🗝 The Top 100 Key Issues from The Golden Age Comic Books published from 1934 - 1955
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Key Facts
First comic book to be sold on newsstands
Estimated print run of 35,000 copies though there is thought to be fewer than 10 still in existence and the highest graded copy is a 4.5
Key Facts
First comic book to be sold on newsstands
Estimated print run of 35,000 copies though there is thought to be fewer than 10 still in existence and the highest graded copy is a 4.5
Key Facts
1st cover appearance of Santa Claus on a standard comic book
First Christmas story in a standard comic book, a reprinted story called 'Fanny Takes Advantage of Santa' from the comic strip Simp O'Dill
Key Facts
1st cover appearance of Santa Claus on a standard comic book
First Christmas story in a standard comic book, a reprinted story called 'Fanny Takes Advantage of Santa' from the comic strip Simp O'Dill
Key Facts
1st appearance of Doctor Occult, one of the earliest superheroes in history
First artwork by Joe Shuster, co-creator of Superman
First written work by Jerry Siegel, co-creator of Superman
1st appearance of a vampire in comic books
Key Facts
1st appearance of Doctor Occult, one of the earliest superheroes in history
First artwork by Joe Shuster, co-creator of Superman
First written work by Jerry Siegel, co-creator of Superman
1st appearance of a vampire in comic books
Key Facts
1st appearance of Dick Tracy in comic books
1st appearance of Don Winslow and Terry & the Pirates
Key Facts
1st appearance of Dick Tracy in comic books
1st appearance of Don Winslow and Terry & the Pirates
Key Facts
1st appearance of Tarzan
1st appearance of Bronco Bill and Li'l Abner
Key Facts
1st appearance of Tarzan
1st appearance of Bronco Bill and Li'l Abner
Key Facts
1st appearance of Popeye in standard comics - reprinted newspaper comic strips
1st appearance of Flash Gordon in standard comics - reprinted newspaper comic strips
1st appearance of Mandrake the Magician
1st appearance of Brick Bradford
[March 2024 - a live-action Popeye movie is in development from Chernin Entertainment and King Features with screenwriter Michael Caleo (The Sopranos) attached]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Popeye in standard comics - reprinted newspaper comic strips
1st appearance of Flash Gordon in standard comics - reprinted newspaper comic strips
1st appearance of Mandrake the Magician
1st appearance of Brick Bradford
[March 2024 - a live-action Popeye movie is in development from Chernin Entertainment and King Features with screenwriter Michael Caleo (The Sopranos) attached]
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Clock, simultaneously released with Funny Pages #6
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Clock, simultaneously released with Funny Pages #6
Key Facts
1st appearance of The Phantom, Kit Walker, in a standard comic book
Key Facts
1st appearance of The Phantom, Kit Walker, in a standard comic book
Key Facts
1st appearance of Superman
1st appearance of Lois Lane
1st appearance of Zatara, Zatanna's father
1st appearance of Tex Thompson, later becomes Mr. America
🌎 Currently holds the world record for the highest comic sale in history after a 9.0 copy from the collection of Nicolas Cage sold for $15 million dollars in December 2025
💰 In June 2024, an 8.5 Kansas City Pedigree sold for $6,000,000
Key Facts
1st appearance of Superman
1st appearance of Lois Lane
1st appearance of Zatara, Zatanna's father
1st appearance of Tex Thompson, later becomes Mr. America
🌎 Currently holds the world record for the highest comic sale in history after a 9.0 copy from the collection of Nicolas Cage sold for $15 million dollars in December 2025
💰 In June 2024, an 8.5 Kansas City Pedigree sold for $6,000,000
Key Facts
First professionally published interior art by Jack Kirby, as Jack Curtiss
1st appearance of Sheena Queen of the Jungle
First adaptation of the Count of Monte Cristo in a U.S. publication - reprinted from Wags (UK, 1938)
Key Facts
First professionally published interior art by Jack Kirby, as Jack Curtiss
1st appearance of Sheena Queen of the Jungle
First adaptation of the Count of Monte Cristo in a U.S. publication - reprinted from Wags (UK, 1938)
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Crimson Avenger
1st appearance Wing, the Crimson Avenger's sidekick
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Crimson Avenger
1st appearance Wing, the Crimson Avenger's sidekick
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Lone Ranger in a standard Golden Age-sized comic
1st western comic book featuring a single character
Promotional mail-in offer for an ice cream cone company
Stories adapted from Lone Ranger and His Horse Silver, published by Big Little Books
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Lone Ranger in a standard Golden Age-sized comic
1st western comic book featuring a single character
Promotional mail-in offer for an ice cream cone company
Stories adapted from Lone Ranger and His Horse Silver, published by Big Little Books
Key Facts
1st appearance of John Carter Warlord of Mars in a standard comic book
