Key Collector Comics
Nick's Picks II

Hey, I’m Nick, founder of Key Collector Comics.  During my research I stumble across many interesting books. I’d like to spotlight a few here that I find interesting and hope you do too. 🔔 Subscribe for $1.99 for more curated content. Unlock 12 categories plus 🚨Key Issue Alert push notifications  📪  Submit awesome key issue info to [email protected] 🎁 Thank you for supporting the continued development of Key Collector Comics by using the eBay links for ANY purchase

Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.

Saga of the Swamp Thing #153
DC ⋅ 1995
View Details
Saga of the Swamp Thing #153
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$40

Key Facts

Cover art by Brian Bolland featuring a swastika

Alternate reality story where the Nazis won World War II written by Mark Millar

Silver Surfer #72
Marvel ⋅ 1992
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
Silver Surfer #72
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$5

Key Facts

1st appearance of Nebula as a cyborg, similar to how she appears in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

The Official Marvel Try-Out Book #1
Marvel ⋅ 1983
View Details
The Official Marvel Try-Out Book #1
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$45

Key Facts

An oversized publication of unfinished comic book templates intended to educate and encourage fledgling creators to not only learn about making comics but also submit original work including scripts, pencils, inks, colors and letters

Legendary Spider-Man artist Mark Bagley was discovered through his entry into this contest

Retail price: $12.95

Epic Illustrated #26
Epic ⋅ 1984
View Details
Epic Illustrated #26
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$35

Key Facts

Cover art by Bill Sienkiewicz

Features the first chapter of The Last Galactus Story written and illustrated by John Byrne, an unfinished, nine-chapter arc that ended with the cancellation of the publication

Byrne's story was going to end with Galactus removing his armor and releasing the energy he had absorbed back into a dying universe resulting in something similar to a Big Bang, a new beginning

How To Draw Comics Comic #1
Solson ⋅ 1985
View Details
How To Draw Comics Comic #1
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$40

Key Facts

Instructional guide on how to draw and format comics

Interior artwork by John Byrne and John Romita

Weapon Brown #1
Death Ray Graphics ⋅ 2002
View Details
Weapon Brown #1
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30

Key Facts

Parody of Charlie Brown that describes the main character as a blockheaded, wishy-washy killing machine

One-shot that collects 'A Peanut Scorned,' a story first printed throughout the four-issue series 'Deep Fried' (2001)

Includes an original story titled 'A Weapon Brown Christmas'

⚠ This issue is 'Print On Demand' on indyplanet.com

Turtlemania Special #1
Metropolis ⋅ 1986
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (2)
Turtlemania Special #1
 
Low
$40
Mid
$135
High
$400

Key Facts

Limited to 3,000 copies

A collection of short stories, pinups and sketches featuring the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and supporting characters

Power Girl #27
DC ⋅ 2011
View Details
Power Girl #27
 
Low
$12
Mid
$40
High
$125

Key Facts

First cover art by Warren Louw

Final issue

Copies ordered by retailers: 16,491

Alf #48
Marvel ⋅ 1991
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
Alf #48
 
Low
$15
Mid
$45
High
$145

Key Facts

Cover art deemed inappropriate referencing an allusion to sexual misconduct

Humanoids From The Deep #1
Blue Water ⋅ 2010
View Details
Humanoids From The Deep #1
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$45

Key Facts

One-shot inspired by Roger Corman's Humanoids from the Deep (1980)

Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #231
Connecting Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 1996
View Details
Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #231
 
Low
$15
Mid
$50
High
$145

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Sal Buscema

Limited edition variant sold at Camelot Music stores

Polybagged with a Saturday Morning Cartoon cassette tape

Connecting cover with Amazing Spider-Man #408, Sensational Spider-Man #1 and Spider-Man #65

Harley Quinn #1
Preview ⋅ DC ⋅ 2000
View Details
Harley Quinn #1
 
Low
$8
Mid
$25
High
$95

Key Facts

Retailer preview of Harley Quinn #1 (2000)

Bartkira #1
Hardcover ⋅ Floating World Comics ⋅ 2015
View Details
Bartkira #1
 
Low
$25
Mid
$80
High
$250

Key Facts

96-page preview of a project to recreate the entire first series of Akira (1988-1996), panel-by-panel, replacing the original characters with the cast of The Simpsons

