Sometimes a comic book is so popular it goes back for reprints. Second, third, fourth, heck even fifteenth printings happen (see: Batman: The Killing Joke (1988)), especially with the Big Two (Marvel and DC Comics). And for years, the general comic book community kinda looked down on these subsequent printings as something “lesser” then their first print cousins.
But today, many, many reprints command big money and are quite valuable, especially if they have unique cover art and/or small print runs. So below, we put together a list of the Top 10 Most Valuable Comic Book Reprints Of All Time.
Note: Prices are for Near Mint, raw books. Updated as of May 2020.
10. The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) No. 569 (Second Print) — $130
As will often be the case, the first cover appearance of a (at the time) pretty popular character often happens on reprints. In this case, it lead to the most sought-after Spider-Man reprint to date.
9. Batman (1942) No. 608 (Second Print) — $155
This second print cover has become a pretty famous Bat-Pose, and one of the defining images from Jim Lee’s run on The Caped Crusader.
8. Sandman (1989) No. 75 (Second Print) — $165
Sandman was at the end of its first run when this scarce second printing was released with a low, low printing.
7. Spawn (1992) No. 166 (Second Print) — $200
The holy grail for Spawn fans, this second printing from 2007 was limited to just 3,000 copies.
6. The Incredible Hulk (1968) No. 344 (Third Print) — $350
How many times have you seen this issue in a dollar bin and had to do a double take? It’s worth the extra effort to make sure you don’t have the first print, featuring the first appearance of Professor Hulk.
5. Batman (1942) No. 457 (Second Print Newsstand Edition) — $600
Not just a second print, but a newsstand second print of the first appearance of Tim Drake as Robin, this is a super-duper scarce reprint. Keep your eyes open in the dollar boxes, you’ll know this one is in front of you if it has the notable ‘New Robin Issue’ text at the top.
4. Captain Marvel (2012) No. 17 (Second Print) — $700
It may be a second print issue, but it’s a first cover appearance for Kamala Khan as Ms. Marvel. Reprints featuring early cover appearances of popular characters happens quite a bit these days and helps drive demand for plenty of second and third printings.
3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984) No. 1 (Third Print) — $1,000
The second print will show up on down this list, but the third is no slouch either, also being very highly sought after by collectors.
2. The Walking Dead (2003) No. 116 (Third Print) — $2,500
Not only is this THE most expensive issue of the whole series, it also has the smallest print run. Only 25-50 accidentally made it into circulation in the U.K.
1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1984) No. 1 (Second Print) — $3,500
You can’t go wrong with this indie hit from the 80’s that spawned a whole industry of cowabunga loving fans. Although the second print fetches a Hefty price, all printings of the original TMNT do very, very well on the back market.
