Author: Zap-Kapow Comics

Marvel’s first family has had more than a few shots at the silver screen over the years, but with their impending debut in the MCU proper, it’s very likely many of their key issues featured here will explode even more. Here is our list of the Top 10 Most Valuable KeyFantastic Four Issues Of All Time.

10. The Fantastic Four (1961) No. 8 ($2,500)

First Appearance: Puppet Master, Alicia Masters

Ben Grimm’s longtime girlfriend, as well as one of the FF’s more enduring villains in Puppet Master, show up early in their original title.

9. Fantastic Four (1961) No. 13 ($2,600)

First Appearance: The Watcher, Red Ghost

A mainstay of the Marvel Universe for decades, The Watcher (aka Uatu) began his watch in the thirteenth issue of The Fantastic Four, way back in 1963.

8. Fantastic Four (1961) No. 52 ($4,400)

First Appearance: Black Panther (T’challa), Wakanda, Vibranium

A shockingly affordable first appearance considering how insanely popular T’challa has become in recent years. The Black Panther’s rule started in this issue of Fantastic Four back in 1966 thanks to Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.

7. Fantastic Four (1961) No. 49 ($5,000)

First Appearance: Galactus (Galan) (full)

He hungers! Galactus isn’t just a kick-ass design from comic book master and legend Jack Kirby, he’s also one of Marvel’s very best (and biggest) off-world threats. His first appearance is a much-desired issue for collectors.

6. Fantastic Four (1961) No. 3 ($8,400)

First Appearance: Fantastic Four costumes, Fantasti-Car

They didn’t wear costumes until the third issue!? Their official uniform would change dozens of times over the years, but this classic design from the 60’s is still our favorite.

5. Fantastic Four (1961) No. 2 ($9,300)

First Appearance: The Skrulls, Daily Bugle

Makes sense the shape-shifting Skrulls would show up early in the FF mythos, but the Daily Bugle debuted here and NOT in The Amazing Spider-Man!? We learn something new everyday.

4. Fantastic Four (1961) No. 48 ($11,000)

First Appearance: Galactus (Galan) (cameo), Silver Surfer (Norrin Radd)

Like peanut butter and jelly, Galactus and the Silver Surfer have been associated since the beginning. Galactus is just a cameo here, but another major Jack Kirby design takes the main honors here with Norrin Radd’s first appearance.

3. Fantastic Four (1961) No. 4 ($13,100)

First Appearance: Sub-Mariner (Silver Age)

Namor would make his official first appearance(s) in an uncirculated Motion Picture Funnies Weekly (1939) No. 1 and Marvel Comics (1939) No. 1, but who can afford those? His Silver Age debut here is pricy enough!

2. Fantastic Four (1961) No. 5 ($23,000)

First Appearance: Doctor Doom (Victor von Doom)

THE villain of villains, Victor von Doom has long schemed for world domination (among other things), and has been a contact thorn in the side of Reed Richards and the Fantastic Four for decades. One of Marvel’s top level villains, and another incredible design from Jack Kirby.

1. Fantastic Four (1961) No. 1 ($175,000)

First Appearance: Fantastic Four (team), Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards), Invisible Girl (Susan Storm), Human Torch, (Johnny Storm), The Thing (Ben Grimm), Mole Man (Harvey Elder)

Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s first family of Marvel—Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Girl, Human Torch, and The Thing started it all right here. Bonus first: Mole Man!

The darlings of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers are a long and storied history in print. Somewhat surprisingly, most of their key issues are pretty affordable compared to other titles like the X-Men or The Amazing Spider-Man. Here’s the Top 10 Most Valuable KeyAvengers Issues Of All Time.

10. The Avengers (1963) No. 10 ($700)

First Appearance: Immortus

It gets a bit confusing, but you’ll see this long-time Avengers foe show up again on this list. Bonus: This issue also contains the very first “Avengers Assemble!” shouted out by Thor.