768 artists contributed five pages of art to complete Bartkira which can be read in it's entirety at bartkira.com

This hardcover edition and a softcover edition are the only printed offerings of Bartkira that were produced

Spider-Man #1
Error ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 1990
View Details
Spider-Man #1
 
Low
$25
Mid
$80
High
$250

Key Facts

Color error that affects several panels where the Lizard's green skin appears blue

Spider-Man #1
Error ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 1990
View Details
Spider-Man #1
 
Low
$180
Mid
$600
High
$1.8k

Key Facts

Color error that affects several panels where the Lizard's green skin appears copper

One datapoint became available in August for an ungraded copy that sold for $15,000. The seller claimed that only six were known to exist yet posted another for sale in October 2020 with the same description and images but for $10,000 less than the August sale. While this might be legitimate, it is too risky to to approximate values from this situation

Boy's Club #1
Buenaventura Press ⋅ 2006
View Details
Boy's Club #1
 
Low
$35
Mid
$110
High
$325

Key Facts

1st appearance of Pepe the Frog in a printed comic book, previously seen in web and news strip comics

Fans were displeased with the widespread use of Pepe's likeness in internet memes and campaigned to reclaim the frog by associating him with racist imagery

In 2017, the Anti-Defamation League labeled Pepe the Frog a hate symbol

🥈 Runner-Up: New High [Previous High]

View more (2)

9.6 sold for $2,999 [$100 in 2018] +2,899%

As of Feb 2024 there is a total of six copies on the census including four at 9.8, none higher

What If...? #25
Marvel ⋅ 1991
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
What If...? #25
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$4

Key Facts

Includes a one-page story titled 'What if the Punisher were a Herald of Galactus' which has Frank riding a space motorcycle with two massive guns he used to destroy a planet, reminiscent of Cosmic Ghost Rider

Invincible Man #1
Just For Fun Comics ⋅ 1998
View Details
Invincible Man #1
 
Low
$12
Mid
$35
High
$125

Key Facts

Low print run issue by the creator of Flaming Carrot

Purely intended as a promotional giveaway, the issue was billed as the first $100 comic book and often had a signed 'Complimentary Copy' sticker on the inside

Nominated for an Eisner Award in 1999 for Best Short Story

Infinity Inc. #13
DC ⋅ 1985
View Details
Infinity Inc. #13
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$8

Key Facts

First published artwork for DC Comics by Todd McFarlane

One-page pin-up of Infinity Inc with a note from writer Roy Thomas that reads: "We thought you'd like to see a pin-up by newcomer Todd McFarlane, a young Canadian living in the state of Washington, who has volunteered to lend us a very talented hand for an issue or two. Todd's work has appeared in Marvel's Coyote and elsewhere. Enjoy!"

The Walking Dead #50
Variant ⋅ Image ⋅ 2008
View Details
The Walking Dead #50
 
Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$70

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Erik Larsen

Wraparound cover depicts characters as cartoonish comic characters

Spider-Man and Power Pack #3
Marvel ⋅ 2007
View Details
Spider-Man and Power Pack #3
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

1st appearance of Mary Jane as Venom

Marvel Knights: Millennial Visions #1
Marvel ⋅ 2002
View Details
Marvel Knights: Millennial Visions #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

Cover appearance of a Punisher/Ghost Rider character, reminiscent of Cosmic Ghost Rider

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #12
Image ⋅ 1997
View Details
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #12
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

1st comic book appearance of 'Venus,' a female ninja turtle created for television, revealed in comics to be the shape-shifting alien named Lurch

According to Gary Frank, the writer on this issue, he was to adhere to a strict rule that there is to be no female ninja turtles, as instructed by creator Peter Laird

Heavy Metal #273
Variant ⋅ Heavy Metal ⋅ 2015
View Details
Heavy Metal #273
 
Low
$25
Mid
$75
High
$250

Key Facts

Concept art by Jack Kirby for a movie called "Lord of Light" that was never made

In 1980, a CIA operative used the "Lord of Light" concept art and screenplay to convince the Iranian government that he was a film maker, working on a sci-fi movie called "Argo"

