10 Most Expensive Comic Books of All Time

May 22, 2024, 9:43 p.m.

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10 Most Expensive Comic Books of All Time

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The comic book industry has, since the 1930s, steadily grown into one of the most popular pastimes and collector's markets in the world. With the multi-billion dollar success of major superhero film franchises like the MCU and DCU, the market for comic books experienced an all-time high over the 2010s. With the likes of Black Panther, Aquaman, Wonder Woman and Thor becoming box office draws, their comic debuts soared in value.

Comics may have started out as a hobby so cheap any kid could take parte, but the slow appreciation in value of the characters has made comics some of the most valuable commodities in the world. With the audience for these heroes at record highs, it's no wonder some comic books have sold on the collector's market for millions of dollars. From eBay to Heritage Auctions, here are the most expensive comic books of all time.

10 Flash Comics #1 - $950,000

Gardner Fox, Harry Lampert, Ed Wheelan, John Wentworth, Stan Aschmeier, Sheldon Moldoff, Dennis Neville & George Storm (1940)

Flash Comics #1 laid the foundation for the world's first superhero team, and marked the debut of two key DC Golden Age heroes, namely Jay Garrick as the original Flash and Carter Hall as Hawkman. Alongside other characters like Johnny Thunder, The Whip, and Cliff Cornwall, the two founding JSA heroes each had brilliant debut stories. The origin of Jay Garrick is told as a student given the power of speed through a scientific experiment involving hard water, somewhat mirroring Barry Allen's own scientific origin.

Flash Comics #1 laid the groundwork for what would become the first superhero team in comics, the Justice Society of America. However, it's the creation of the Flash mantle that makes it as valuable as it is, marking the first ever speedster in comics. In 2010, a 9.6 graded copy sold for $450,000 through Heritage Auctions.

9 X-Men #1 - $490,000

Stan Lee & Jack Kirby (1940)

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's X-Men #1 introduced Marvel readers to Charles Xavier's team of mutant superheroes. The original line-up of Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Angel and Iceman under Xavier set the stage for the next sixty years of the title. The story follows the X-Men as they're deployed on their first mission, to prevent Magneto from taking over an Air Force base.

X-Men #1, despite being released two decades into the creation of Marvel, is a foundational book in the 616, with the Mutants becoming the company's most successful idea. It's no understatement to say that the X-Men side of Marvel is also the biggest, and Lee & Kirby's use of characters born into their powers, who have since become allegories for inclusion, prejudice and ostracism, resonates with many. Setting the style for Marvel's entire universe, a 9.8 Graded Copy of X-Men #1 sold for $490,000.

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8 Superman #1 - $507,500

Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster

After his ringing success through Action Comics, Clark Kent was given his own solo series in 1939's Superman #1. The giant-sized comic book follows Clark Kent as he tries to land a job at the Daily Star, landing the job when he reports on Superman preventing a lynching. From there, readers are treated to a scientific explanation of the hero's powers, and reprinted material from his original story.

Superman #1 is a classic comic in the Man of Tomorrow's history, and is all the more important thanks to its inclusion of four never-before-seen pages originally meant for Action Comics #1. In 2017, a copy sold for $507,500, and is said to hold added value from its unusual scarcity.

7 Captain America Comics #1 - $915,000

Jack Kirby & Joe Simon

In 1941, Jack Kirby and Joe Simon joined forces for Captain America Comics #1, a patriotic book meant to inspire Americans against Nazi Germany. With the US' entry into the Second World War on the horizon at the time the book released, the story follows Steve Rogers in his origin as Cap, taking super soldier serum and becoming an icon. On his mission to Germany, he confronts Red Skull, one of the original true super villains in comics (and delivers a famous punch to Hitler on the cover).

Captain America Comics #1 is the face of patriotism in comics, and its hero has led the way for war-based comics in the eighty years since his creation. Alongside Bucky, the hero faces threats of espionage, poison and the Nazi scourge as he fights for his country. In 2019, a graded copy of the book sold for $915,000 through Heritage Auctions.

6 All-Star Comics #8 - $936,233

William Moulton Marston, Harry G. Peter, Gardner Fox, Sheldon Mayer & Everett E. Hibbard

All-Star Comics #8 marks the debut issue of Wonder Woman, in her first tale penned by William Moulton Marston. The comic follows the origin of the heroine, as she meets Steve Trevor when he crash-lands on Themyscira and they set off for man's world. It also follows the JSA in a variety of stories, from Alan Scott's induction to Doctor Fate's new helmet.

