Vintage comics anchor the high end of pop-culture collecting. Here are the records.
1. Action Comics #1 (1938) — First Superman
The most valuable comic book in history. CGC 8.5 sold at Heritage for $6 million in 2024 (private sale rumours of $8 million+). Lower grades still reach $1-3 million.
2. Detective Comics #27 (1939) — First Batman
CGC 8.0 has sold for $2.2 million at Heritage. Lower grades still command $400,000-$1.5 million.
3. Marvel Comics #1 (1939)
Pay copy with Frank Burke signed pedigree sold at Heritage for $2.4 million in 2022.
4. Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962) — First Spider-Man
CGC 9.6 sold at Heritage for $3.6 million in 2021. CGC 9.4 examples are $750,000-$1.5 million.
5. Superman #1 (1939)
CGC 8.0 has sold for $5.3 million at Heritage in 2022. Standalone Superman title’s first issue.
6. Captain America Comics #1 (1941)
CGC 9.4 example sold for $3.12 million at Heritage in 2022.
7. Batman #1 (1940)
CGC 9.4 has sold for $2.22 million. CGC 9.6 examples could fetch $5 million if they appeared.
8. Fantastic Four #1 (1961) — First Fantastic Four
CGC 9.6 has sold for $1.5 million at Heritage.
9. X-Men #1 (1963) — First X-Men
CGC 9.8 has sold for $807,000 at Heritage in 2022.
10. Incredible Hulk #1 (1962)
CGC 9.4 example sold for $662,500. The pedigree copies (Pacific Coast, White Mountain) command 30-50% premiums.
Grading
CGC dominates with about 80% market share, CBCS handles the rest. PGX has reputation issues. Always buy CGC- or CBCS-encapsulated examples. Pedigree (named-collection provenance) significantly increases value at the top end.
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