Antiques Know How Research
Vintage Comic Books Value
According to the analysis conducted by the Antiques Know How team on hundreds of auctions and sales, vintage comic books’ value can range between $50 to $5,000 for low-grade issues to a stunning seven figures for high-grade key issues. The most expensive comic books include “Fantastic Four #1,” “Avengers #1,” “Amazing Fantasy #15,” and “Hulk #1,” with values varying by grade, rarity, age, and theme.
Antiques Know How
As a kid, you must have had a favorite comic book that you just couldn’t get enough of. That tattered Spider-Man or Superman comic that your mom got you for a few bucks may very well be worth a fortune today!
And by a fortune, I mean up to six and seven figures, like the one, “Amazing Fantasy #15” copy that broke records, selling for over $3.5 million!
Surprised already? Well, buckle up, because you are about to view some of the top-selling, most valuable vintage comic books of all time! Also, learn what determines a comic book to be valuable, because yours might just be a treasure, as well.
Most Valuable Vintage Comics You Must Know!
From Marvel’s “Fantastic Four” to DC’s “Justice League,” below are some of the highest-selling vintage comic books that have been breaking records in auctions!
1. Fantastic Four #1 Marvel Comic
| Average Value | $2,000-$1 million+ |
| Brand/Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Publishing Period | November, 1961 |
| Status | Silver Age |
| Theme/Subject | Superhero Team Origin |
| Collector’s Note | Marked birth of the Marvel Universe, extremely rare |
This comic marks the first appearance of the revolutionary team, the Fantastic Four, who are also known as the first family in the Marvel Age of Comics. When publisher Martin Goodman requested a Justice League competitor, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created a team of flawed, quarreling heroes who felt human despite their powers.
The cosmic ray accident in the story gave us Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards), Invisible Girl (Sue Storm), Thing (Ben Grimm), and Human Torch (Johnny Storm). This issue fundamentally changed superhero comics forever!
Currently, graded copies of Fantastic Four #1 sell at very high prices; a graded copy was sold at Heritage Auctions at an astonishing price of $2.04 million.
2. Avengers #1 Comic Book
| Average Value | $2,300-$400,000 |
| Brand/Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Publishing Period | September, 1963 |
| Status | Silver Age |
| Theme/Subject | Superhero Team Origin |
| Collector’s Note | First Avengers appearance |
This iconic 1963 MC issue was another rival to DC’s Justice League! Stan Lee and Jack Kirby assembled Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Ant-Man, and Wasp as the “Avengers” to battle against Loki, with the Wasp naming the group.
These heroes in this story were workplace allies who didn’t always get along, unlike the family dynamic of the Fantastic Four. And Captain America’s return in issue #4 would complete the classic lineup.
As an issue that introduced the original superhero team to the world, high-grade copies command insane prices today, reaching up to six figures!
3. Captain America #10 Signed Comic
| Average Value | $5,000-$150,000 |
| Brand/Publisher | Timely Comics |
| Publishing Period | January, 1942 |
| Status | Golden Age |
| Theme/Subject | Patriotic/War |
| Collector’s Note | Last Simon & Kirby, dual signatures are rare |
This is a collector’s gem from the Golden Age of comics! It’s the tenth edition of Timely Comics’ Captain America series and the final issue that legendary creators Joe Simon and Jack Kirby worked on before joining DC.
The comic featured the duo’s signature wartime storytelling, plus a text story by a young Stan Lee. Signed copies by both Kirby and Lee in high grades are exceptionally rare to find today!
4. Hulk #1 Marvel Comic Book
| Average Value | $15,000-$375,000 |
| Brand/Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Publishing Period | May, 1962 |
| Status | Silver Age |
| Theme/Subject | Superhero Origin |
| Collector’s Note | Only gray Hulk issue, super rare |
This is the comic that gave all Marvel fans Bruce Banner’s tragic transformation into the “Hulk” in 1962. But that’s not the wow factor!
This comic is actually notable for being the only issue where Hulk has gray skin, instead of green. But printing difficulties eventually forced Marvel to change him to green starting with issue #2.
Only six issues of this comic were published before cancellation, making this series incredibly rare, selling for up to SIX FIGURES!
