Comic books certainly don’t sound like expensive investments to most of us, but to those who know a lot about them, they are valuable. Many comic books are considered collector’s items. They’ve been around for a long time, which makes them even more valuable. The ones you pick up at the supermarket or the store in the mall aren’t likely to be overly valuable, but there are some comic books that have been passed down through the generations that are worth more than you could ever imagine. Read on to find out which 15 comic books are the most expensive in the world.
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Fantastic Four No. 1 – $142,000
This is the second-youngest comic book on this list, being only a year older than the number next most expensive comic in the world. Worth nearly $142,000 in near mint condition today, this comic book is very valuable. It’s the first time that the Marvel Comics family introduces the Fantastic Four. This comic came out in 1961, and featured the heroes we know today as Mr. Fantastic, The Thing, Human Torch and the Invisible Girl. It’s a fairly rare comic, with very few known to still exist. If you can get one of these, you’re sitting on a small fortune.
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The Incredible Hulk No. 1 – $145,000
This is also one of the youngest comic books on this list. The Incredible Hulk appeared in 1962. He’s the seventh great character of the Marvel superheroes. This book is the first time that he’s introduced to the world, and it’s the first time he’s ever been on the cover of a comic book. He went onto make the Marvel corporation millions in movies, books and video games, and that all just added to the fact that this superhero comic book is worth more than $145,000 in near mint condition today, if you can find one, that is.
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Adventure Comics No. 40 – $147,000
This is the first time that Sandman ever appeared in a comic. He’s considered one of the top comic book characters of all time, which means his appearance in this comic book is what makes it so famous and worth so much money. This issue was released in July 1939. It’s considered one of the rarist and most sought after comic books in the world, which is only part of the reason it’s worth so much money to those who collect this book. Finding one in near mint condition is going to be worth almost $150,000.
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Whiz Comics No. 2 – $155,000
What’s so funny about this book is that it’s not actually the second edition. It’s the first. However, the book is called number 2 and so therefore, it’s number 2. This one is so valuable because it features the introduction of Captain Marvel for the first time ever. It’s a very rare comic book that was not released in large quantities, which is why it’s so hard to find one today. If you have a copy in near mint condition, you’ll earn as much as $155,000 for it. Unfortunately, finding one of these books is much easier said than done.
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New Fun Comics No. 1 – $170,000
This book is worth so much because it’s touted as being the first comic book with all original material. This includes the introduction of some of the most famous comic book characters of all time. This book paved the way for future comic book artists create their own books, their own characters and their own spinoffs of some of these characters. A copy of this comic book today would have to be in near mint condition, which is defined as pretty much excellent condition, to be worth $170,000. You should still sell it for a lot, however, in good condition.
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Amazing Fantasy No. 15 – $280,000
Amazing Fantasy was slated to become a cancelled comic when this fifteenth edition was released. It was the summer of 1960 and the magazine’s sales were unimpressive and uninspiring. When the fifteenth edition came out in August, the magazine’s sales went through the roof. It was credited to the fact that Spiderman himself graced the cover of this magazine. This edition was one of Marvel’s highest grossing to date, and it launched The Amazing Spiderman not long afterward. Marvel went onto make a lot of money off The Amazing Spiderman in years to come.
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Flash Comics No. 1 – $289,000
This is a comic book that’s not just valuable, it’s old. The book was first released in 1940, that’s more than 70 years ago! It was the book credited with introducing comic book fans to the likes of Hawkman and Flash, two of the biggest action heroes of the time. Those who enjoyed reading comics were instantly intrigued by these two characters, and it caused comic book sales to go through the roof. Today, a copy of this comic in great condition is going to be worth $289,000.
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Fun More Comics No. 52 – $316,000
This comic book series did not last very long. It ended up being one of the shortest-lived comic book series in history, but it is one of the most valuable today. This expensive comic book is worth more than $316,000 today, and it’s because it is a classic that introduces readers to The Spectre. This book series was introduced in 1935 and only ran until 1947. It was the 52nd edition that introduced fans and readers to The Spectre, which ended up making this comic book worth a lot of money to those who have a copy of it today. It must be in good condition, however.
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Batman No. 1 – $359,000
Despite the fact that this is the first book in this series, this was not the first time that comic book fans were introduced to Batman. The famous crime fighter was already a part of another comic book series called the Detective Comics series. However, this 1940 comic was the first ever to be named after the famous superhero, and that makes it worth big bucks more than 70 years later. Additionally, this is the first book in the series that introduced fans to Batman’s famous sidekick, Robin. Today, it’s worth a staggering $359,000 in mint condition.
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Marvel Comics No. 1 – $367,000
Walt Disney owns a lot of different companies, including ABC and Marvel Comics. What this means is that Disney is very, very valuable. It also means that the first Marvel Comic ever introduced is worth a lot of money today. The first ever Marvel Comic was released early last century featuring characters that are household names today, but weren’t even known back then. These characters include the X-Men, Iron Man and Wolverine. Today, these characters are some of the biggest money makers in the world, and their first appearance is no exception. It’s worth more than $367,000 today.
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Detective Comics No. 1 – $405,000
Way back in 1937, Detective Comics released it’s very first ever comic book. This number one edition featured some of the most famous comic book characters of all time. While it didn’t feature all of them in this particular edition, the series went on to bring the world some of its most famous superheroes, which is part of the reason this book is worth so much money. This comic book is worth an astounding $405,000, and it’s the one that brought Superman and Batman into homes across the world in subsequent issues of the very popular comic book series.
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All-American Comics No. 16 – $430,000
The Green Lantern is one of the most famous superheroes of all time – as well as the blockbuster movie on which Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively met before they wed. He was introduced to the world in the 16th edition of the All-American Comics book series back in the early to mid-1900s. This comic book is worth just under a half million dollars because of this introduction. Today, finding a copy of the comic in mint condition will not be easy, but if you come across one, save it, because it’s worth a lot of money.
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Superman No. 1 – $671,000
The value of this comic book jumps significantly higher than the one ahead of it, and that’s because this is the very first every Superman comic book .Don’t mistake that this is the first time Superman made his debut, because it’s not. Everyone’s favorite super strong super hero was introduced before in the Action Comics book series, this is the first one that was completely dedicated to this particular superhero. Since Superman went on to become one of the most famous superheroes of all time, this book became very valuable.
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Detective Comics No. 27 – $1.38 million
This comic book was available for sale in 1939 for only $.10. Today it’s worth more than $1.38 million. While inflation should be taken into account, this book definitely grew significantly in value since it was first released more than 70 years ago. What makes this book so valuable is the fact that this was the first time Batman made his debut. This book came out monthly for many years, but it wasn’t until 1939 that Batman became a frequent character in the series, making it one of the most valuable comic books ever to sell.
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Action Comics No. 1 – $1.5 million
The reason this comic book is so famous and worth so much money is the fact that until this book debuted in 1937, there was no such thing as a “real” superhero, according to comic book experts. This series introduced the first flying superheroes, as well as Superman. It’s been touted the single most important comic book in the history of all comic books, which is why it’s worth a million and a half dollars today in mint condition. This book is not easy to come by, and it’s going to continue to become even more valuable as the years go on.
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