Countdown of iconic issues associated with the number. Have a safe and happy New Year's Eve... ...and wishing you a great 2026!
Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.
Amazing Spider-Man #50
Marvel
•
1967
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Kingpin, Wilson Fisk
Story includes the iconic interior panel of Peter Parker walking away from his Spider-Man suit that is discarded in a garbage can
1st appearance of the Kingpin, Wilson Fisk
Story includes the iconic interior panel of Peter Parker walking away from his Spider-Man suit that is discarded in a garbage can
Startling Comics #49
Pines
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Iconic cover art by Alex Schomburg
This robot is speculated to have been the inspiration for Futurama's Bender, a theory unconfirmed by series creator Matt Groening
💰Top Sale: 9.6 sold for $132,000 in 2021
Iconic cover art by Alex Schomburg
This robot is speculated to have been the inspiration for Futurama's Bender, a theory unconfirmed by series creator Matt Groening
💰Top Sale: 9.6 sold for $132,000 in 2021
Fantastic Four #48
Marvel
•
1966
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Silver Surfer
1st cameo appearance of Galactus
1st appearance of Silver Surfer
1st cameo appearance of Galactus
DC Comics Presents #47
DC
•
1982
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of He-Man in standard comic book format
1st appearance of Skeletor in standard comic book format
1st appearance of Man-at-Arms in standard comic book format
[2024 - Masters of the Universe to premiere June 5, 2026 / Jared Leto cast as Skeletor / Nicholas Galitzine cast as He-Man / Idris Elba to portray Man-at-Arms]
1st appearance of He-Man in standard comic book format
1st appearance of Skeletor in standard comic book format
1st appearance of Man-at-Arms in standard comic book format
[2024 - Masters of the Universe to premiere June 5, 2026 / Jared Leto cast as Skeletor / Nicholas Galitzine cast as He-Man / Idris Elba to portray Man-at-Arms]
Summer Love #46
Charlton
•
1965
•
Vol. 1
Cover appearance of The Beatles
Interior story titled 'The Beatles Were My Downfall' about a girl obsessed with Ringo Starr
Premiere issue of Summer Love, one of two series that split off from the title 'Brides of Love'
Cover appearance of The Beatles
Interior story titled 'The Beatles Were My Downfall' about a girl obsessed with Ringo Starr
Premiere issue of Summer Love, one of two series that split off from the title 'Brides of Love'
Variant cover art by Skottie Young
'Run the Jewels' edition
Tales of the Teen Titans #44
DC
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Dick Grayson becomes Nightwing, formerly Robin
Joseph adopts the name Jericho
Origin of Deathstroke and Jericho
Dick Grayson becomes Nightwing, formerly Robin
Joseph adopts the name Jericho
Origin of Deathstroke and Jericho
Weekly Shonen Jump #43
Shueisha
•
1999
•
Vol. 1
First chapter of Naruto, serialized in Shonen Jump
Prototype of the Naruto universe was published in Akamaru Jump in 1997
[February 2024 - a Naruto movie is in development with Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi) attached to direct]
First chapter of Naruto, serialized in Shonen Jump
Prototype of the Naruto universe was published in Akamaru Jump in 1997
[February 2024 - a Naruto movie is in development with Destin Daniel Cretton (Shang-Chi) attached to direct]
Star Wars #42
Marvel
•
1980
•
Vol. 1
Standard-sized comic book appearances:
1st appearance of Boba Fett, a bounty hunter
1st cameo appearance of Dengar, Bossk, IG-88 and Zuckuss - bounty hunters
1st cameo appearance of Emperor Palpatine aka Darth Sidious
Debut of Slave I, a pursuit craft
Reprinted from Marvel Comics Super Special Magazine, adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back
Standard-sized comic book appearances:
1st appearance of Boba Fett, a bounty hunter
1st cameo appearance of Dengar, Bossk, IG-88 and Zuckuss - bounty hunters
1st cameo appearance of Emperor Palpatine aka Darth Sidious
Debut of Slave I, a pursuit craft
Reprinted from Marvel Comics Super Special Magazine, adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back
Teen-Age Romances #41
St. John
•
1955
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Matt Baker
Fightin' Five #40
Charlton
•
1966
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Peacemaker
Tales of Suspense #39
Marvel
•
1963
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Iron Man
Debut of Iron Man's 'Model 1' armor
1st appearance of Wong-Chu, a Viet Cong warlord and Iron Man's first enemy
1st appearance of Iron Man
Debut of Iron Man's 'Model 1' armor
1st appearance of Wong-Chu, a Viet Cong warlord and Iron Man's first enemy
Akira #38
Epic
•
1996
•
Vol. 1
Final issue
Saga of the Swamp Thing #37
DC
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of John Constantine, Hellblazer
[September 2022 - Warner Bros. announced Keanu Reeves will reprise the role of Constantine in a sequel film]
1st appearance of John Constantine, Hellblazer
[September 2022 - Warner Bros. announced Keanu Reeves will reprise the role of Constantine in a sequel film]
Amazing Spider-Man #36
Marvel
•
2001
•
Vol. 2
September 11th, 2001 tribute issue depicting various Marvel teams and characters working alongside emergency services as New York native, Spider-Man narrates the experience
September 11th, 2001 tribute issue depicting various Marvel teams and characters working alongside emergency services as New York native, Spider-Man narrates the experience
