Superman may not be everybodys cup of tea, but you cant argue with history. Knowing how much your comic book is worth is very important. Super heroes all died out between 1950 and 1955 with only superman, batman and wonder woman and a few smaller ones still being published. Also, the heritage auctions archives contain high quality images of comics, so the archives are also an outstanding resource for identifying your comic books. The middle decade of the last century was not a good one for the comics industry. The premier online comics price guide free comic book values. A brief history of comic books and an overview of comic formats. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. If there are 15,000 copies of the comic in perfect condition, it is going to be less desirable than one with only 100 known copies in mint condition. This category has the following 12 subcategories, out of 12 total. Huge lot of 42 bronze age superman family comic books near full series. May 16, 2016 assuming you keep your comics in near mint condition prices for the infographic were determined assuming that comics were a 9. Comic books published between 1970 to 1985 belong to the bronze age of comics.
But the journey from comic book to screen has taken more than 50 years. Just as supply and demand work for any retail product, the less supply of a particular comic, the greater the demand. Comics price guide was the first online price guide for comic books back in 1995. The biggest jump seemed to be between 1985 and 1990. The underground cartoonists were intent on producing comic books for adults that dealt, seriously or comedically, with adult topics such as sex, religion, politics, and the drug culture, free from the restrictions that the mainstream comics industry had imposed on itself through the comics code authority. Graphic novels, comicbooks and manga that deal with historic events, whether it is to some extent fiction, documentary, biography or memoir. Spring 1940 although batman had appeared in previous comic books, this issue marks the first of the longlasting series of selftitled comics. With each pricing update we compute and show here the 100 most valuable comic books. Other genres like horror became widespread during this period, beginning the transition to the current tone and trends in comic books. See more ideas about comics, comic book covers and comic covers. Guide, available on amazon, has been published annually since 1970. The untold story was a reminder of the many wonderful prose books dedicated to the history of the comic book industry out there, telling the. Whereas comic books had generally been regarded as a medium for children, marvel and, later, dc were publishing material that would attract older readers, even adults.
With silver age 1956 1969 comic books demanding such high prices, one way of making a shrewd investment is to look for books that fall within the next age of comic books the bronze age 1970 1980. All auctions until further notice will be online and phone bidding only. Most old comics form the 1970s and older are generally around a 4. After the war, sales dropped dramatically and then continued to slide down throughout the 1950s. This period is known as the copper age of comic book collecting and encompasses one of the most volatile periods in the history of comic. We have values for any marvel, dc, image, idw, darkhorse, or dell comic book that is in your collection. An issuebyissue field guide to a pop culture phenomenon comtois, pierre, romita sr. Why my mother threw out my comic books part 1 of 3 webages by adam blatner reposted november 18, 2009 this is based on a talk given on 61209 to the summer session of the senior university georgetown. A reprinted in the kreeskrull war trade paperback, among other. Top 50 most valuable comic books of the bronze age. Using popular marvel and dc titles from the 1940s through present day from an immense collection donated to burns library by carroll school of management professor edward j. Welcome to the iguide comic book price guide iguide is proud to host the online comic book price guide by jon r.
Feb, 2020 the 2018 film black panther broken ticketsale records for its parent company marvel cinematic universe. The 70s was an decade when even the most exploitative sounding comics should end up being transcendent, when writers were free to create some of the most bizarre and amazing superhero comics. In addition to the bestresearched pricing in the hobby, youll find market reports, key sales, indepth historical information, tips on grading, and the most complete record of comic books from the 1800s to the present. Want to know what the current value of your old comic books are.
Captain america cover by darwyn cooke hardcover by robert m. Certain bronze age keys listed on the most valuable comic books page have actually fallen in value since 200810. If they dont, its a shame, because a lot of the enjoyment came from these strange little adverts directed at kids. The value of an individual comic book is dependent on its grade. The crow black panther historyblack history monthaliensiowacomic book coverscomic. The comic book market is primarily concentrated on more vintage comics, most of which were published in the 1930 s to mid1970s.
Jun 07, 2017 comic cover prices have skyrocketed over the past 30 years. Though not in the least rare, demand drives the price. A missing dust jacket, or a dust jacket that is in poor condition, can cut a collectible books value more than 50%, and make it harder to find a buyer. Oct 18, 2012 last weeks release of sean howes marvel comics. The bronze age of comic books is an informal name for a period in the history of american superhero comic books usually said to run from 1970 to 1984. Since 1970, the overstreet comic book price guide has been the definitive guide for comic collectors and dealers alike. Historical anime and manga for japanese historical comics subcategories. The period was marked with complex stories that had. Comic book secrets now has a quick free comic book values page for your use. Among the most valuable bronze age comic books is batman the first appearance of ras al. This is one of the key bronze age 1970s comic books.
Most comics that say 30c or higher on the cover are of later vintage and have limited value. Collecting the most valuable comic books of the 80s and 90s. The dust jacket is both the most decorative part of a book, and the most delicate. The 70s was an decade when even the most exploitative sounding comics should end up being transcendent, when writers were free to create some of the most bizarre and amazing superhero comics of alltime.
Judgment calls are great, but not necessarily comprehensive. These copies are hard to find and most now reside in personal collections around the world. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. A comic book or comicbook, also called comic magazine or simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. Comic cover prices have skyrocketed over the past 30 years. This was one of the most soughtafter books from rai, one of the most famous characters of the decade, and a strong contender for the ten most important comic books of the decade. When jack kirby returned to marvel in the mid70s, he offered the eternals from his.
