Introduced in the late 1930s, comic books gained enormous popularity. Meeting your favorite superheroes marked golden age, and today some issues are valued at hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars.
Today, superhero franchises bring big income in the entertainment industry. The Avengers (2012) grossed over $623 million, and The Dark Knight (2008) brought in over $533 million, making them one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Other films starring Spider-Man, Iron Man and Thor were very successful. All these franchise characters started in regular comic books more than 75 years ago.
10. Captain America, issue #1 - $353 thousand.
This comic introduced the Avengers Captain in March 1941. The first issue shows the origin of Captain America: High-ranking officials inject a young man with a serum that gives him super strength and turns the teenager into a patriot capable of replacing an entire army in the fight against the Nazis.
His main enemy is the Third Reich, and on the cover the Captain stabs Hitler in the face. This issue by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon was sold at auction on August 9, 2011 for $353,000.
9. Action Comics #7 - $405 thousand
Action Comics from creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster was released on April 18, 1938. They are considered the progenitors of modern comics, being the first to feature a traditional superhero in a non-funny sequence. Part of what made issue #7 (Dec. 1938) so special was a pun that was never repeated: in that story, Superman wears yellow boots.
And although on the cover he appears in in the usual way, this is only the second depiction of him in the history of comics, which increases the price of the publication. The 7th issue of Battle Comics sold for $405 thousand.
8. Amazing Fantasies #15 - $442 thousand
Comic book Amazing Fantasies, (originally titled "Amazing Adult Fantasies"), published by Marvel Comics in 1961-1962, revived in 1995 and 2000s. Many writers and artists contributed to its creation, and eventually the humorous format gave way to a more intricate one, thanks in large part to the twist endings of artist Steve Ditko and writer-editor Stan Lee.
7. Comics All-American #16 - $497 thousand.
Series All-American comics became the company's flagship All-American Publication, later merged with two others into one DC Comics. From 1939 to 1948, 102 issues were published, introducing most of the main characters.
Issue #16, July 1940, debuted one of DC's most celebrated characters. Green Lantern, created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Knodell. In 1946 National periodicals (DC Comics) bought All-American, and upon request Western Comics changed the name and format to All-American Western.
6. Detective Comics #1 - $529 thousand.
Detective comics published monthly DC Comics since March 1937, thriving to this day. From the very first release, each episode consists of 10 stories in the exciting detective genre.
In addition to the two regular heroes - Batman and Superman, new characters appear here: Robin (issue #38), Penguin (#58), Two-Face (#66), Riddler (#140), Batwoman (#233) and many others.
5. Batman #1 - $530 thousand
In the spring of 1940 he received his own franchise, and his first edition was subsequently $1 thousand more expensive than the debut of Detective Comics. The comic opened with a story called “ The Legend of Batman. Who is he and how did he appear?" This issue includes the stories “ Joker" And " Joker returns", and was first introduced " Robin, the boy wonder».
Initially, Batman was released quarterly, then once every two months, and later began to delight its fans monthly. This is one of the biggest superhero franchises ever.. The image of Batman is found both in cartoons and in films performed by such actors as Lois Wilson, Robert Lowry, Adam West, Michael Keaton, Kevin Conroy, Val Kilmer, George Clooney, Christian Bale, and soon Ben Affleck.
4. Marvel Comics #1 - $578 thousand
First edition Marvel Comics dates from October 1939. Its symbols were Ant-Man, Namor the Sub-Mariner and Angel. This project began in 1939 and was originally called Timely Comics.
He owns an ongoing superhero franchise in entertainment, including films, Transformers toys, and one of the longest-running comic book series. Walt Disney Company absorbed Marvel Entertainment in 2009.
First issue circulation Marvel Comics 80 thousand copies were completely sold out, ensuring no less popularity of the next edition.
3. Superman #1 - $712 thousand
This episode is the first to focus on one hero: Superman. The public was immediately fascinated by the man in the red cloak, who brought enormous popularity to the first issue in June 1939. Although each publisher sought to create its own version of the hero, the most popular remained DC.
Some call this series a robbery, because it essentially repeats Superman's story from issues 1-4 of Action Comics, adding only a few pages of new material. Also noteworthy is the drawing on the back of the cover.
2. Detective Comics #27 - $2,220,000
Detective Comics is the longest running series in US history, and it all really started with #27. He introduced the world to billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne and his alter ego - Batman - a superhero who, instead of superpowers, relies on intelligence, fantastic gadgets and wit. The reader is also introduced to his crime-fighting ally, Commissioner Gordon.
The first story of the series called " Chemical Syndicate Case" mixes the hard-hitting crime genre with the world-saving superheroes of the time, which fundamentally sets Detective Comics apart from all that came before. The Masked Knight was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Bob Kane, and over the years, various authors have tried to flesh out the multi-faceted image of this endlessly intriguing character.