Variant cover art by Kris Anka
Weekly Shonen Jump #34
Shueisha
•
1997
•
Vol. 1
First serialized 'One Piece' story
1st appearance of Monkey D. Luffy
First serialized 'One Piece' story
1st appearance of Monkey D. Luffy
Space Adventures #33
Charlton
•
1960
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Captain Atom
Werewolf By Night #32
Marvel
•
1975
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Moon Knight
Amazing Spider-Man #31
Marvel
•
1965
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Gwen Stacy
1st appearance of Harry Osborn
1st appearance of Miles Warren, later becomes the Jackal
First time Doctor Octopus is referred to as the Master Planner
First use of the word 'Thwip' when activating Spider-Man's web-shooters
1st appearance of Gwen Stacy
1st appearance of Harry Osborn
1st appearance of Miles Warren, later becomes the Jackal
First time Doctor Octopus is referred to as the Master Planner
First use of the word 'Thwip' when activating Spider-Man's web-shooters
Tim Holt #30
Magazine Enterprises
•
1952
•
Vol. 1
In 1970, a San Francisco reporter received a Halloween greeting card from the real-life Zodiac serial killer with the words "by fire, by gun, by knife, by rope”
Later, a comic collector noticed the wording was eerily similar to 1952’s “Death Wheel" on the cover of this book
In 1970, a San Francisco reporter received a Halloween greeting card from the real-life Zodiac serial killer with the words "by fire, by gun, by knife, by rope”
Later, a comic collector noticed the wording was eerily similar to 1952’s “Death Wheel" on the cover of this book
Weird Science-Fantasy #29
EC
•
1955
•
Vol. 1
Iconic cover art by Frank Frazetta
Brave and the Bold, The #28
DC
•
1960
•
Vol. 1
1st team appearance of the Justice League of America: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman
1st appearance of Starro the Conqueror
1st team appearance of the Justice League of America: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman
1st appearance of Starro the Conqueror
Tales to Astonish #27
Marvel
•
1962
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Hank Pym, later becomes Ant-Man, Goliath, Giant-Man and Yellowjacket
1st appearance and origin of Hank Pym, later becomes Ant-Man, Goliath, Giant-Man and Yellowjacket
DC Comics Presents #26
DC
•
1980
•
Vol. 1
1st team appearance of the new Teen Titans: Robin, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash, Cyborg, Raven, Beast Boy, Starfire
1st appearance of Raven
1st appearance of Cyborg
1st appearance of Starfire
Beast Boy becomes Changeling
1st team appearance of the new Teen Titans: Robin, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash, Cyborg, Raven, Beast Boy, Starfire
1st appearance of Raven
1st appearance of Cyborg
1st appearance of Starfire
Beast Boy becomes Changeling
Brave and the Bold, The #25
DC
•
1959
•
Vol. 1
1st team appearance of the Suicide Squad: Rick Flag, Jess Bright, Karin Grace, Hugh Evans
The first iteration of the Suicide Squad preceded the formation of the Justice League of America by three issues
1st team appearance of the Suicide Squad: Rick Flag, Jess Bright, Karin Grace, Hugh Evans
The first iteration of the Suicide Squad preceded the formation of the Justice League of America by three issues
Young Magazine #24
Young Magazine
•
1982
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Akira in a Manga magazine
Value unknown
Action Comics #23
DC
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
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
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
Showcase #22
DC
•
1959
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Hal Jordan as Green Lantern
1st appearance Carol Ferris, later becomes the second Star Sapphire
1st appearance and death of Abin Sur, an alien who gave Hal his ring as he died
First mention of the Green Lantern Corps
[January 2023 - Hal Jordan and John Stewart will lead a new Green Lantern TV series inspired by True Detective]
1st appearance and origin of Hal Jordan as Green Lantern
1st appearance Carol Ferris, later becomes the second Star Sapphire
1st appearance and death of Abin Sur, an alien who gave Hal his ring as he died
First mention of the Green Lantern Corps
[January 2023 - Hal Jordan and John Stewart will lead a new Green Lantern TV series inspired by True Detective]
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #21
Marvel
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Storm Shadow, a former ally of Snake Eyes and the Young Master of the Arashikage Clan
Solo story featuring Snake-Eyes, told without any text or dialogue
1st appearance of Storm Shadow, a former ally of Snake Eyes and the Young Master of the Arashikage Clan
Solo story featuring Snake-Eyes, told without any text or dialogue
Crime Suspenstories #20
EC
•
1953
•
Vol. 1
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority
Invincible #19
Image
•
2004
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Battle Beast
1st appearance of Magnattack
1st appearance of Magmaniac
1st appearance of Tether Tyrant
Copies ordered by retailers: 9,660
1st appearance of Battle Beast
1st appearance of Magnattack
1st appearance of Magmaniac
1st appearance of Tether Tyrant
Copies ordered by retailers: 9,660
Captain Marvel Adventures #18
Fawcett
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Mary Marvel
1st appearance of the Marvel Family together in one issue: Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr.