All-Star Comics #8 is one of the highest-priced comic books ever to sell on eBay, with a 9.4 graded copy having sold for $936,233 in 2019. The comic is a great collector's item for fans of Wonder Woman, the Justice Society of America or Golden Age books in general, with an iconic cover featuring the JSA.

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5 Amazing Fantasy #15 - $1,100,000

Stan Lee & Steve Ditko

Amazing Fantasy #15 introduced the world to Spider-Man, exploring his origin as a high school student who is bitten by a radioactive spider. The story also explains Uncle Ben's impact on the hero, from his "with great power comes great responsibility" code to his death in the arms of his heroic nephew. Widely regarded as one of the best origin comics of all time, it holds a special place in comics history.

Amazing Fantasy #15 is one of the biggest "holy grail" comics for modern collectors, thanks to Spider-Man's status as one of the most successful superheroes, especially for younger fans. In 2011, a 9.8 graded copy of Peter Parker's debut sold at auction for an astonishing $1.1 million.

4 Marvel Comics #1 - $1,260,000

Bill Everett, Carl Burgos, Paul Gustavson, Raymond Gill & Frank R. Paul

Marvel Comics #1 marks the official birth of what would later become known as Marvel Comics (then Timely Comics). The first issue introduced major Marvel characters like Namor the Sub-Mariner, Human Torch, Angel, as well as a more obscure Western hero, the Masked Raider. From Namor sabotaging a navy dive to a cowboy adventure, the book is a fun read.

With Namor widely viewed as the original antihero, as well as the first aquatic superhero, as well as the debut of the first Human Torch, the comic has retained impressive value. Considering it's the namesake of the Marvel Comics brand, the issue is important to both readers and the company. In 2019, a 9.4 graded copy of Marvel Comics #1 sold for $1,260,000.

3 Detective Comics #27 - $1,500,000

Bill Finger, Bob Kane, Gardner Fox, Fred Guardineer, Homer Fleming, Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster

Detective Comics #27 introduced the world to Batman through the story "The Case of the Chemical Syndicate," by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. The story follows the Caped Crusader as he attempts to solve the mystery of the murder of a chemical industrialist, with all signs pointing to the victim's son. With the accused insistent of his innocence, Bruce Wayne dons his cape and cowl, and heads out to find the men responsible.

Detective Comics #27 is something of a controversial character introduction, as many have retroactively noticed that Bob Kane actually lifted the story from a Shadow magazine. Nonetheless, Bill Finger's iconic Batman design, the debut of some of the Dark Knight's supporting cast, namely Commissioner Gordon, and a crime story established one of comics' biggest heroes. In 2020, a 70 graded copy sold for $1.5 million through Heritage Auctions.

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2 Batman #1 - $2,200,000

Bob Kane, Bill Finger, Jerry Robinson, George Shute & Raymond Perry

Batman #1 stands out as the second most important comic in Dark Knight history, introducing several of his key villains in an anthology of short stories. From his first dalliance with the master thief Catwoman to his fatal encounter with the Clown Prince of Crime, the story is a callback to the grittier days of Batman -- back when he was open to killing. Released in 1940, the book gave Batman his own titled solo series.

While the higher value of Batman #1 over Detective Comics #27 may seem strange, this is in large part due to the differing conditions, with Batman #1 having been sold as a collector's item. In addition, the introduction of several of Batman's most iconic villains helped make this issue a hot commodity, housing the debut of Joker himself. In 2021, a 9.4 graded copy sold for $2.22 million.

1 Action Comics #1 - $3,250,000

Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster

The stop spot has been claimed most recently, with the auction fittingly giving Superman the 'most valuable comic' title. Action Comics #1 marks the official introduction of the superhero age through Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's Superman debut. The issue tells of Kal-El's arrival at Earth after being sent from the dying planet Krypton by his parents. Raised by Ma and Pa Kent in Kansas, he becomes the wholesome all-American hero, and a champion of the oppressed. His first adventure follows the Man of Tomorrow as he saves an innocent woman from execution, proving her innocence with not a moment to spare.

It's no surprise that literal pieces of Action Comics #1 are invaluable, considering the book almost single-handedly birthed the age of the superhero. While costumed crime-fighters weren't new to comics, it was through the story of Clark Kent that the foundations for the superhero mythos were laid. Whether it was his cosmic origin story or unparalleled powers, this comic marks the dawn of the Golden Age of Comics. In 2021, an 8.5 graded copy of the book sold for a record-breaking $3.25 million through ComicConnect, a private auction website.