9. The Avengers (1963) No. 6 ($975)

First Appearance: Masters of Evil

Earthest Mightest Heroes need villains up to the task. What they got in their sixth issue was The Masters of Evil—Baron Zemo, The Black Knight (Nathan Garrett), Melter and Radioactive Man.

8. The Avengers (1963) No. 48 ($1,100)

First Appearance: Black Knight (Dane Whitman), Aragorn

He’s the third one to wear the armor, but Dane Whitman remains the most popular Black Knight. His impending debut on the silver screen has collectors on the hunt for this issue.

7. The Avengers (1963) No. 5 ($1,375)

First Appearance: Lava Men

Can’t say many are fans of the Lava Men, but a first appearance is a first appearance. The value rally comes more from this being an early issue of The Avengers.

6. The Avengers (1963) No. 9 ($1,400)

First Appearance: Wonder Man (Simon Williams)

Not only is this Wonder Man’s first appearance, it’s also features (spoiler alert) his death! As is usually the case in comics though, death isn’t permanent and Simon Williams is no exception.

5. The Avengers (1963) No. 57 ($1,500)

First Appearance: Vision

A staple of The Avengers, Vision has had quite the history with the team (and its villains), including his relationships with Scarlett Witch and Ultron.

4. The Avengers (1963) No. 2 ($3,000)

First Appearance: Space Phantom, Avengers Mansion

Another on the list benefitting from being a very early issue of the title, this one at least includes our first look at the longstanding Avengers headquarters.

3. The Avengers (1963) No. 8 ($4,100)

First Appearance: Kang The Conqueror

The next Big Bad in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Kang has taken on many names over the decades, but he’s always been one of Marvel’s most interesting villains.

2. The Avengers (1963) No. 4 ($6,800)

First Appearance: Captain America (Silver Age)

Captain America’s return from the ice happened right here, marking his first appearance in a Marvel title proper (previous outings were under the Timely or Atlas label).

1. The Avengers (1963) No. 1 ($39,000)

First Appearance: The Avengers (team)

A shockingly affordable (comparatively) Silver Age key, The Avengers (1963) No. 1 finally put Marvel’s mightiest heroes together in a their own title. The line-up has changed plenty over the years, but the core team (plus Captain America!) remains the most popular.

One of the most popular super-hero teams (and comic books) ever, Marvel’s X-Men have fueled decades of stories, titles and characters. Here we present the Top 10 Most Valuable Key X-Men Comics Of All Time.

10. X-Men (1963) No. 101 ($1,300)

First Appearance: Phoenix (Jean Grey), Phoenix Force, Black Tom Cassidy (full)

THE most popular X-Men storyline of all time gets started here. Jean Grey transforms into Phoenix, and the X-Men will never be the same.

9. X-Men (1963) No. 7 ($1,400)

First Appearance: Cerebro

Professor X’s mutant-tracking computer showed up early and got used often in the saga of the X-Men.

8. X-Men (1963) No. 9 ($1,500)

First Appearance: Lucifer

The devil is in the details, and although Lucifer isn’t commonly aligned as an X-Men foe, he did in fact make his debut in this early X-Men issue by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Also helping this issue out as a key? First Avengers and X-Men team-up.

7. X-Men (1963) No. 5 ($1,850)

First Appearance: Asteroid M

Our first look at Magneto’s orbital space station, and second appearance of The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants happens early in X-Men comic book history.

6. X-Men (1963) No. 3 ($2,700)

First Appearance: The Blob (Fred Dukes)

Next to Magneto, The Blog is one of the oldest X-Men foes showing up in just the third issues of the original X-Men series in 1963.

5. X-Men (1963) No. 12 ($3,300)

First Appearance: The Juggernaut (Cain Marko)

Professor X’s step-brother made his presence known in this early issue of the X-Men. Over the years he would bounce between villain and ally for Marvel’s heroic super mutants.

4. X-Men (1963) No. 2 ($4,500)

First Appearance: The Vanisher (Telford Porter)

Not exactly a household name, The Vanisher’s first appearance being a valuable key X-Men issue is most related to it happening in the series’ second issue.