1st appearance and origin of Mary Marvel
1st appearance of the Marvel Family together in one issue: Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr.
Phantom Lady #17
Fox
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Matt Baker
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham writes of the cover art, 'sexual stimulation by combining headlights with the sadist's dream of tying up a woman' - headlights a reference to her breasts
💰Top Sale: 9.6 sold for $456,000 in 2021
Cover art by Matt Baker
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham writes of the cover art, 'sexual stimulation by combining headlights with the sadist's dream of tying up a woman' - headlights a reference to her breasts
💰Top Sale: 9.6 sold for $456,000 in 2021
Batman #16
DC
•
1943
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Alfred Pennyworth
Amazing Fantasy #15
Marvel
•
1962
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Spider-Man
1st appearance and death of Uncle Ben
1st appearance of Aunt May
1st appearance of Flash Thompson
1st appearance of Liz Allan, later marries Harry Osborn
💰 In Sept. 2021, a 9.6 sale of $3.6 million surpassed the previous record in this grade of $1.1 million from 2011
1st appearance and origin of Spider-Man
1st appearance and death of Uncle Ben
1st appearance of Aunt May
1st appearance of Flash Thompson
1st appearance of Liz Allan, later marries Harry Osborn
💰 In Sept. 2021, a 9.6 sale of $3.6 million surpassed the previous record in this grade of $1.1 million from 2011
Amazing Spider-Man #14
Marvel
•
1964
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Green Goblin
First meeting and battle of Spider-Man versus the Hulk
1st appearance of the Green Goblin
First meeting and battle of Spider-Man versus the Hulk
Error edition, green-colored Spawn on back cover - tap cover and swipe to view
Error edition, green-colored Spawn on back cover - tap cover and swipe to view
Newsstand Edition, indicated by the barcode
Startling Terror Tales #11
Star
•
1952
•
Vol. 1
Iconic cover art by L.B. Cole, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority
💰Top Sale: 6.5 sold for $33,350 in 2023
Iconic cover art by L.B. Cole, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority
💰Top Sale: 6.5 sold for $33,350 in 2023
Tomb of Dracula #10
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Blade
Four Color #9
Dell
•
1942
•
Vol. 2
First artwork on Donald Duck by Carl Barks
Avengers, The #8
Marvel
•
1964
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Kang, the original version
Newsstand Edition, indicated by the barcode
Brick Bradford #6
Pines
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Robot cover by Clarence Gray
Fantastic Four #5
Marvel
•
1962
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Doctor Doom
1st appearance of a Doombot
1st appearance and origin of Doctor Doom
1st appearance of a Doombot
Ultimate Fallout #4
Marvel
•
2011
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Miles Morales, Spider-Man from an alternate reality
Distributed in a polybag
Diamond Comics Distributors estimates 65,000 copies of the first printing were shipped
1st appearance of Miles Morales, Spider-Man from an alternate reality
Distributed in a polybag
Diamond Comics Distributors estimates 65,000 copies of the first printing were shipped
Captain America Comics #3
Marvel
•
1941
•
Vol. 1
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
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
Albedo #2
Thoughts & Images
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Usagi Yojimbo
Yojimbo is Japanese for bodyguard
An animated series set in the Usagi Yojimbo universe is in production for Netflix
1st appearance of Usagi Yojimbo
Yojimbo is Japanese for bodyguard
An animated series set in the Usagi Yojimbo universe is in production for Netflix
Action Comics #1
DC
•
1938
•
Vol. 1
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
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
Adjust Your Filters To See More Comics!
By default Key Collector searches for Standard Cover Key Issues.
Adjust the "Variants" search filter above for additional content:
- Variant Covers ([[totalVariants]])
At Key Collector, our primary focus is on unearthing those rare Standard Cover Key Issues for you. However, the world of comic collectibles is vast and varied. We want to make sure you have the tools to explore it all!