Marvel History

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Marvel Comics #1

Timely ⋅ 1939

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$68k

Mid

$400k

High

$1.2M

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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

Marvel Mystery Comics #18

Timely ⋅ 1941

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$350

Mid

$1k

High

$4.2k

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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

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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$8.7k

Mid

$24k

High

$87k

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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

Mystic Comics #6

Timely ⋅ 1941

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$2.8k

Mid

$8.8k

High

$28k

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Key Facts

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

Origin of the Challenger

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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$1k

Mid

$3k

High

$10k

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Key Facts

Premiere issue of the first Marvel horror title

Title numbering continues from Sub-Mariner Comics #31

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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$730

Mid

$3.8k

High

$11.3k

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Key Facts

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

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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$260

Mid

$775

High

$4.9k

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Key Facts

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

Key Facts

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

Tales of Suspense #1

Marvel ⋅ 1959

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$500

Mid

$1.5k

High

$5k

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Key Facts

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

Key Facts

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

Fantastic Four #1

Marvel ⋅ 1961

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Low

$12k

Mid

$49.5k

High

$240k

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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

Landmark issue that launched the Marvel Age of comics

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

💰 In September 2024, a 9.6 sold for $2,040,000

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

Landmark issue that launched the Marvel Age of comics

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

💰 In September 2024, a 9.6 sold for $2,040,000

Strange Tales Annual #1

Marvel ⋅ 1962

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Low

$115

Mid

$480

High

$1.4k

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Key Facts

First annual format issue published by Marvel

Key Facts

First annual format issue published by Marvel

Fantastic Four #6

Marvel ⋅ 1962

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Low

$450

Mid

$1.3k

High

$4.5k

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Key Facts

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

2nd appearance of Doctor Doom

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

Key Facts

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

2nd appearance of Doctor Doom

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

Tales to Astonish #82

Marvel ⋅ 1966

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Low

Mid

$22

High

$90

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Key Facts

First title crossover issue with Tales of Suspense #80

Key Facts

First title crossover issue with Tales of Suspense #80

Amazing Spider-Man #100

Marvel ⋅ 1971

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Low

$20

Mid

$80

High

$200

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Key Facts

Milestone issue #100

Iconic cover art by John Romita Sr.

Key Facts

Milestone issue #100

Iconic cover art by John Romita Sr.

Silver Surfer: The Ultimate Cosmic Experience #1

Marvel ⋅ 1978

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Silver Surfer: The Ultimate Cosmic Experience #1

Marvel ⋅ 1978

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Mid

$20

High

$80

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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

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'

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

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

Marvel ⋅ 1982

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Mid

High

$15

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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

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

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

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

Key Facts

First Marvel title to reach issue #500

Key Facts

First Marvel title to reach issue #500

	Publisher	Low	Mid	High
Marvel Comics #1	Timely	$68k	$400k	$1.2M
Marvel Mystery Comics #18	Timely	$350	$1k	$4.2k
Captain America Comics #3	Marvel	$8.7k	$24k	$87k
Mystic Comics #6	Timely	$2.8k	$8.8k	$28k
Amazing Mysteries #32	Marvel	$1k	$3k	$10k
Strange Tales #1	Marvel	$730	$3.8k	$11.3k
Tales to Astonish #1	Marvel	$260	$775	$4.9k
Tales of Suspense #1	Marvel	$500	$1.5k	$5k
Fantastic Four #1	Marvel	$12k	$49.5k	$240k
Strange Tales Annual #1	Marvel	$115	$480	$1.4k
Fantastic Four #6	Marvel	$450	$1.3k	$4.5k
Tales to Astonish #82	Marvel	$7	$22	$90
Amazing Spider-Man #100	Marvel	$20	$80	$200
Silver Surfer: The Ultimate Cosmic Experience #1	Marvel	$8	$20	$80
Marvel Super Hero: Contest of Champions #1	Marvel	$2	$5	$15
Fantastic Four #500	Marvel	$1	$2	$3

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