100 Most Expensive Copper Age Comics
The Copper Age Comics 100 Most Expensive Comic Book List
FRESH UPDATE FOR 2022 PRICES
Find record sales and minimum values for Copper Age comics. That is the period from 1981 through 1991.
Why 'Copper Age'?
Collectors referred to the first period of comics as the Golden Age. Which made sense at the time. Then they needed to call the 60s revival something. They chose Silver Age.
Bronze Age... I'm on the fence about. Copper Age... Ridiculous. Why "modern age" instead of "Iron Age"? Because somebody woke up and smelled the stupid coffee. #endrant
If you missed the other episodes, use these links: Golden Age Comics | Silver Age Comics | Bronze Age Comics | Modern Age Comics
MASSIVE NEWS!
Top 100 Copper Age Comics Most Expensive Comic Book List
1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 First Printing, Origin and First Appearance of the Team, BREAKS NEW GROUND!
1.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (1984):
Origin and First Appearance, TMNT
1st printing
Record sale: $245,000 (Not a typo!)
Minimum value: $950
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See our Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comic book price guide
2022 Update: Original TMNT Comics #1 Breaks New Ground
It's long been the most expensive comic book published in the 1980s.
But the September 2021 sale of a CGC 9.8 for $245,000 sets this incredibly popular book even further apart from the rest of the field.
How to Identify the first printing of TMNT #1
The first three printings are identical from the outside. Second printing does NOT have the inside back cover ad (see below). Third printing is clearly stated in the inside cover.
The inside back cover on 1st prints has a full-page ad for another Mirage
publication, Gobbledygook #1.
2021 Update: The Next 9.8 Sale Will Be Critical
A CGC 9.8 Signature Series sold in December 2021 for just over $190,000. But the next sale of a "plain" 9.8 will reveal whether or not the market can sustain the current level.
Even if the one copy of New Mutants #98 in 10.0 comes to market, I cannot see how the #1 position might change.
This price is unprecedented! It has brought the comic book world's attention firmly to focus on what has been an era of growing interest for many years now.
2nd and 3rd printings now make the top 100! See below.
Other recent sales in lower grades:
- 9.6 $66,000
- 9.4 $46,500
- 9.2 $36,000
- 9.0 $31,200
- 8.5 $30,000
- 8.0 $24,000
- 7.0 $15,000
- 6.5 $13,300
2. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8 Joins the $30K Club!
2. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8 (1984): First Encounter Between
Symbiote and Spider-Man
Record sale: $32,250 (CGC 10.0)
$6,000 (CGC 9.9)
$840 (CGC 9.8)
Minimum value: $30
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2021 Update: Idiotic Purchase
An insane purchase during the pandemic. I guess if you can't go to restaurants, then you should spend five years of restaurant budget on a single CGC 10.0.
Ludicrous. You could own a really nice Silver Age key issue for the same price.
3. Albedo #2, 1st Usagi Yojimbo
SAMURAI RABBIT SLICES THROUGH OPPOSITION!
3. Albedo #2 (1984):
Origin
and first appearance,
Usagi Yojimbo
Record sale: $31,000
Minimum value: $450
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Samurai Rabbit Storms Up the List!
Yet another massive breakthrough for potentially the 1980s' most difficult book (even tougher than TMNT #1 in high grade).
The long-eared deadly Samurai just broke a record, with a 9.8 selling for $31,000 in May 2019. This is only the second book of the Copper Age (so far!) to break the $30K barrier.
2021 Update: Rabbit Runs Slower
Most recent sale is $19,800 (July 2020), showing that this is another book with more supply than demand at the upper grade levels.
4. Wolverine #1 1988, 1st Patch
4. Wolverine v2 #1 (1988):
1st in Series
Record sale: $17,600 (CGC 10.0)
$1,550 (CGC 9.9)
$200 (CGC 9.8)
Minimum value: $20
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Of All The Books in
All The World... Wolverine #1?
You'd have put big money on #2 being a copy of New Mutants #98. But you'd have lost.
In June 2016, somebody was crazy enough to buy the only CGC 10.0 copy of this book for more than $17,000, so it's now the fourth most expensive comic book of the 80s.
To put that into perspective, you could have bought a copy of Incredible Hulk #181 in CGC 9.8 AND a copy of New Mutants #98 in CGC 9.9 for about the same money!
2021 Update: Calm Down If You Own This Book
The only 10.0 in the census set the stupid record.
Since then, everybody with a copy of this book thinks he or she has a goldmine. Sorry to burst your bubble. I doubt if the owner will get their money back again.
If another 10.0 pops, then it halves the value of the first.
