20 comic books that sold for staggering sums

20 comic books worth a staggering sum

DC Entertainment

Whether you’re a fan of the Dark Knight or prefer the innocence of Archie, everyone loves a good comic book. But which are the most valuable to own?

We’ve flicked through the record books to pick out the most valuable comic books ever sold. Read on to discover what they are, and the staggering sums they sold for. 

All dollar amounts in US dollars, and all currency conversions correct for the time of sale.

Avengers #1: $432,000 (£341k)

Marvel Comics

In this issue, Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk, Ant-Man, and the Wasp battle Thor’s rascal of a brother, Loki. Sounds familiar, right?

The first issue of the Super Team’s antics from 1963 sold for $432,000 (£341k) earlier this year. Graded 9.6 out of 10 by the Certified Guaranty Company (CGC), this particular copy is one of the most pristine known to exist.

 

Journey into Mystery #83: $432,000 (£320.5k)

Marvel Comics

Marvel’s Journey into Mystery series saw the introduction of a number of popular characters, but none was more significant than the Mighty Thor!

This issue is the first appearance of the God of Thunder. A copy with a CGC grade of 9.4 sold for $432,000 (£320.5k) in 2022.

 

Flash Comics #1: $450,000 (£277.4k)

DC Entertainment

The first issue of Flash Comics includes the debut appearances of both the Golden Age Flash, Jay Garrick, and the Golden Age Hawkman.

A copy of this book with a CGC grade of 9.6 fetched $450,000 (£277.4k) in 2010. At the time, it was the second-most expensive comic book ever sold.

 

 

Detective Comics #140: $456,000 (£334.1k)

Courtesy Heritage Auction

This comic book, first published in 1948, is famous for featuring the debut appearance of iconic Batman villain The Riddler.

A copy with a stellar CGC grading of 9.6 fetched $456,000 (£334.1k) in 2021.

 

Phantom Lady #17: $456,000 (£334.1k)

Courtesy Heritage Auctions

This comic book, published in 1948, features a lesser-known superhero called Phantom Lady. Its value is attributed to its "classic bondage" cover, which gained notoriety when referenced in Dr. Frederic Wertham’s book The Seduction of the Innocent, which discussed the perceived dangers of comic books.

In 2021, a copy of this book, graded 9.6 by CGC, fetched an impressive $456,000 (£334.1k) at auction.

The Brave & The Bold #28: $810,000 (£638.6k)

Courtesy Heritage Auctions

Published in 1960, this comic book is famous for featuring the first appearance of the iconic superhero team, the Justice League of America.

Earlier this year, a copy graded 9.6 by the CGC sold for an epic $810,000 (£638.6k).

Incredible Hulk #1: $825,000 (£650.2k)

Marvel Comics

In his first appearance, the big green guy was actually grey. He was later changed to green due to the cost of ink. Written by Stan Lee and drawn by Jack Kirby, the first comic featuring Bruce Banner as the Incredible Hulk was released in 1962.

This year, a book with a CGC grading of 9.2 fetched a stunning $825,000 (£650.2k).

X-Men #1: $871,999 (£646.9k)

Marvel Comics

The debut appearance of the crime-fighting mutants saw Cyclops, Beast, and the team take on Magneto.

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, a 9.6-graded copy of this issue from 1963 sold for a staggering $871,999 (£646.9k) in 2022.

 

Showcase #4: $900,000 (£709.2k)

DC Entertainment

Showcase #4 features the debut of superhero Barry Allen, also known as the Silver Age Flash. The adventures of the fastest man alive were a big hit, leading to the Flash getting his own title soon afterward.

This year, a copy fetched $900,000 (£709.2k) at auction. It was graded 9.6 by the CGC, making it the single highest-graded copy in existence.

The Amazing Spider-Man #1: $1.4 million (£1.1m)

Courtesy Heritage Auctions

Created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, the Amazing Spider-Man swung into action for the first time in Amazing Fantasy #15 in 1962. A big hit with readers, the web-slinging superhero landed his own series the following year with the release of The Amazing Spider-Man #1.