Adaptation of 'A Princess of Mars' by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Key Facts
1st appearance of John Carter Warlord of Mars in a standard comic book
Adaptation of 'A Princess of Mars' by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Namor the Sub-Mariner
1st appearance of American Ace
1st appearance of the Holy One, later known as Thakorr, a former ruler of Atlantis
Only nine copies are known to exist
This comic was intended to be a giveaway at movie theaters but it never went into full production
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Namor the Sub-Mariner
1st appearance of American Ace
1st appearance of the Holy One, later known as Thakorr, a former ruler of Atlantis
Only nine copies are known to exist
This comic was intended to be a giveaway at movie theaters but it never went into full production
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Sandman, Wesley Dodds, a businessman who operated as a vigilante with a gas gun capable of putting enemies to sleep
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Sandman, Wesley Dodds, a businessman who operated as a vigilante with a gas gun capable of putting enemies to sleep
Key Facts
1st appearance of Batman
1st appearance of Commissioner Gordon
💰 Detective Comics #27 has sold for over one million dollars 6x with a record high sale in 6.5 for $1.8 million (April 2024)
Key Facts
1st appearance of Batman
1st appearance of Commissioner Gordon
💰 Detective Comics #27 has sold for over one million dollars 6x with a record high sale in 6.5 for $1.8 million (April 2024)
Key Facts
Premiere issue of headlining Superman title
Origin of Superman
1st appearance of Ma and Pa Kent - Superman was first said to be found by a passing motorist in Action Comics #1
First pin-up poster in comics, back cover
2nd and 3rd printings exist
💰 8.0 Edgar Church Pedigree sold for $5.3 million dollars in Jan 2022
💰 9.0 sold for $9.12 million dollars in November 2025
💰8.5 Edgar Church Pedigree sold for $7 million dollars in Feb 2026
Key Facts
Premiere issue of headlining Superman title
Origin of Superman
1st appearance of Ma and Pa Kent - Superman was first said to be found by a passing motorist in Action Comics #1
First pin-up poster in comics, back cover
2nd and 3rd printings exist
💰 8.0 Edgar Church Pedigree sold for $5.3 million dollars in Jan 2022
💰 9.0 sold for $9.12 million dollars in November 2025
💰8.5 Edgar Church Pedigree sold for $7 million dollars in Feb 2026
Key Facts
1st appearance of Blue Beetle, Dan Garrett, not in traditional costume but in a suit and fedora
1st appearance of Green Mask
1st appearance of Rex Dexter of Mars and Zanzibar the Magician
Key Facts
1st appearance of Blue Beetle, Dan Garrett, not in traditional costume but in a suit and fedora
1st appearance of Green Mask
1st appearance of Rex Dexter of Mars and Zanzibar the Magician
Key Facts
1st appearance of The Monk, Batman's first costumed enemy
1st appearance of Julie Madison, Bruce Wayne's girlfriend
5th appearance of Batman
Debut of the Batgyro, an airborn vehicle later replaced by the Batplane
Debut of the Batarang
Stories take place in New York City
Key Facts
1st appearance of The Monk, Batman's first costumed enemy
1st appearance of Julie Madison, Bruce Wayne's girlfriend
5th appearance of Batman
Debut of the Batgyro, an airborn vehicle later replaced by the Batplane
Debut of the Batarang
Stories take place in New York City
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Amazing Man, John Aman
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Amazing Man, John Aman
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
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
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
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
Key Facts
1st appearance of The Claw
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of the Flash, Jay Garrick
First mention of Keystone City, protected by The Flash
1st appearance and origin of Hawkman, Carter Hall
1st appearance Shiera Sanders, later becomes Hawkgirl
1st appearance of Hath-Set, the first villain of Hawkman
1st appearance of Johnny Thunder
1st appearance of Yz, Johnny Thunder's thunderbolt
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of the Flash, Jay Garrick
First mention of Keystone City, protected by The Flash
1st appearance and origin of Hawkman, Carter Hall
1st appearance Shiera Sanders, later becomes Hawkgirl
1st appearance of Hath-Set, the first villain of Hawkman
1st appearance of Johnny Thunder
1st appearance of Yz, Johnny Thunder's thunderbolt
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of the Shield, the United States' first patriotic hero
1st appearance and origin of the Comet, the first superhero character to die in the line of duty in Pep Comics #17
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of the Shield, the United States' first patriotic hero
1st appearance and origin of the Comet, the first superhero character to die in the line of duty in Pep Comics #17
Key Facts
1st full appearance and origin of The Spectre
1st appearance of The Presence, creator of The Spectre and the most powerful entity in the DC Multiverse
Key Facts
1st full appearance and origin of The Spectre
