Are you into comic books, or are you just curious how much the most expensive ones go for?
Here’s a rundown of the world’s 20 most expensive comic books:
Action Comics #1 – CGC 9.0 – $3.2 Million
Action Comics #1 – CGC 8.5 – $1.5 Million
Amazing Fantasy #15 – $1.1 Million
Detective Comics #27 – $1,075 Million
All Star Comics #8 – $936,223
Batman #1 – $567,625.00
X-Men #1 – $492,937.50
Flash Comics #1 – $450,000
Tales of Suspense #39 – $375,000
Marvel Comics #1 – $350,000
Captain America Comics #1 – $343,057
Incredible Hulk #1 – $326,000
Fantastic Four #1 – $300,000
Whizz Comics #2 – $281,000
Avengers #1 – $274,000
Action comics #10 – $258,000
All American Comics #16 – $200,000
Action Comics #13 – $185,000
Suspense Comics #3 – $173,275
Showcase #4 – $179,250
So, without further ado, here is a list of the top 20 most expensive comic books in the world.
The 20 Most Expensive Comic Books In the World
The following list of comic books and figures was compiled from various sources on the internet, such as cbr.com & wealthygorilla.com.
20. Showcase #4 – $179,250
Showcase #4 begins our list of the most expensive comic books in the world. This issue introduces a brand new superhero known as Barry Allen, or the Silver Age Flash. His character was a huge success, and he soon earned his own title.
The comic book was published in 1956 and sold for a whopping $179,250 in 2009.
19. Suspense Comics #3 – $173,275
Suspense Comics #3, which sold for $173,275 in 2015, became the most valuable non-superhero comic book. When it was released in 1944, shopkeepers refused to stock it because of its offensive cover, which depicted a woman about to be attacked by hooded assailants carrying swastikas. As a result, copies are scarce today, making this comic book one of the most expensive in the world!
18. Action Comics #13 – $185,000
Action Comics #13 is up next. This issue contains Superman’s first encounter with Ultra Humanite. When you flip to the center of the comic, you’ll notice a large centerfold advertisement for Superman #1. The comic was sold for $185,000 in 2011, making it one of the most expensive comic books ever!
17. All American Comics #16 – $200,000
All American Comics #16 sold for an astounding $203,150 in 2013. The book, which was first published in 1940, contains the first appearance and origin story of Alan Scott, AKA the Golden Age Green Lantern. Because the Green Lantern has proven to be a popular character, his inclusion in this issue significantly raises the price.
16. Action Comics #10 – $258,000
Action Comics #10, published in 1939, contains a story titled Superman Goes to Prison. Despite the fact that it lacks any major modern-day superheroes, someone was willing to pay $258,000 for it in 2011. Action Comics #10 is the world’s sixteenth most expensive comic book.
15. Avengers #1 – $274,000
Thor, Iron Man, the Hulk, Ant-Man, and the Wasp appear in Avengers #1, published in 1963. It follows the super team as they fight to defeat Thor’s evil brother, Loki. This first issue previously sold for $274,000, which is astounding when you consider how much money that is! But there are some die-hard fans out there, and everything has a price!
14. Whiz Comics #2 – $281,000
Whiz comics #2, listed as issue #2, is a little strange. Issue #1 was only used in promotional advertising and was never released to the public, so #2 is actually the public’s #1. It features Captain Marvel’s first appearance, or Shazam in today’s world, to avoid confusion with Marvel’s own superhero – Captain Marvel!
Because of its popularity and exclusivity, this comic book sold for $281,000 in 2012.
13. Fantastic Four #1 – $300,000
The Fantastic Four, which sold for $300,000 in 2011, is possibly one of the most important comic books on the list. This comic book, published in 1961 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, depicts the Fantastic Four’s first adventure. We wouldn’t have any of the Marvel characters we have today if the Fantastic Four didn’t exist.
12. Incredible Hulk #1 – $326,000
Everyone loves the story of Dr. Bruce Banner and his giant green side, better known as The Incredible Hulk. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby created the comic book, and Hulk was actually grey in his first appearance!