3. Giant-Size X-Men (1975) No. 1 ($7,300)

First Appearance: Colossus (Piotr Rasputin), Storm (Ororo Munroe), Nightcrawler (Kurt Wagner), Thunderbird (James Proudstar), Illyana Rasputin, Krakoa

Featuring TONS of major first appearances, Giant-Size X-Men (1975) No. 1 introduced a whole new team that would re-launch the title into a bold new direction.

2. X-Men (1963) No. 4 ($10,500)

First Appearance: The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants (team), Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff), Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff), Toad (Mortimer Toynbee), and Mastermind (Jason Wyngarde)

Much like the issue below, the fourth issue in the original X-Men series introduced characters that are still relevant (and showing up in their own movies and television shows) to this day.

1. X-Men (1963) No. 1 ($90,000)

First Appearance: X-Men (team), Professor X (Charles Xavier), Cyclops (Scott Summers), Iceman (Bobby Drake), Angel (Warren Worthington III), Marvel Girl (Jean Grey), Magneto (Erik Lehnsherr)

What else could be No. 1 other than the issue that kicked it all off? Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s “Strangest Super-Heroes Of All” is a grail-level comic book for collectors with a price tag to match.

One of—if not THE—most iconic characters in the world, Batman (Bruce Wayne) has had a huge impact on pop culture. He has also given us some of the most iconic side characters and villains ever. Here are the Top 10 Most Valuable Key Issues Of Batman Comics Of All Time.

10. Batman (1940) No. 4 – $18,000

First Appearance: Gotham City

Next to New York City, probably the most famous comic book town of all time, Gotham City debuts in Batman (1940) No. 4. The value is probably more connected to this being a very early issue of Batman, but Gotham City does have its fans.

9. Detective Comics (1937) No. 40 – $21,000

First Appearance: Clayface (Basil Karlo)

There have been several Clayfaces over the years, but the original got his start way back in June 1940.

8. Batman (1940) No. 3 – $24,000

First Appearance: Catwoman (Selina Kyle)

Catwoman’s first appearance is here, but her alter ego, Selina Kyle, made her debut two issues prior in Batman (1940) No. 1. Adding either to your collection will set you back a pretty penny.

7. Detective Comics (1937) No. 168 – $34,000

First Appearance: Red Hood (Joker)

Another Batman character that’s shown up with multiple aliases over the decades, the original was none other than—SPOILER ALERT!—The Joker.

6. Detective Comics (1937) No. 140 – $43,000

First Appearance: The Riddler (Edward Nigma)

One of the holy trinity of Batman villains (the other two being The Joker and Penguin), The Riddler has been a fan favorite and thorn in Batman’s side since he first showed up in 1948.

5. Detective Comics (1937) No. 38 – $140,000

First Appearance: Robin (Dick Grayson)

Comic’s most famous sidekick, Robin made his first appearance in the spring of 1940. Many would take on the Robin mantle in Batman’s long crime-fighting career, but Dick Grayson remains a fan favorite.

4. Detective Comics (1937) No. 29 – $245,000

First Appearance: Doctor Death

You’d probably guess Batman’s oldest foe is someone like The Joker, Penguin, or Riddler. Nope. It’s this mad scientist guy, Doctor Death, who made his debut in in the Batman’s third appearance.

3. Detective Comics (1937) No. 31 – $375,000

First Appearance: The Monk, Julie Madison, Batarang, Batgyro (Batplane)

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.

2. Batman (1940) No. 1 – $1,300,000

First Appearance: The Joker, Selina Kyle

The Joker’s first appearance and Catwoman’s alter ego, Selina Kyle? Talk about a grail.

1. Detective Comics (1937) No. 27 – $2,200,000

First Appearance: Batman (Bruce Wayne), Commissioner Gordon

It all started here. Considered one of THE biggest grails in all of comic book collecting, sales for this issue usually make mainstream news.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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