash (Barry Allen) was introduced and Jay became the Flash of Earth-2 in what would become the very first multiverse story.
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JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY #83
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Published in 1962 by Marvel Comics, the book features the debut of Marvel’s Thor by Jack Kirby, Stan Lee and Larry Lieber. Originally, Thor was the Norse god of thunder who was sent to Earth by his father, Odin, to learn humility under the guise of Dr. Donald Blake. The following year, Thor became a founding member of The Avengers, and his character has been adapted to many different film and television projects throughout the decades.
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AVENGERS #1
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This issue marks the very first assembly of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes: Iron Man, Thor, Ant-Man and Hulk — together they are The Avengers! Captain America joined the lineup later in Avengers #4, and the team has grown ever since.
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SENSATION COMICS #1
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Released in January 1942, Sensation Comics #1 was the first to feature Wonder Woman on the cover and began the series that was largely devoted to her adventures. However, the character of Wonder Woman quietly debuted earlier in All Star Comics #8, released in late 1941.
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DAREDEVIL #1
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Daredevil #1 was released 1964, and introduced readers to Matt Murdock, a blind attorney with heightened senses who fights crime as the vigilante Daredevil. Created by writer Stan Lee and artist Bill Everett, this debut issue showcased Daredevil's origin story and his first encounters with foes like the Fixer and the Owl.
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