Furthermore, the comic book sold for more than $326,000 in August 2014!
11. Captain America Comics #1 – $343,057
Captain America #1, another well-known comic book, is ranked eleventh. It features the first appearance of Captain America, as written by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon. It is also well-known for its cover image, which depicts Captain America landing a right hook on Adolf Hitler!
10. Marvel Comics #1 – $350,000
The first issue of Marvel Comics kicks off our top ten list. This issue introduces many well-known superhero characters, including The Human Torch and Namor the Sub-Mariner. Today, Marvel Comics is better known simply as “Marvel,” and it has grown to become one of the world’s largest entertainment companies.
9. Tales of Suspense #39 – $375,000
Tales of Suspense, another Stan Lee and Jack Kirby creation, is famous for introducing the world to Iron Man. Iron Man has undergone several major transformations since his first appearance and now appears much cooler than version 1.0.
The comic book sold for $375,000 in 2012, which had a lot to do with the massively popular Iron Man films starring Robert Downey Jr.
8. Flash Comics #1 – $450,000
Flash Comics #1 sold for the second-highest price ever paid for a comic book in 2010. Because of its commercial artists and avid comic book collectors, Edgar Church’s storage techniques, the comic was in fantastic condition for its age. His collection contains the majority of the world’s best quality Golden Age comics.
7. X-Men #1 – $492,937.50
In 2012, the first issue of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s “X-Men” series sold for $492,937.50. It featured the first appearances of mutants such as Cyclops, Beast, and Magneto. X-Men went on to become a huge success, spawning numerous cartoons and films that were adored by millions of fans all over the world.
6. Batman #1 – $567,625.00
The Joker and Catwoman make their first appearances in the first issue of Batman’s solo series. Since its release, it has become one of only a few comic books in history to sell over $500,000 in sales. In 2013, one copy sold for more than $500,000, making it one of the most expensive comic books ever!
5. All-Star Comics #8 – $936,223
All-Star Comics #8 is up next on this list. This is a significant comic for any Wonder Woman fans out there, as it is her first appearance. This issue focuses on the Justice Society of America, but it also tells the origin story of Wonder Woman. A replica was listed on eBay in 2017 and sold for $936,223.
4. Detective Comics #27 – $1,075 Million
The legendary Batman first appears in Detective Comics #27. This is one comic book that I’m sure all comic book fans would like to own, created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger. In 2010, it sold the most expensive book ever. However, there has been much speculation about a hypothetical “better quality issue” being the most valuable comic book in existence, but one has yet to be discovered!
3. Amazing Fantasy #15 – $1.1 Million
Another first appearance, but this time it’s Spider-Man, in this 1962 comic book by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee. The web-slinging superhero is one of the world’s most beloved characters, so it’s no surprise that the copy sold at auction for more than a million dollars in 2011. Amazing Fantasy #15 is the world’s third most expensive comic book!
2. Action Comics #1 – CGC 8.5 – $1.5 Million
This comic demonstrates the importance of a CGC rating and the difference half a point can make in the value of a comic book. While it contains the same material as the most expensive comic in the world, it falls short of first place because its grade indicates that it is not in the best possible condition. It could include creases or folds on the pages as well as small scuff marks on the cover, all of which make a difference.
Everything is in the details!
1. Action Comics #1 – CGC 9.0 – $3.2 Million
Action Comics #1, CGC 9.0, takes the top spot on our list of the most expensive comic books in the world. It features the debut of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster’s historic Superman, which many fans regard as the “holy grail” of comic collectibles. While the original comic was only 10 cents at the time, four copies have since sold for more than a million dollars. This 9.0 CGC rated copy sold for a whopping $3.2 million dollars in 2014, making it the most expensive comic book in the world.
Summary
We hope you enjoyed our list of the world’s top 20 most expensive comic books. There could still be even more expensive comic books out there waiting to be discovered. If any new names appear, we’ll be sure to add them to the list!