1st appearance of The Presence, creator of The Spectre and the most powerful entity in the DC Multiverse
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Captain Marvel, later renamed Shazam
1st appearance of the Wizard Shazam
1st appearance of Dr. Sivana, a scientific genius and the archenemy of Captain Marvel
1st appearance of Ibis the Invincible and Spy Smasher
1st team appearance of the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man, later renamed the Seven Deadly Sins
While not a precise swipe of Action Comics #1 artwork, this cover and other aspects of Captain Marvel led to DC (formerly National) filing a lawsuit against Fawcett for Captain Marvel too closely resembling Superman
Premiere issue of the series though the copyright notes read issue #2
There exists a scarce Ashcan edition of this issue
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Captain Marvel, later renamed Shazam
1st appearance of the Wizard Shazam
1st appearance of Dr. Sivana, a scientific genius and the archenemy of Captain Marvel
1st appearance of Ibis the Invincible and Spy Smasher
1st team appearance of the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man, later renamed the Seven Deadly Sins
While not a precise swipe of Action Comics #1 artwork, this cover and other aspects of Captain Marvel led to DC (formerly National) filing a lawsuit against Fawcett for Captain Marvel too closely resembling Superman
Premiere issue of the series though the copyright notes read issue #2
There exists a scarce Ashcan edition of this issue
Key Facts
1st appearance of Donald Duck in a standard size comic book
Key Facts
1st appearance of Donald Duck in a standard size comic book
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Shadow in a standard comic book
1st appearance of Doc Savage in a standard comic book
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Shadow in a standard comic book
1st appearance of Doc Savage in a standard comic book
Key Facts
1st appearance of Lex Luthor, depicted with red hair
1st appearance of Black Pirate, an adventurer who later appeared as a ghost in present day stories
First mention of The Daily Planet
Key Facts
1st appearance of Lex Luthor, depicted with red hair
1st appearance of Black Pirate, an adventurer who later appeared as a ghost in present day stories
First mention of The Daily Planet
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Robin
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Joker
1st appearance of the Cat, Selina Kyle, later becomes Catwoman
Debut of the first Batplane which has multiple designs from one issue to the next including Batman #3 and Batman #4
💰 Batman #1 sold for over one million dollars 4x with a record-high in 9.4 for $6,000,000
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Joker
1st appearance of the Cat, Selina Kyle, later becomes Catwoman
Debut of the first Batplane which has multiple designs from one issue to the next including Batman #3 and Batman #4
💰 Batman #1 sold for over one million dollars 4x with a record-high in 9.4 for $6,000,000
Key Facts
1st appearance of Dr. Fate, Kent Nelson
Introduction of the Helmet of Fate, Amulet of Anubis, and the Cloak of Destiny
1st appearance of Wotan, an immortal sorcerer and enemy of Dr. Fate
Key Facts
1st appearance of Dr. Fate, Kent Nelson
Introduction of the Helmet of Fate, Amulet of Anubis, and the Cloak of Destiny
1st appearance of Wotan, an immortal sorcerer and enemy of Dr. Fate
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Green Lantern, Alan Scott
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Green Lantern, Alan Scott
Key Facts
Debut artwork by Jack Kirby at Timely (Marvel) Comics
1st appearance and origin of the Red Raven and the Eternal Brain
1st appearance of Mercury, later becomes Hurricane then retconned to be Makkari from Kirby’s ‘Eternals’
1st appearance of Pluto who is later retconned to become Kro from Kirby's 'Eternals'
1st appearance of Magar the Mystic
This issue is the first appearance of a number of classical mythology characters but later appearances do not connect with these versions therefore they are not considered the mainstream Marvel depictions of the Olympians
1st appearance of Mercury (Hermes), Pluto (Hades), Jupiter (Zeus), Minerva (Athena), Vulcan (Hephaestus), Aeolus, Diana (Artemis), Apollo
Key Facts
Debut artwork by Jack Kirby at Timely (Marvel) Comics
1st appearance and origin of the Red Raven and the Eternal Brain
1st appearance of Mercury, later becomes Hurricane then retconned to be Makkari from Kirby’s ‘Eternals’
1st appearance of Pluto who is later retconned to become Kro from Kirby's 'Eternals'
1st appearance of Magar the Mystic
This issue is the first appearance of a number of classical mythology characters but later appearances do not connect with these versions therefore they are not considered the mainstream Marvel depictions of the Olympians
1st appearance of Mercury (Hermes), Pluto (Hades), Jupiter (Zeus), Minerva (Athena), Vulcan (Hephaestus), Aeolus, Diana (Artemis), Apollo
Key Facts
1st appearance of Daisy Duck in an interior pin-up - her first in-story appearance occurs in the next issue
Key Facts
