All of the golden age comics that are still in existence are pretty expensive. In fact, some of them are amongst the most expensive comics of all time. This is largely in part due to two combining factors: their rarity and their historical significance. Their extreme rarity is mainly caused by their discardable nature that was influenced by a number of factors at the time.
Another factor that has a big influence on the price a comic sells for is the condition. High end comic sales are graded using the CGC Scale. Of course, the less available copies of a particular issue that are in good condition, the higher one in good condition will often sell for. This is another reason why golden age comics tend to be very valuable. We’ve compiled a list of the most expensive using data from Goldin and Comic Connect (as well as various other sources). Bear in mind, whilst this list was accurate at the time of writing sales are made all the time and records are constantly broken.
Here are the 56 Most Expensive comics of the golden age!
1. Action Comics #1 (1938) – $3.4 Million – CGC 6.0
Not only is this the first appearance of Superman, but it’s also the comic book that started the entire superhero genre. The record sale price was achieved sometime in 2022. Apparently, the reason the price was so high because of a rocket stamp that had been applied to it by a child. It fetched $3.4 Million and was graded CGC 6.0.
2. Superman #1 (1939) – $3.25 Million – CGC 9.0
The highest value sale of the first issue of a Superman solo title sold for $3.25 million on eBay by seller Darren Adams. It was a CGC 9.0 graded copy.
3. Captain America Comics #1 (1941) – $3.12 Million – CGC 9.4
The origin and first appearance of Captain America infamously known for its cover depicting Captain America punching Adolf Hitler. A CGC 9.4 copy sold for $3,120,000 at Heritage Auctions in April 2022 making it the most expensive Marvel comic ever sold.
4. Marvel Comics #1 (1939) – $2.4 Million – CGC 9.6
Marvel Comics (known as Timely Comics at the time), didn’t garner as much success with golden age superheroes as they later would after their rebrand during the silver age but they were still amongst the power players of the time. A CGC 9.6 graded copy of the first ever Marvel comic sold for $2.4 million in March 2022. This issue is also notable for being the first appearance of Human Torch (Jim Hammond) and The Angel.
5. Batman #1 (1940) – $2.22 Million – CGC 9.4
This issue is notable for being the first ever issue of a Batman solo title. It was graded CGC 9.4 and was sold through heritage auctions for $2.22 million during September 2021.
6. Detective Comics #27 (1939) – $2.2 Million – CGC 5.0
A CGC 5.0 copy of the first appearance of Batman sold for $2.2 million in a private sale at some point during November 2020.
7. All-Star Comics #8 (1941) – $1.62 Million – CGC 9.4
This issue was the first appearance of Wonder Woman, Steve Trevor and Hippolyta. A CGC 9.4 copy sold for $1,620,000 in June 2022.
8. All-American Comics #16 (1940) – $825,000 – CGC 9.2
Origin and first appearance of Green Lantern (Alan Scott). A 9.2 CGC graded copy sold for $825,000 sometime in 2019.
9. Flash Comics #1 (1940) – $450,000 – CGC 9.6
This issue was the first appearance of The Flash (Jay Garrick), Hawkman (Carter Hall) and Johnny Thunder. A 9.6 CGC copy sold for $450,000.
10. Sensation Comics #1 – $412,300 – CGC 9.0
This issue marks the second appearance of Wonder Woman and also the first time she ever appeared on a cover. A CGC 9.0 copy sold for $412,300 at Heritage Auctions in March 2019.
11. Whiz Comics #1 (1940) – $385,377.65 – CGC 6.0
This comic marked the origin and the first appearance of one of the golden age’s most popular superheroes, Captain Marvel. The record sale was a CGC 6.0 copy that sold for $385,377.65 at Comic Connect on 18 December 2021.
12. Wonder Woman #1 (1942) – $291,000 – CGC 9.0
The first solo comic and origin of the ever-popular Wonder Woman. A record sale for this issue was set when a CGC 9.0 copy was sold for $291,100 at Comic Connect in 2016.
13. Detective Comics #33 (1939) – $288,000 – CGC 6.5
The issue containing the first telling of Batman’s origin. A CGC 6.5 copy sold for $288,000 at Heritage Auctions in March 2023.
14. Detective Comics #29 (1939) – $276,000 – CGC 8.5
Second cover appearance of Batman third total appearance. The record sale for this issue was made when a CGC 8.5 copy sold for $276,000 in June 2022.
15. Action Comics #10 (1939) – $258,000 – CGC 9.0
Third Superman appearance on a comic book cover. A CGC 9.0 copy sold for $258,000 at Comic Connect Auctions in 2011.
16. PEP Comics #22 (1941) – $252,100 – CGC 8.0
The first appearance of Archie, Betty and Jughead. A CGC 8.0 copy sold for $252,100 in 2017.