1. Action Comics #1 - $3,207,852
It all started with this series. On June 30, 1938, the first issue of Action Comics introduced Superman to the world and marked Golden Age of Comics. On August 24, 2014, one of 200 thousand copies in fairly good condition was sold at eBay for $3.2 million, becoming the most expensive best-selling comic book ever. Today there are only 50-100 of these issues left.
Darren Adams, owner Prestine Comics V Federal Way, Washington, began trading at 99 cents. In less than two hours, the price soared above $1.5 million. His copy had " perfect white pages" and received 9 points? according to the assessment Certified Guaranty Company (CGC). This issue beat out another, which was won in 2011 by Superman superfan Nicolas Cage.
What would you spend $2 million on? Would you buy a mansion in England? Or maybe a Bugatti Veyron Vitesse? Or, like Father Fyodor from “12 Chairs,” would you look for a candle factory in Samara? There are many options. Not so long ago, for example, one collector paid 2.16 million dollars for... a comic book! He bought the first issue at auction Action Comics, the magazine in which Superman debuted. How much do rare issues of other popular series cost? Now I'll tell you everything.
Almost all of the comics written about in this post can be purchased on collectors' websites. If there was money, there would be goods. However, the first number does not mean that it is the most expensive. The price depends on the content and condition, whether it is the first issue or a reprint, and on many other factors. For example, just recently the 700th, last number The Amazing Spider-Man went for “only” $2800. Why? Yes, because the autograph of Stan Lee himself was on the cover.
If you suddenly decide to collect rare comics, you have a direct route to ComicConnect, perhaps the most famous site for collectors. Everything is auctioned there, even real treasures. If you want to buy immediately, without participating in the auction, there are many “speculator” sites. For this article, I used the prices listed on one of them, quite large and well-known - Rare Comics.
The Amazing Spider-Man
A first issue of The Amazing Spider-Man in average condition (6 out of 10 on the CGC scale of American grading company Comics Guaranty LLC) is selling for $7,500. For comparison, with this money you could buy yourself, as Yakubovich says in his weekly program, “A-a-a-a-car!” True, perhaps the Lada Granta. It's better than a comic book. Its price has been increasing over the years.
Batman
First edition Batman, which introduced the world to the Joker and Catwoman in the spring of 1940, already costs 16 thousand bucks. Enough for a Kia Rio or Chevrolet Aveo. Moreover, a comic in rather poor condition is sold for 16 thousand, you can easily find it for more.
X-Men
The first issue of X-Men in 8.5 CGC condition is being offered for $22,000. Equivalent to buying a Mazda 3 or Mitsubishi Lancer.
Avengers
“Avengers #1” with Hulk, Thor, Iron Man and Ant-Man sells for 19,500. Does anyone need a Volkswagen Polo for an hour?
Daredevil
The first issue of the Matt Murdock comic (April 1964) costs $2,750. What can you buy for $2750? Well, maybe a used CB 400 Super Four bike.
Fantastic Four
The first issue of "Fantastic Four", which, in fact, brought back the fashion for superheroes in the early 60s of the 20th century and made Stan Lee and Jack Kirby superstars, will cost $9,500.
Some people collect comics “for the love of art,” while others collect them in order to sell them at a higher price. The first issue of Action Comics cost 10 cents when it came out, but now sells for 2 million. Amazing Fantasy #15, the magazine in which Spider-Man first appeared, sold for 12 cents in 1962 and can now sell for a million. Today, the ten most expensive comics (the approximate price is based on condition from 9 points on the CGC scale) looks something like this:
10.More Fun Comics #52 - $250 thousand
9. Archie Comics #1 - $260K
8. Captain America Comics #1 - $350 thousand
7. Marvel Comics #1 - $375 thousand
6. Flash Comics #1 - $385 thousand
5. Batman #1 - $400 thousand
4. Superman #1 - $600 thousand
3. Amazing Fantasy #15 - $1 million 100 thousand
2. Detective Comics #27 - $1 million 400 thousand
1. Action Comics #1 - $2 million 160 thousand
It is rare issues in very good condition that are valuable. First number X-Men Jim Lee's comic book, released in October 1991, sold eight million copies and is still the best-selling comic book of all time. Collectors took five copies at a time, with different covers. They did not take into account that with such a circulation the comic would never become a rarity. Even after more than 20 years, X-Men #1 can be easily purchased on eBay for... 100 rubles. Delivery will cost more.
Was put up for sale most expensive comic in the world. An unknown collector asked $2 million for the first issue of Action Comics from 1938. A scandal has already erupted around the comic - there is an opinion that this magazine was stolen from Nicolas Cage 11 years ago..