5. Fantastic Four #48 Silver Surfer & Galactus Key
| Average Value | $3,000-$50,000 |
| Brand/Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Publishing Period | March, 1966 |
| Status | Silver Age |
| Theme/Subject | Superhero/Cosmic |
| Collector’s Note | First Silver Surfer and Galactus |
This specific March 1966 issue began Marvel Comics’ legendary series known as the “Galactus Trilogy” and introduced the world to two very cosmic superhero characters: the noble Silver Surfer and planet-consuming Galactus.
Since its release, it has redefined the superhero genre with a philosophical element and is one of the best Marvel storylines of all time. That’s why pristine copies remain highly collectible today, despite higher print runs for their era.
6. Amazing Fantasy #15 Signed Comic Book
| Average Value | $20,000-$50,000+ |
| Brand/Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Publishing Period | August, 1962 |
| Status | Silver Age |
| Theme/Subject | Superhero Origin |
| Collector’s Note | First Spider-Man, record-breaker |
Did you know that a copy of the “Amazing Fantasy #15” comic graded “9.6” by CGC was so rare that it sold in 2021 for a staggering $3.6 million?
Published in August 1962, this is the holy grail of Silver Age comics, the edition in which Stan Lee and Steve Ditko introduced Peter Parker for the first time and his iconic origin story.
Initially, this was meant to be the final issue of a dying series, but Spider-Man became Marvel’s biggest star!
7. Giant Size X-Men Comic Book
| Average Value | $2,000-$22,000 |
| Brand/Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Publishing Year | May, 1975 |
| Status | Bronze Age |
| Theme/Subject | Superhero Team Relaunch |
| Collector’s Note | New X-Men debut; Wolverine joins team |
The oversized special comic book completely revolutionized the X-Men franchise and is a significant milestone of the series. In this edition, writer Len Wein, along with artist Dave Cockrum, introduced an international team including Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler, and Thunderbird.
But that’s not it! Wolverine also made his second full appearance in this issue, making it a super-duper hit! This “All-New, All-Different” lineup saved the struggling series, pushing it to become Marvel’s most successful franchise later on!
8. The Brave and the Bold #48 Comic Book
| Average Value | $5,000-$800,000 |
| Brand/Publisher | DC Comics |
| Publishing Year | March, 1960 |
| Status | Silver Age |
| Theme/Subject | Superhero Team Origin |
| Collector’s Note | Record-breaking sales for First Justice League |
This 1960 DC Comics issue by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky marks the birth of the iconic Justice League of America, making it a super collectible!
It brought together DC’s greatest heroes: Wonder Woman, Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Flash, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter, to take down the alien conqueror, Starro.
The rarity and history of this comic make it a highly valuable find, with a price reaching up to six figures! A CGC 9.6 copy broke records in 2024 as it sold for an astonishing $810,000!
9. Venom Lethal Protector #1 Printing Error Issue
| Average Value | $3,000-$8,000 |
| Brand/Publisher | Marvel Comics |
| Publishing Period | 1993 |
| Status | Modern Age |
| Theme/Subject | Superhero/Anti-hero |
| Collector’s Note | Rare printing error; foil missing |
One of the most sought-after modern Marvel books, this 1993 “Venom” edition is an example of how printing errors can boost a comic’s value. The issue was supposed to have a red foil background, but during printing, the foil didn’t stick on some copies, leaving them completely black.
Since only a few copies with this error could escape the factory, and many were returned, they are super rare to find on the market. CGC-certified copies with high grades, like this example, can easily fetch a few thousand dollars!
10. Four Color #16 Mickey Mouse Comic
| Average Value | $2,000-$15,000+ |
| Brand/Publisher | Dell Publishing |
| Publishing Period | 1941 |
| Status | Golden Age |
| Theme/Subject | Disney/Cartoon |
| Collector’s Note | First Mickey Mouse comic, Phantom Blot |
This Dell comic book from 1941 is the first issue solely featuring Mickey Mouse and thus a holy grail for all Disney collectors. It features a classic tale by the legendary cartoonist Floyd Gottfredson, in which Mickey Mouse battles “Phantom Blot.”
Today, finding a high-quality copy has become such a rarity that Overstreet does not include any prices above 8.0. The most expensive Mickey Mouse comic book was a CGC 9.2-rated copy that was bid for a staggering price of $78,000 in 2020.
