If you happen to have one of these rare comic books, you may have a super-fortune on your hands. Whether you're collecting comics or you scored a great find at a flea market or garage sale, it pays to check if you have one of these rare examples. Some are worth millions of dollars!
Even if you don't have one of these beauties, they offer some helpful clues about the value of other comic books you might have. Each of these is valuable for a reason, so get ready to check your collection carefully.
List of the Most Valuable Rare Comic Books
Comics used to sell for a few cents, and many still aren't exactly worth a shazam! today. Value is all about condition, rarity, and what collectors really want. The thing is, you can't spot a treasure if you don't know what you're looking for. Before you toss your old comics or pass by that stack at the thrift store, get familiar with these rare comic books worth money.
According to auction results and specialty comic book evaluators Sell My Comic Books and collectible sales specialist Dave & Adam's, these are some of the rarest and most valuable comic books in existence.
| Rare Comic Book | Value |
|---|---|
| Amazing Fantasy #15 | $3.6 million |
| Action Comics #1 | $3.2 million |
| Captain America #1 | $3.1 million |
| Batman #1 | $2.2 million |
| Detective Comics #27 | $2.1 million |
| All-Star Comics #8 | $1.6 million |
| Fantastic Four #1 | $1.5 million |
| Marvel Comics #1 | $1.2 million |
| Superman #1 | $720,000 |
| X-Men #1 | $492,000 |
| Phantom Lady #17 | $456,000 |
| Detective Comics #140 | $456,000 |
| Flash #1 | $450,000 |
| Journey Into Mystery #83 | $432,000 |
| Sensation Comics #1 | $399,000 |
| Pep Comics #22 | $375,000 |
| Incredible Hulk #1 | $375,000 |
| Tales of Suspense #39 | $350,000 |
Amazing Fantasy #15 - About $3.6 Million
This rare comic from the 1960s marks the first appearance of a major superhero: Spiderman. This was a top-selling comic book when it was released, prompting the continuation of the Spiderman story. Even though it isn't as rare as some other comics, the demand for it is incredibly high. One sold for $3.6 million in 2021.
Take a quick look to see if you have a comic book where a character is first introduced. You'll see a lot of these introductions on the lists of the most valuable.
Action Comics #1 - About $3.2 Million
Action Comics #1 is the issue where the world first met Superman back in 1938. It originally cost only 10 cents. There may be fewer than 100 of these comic books still in existence, and it's incredibly rare to find one in pristine condition.
Captain America #1 - About $3.1 Million
With its famous cover featuring Captain America going up against Adolf Hitler, this 1941 comic is among the most coveted out there. It is the first appearance of Red Skull, Captain America, and Bucky, so that adds to the value. In nearly pristine condition, one sold at auction in 2022 for just over $3.1 million
Cover art is a big deal too. If you have a comic that shows something important from history or has the first picture of a new character, you might have a gold mine.
Batman #1 - About $2.2 Million
Batman got his own comic in 1940, and the first issue also introduced important characters like Catwoman and the Joker. Batman #1 is a must for anyone who wants a complete Batman set, so it's one of the most valuable and sought-after in the world. One sold in 2021 for about $2.2 million.
Detective Comics #27 - About $2.1 Million
One year after the world met Superman, Detective Comics #27 introduced another major superhero in 1939: Batman. There are likely fewer than 200 of these historic comics in existence, making them very rare and desirable.
All-Star Comics #8 - About $1.6 Million
This 1941 comic introduces the world to Wonder Woman and has strong appeal with collectors, especially as Wonder Woman enjoys increasing popularity. This rare issue is hard to find in excellent condition. One in nearly perfect shape sold for about $1.6 million in 2022.
Fantastic Four #1 - About $1.5 Million
Collectors see this comic as a turning point for Marvel, who was lagging behind in the creation of new and compelling characters. This is the first appearance of the Fantastic Four, and it came out in 1961. It's very rare in good condition, and those with crisp printing and unblemished pages tend to be worth a lot. One sold for $1.5 million in 2022.
Marvel Comics #1 - About $1.2 Million
Also issued in 1939, Marvel Comics #1 is one of the rarest comic books in the world, according to Sell My Comic Books. There are only 26 examples of this issue in original condition. This is the first appearance of Sub-Mariner and the Human Torch.
Superman #1 - About $720,000
Starting in 1939, Superman also got his own comic book series. Sell My Comic Books reports there are likely fewer than 200 examples of the Superman #1, which is highly prized by collectors. Even in less-than-perfect condition, this comic is very valuable. In very good, unrestored condition, one sold for $720,000 in 2022
Like many antiques comic books in unrestored condition are often worth more than those that have been fixed up. Condition is a big factor in value, but collectors tend to prefer some minor condition issues to restoration.
X-Men #1 - About $492,000
With a white cover that's hard to find in clean condition, this is one of the few really valuable and rare X-Men comics. X-Men #1 marks the introduction of the famed X-Men, and it's an essential part of any collection. Issued in 1963, it's hard to find in really good condition.
Phantom Lady #17 - About $456,000
The cover of this comic, featuring Phantom Lady wrapped in a rope, is one of the most beloved in the collecting world. A few rare copies were printed on pink paper, which was apparently cheaper when it came out in 1948. One in beautiful condition with the rare pink pages sold for about $456,000 in 2021.
Detective Comics #140 - About $456,000
This rare comic book from 1948 is the first appearance of the villain The Riddler, so that makes it a hot item with collectors. It's also another situation where condition matters a ton. Very few exist in nearly perfect shape, so they tend to be valuable. One sold for $456,000 in 2021.
Flash Comics #1 - About $450,000
Introducing another famous superhero, the Flash, Flash Comics #1 appeared in 1940. It's a rare comic book that's prized by collectors, even though the Flash isn't as popular as some other superheroes.
Journey Into Mystery #83 - About $432,000
This Marvel comic from 1962 marks the first appearance of Thor, so it's on everyone's list of rare comic books worth money. It's also super scarce in great condition. One in beautiful shape sold for $432,000 in 2022.
Sensation Comics #1 - About $399,000
Sensation Comics #1 marks the first cover appearance of Wonder Woman, so collectors covet this issue from 1942. It features an off-white cover prone to dirt, so finding one is excellent condition is not easy.
Pep Comics #22 - About $375,000
Pep Comics #22 introduces another famous comic book character: Archie. This wartime comic book came out in 1941 and is very difficult to find in excellent, unrestored condition.
The Incredible Hulk #1 - About $375,000
Although this comic isn't especially rare on its own, it's very, very difficult to find in good condition. Most examples feature "Marvel chipping," which means the edges of the comic have lost color. If you have The Incredible Hulk #1 without the chipping, you have a very rare comic from 1962.
Tales of Suspense #39 - About $350,000
Featuring the first appearance of Iron Man, Tales of Suspense #39 is what sparked the Iron Man comics and movies. This comic from 1959 is a hit with collectors too, and it's not easy to find the pale green cover in good condition.
Is Your Comic Book Valuable?
Like any collectible, the most valuable comic books are often the rarest. If you have something special and wonder if it's worth money, consider a comic book appraisal. Having your comic professionally appraised is the only way to know if the book you treasure is valuable to other people, too.
