The Holy Grails of any collection … The Top 10 most valuable comic books of all time. These are the most expensive comics out there. If you have any of these comics in your collection, here’s a virtual high five for you!
10. Flash Comics (1940) No. 1
$330,000
First appearances, first appearances, first appearances! The Flash (Jay Garrick), Hawkman (Carter Hall), Johnny Thunder (Johnny Thunderbolt), Thunderbolt (Ylzkz), Hath-Set, Shiera Sanders, and Keystone City all make their debut here.
9. Marvel Comics (1939) No. 1
$350,000
There’s a Human Torch here, just not the one from the Fantastic Four. Namor? That’s the same guy making his first appearance, as well as Kazar and Angel (again, not the same one you’re thinking of). So why all the fuss and money on this issue? It’s the first title launched by the one and only Marvel Comics.
8. Amazing Fantasy (1961) No. 15
$355,000
One of the biggest creations of Stan “The Man” Lee and Steve Ditko’s storied careers came in the last issue of a title that was being canceled. Seven months later, The Amazing Spider-Man would get his own title, but this is where it all began for the Wall-Crawler.
7. (tie) Detective Comics (1937) No. 31
$375,000
A couple of popular bat-gadgets made their debut here, as well as the Dark Knight’s first costumed villain and an early girlfriend, but this issue’s real desirability comes from the kick-ass cover by Bob Kane.
7. (tie) All-American Comics (1939) No. 16
$375,000
Probably not the Green Lantern you’re more familiar with, but the original Green Lantern (with a cape!) nonetheless. In July 1940, it was Alan Scott who wore the ring in Green Lantern’s first appearance.
6. Captain America Comics (1939) No. 1
$400,000
Published on March 10, 1941, Captain America became an instant hit. How could a nation resist a flag-covered hero punching Hitler in the kisser during World War II? The first appearance of the Star-Spangled Avenger by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby is one for the ages, and of the most valuable comic books of all time.
5. All-Star Comics (1940) No. 8
$936,223
The second appearance on this list by this heroine, Wonder Woman’s debut in 1941 sold for big bucks on eBay in August 2017.
4. Superman (1939) No. 1
$1.5M
Recycled story aside, it is the first solo comic for the Man of Steel. Jerome Siegel and Joe Shuster’s Superman title would run uninterrupted for almost 50 years.
3. Detective Comics (1937) No. 27
$2.2M
Batman begins. In May 1939 The Crimson Avenger, Fu Manchu. and detective Slam Bradley went about their business not realizing their title was about to be stolen by The Batman. Bob Kane’s creation would forever change superhero comics.
2. Batman (1940) No. 1
$2.22M
Not Batman’s first appearance (that just missed the number two spot above), but it is the debut of The Joker and Catwoman (called “The Cat” here). Bob Kane’s Dark Knight got his own title in Spring 1940.
1. Action Comics (1938) No. 1
$3.2M
It’s believed no more than 100 issues of Superman’s debut still exist. Even without the supply and demand factor, this is the one that started it all. Capes, super-powers, truth, justice and the American way … Creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster’s Man of Steel is always a contender for huge numbers at auction.