11. Mad #1 First Issue
| Average Value | $500-$6,000+ |
| Brand/Publisher | EC Comics |
| Publishing Period | October, 1952 |
| Status | Golden Age |
| Theme/Subject | Satire/Humor |
| Collector’s Note | Only 23 issues, Launched the iconic magazine of the same name. |
Harvey Kurtzman and William Gaines launched this EC Comics title in October 1952, which became the most influential publication in American satire. The series was written by Kurtzman and drawn by Jack Davis, Wally Wood, Will Elder, and John Severin, and parodied comic book genres and, later, pop culture.
The short comic run of 23 issues was an important milestone that launched the magazine format in 1955, allowing the magazine to escape the Comics Code Authority’s restrictions. The magazine went on to reach over two million readers!
12. Star Wars #1 First Issue
| Average Value | $50-$5,000+ |
| Brand/Publisher | Dell Publishing |
| Publishing Period | July, 1977 |
| Status | Bronze Age |
| Theme/Subject | Movie Adaptation/Sci-Fi |
| Collector’s Note | 35-cent variants are valuable |
This rare Marvel comic was an adaptation of the iconic film Star Wars. Marvel secured the rights to adaptation before the 1977 film’s release, with writer Roy Thomas and artist Howard Chaykin working on George Lucas’s screenplay.
The first six issues covered the original movie, arriving weeks before the film premiered. What makes it even rarer is that it depicts some scenes that were cut from the final film.
The series became one of the bestselling titles of the Bronze Age when other comics struggled. While most copies carry a 30-cent cover price, limited 35-cent variants are rarer and more valuable.
13. Batman Detective Comics #500
| Average Value | $100-$3,000+ |
| Brand/Publisher | DC Comics |
| Publishing Year | March, 1981 |
| Status | Golden Age |
| Theme/Subject | Anniversary/Anthology |
| Collector’s Note | 500th issue, signed editions are rare |
This 1981 DC edition was released to commemorate Detective Comics’ 500th issue with an all-star lineup.
You can spot it by its unique wraparound cover featuring multiple Batman eras. The inside stories featured legendary DC creators, including Carmine Infantino and Joe Kubert.
Today, copies signed by Bob Kane, co-creator of “Batman,” have become highly sought-after collectibles.
What Makes a Vintage Comic Book Valuable?
After seeing these incredible sales, I’m sure you must be thinking what exactly makes an old comic book so valuable, and how you can know if yours is worth money!
If yes, explore below the factors that determine the value of vintage comics:
Age and Era
Age is another vital value factor, because older comics are more valuable due to scarcity and historical importance.
Generally, the comics are categorized into three ages based on the year:
- Golden Age (1938-1956)
- Silver Age (1956-1970)
- Bronze Age (1970-1985)
- Modern Age issues (1985-later)
Among these, Golden- and Silver-Age books, especially first editions, command higher prices than Bronze- or Modern-Age issues.
While some exceptions for particularly significant modern books may exist, age primarily impacts the value.
Rarity
The first factor to assess is “how rare is the copy!” The fewer copies that exist, the more valuable a comic becomes.
Low print runs (like 23 issues of MAD), regional variants (like the 35-cent Star Wars editions), or books that were discarded over time now command premium prices.
Similarly, pre-code horror comics and early superhero issues are quite rare and valuable since most copies were thrown away or destroyed during moral crusades of the 1950s.
First Appearances, Key Issues & History
Comics editions that showcase the first appearance of notable characters, such as Amazing Fantasy #15 and Detective Comics #27, automatically become valuable.
Likewise, issues featuring superhero origin stories, team formations, and debut villains also qualify as “key issues” that hold great collector value today.
In addition, comics that actually changed the industry in a certain way also carry high value. For example, Fantastic Four #1 launched the Marvel Age, Mad #1 marked American satire, and so on. Any book that represents pivotal moments in comic book history becomes valuable (value depending on other factors).
Condition & Grading
A comic’s physical state directly affects its value. Although you can visibly notice the damage, there are some grading companies, such as CGC, that grade a vintage book on a 10-point scale.
There is a HUGE key factor here because copies that grade 9.8 can be worth 10 times more than copies that are graded 8.0 or lower.
While assessing your comic manually, watch for creases, tears, stains, color fade, and damage to the spine. All this can significantly reduce its value.
Note: This article is intended for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Some images are illustrative and may not represent actual brands, products, or related entities. All trademarks, product names, brand logos, packaging, and other intellectual property referenced remain the exclusive property of their respective owners. Any brand mentions or references are provided solely for descriptive and educational context and do not imply any formal or commercial association.
