Key Collector Comics
Marvel History

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Marvel Comics #1
Timely ⋅ 1939
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Marvel Comics #1
 
Low
$68k
Mid
$400k
High
$1.2M

Key Facts

1st appearance of the Human Torch, Jim Hammond

2nd appearance of Namor the Sub-Mariner - 8 pages of the 12-page story reprinted from Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1

1st appearance of Dorma, Namor's cousin

1st appearance of Ka-Zar, David Rand

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1st appearance of Angel, Thomas Halloway, a private detective and vigilante

1st appearance of the Masked Raider, Jim Gardley

1st comic book published by Timely, later becomes Marvel

Retitled Marvel Mystery Comics after this issue

80,000 copies were produced of the first printing with an October 1939 date on the cover

The second printing could be identified by the October 1939 date blacked out, replaced with November 1939

The first printing sold out within a week and was quickly reprinted at a quantity of 800,000, the same as Superman #1

Although published in October, the cover date was changed to have a longer on-sale period at newsstands

💰 In March 2022, a 9.2 known as the Pay Copy due to publisher notations that tracked creator payouts sold for $2.42 million

Marvel Mystery Comics #18
Timely ⋅ 1941
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Marvel Mystery Comics #18
 
Low
$350
Mid
$1k
High
$4.2k

Key Facts

Introduction of the Daily Bugle newspaper, seen on the first page of this issue with the headline 'Peace-Time Draft In Full Swing'

1st appearance of the Cat's Paw, a female criminal

Captain America Comics #3
Marvel ⋅ 1941
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Captain America Comics #3
 
Low
$8.1k
Mid
$22.9k
High
$87k

Key Facts

First written work in the comic book industry by Stan Lee

Two-page text story with a couple of illustrations by Kirby

3rd appearance of Captain America

3rd appearance of Bucky Barnes

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2nd appearance and 1st cover of the Red Skull, George Maxon

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

1.8 sold for $15,600 [$1,421 in 2007] +998%

Mystic Comics #6
Timely ⋅ 1941
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Mystic Comics #6
 
Low
$4.7k
Mid
$16k
High
$43k

Key Facts

1st appearance and origin of the Destroyer, the first superhero created by Stan Lee

Origin of the Challenger

Amazing Mysteries #32
Marvel ⋅ 1949
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Amazing Mysteries #32
 
Price Trend
Low
$1k
Mid
$3k
High
$10k

Key Facts

Premiere issue of the first Marvel horror title

Title numbering continues from Sub-Mariner Comics #31

Strange Tales #1
Marvel ⋅ 1951
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Strange Tales #1
 
Low
$730
Mid
$3.8k
High
$11.3k

Key Facts

Premiere issue of a series that introduced many popular characters including Dr. Strange and Nick Fury

Tales to Astonish #1
Marvel ⋅ 1959
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Tales to Astonish #1
 
Low
$260
Mid
$775
High
$4.9k

Key Facts

Series that introduced popular characters including Ant-Man and Giant-Man

Tales of Suspense #1
Marvel ⋅ 1959
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Tales of Suspense #1
 
Low
$260
Mid
$785
High
$4.9k

Key Facts

Premiere issue of a series that introduced characters including Iron Man and Black Widow

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

9.0 sold for $21,600 [$17,925 in 2016] +21%

Fantastic Four #1
Marvel ⋅ 1961
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Fantastic Four #1
 
Low
$12k
Mid
$49.5k
High
$190k

Key Facts

1st team appearance and origin of the Fantastic Four: Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, The Thing

1st appearance of Mole Man

1st appearance of Giganto, a Deviant Mutate from Monster Isle

1st appearance of Tricephalous

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Landmark issue that launched the Marvel Age of comics

💰 In April 2022, a 9.2 sold for $1.5 million

[SDCC 2022 - Phase 6 will open with the Fantastic Four film / March 2023 - Josh Friedman (‘Avatar: The Way of Water’) is set to write the script for the Fantastic Four movie / November 2023 - Pedro Pascal rumored to have been offered the role of Reed Richards]

Strange Tales Annual #1
Marvel ⋅ 1962
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Strange Tales Annual #1
 
Low
$115
Mid
$480
High
$1.4k

Key Facts

First annual format issue published by Marvel

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

9.4 sold for $10,500 [$7,888 in 2009] +33%

Fantastic Four #6
Marvel ⋅ 1962
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Fantastic Four #6
 
Low
$800
Mid
$2k
High
$8k

Key Facts

First team-up of two super-villains in the Marvel Universe, Dr. Doom and Sub-Mariner

2nd appearance of Dr. Doom

2nd appearance of the Sub-Mariner in the Silver Age

Tales to Astonish #82
Marvel ⋅ 1966
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Tales to Astonish #82
 
Low
$7
Mid
$22
High
$90

Key Facts

First title crossover issue with Tales of Suspense #80

Amazing Spider-Man #100
Marvel ⋅ 1971
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Amazing Spider-Man #100
 
Low
$10
Mid
$35
High
$180

Key Facts

Milestone issue #100

Iconic cover art by John Romita Sr.

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

DOUBLE COVER / NATIONAL DIAMOND SALES 9.8 sold for $6,600 [No Previous Data]

Silver Surfer: The Ultimate Cosmic Experience #1
Marvel ⋅ 1978
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Silver Surfer: The Ultimate Cosmic Experience #1
 
Low
$8
Mid
$20
High
$80

Key Facts

First original graphic novel published by Marvel Comics, co-published by Simon & Schuster imprint, Fireside Books

Final collaboration by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

132-page story that takes place in an alternate reality where the Silver Surfer rebels against Galactus to save the planet from destruction

In 1976, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were approached by movie producer Lee Kramer to create a comic book that would serve as a pitch story for a rock opera feature film starring Olivia Newton-John and bodybuilder, Frank Zane

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Painted cover art by Earl Norem, based on a sketch by Jack Kirby

The only other story that takes place in this alternate reality is the two-issue, 1988 Silver Surfer story titled 'Parable'

Marvel Super Hero: Contest of Champions #1
Marvel ⋅ 1982
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Marvel Super Hero: Contest of Champions #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

First limited series published by Marvel Comics

1st appearance of Blitzkrieg, able to summon lightning

1st full appearance of the Collective Man, six brothers who can merge into one

1st appearance of Shamrock, a hand-to-hand combatant

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1st appearance of Defensor, possessor of a Vibranium suit of armor

1st appearance of Peregrine, utilizes a flight suit in battle

1st appearance of Talisman, an Australian magic user

Fantastic Four #500
Director's Cut ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2003
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Fantastic Four #500
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

First Marvel title to reach issue #500

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