1st appearance of Daisy Duck in an interior pin-up - her first in-story appearance occurs in the next issue
Key Facts
1st team appearance and origin of the Justice Society of America, the first superhero team in history: Atom, Flash, Sandman, Spectre, Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Green Lantern, Hourman
3rd appearance of the Atom
Key Facts
1st team appearance and origin of the Justice Society of America, the first superhero team in history: Atom, Flash, Sandman, Spectre, Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Green Lantern, Hourman
3rd appearance of the Atom
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Captain America
[December 2025 - Chris Evans to return as Captain America in Avengers: Doomsday]
1st appearance of James Buchanan Barnes aka Bucky, later becomes the Winter Soldier
1st appearance of the Red Skull, George Maxon, an agent of the true Red Skull
1st appearance of Doctor Reinstein aka Doctor Erskine, the inventor of the Super Soldier serum
1st appearance of Hurricane, later becomes Makkari
1st appearance of Tuk the Cave Boy, first offspring of the Inhumans
Introduction of Project Rebirth, the Super Soldier Program that eventually expanded into Weapon Plus
💰 In April 2022, a 9.4 sold for $3,120,000 (San Francisco Pedigree)
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Captain America
[December 2025 - Chris Evans to return as Captain America in Avengers: Doomsday]
1st appearance of James Buchanan Barnes aka Bucky, later becomes the Winter Soldier
1st appearance of the Red Skull, George Maxon, an agent of the true Red Skull
1st appearance of Doctor Reinstein aka Doctor Erskine, the inventor of the Super Soldier serum
1st appearance of Hurricane, later becomes Makkari
1st appearance of Tuk the Cave Boy, first offspring of the Inhumans
Introduction of Project Rebirth, the Super Soldier Program that eventually expanded into Weapon Plus
💰 In April 2022, a 9.4 sold for $3,120,000 (San Francisco Pedigree)
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Dr. Mid-Nite, a surgeon who is blind in the light but can see perfectly in the dark
Hop Harrigan becomes Guardian Angel
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Dr. Mid-Nite, a surgeon who is blind in the light but can see perfectly in the dark
Hop Harrigan becomes Guardian Angel
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Starman, Ted Knight
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Starman, Ted Knight
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
2nd appearance and 1st cover of the Red Skull, George Maxon
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
2nd appearance and 1st cover of the Red Skull, George Maxon
Key Facts
1st appearance of Shiera Sanders as Hawkgirl
Key Facts
1st appearance of Shiera Sanders as Hawkgirl
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Blackhawk, a man bent on vengeance after the death of his brother and sister
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Blackhawk, a man bent on vengeance after the death of his brother and sister
Key Facts
1st appearance of Plastic Man
1st appearance of the Human Bomb
1st appearance of Firebrand
1st appearance of Phantom Lady
Key Facts
1st appearance of Plastic Man
1st appearance of the Human Bomb
1st appearance of Firebrand
1st appearance of Phantom Lady
Key Facts
1st appearance of Bugs Bunny
1st appearance of Daffy Duck
1st appearance of Elmer Fudd
1st appearance of Porky Pig
1st appearance of Sniffles and Mary Jane
1st appearance of Tom Thumb
1st appearance of Petunia Pig
1st appearance of Blabbermouse
Key Facts
1st appearance of Bugs Bunny
1st appearance of Daffy Duck
1st appearance of Elmer Fudd
1st appearance of Porky Pig
1st appearance of Sniffles and Mary Jane
1st appearance of Tom Thumb
1st appearance of Petunia Pig
1st appearance of Blabbermouse
Key Facts
First solo-titled Mickey Mouse feature in a standard comic book
Iconic cover and story "Mickey Mouse Outwits the Phantom Blot"
Key Facts
First solo-titled Mickey Mouse feature in a standard comic book
Iconic cover and story "Mickey Mouse Outwits the Phantom Blot"
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Aquaman
1st appearance of Green Arrow
1st appearance of Speedy
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Aquaman
1st appearance of Green Arrow
1st appearance of Speedy
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Penguin
[March 2022 - Colin Farrell will reprise the Penguin in an HBO Max spin-off]
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Penguin
[March 2022 - Colin Farrell will reprise the Penguin in an HBO Max spin-off]
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Captain Marvel Jr., Freddy Freeman, a boy who Billy Bastion shared his power with in order to save his life
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Captain Marvel Jr., Freddy Freeman, a boy who Billy Bastion shared his power with in order to save his life
Key Facts
1st appearance of Archie Andrews
1st appearance of Betty Cooper
1st appearance of Jughead Jones
Key Facts
1st appearance of Archie Andrews
1st appearance of Betty Cooper
1st appearance of Jughead Jones
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