Earlier this year, a copy of this comic book, graded an impressive 9.8 by CGC, fetched close to $1.4 million (£1.1m) at auction.

Fantastic Four #1: $1.5 million (£1.1m)

Marvel Comics

Without the Fantastic Four, we wouldn’t have the Marvel universe that we know and love today, so few comics are quite as important as this one. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1961, this book covers the first adventure of the first family of comic books.

A copy with a CGC grading of 9.2 fetched a record-breaking $1.5 million (£1.1m) upon going under the hammer in 2022.

 

All Star Comics #8: $1.6 million (£1.2m)

DC Entertainment

While the cover story of All Star Comics #8 is about the Justice Society of America, it’s the back-up story that makes this issue so valuable, as it is the very first appearance of Wonder Woman.

A copy with a CGC grading of 9.4 sold for a record-breaking $1.6 million (£1.2m) in 2022.

Detective Comics #27: $1.8 million (£1.4m)

DC Entertainment

The first appearance of the Dark Knight from 1939, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, is a book all comic fans would love to add to their collection.

Despite only having a CGC grading of 6.5, a copy of Detective Comics #27 fetched an incredible $1.8 million (£1.4m) earlier this year.

 

Tales of Suspense #39: $2 million (£1.7m)

Marvel Comics

The success of the Iron Man movies has seen Robert Downey Jr. become one of the world’s top-earning actors. This comic features the first appearance of the character, yet another creation of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

In 2023, a copy with an impressive CGC rating of 9.8 fetched $2 million (£1.7m).

Batman #1: $2.2 million (£1.6m)

DC Entertainment

The first issue of Batman’s standalone series features the debut appearances of two of the caped crusader’s most famous adversaries: the Joker and Catwoman.

A copy with a CGC grading of 9.4 sold for a hefty $2.2 million (£1.6m) in 2021.

Marvel Comics #1: $2.4 million (£1.8m)

Marvel Comics

Marvel Comics #1 is the first issue published by the company that we now know as Marvel. It features the first appearances of some of its most popular characters in those early years: The Human Torch and Namor the Sub-Mariner.

In 2022, a copy with a CGC grading of 9.4 fetched a jaw-dropping $2.4 million (£1.8m).

 

Captain America Comics #1: $3.1 million (£2.3m)

Marvel Comics

This book from the legendary Jack Kirby and Joe Simon not only features the first appearance of Captain America but also boasts a cover where the hero is landing a right hook on Adolf Hitler. That’s one way to make an entrance!

In 2022, a copy of this book with a CGC grading of 9.4 sold for a mighty $3.1 million (£2.3m).

Amazing Fantasy #15: $3.6 million (£2.6m)

Marvel Comics

This issue from 1962 is the debut of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko’s amazing Spider-Man.

A copy sold for $3.6 million (£2.6m) in 2021 and, at the time, set the record for the most expensive comic ever sold at auction. With a CGC grading of 9.6, the book is in near-perfect condition.

Superman #1: $5.3 million (£3.9m)

DC Entertainment

Superman got his own comic way back in June 1938, collecting his first four adventures, which had already been included in issues of Action Comics.

A copy boasting a CGC rating of 8.0 fetched a record-breaking $5.3 million (£3.9m) in 2022. At the time, the staggering sum made it the most expensive comic book ever sold.

 

 

 

 

Action Comics #1: $6 million (£4.7m)

DC Entertainment

This 1938 comic features the first appearance of Superman, ushering in the Golden Age of superhero comic books. It was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, and while the original comic went for just 10c, various different copies have sold for more than a million dollars in recent years.

Earlier this year, a copy fetched an eye-watering $6 million (£4.7m), making it the most expensive comic ever sold. The super-priced book boasted a respectable CGC grading of 8.5.

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