This resulted in the successful rescue of six Americans who escaped Iran, disguised as the film crew, an event that was later dramatized in the critically-acclaimed 2012 film, "Argo"

Triumph Comics #772
Triumph ⋅ 1939
View Details
Triumph Comics #772
 
Low
$1.3k
Mid
$4k
High
$22k

Key Facts

1st appearance of Superman in the UK

Comic strips collected and reprinted in the larger format

Issue #771 depicts Superman in an advertisement

Aliens / Predator: The Deadliest of the Species #1
Silver ⋅ Dark Horse ⋅ 1993
View Details
Aliens / Predator: The Deadliest of the Species #1
 
Low
$90
Mid
$300
High
$950

Key Facts

Variant silver-foil Ashcan edition, limited to 1,000

Distributed selectively at comic conventions in a protective sleeve with a gold stamp labeled Official Hero Original Seal of Authenticity

Black Atlas #1
Madison Publishing Company ⋅ 1984
View Details
Black Atlas #1
 
Low
$20
Mid
$80
High
$250

Key Facts

1st appearance of Black Atlas

Spawn #137
Newsstand ⋅ Image ⋅ 2004
View Details
Spawn #137
 
Low
$20
Mid
$80
High
$200

Key Facts

Newsstand Edition, indicated by the barcode

Final Spawn issue published with a Barcode/UPC on the cover

Masters of the Universe Preview Edition
Museum ⋅ Image ⋅ 2002
View Details
Masters of the Universe Preview Edition
 
Low
$150
Mid
$500
High
$1.6k

Key Facts

Museum Edition, limited to 50 numbered copies

Hologram on back cover

Preview of Invincible

Doom Knee Deep In The Dead #1
GT Interactive Software ⋅ 1996
View Details
Doom Knee Deep In The Dead #1
 
Low
$40
Mid
$110
High
$475

Key Facts

Promotional issue given away at a gaming convention in 1996

First printing can be identified by the black warning banner at the top of the cover with red text fully italicized

First printing can also be identified by the issue number '#1' NOT italicized

Second printing is nearly identical except that the two aforementioned criteria are reversed with the issue number '#1' italicized and the red banner text NOT italicized

Graphic Fantasy #1
Ajax ⋅ 1982
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
Graphic Fantasy #1
 
Low
$210
Mid
$920
High
$2.2k

Key Facts

First written and illustrated work in comics by Erik Larsen

1st appearance of Paul Dragon

'Savage' was later added after a cease and desist order from Dragon Magazine

Estimated print run of 300

The Walking Dead #116
3rd Print ⋅ Image ⋅ 2014
View Details
The Walking Dead #116
 
Low
$130
Mid
$450
High
$1.3k

Key Facts

Unreleased third printing

Approximately 25-50 copies unintentionally went into circulation after a comic shop in the United Kingdom had been sent the books for an in-store signing with artist Charlie Adlard

'Third Printing' printed below the Image logo

Twisted Metal 2 #1
DC ⋅ 1996
View Details
Twisted Metal 2 #1
 
Low
$50
Mid
$150
High
$1.5k

Key Facts

1st appearance & origin of Calypso (Twisted Metal 2 released after this comic)

16-page comic licensed by Sony and published by DC Comics

Opening panel depicts the destruction of the World Trade Center five years before the actual terrorist attack

100 copies were printed as prizes for a contest in Tips & Tricks magazine to publicize the Twisted Metal 2 release

View more (4)

Only 50 entrants won the prize while approximately 10 additional copies were given away to fans who wrote letters to Tips & Tricks

According to Sony Interactive Entertainment employees, the remaining 40 copies were destroyed

One of the most valuable pieces of Twisted Metal history as it is considered to be canon by Twisted Metal fans and has attained "Holy Grail" status

[February 2022 - Twisted Metal live-action series adaptation for Peacock with Anthony Mackie in the lead]

Be X-tra Safe with the X-Men #1
Promo ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 1996
View Details
Be X-tra Safe with the X-Men #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

Promotional giveaway sponsored by Blockbuster Video to educate children on stranger danger