17. All-Star Comics #3 (1940) – $358,800 – CGC 9.4
This comic gave us the origin and first appearance of the Justice Society of America (a precursor to the Justice League). The record sale for this issue was a CGC 9.4 copy that sold for $358,800 at Comic Connect Auctions in April 2021.
18. More Fun Comics #52 (1940) – $264,000 – CGC 8.5
Notable for featuring the first appearance of Spectre. A copy of this issue graded CGC 8.5 sold at Heritage Auctions for $264,000 during December 2022.
19. Action Comics #7 (1938) – $204,000 – CGC 5.5
A CGC 5.5 copy of Superman’s second cover appearance sold for $204,000 in 2020. This is mind-blowing considering how low the rating was. It speaks volumes for how valuable these early Superman appearances actually are.
20. More Fun Comics #73 (1941) – $192,000 – CGC 6.5
This issue marks the origin and first appearance of Aquaman, Green Arrow and Speedy. A CGC 6.5 copy sold for $192,000 at Heritage Auctions in January, 2022.
21. Action Comics #13 (1939) – $185,000 – CGC 9.2
Not really much significance to this issue apart from it being the fourth Superman cover appearance. That didn’t stop it from selling for $185,000 in 2011. This particular copy was graded at CGC 9.2.
22. Suspense Comics #3 (1944) – $173,275 – CGC 9.0
This one stands out from the rest of the entries for a few reasons. It’s a horror comic, it’s published by a less known publisher (Continental) and it doesn’t feature any iconic characters on its cover. The main sales driving point of this comic is it’s controversial cover featuring Nazi Klansmen surrounding a captive woman whilst one is about to plunge his sword into her. A CGC 9.0 copy sold for $173,275 in 2015.
23. Archie Comics #1 (1942) – $167,300 – CGC 8.5
A copy of the first ever issue of Archie Comics sold for $167,300 graded at CGC 8.5 back in 2011.
24. More Fun Comics #55 – $136,000 – CGC 9.4
This comic gave us the first appearance of Doctor Fate. The record sale was made when a CGC 9.4 copy sold for $136,000 at Comic Connect Auctions during March 2021.
25. Detective Comics #31 (1939) – $132,000 – CGC 5.0
Third cover appearance and fifth total appearance of Batman. A CGC 5.0 copy sold for $132,000 at Heritage Auctions November 18, 2017.
26. Detective Comics #38 (1940) – $126,500 – CGC 9.4
The origin and first appearance of Robin. A CGC 9.4 copy holds the record highest sale of this issue after selling for $126,500 in May 2005.
27. Detective Comics #1 (1937) – $105,000 – CGC 5.0
The first issue of Detective Comics. A CGC 5.0 copy sold for $105,000 in April 2022.
Summary
Golden age comics are amongst some of the most expensive comics in existence. Time has turned them into very lucrative antiques that anyone would be lucky to have in their possession. Here’s a quick recap of the most expensive golden age comics:
- Action Comics #1 (1938) – $3.4 Million – CGC 6.0
- Superman #1 (1939) – $3.25 Million – CGC 9.0
- Captain America Comics #1 (1941) – $3.12 Million – CGC 9.4
- Marvel Comics #1 (1939) – $2.4 Million – CGC 9.6
- Batman #1 (1940) – $2.22 Million – CGC 9.4
- Detective Comics #27 (1939) – $2.2 Million – CGC 5.0
- All-Star Comics #8 (1941) – $1.62 Million – CGC 9.4
- All-American Comics #16 (1940) – $825,000 – CGC 9.2
- Flash Comics #1 (1940) – $450,000 – CGC 9.6
- Sensation Comics #1 – $412,300 – CGC 9.0
- Whiz Comics #1 (1940) – $385,377.65 – CGC 6.0
- Wonder Woman #1 (1942) – $291,000 – CGC 9.0
- Detective Comics #33 (1939) – $288,000 – CGC 6.5
- Detective Comics #29 (1939) – $276,000 – CGC 8.5
- Action Comics #10 (1939) – $258,000 – CGC 9.0
- PEP Comics #22 (1941) – $252,100 – CGC 8.0
- All-Star Comics #3 (1940) – $358,800 – CGC 9.4
- More Fun Comics #52 (1940) – $264,000 – CGC 8.5
- Action Comics #7 (1938) – $204,000 – CGC 5.5
- More Fun Comics #73 (1941) – $192,000 – CGC 6.5
- Action Comics #13 (1939) – $185,000 – CGC 9.2
- Suspense Comics #3 (1944) – $173,275 – CGC 9.0
- Archie Comics #1 (1942) – $167,300 – CGC 8.5
- More Fun Comics #55 – $136,000 – CGC 9.4
- Detective Comics #31 (1939) – $132,000 – CGC 5.0
- Detective Comics #38 (1940) – $126,500 – CGC 9.4
- Detective Comics #1 (1937) – $105,000 – CGC 5.0
