The Top 11 Most Valuable Comic Books

Rare, vintage and expensive comic books for collectors and fans

Comic book figurines and customer reading comic book at Newbury Comics.

Lou Jones/Getty Images

Comic books have come into their own as a collectible commodity, as rare and vintage comic books are going for astronomical amounts to collectors all over the world. The better the grade of these comics, the higher the price will be, with some going for over one million dollars a piece. The selection of the most valuable comic books of all time contains some of the most recognizable characters with an emphasis on their first appearances. From the most expensive Superman comic to the most expensive Spider-Man comic, the higher profile the superhero, the more valuable the issue. These comics are very hard to find in decent condition so when one does come to light with a high grade, all bets are off in terms of its value, as collectors dig deep to score the item as their prized possession.

01
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Action Comics #1

Action Comics #1

DC Comics

This comic book is undoubtedly the most valuable comic book in the world. Two different comics have sold for one million dollars recently and even lower grades of this comic book sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Action Comics #1 is the birth of superhero comic books and contains the first appearance of the world's best-known hero, Superman. This makes it the one item that serious Golden Age collectors must have.

02
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Amazing Fantasy #15

Amazing Fantasy #15

Marvel

Marvel Comics get a later start than DC, but that doesn't mean 1962's first Spider-Man appearance isn't valuable. Spidey's first appearance in Amazing Fantasy #15 makes this comic another must-have item. It has sold for over one million dollars, making it one of the most expensive comic books in the world. Peter Parker is one of the most relatable and popular comic book characters in the world, making it no wonder that Spider-Man has become the powerhouse that he is. It is doubtful that Amazing Fantasy #15 will ever become as valuable as Action Comics #1, though, as only the top graded copies of Amazing Fantasy #15 will sell above one million and Action Comics #1 has much lower graded versions selling in that top tier.

03
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Detective Comics #27

Detective Comics #27

Heritage Auctions

DC Comics' Batman is another iconic character that has a comic book in the million dollar market. Detective Comics #27 is his first appearance and shows the Dark Knight in his black and gray costume solving the murder of a wealthy businessman. This is another top character known throughout the world and is one comic book that many strive to have as the pinnacle of their collection.

04
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Superman #1

Superman's first comic
DC Comics

The second comic from Superman to make the list, this comic is rumored to have been sold for over five hundred thousand dollars in a private sale and is the first issue of the popular Superman series. Although it is not the first appearance of the character, the fact that it is the first issue of his own title makes it a prize worth having.

05
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Fantastic Four #1

Fantastic Four #1

Marvel

This fantastic comic book comes with one of the best classic Golden Age covers in the market. Fantastic Four #1 is so easily recognizable with the four heroes battling a monster rising from under the ground. The Fantastic Four's debut issue is another contender for the most valuable comic book having sold for nearly half a million dollars. This price came a few years back, so it could be argued that a current sale could easily go for higher amounts.

06
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Marvel Comics #1

The first Marvel Comics issue
Marvel

The first appearance of the original Human Torch is also one of the most valuable comics in existence. It might be that this was published by Timely Comics who later became Marvel Comics, or it might also be that the second issue had its name changed, making it the only one of its kind. This is a great piece of Comics history.

07
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Batman #1

Batman Comics
DC Comics

Batman #1 was released about a year after Detective Comics #27 and the main reason it is so valuable, other than being Batman's first title comic, is that this comic is also the first appearance of The Joker. This character has gone on to be almost synonymous with Batman and one can see why it is such a sought-after comic book.

08
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Captain America Comics #1

Captain America
DC Comics

The first appearance of Captain America makes this list, released in 1941. The issue starts out with the creation of Captain America himself, seeing Professor Reinstein injecting weak Steve Rogers with the super soldier serum and transforming him into a battle ready hero in a blink of an eye. Created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, Captain America has gone on to become one of Marvel Comics flagship characters, a founding Avenger and one of the strongest assets of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

09
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Action Comics #10

Superman fights a plane
DC Comics

This comic from the Action Comics line broke records in 2011 when a CGC graded copy of this comic with a rating of nine sold for two-hundred and fifty-eight thousand dollars. The fact that this comic does not contain first appearances of any major character shows how valuable these old, well kept comic books are. Any of these classic comics in great condition can be worth a small fortune.

10
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All-American Comics #16

First appearance of Green Lantern
DC Comics

All-American Comics #16 is the first appearance of the Golden Age Green Lantern and continues to exist in DC Comics today. Although different in origin from the current Green Lantern, this one is still widely sought after by collectors all over the world.

11
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More Fun Comics #52

First appearance of the Spectre
DC Comics

The first appearance of the Spectre would seem to be an odd comic to be on this list since the Spectre is a lesser known character. One reason it is so widely sought after is that many comics before it contained reprinted material from the newspaper, and this comic contains completely original material and paved the way for how comics are written and published today.