The valuable ones will have 10c, 12c, 15c, 20c, or 25c on the cover. There are many top lists out there covering important or key comics from the 1970s, but the ones ive seen are all either based upon individual judgment calls or the high sale prices observed in the marketplace. Spring 1940 although batman had appeared in previous comic books, this issue marks the first. Feb, 2014 using popular marvel and dc titles from the 1940s through present day from an immense collection donated to burns library by carroll school of management professor edward j.
The series, very appreciated also for its historical accuracy, is interrupted after less than a year by the authors death. The easiest way to determine if your comics fall into the good category is by looking at the cover price. Although the stated goal of uncle anant pai was to educate children about indian history, these comic books quickly became a cultural phenomenon, selling over 90 million copies, and coveted for their kitsch and nostalgic value. Movies are sending some comics values skyrocketing. Take advantage of our high resolution images and videos to place bids up until the live event, and then continue to bid during the heritage live auction event, including live streaming audio and video. Almost all comic books have the retail cover price at the time of publication on the cover.
Kane the students examine a range of cultural themes and trends in comic books reflecting major historical events and societal trends of those decades. The list of the most valuable bronze age comic books. These are the most actively sold comics over the past couple months. From our humble beginnings, we have grown to the largest, most complete comic book price guide with well over 1,000,000 comics in our database. Clearly, some of these items may not, and probably do not exist in that grade. If youve been collecting comic books since you were a kid, now is the time to list. Get the best deals on superman bronze age comics 1970 1983. The guide to comics, where he was at the helm from 19932003. Weve been selling comics since 1961 our first sale. Six values are listed here for each issue number based on the following grading criteria. List of important comics from the 1970s rare comics. Historical significance may be the most important factor in comic book value, says.
From may to september, marvel debuts their giantsize series, mostly double or triplelength comics featuring their most popular characters. Babyboomers in the 1970s made comic books of the 1930s and 1940s extremely valuable. The vast majority of comics from the 1980s and later have little, if any, value today. Most hard cover books published since the early 20th century were sold with a dust jacket.
It follows the silver age of comic books, and is followed by the modern age of comic books the bronze age retained many of the conventions of the silver age, with traditional superhero titles remaining the mainstay of the industry. Twelve reproducible comic books with activities guaranteed to get kids excited about key events and people in american history funnybone books 0078073466054. Gocollect can now put you in touch with highly respected buyers and sellers in the comic book industry. Sep, 2016 with silver age 1956 1969 comic books demanding such high prices, one way of making a shrewd investment is to look for books that fall within the next age of comic books the bronze age 1970 1980. Assuming you keep your comics in near mint condition prices for the infographic were determined assuming that comics were a 9. Ive also posted more lists of key comic books by year including other decades.
Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. The worlds most valuable childrens books do you have one. It walks you through finding comic book values and prices and helps you decide the best method for your situation. A written by denny oneil, drawn by neal adams, inked by dick giordano. This is the third article in our series, following from most valuable golden age comics and most valuable silver age comics here are the key issues to look for when youre at garage sales yes, they do turn up.
Jan, 2017 with that caveat stated, without further ado, here is a list of 50 important comics from the 1970s. Cover may have missing pieces, creases, folds, and discoloration. There were some important books released during this period with some important characters making their debuts and also the subject matter. There were some important books released during this period with some important characters making their debuts and also the subject matter of comics was. Enter a new era of collecting with the overstreet comic book price guide. With that caveat stated, without further ado, here is a list of 50. The bronze age of comic books is an informal name for a period in the history of american superhero comic books usually said to run from 1970. A look at comic prices and price inflation over the years.
May 18, 20 comic art from the swingin, far out 70s. Score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it. Today i want to give you few free resources to help find the true value of your comic books. Subsequently, jon became senior price guide editor for wizard. First, a brief history of comic books from their origins to the late 1940s. Apr 10, 2020 the supply of particular old comic books is important to figuring value as well.
Comic book secrets the insider guide to comic book. The overstreet comic book price guide 45th edition for 20152016 is now available for download. Classic skull cover, one of the most valuable horror comic. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and written narrative, usually, dialog contained in word balloons emblematic of the comics art form. The first such comics included the anthology series star reach, published by comic book writer mike friedrich from 1974 to 1979, and harvey pekars american splendor, which continued sporadic publication into the 21st century and which shari. You can get the price guide here the overstreet guide is the most comprehensive research tool for comic book fans from novice to advanced and with the digital guide all the information is at your fingertips on your computer. If you discover one then its the equivalent of bilbo baggins finding gollums ring in the depths of the. It walks you through finding comic book values and prices and. Warren was creator of the overstreet update and editor of it for 10 years 19821992.
The period was marked with complex stories that had more realistic character conflicts, as well as some moral ambiguity. Heres how much your vintage comics are now worth mashable. A reprinted in the greatest batman stories ever told original edition, 1988. A feeding frenzy in the midtolate2000s lead to a glut of cgcgraded near mintmint copies coming to market. Celebrate the landmark 40th edition of the comic collectors bible. Moreover, creators such as lee, kirby, oneil, and adams were demonstrating that comic books, including those in the superhero genre, could be used as a medium of personal. Its been so long since ive opened up a new comic book, i dont even know if they still run ads anymore. Comic book value guide how to value your comics in 3 easy steps. The supply of particular old comic books is important to figuring value as well.
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