1st appearance of the X-Man, a predator who wins children's trust by dressing as a superhero

1st appearance of the Creeps, an innocent looking elderly couple who prey on children

The Creeps make their second appearance almost 25 years later in Scream Curse of Carnage #6 (digital only)

Comic Media News #26
Marvel ⋅ 1976
View Details
Comic Media News #26
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$5

Key Facts

Prototype of Captain Britain in a British fanzine

Cover appearance of 'an unknown British superhero' according to interior notes

Preceded the first appearance of Captain Britain in Captain Britain #1 (October 1976)

Uncanny X-Men #116
Marvel ⋅ 1978
View Details
Uncanny X-Men #116
 
Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$65

Key Facts

Introduction of Wolverine's healing power though it is only hinted at

First time it is implied that Wolverine took a life of an enemy

Popeye #1
IDW ⋅ 2012
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (3)
Popeye #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

IDW begins publishing Popeye with the first original story in over 30 years

Cover art inspired by Action Comics #1 (1938)

True Gein #1
Boneyard Press ⋅ 1993
View Details
True Gein #1
 
Low
$8
Mid
$20
High
$85

Key Facts

Biography of Ed Gein

Back to the Future #1
Variant ⋅ IDW ⋅ 2015
View Details
Back to the Future #1
 
Low
$25
Mid
$80
High
$250

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Doug Chiang

Recreation of the 'Back to the Future II' movie prop 'Gray's Sports Almanac'

Distributed by ZBox, a website and mystery box subscriptions service

This series launched on 10/21/2015 which was the date in the future that Doc and Marty traveled to in Back to the Future II

TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #30
Mirage ⋅ 2009
View Details
TMNT: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #30
 
Low
$55
Mid
$180
High
$300

Key Facts

Originally available in digital format only but later printed in a limited run of what is said to be 1,000 copies

250 of the 1,000 copies have an original sketch on the inside back cover

Venom: Lethal Protector #0
Marvel ⋅ 1993
View Details
Venom: Lethal Protector #0
 
Low
$18
Mid
$55
High
$180

Key Facts

Platinum edition, distributed in Italy

Polybagged with an address book included 'the telephone numbers of my enemies' printed across the front

'Lethal Protector' #1 cover art but the interior reprints 'The Getaway Scream' (ASM #373-#375) and 'First Kill'

'First Kill' is a relatively unknown, undervalued 24-page story told over the course of three annuals revealing the first time Eddie and the Venom symbiote bonded

Babyteeth #1
Leather ⋅ Aftershock ⋅ 2017
View Details
Babyteeth #1
 
Low
$25
Mid
$80
High
$250

Key Facts

Variant wraparound cover art by David Angelo Roman, limited to 25 numbered copies (Roman Numerals)

Each individual cover was painted on real goat-skin

'Babyteeth' written in Assyrian Aramaic at the bottom

The Romance of Money #1
Independent ⋅ 1937
View Details
The Romance of Money #1
 
Low
$400
Mid
$1.4k
High
$2.8k

Key Facts

First comic book produced by Jack Kirby in 1937 for bank giveaways

Signed by H.T. Elmo, the owner of Lincoln News where Kirby was employed

Smaller than an average comic book and printed on paper that was not newsprint

Harbinger #8
Valiant ⋅ 1992
View Details
Harbinger #8
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$5

Key Facts

Cover appearance of Sin City's Marv

Star-Spangled War Stories #84
DC ⋅ 1959
View Details
Star-Spangled War Stories #84
 
Low
$140
Mid
$490
High
$1.5k

Key Facts

1st appearance of Mademoiselle Marie, decades later it is revealed that she had an affair with a British Military officer named Alfred Pennyworth and from the encounter, had a child named Julia (Pennyworth)

Adjust Your Filters To See More Comics!

By default Key Collector searches for Standard Cover Key Issues.

Adjust the "Variants" search filter above for additional content:

  • Variant Covers ([[totalVariants]])

At Key Collector, our primary focus is on unearthing those rare Standard Cover Key Issues for you. However, the world of comic collectibles is vast and varied. We want to make sure you have the tools to explore it all!