The most expensive comic book - Superman is in price again
An unknown collector recently put up for sale Action Comics No. 1, which features Superman on the cover. The seller asks $2 million for a rare copy. Today this magazine is recognized the most expensive comic book in the world. On this moment Nine copies of Action Comics No.1 are known to exist. Eight of them belong to private collectors who have no plans to sell these printed treasures in the near future.
Action Comics No.1 was published in 1938. The retail price of the magazine was 10 cents. Last year, such a comic was sold at auction for $1 million. Until recently, this particular magazine was considered the most expensive comic book in the world.
The comic, which is up for sale this year, is also famous for the scandal surrounding it. The fact is that actor Nicolas Cage purchased Action Comics No. 1 for his collection in 1992 for $82.5 thousand. He bought the magazine from Comic Connects executive director Stephen Fisher. In 2000, the apartment of the famous actor was robbed. Among the stolen items was this rare comic book. Today Nicolas Cage is trying to prove that the exact copy that was stolen from him more than 10 years ago is up for sale.
Comics in whole and in parts
The cost of comics depends not only on the year of issue and the number of copies preserved in the world. It is also of great importance which artist created the drawings for the magazine. For example, the Superman comics that Curt Swan worked on would be considered the most expensive.
The price of a magazine also greatly depends on what is shown on the cover. If main character– the cost will be the same, if the secondary characters – then another.
Collectors are willing to pay large sums not only for entire magazines, but also for covers, individual pages, and even sketches by artists. For example, the cover of issue 11 of Batman's adventures from 1942 was sold in 2005 for $195.5 thousand. This is the price a collector paid for a black and white drawing of Fred Ray and Jerry Robinson. The cover of the 16th issue of Weird Science in 1952 was valued at $200 thousand. The author of the picture is the artist Wally Wood.
Continuation of the popular science top 10 series.
The comic in which Incredible Hulk first appeared was sold in August 2014 on comicconnect.com for a record $326,000. This figure turned out to be double what the same copy was sold for the previous time. Moreover, a year later another identical comic was sold for 320,000, which clearly confirmed the absence of an accident during the first sale. The condition of both copies was rated 9.2 points, but it is known for certain that there is another Incredible Hulk #1, which is even better preserved.
This comic is best known for the famous cover scene where Captain America mercilessly knocks out Hitler. By the way, it so happened that the issue was published in 1941, a year before Pearl Harbor. A copy valued at 9.2 points was sold to a private collector in 2011. Someone has another, more attractive one on their hands - 9.6 points.
This is the very first comic published by today's industry giant. Most likely the price is underestimated, since the sale was carried out back in 2003 with a score of 9.0 points. If the owner decided to sell the copy today, he would earn much more thanks to inflation and increased Lately interest in vintage comics. Not to mention copies that have a higher rating (and they exist).
Iron Man's first appearance on paper. It is curious that this copy, rated at an incredible 9.6 points, was sold in 2012 - exactly at the time of the release of the first picture from the Avengers saga.
The Flash and Hawkman first appeared here, and first editions are always a special treat. The copy was sold in 2012 (score - 9.6), when The Flash did not have any significant popularity in the broad sense. However, today with the release of the series, as well as the film adaptation of the Justice League franchise, the cost of this comic may seriously increase.
The 50 cents at the end of the total figure clearly indicates a sale at a real auction and not online. The deal was concluded in 2012, estimating the publication at 9.8 points. There are simply no better preserved copies. There is another one, but with the same rating. It should be noted that the edition with a rating of 9.6 points was sold the year before at half the indicated price. In such cases, even one tenth of a point can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
And here we already see the very first appearance of Batman. True, a completely different fact is more interesting here: for this money they bought a copy rated only 8.0 points. At the time of this transaction in 2010, the indicated cost was the highest in the entire history of sales of such products. Needless to say, serious collectors have copies with scores above 9 points on their hands. Although over the past 20 years they have never been put up for auction. If someone suddenly decides to sell such a comic, then, without a doubt, it will be a new world record.
The debut of the familiar, most popular Marvel superhero. No one doubted that this release would cost a lot of money. However, even experts were amazed at the amount that was offered in 2011 on the ComicConnect website for an edition with a rating of 9.6 points. Moreover, the previous record for a comic book in the universe was “only” $300,000.
That's why he is Superman, to be the first. The absolute record today belongs to the publication in which a superhero from the planet Krypton appears for the first time. A copy with a score of 9.0 points was purchased on Ebay (!) in 2014. This amount was more than a million higher than the previous record set by Nicolas Cage in 2011. Several collectors are known to own examples with the same grade. In addition, there are rumors that some lucky person has Action Comics #1, rated at 9.2 points...
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