Important Note About Most Valuable
Comic Books of Copper Age
While the dreaded curse of variant covers didn't really catch on during this period (there are a couple below, but they are the exception not the rule), this is an important note about CGC 9.9 and 10.0 sales.
CGC 9.9 and 10.0 grades distort the record sale prices, but we include them for completeness. There's no doubting the headline nature of, say, Wolverine #1 from 1988 selling for $17,000.
Is that really so different from a CGC 9.8 of TMNT #1 selling for $90,000? In both cases, the only reason for the sale is their exceptional grade.
Yes, 10s and 9.9s mess with sales data, and create unrealistic expectations of value in the process. But these sales are important milestones, so we made the editorial decision to include them on this page.
7. Bone
#1 (1991):
First issue
Record sale: $13,200
Minimum value: $190
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2021 Update: Bone breaks into the top 10
This huge new record sale catapults Bone #1 into the five-figure club. This is a genuinely tough book, which we seldom see in collections.
8. New Mutants #98 (1991): First Appearance, Deadpool
Record sale: $11,700
(CGC 9.9)
$1,600 (CGC 9.8)
Minimum value: $80
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Bored collectors stuck at home during the pandemic have driven 9.8s briefly over $2,000!
I told myself that it wouldn't last. I was right. Most recent sale was $1,600.
Spotlight on Canadian Price Variants
This growing area of the hobby focuses on the variant prices printed on comics to be distributed in Canada. Some border cities in the US (Chicago, Minneapolis for example) also received these books on newsstands.
Estimates are they make up 5 percent or less of the total print runs. See our dedicated Canadian Price Variants Comic Book Price Guide here.
10. Batman the Killing Joke (1988):
Joker Origin Retold; Paralyzes Barbara Gordon
Record sale: $7,400 (CGC 10.0)
$1,680 (CGC 9.9)
$220 (CGC 9.8)
Minimum value:
$20
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2021 Update: Money to burn?
Another stupid purchase of a CGC 10.0 means this book is ludicrously high up the top 100 most valuable comic books of the Copper age.
$7,400 would buy you a very, very respectable copy of Avengers #1. FFS.
Most Expensive Copper Age Comics #11 - #20
11. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (2nd Printing)
Record sale: $6,750
Minimum value: $100
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2021 Update: 2nd printing is the poor man's 1st printing
It's a sign of how Hot TMNT #1 has become that the 2nd printing is now this high up the list of most valuable comic books of the 1980s!
NEW ENTRY! Raphael #1: TMNT One-Shot Spin-Off (1985)
1st printing; 1st Casey Jones
Record Sale: $6,100
Minimum Value: $50
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12. Amazing Spider-Man
#252 (1984):
First Appearance, Symbiote (Black Spider-Man Suit)
Regular edition
Record sale: $6,000 (CGC 9.9)
$895 (CGC 9.8)
Minimum value: $10
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What is the TRUE 1st Appearance of the Symbiote?
While ASM #252 gets all the attention and the love, there are two other simultaneous first appearances which appear lower down on the 1980s most expensive comic book list.
- Spectacular Spider-Man #90
- Marvel Team-Up #141
ASM #252 is the most expensive comic book of the three largely because of the cool cover, and the fact that there are more
Amazing Spider-Man collectors out there.
There is also an expensive Canadian price variant and a newsstand variant (see below).
13. Gobbledygook #1 (1984):
Rare Eastman and Laird Book, Photocopied and Stapled;
Forgeries are Common
Record sale: $71,400
Minimum value: $5,000
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A super-rare and mysterious book that will, in time, become far more valuable. IF you can find one...
14. Daredevil #181 (1981):
Death of Elektra
Record sale: $5,760 (CGC 9.9)
$160 (CGC 9.8)
Minimum value: $5
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Another idiotic place to put nearly $6K.
15. Amazing Spider-Man #316 (1989):
Classic McFarlane Venom Cover
Record sale: $5,000 (CGC 9.9)
$660 (CGC 9.8)
Minimum value: $10
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16. Superman
(1988):
"This Island Bradman", Private Commission by Bradman for son's Bar Mitzvah
Record sale: $5,000
Minimum value: $100
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17. Vampirella #113 (1988):
Rare Final Issue; most returns were
reported to be destroyed
Record sale: $4,000
Minimum value: $30
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What are Newsstand Variants?
We have a dedicated page for Newsstand Variant Comic Book Prices.
20. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (3rd Printing)
Record sale: $4,200
Minimum value: $120
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The 3rd printing is now in the top 20!! Amazing.
21. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2
(1984): 2nd Appearance of Turtles
First printing
Record sale: $4,880
Minimum value: $30
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22. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3 (1985):
Rare "Laird's Photo" Comic Con Variant
Record sale: $25,000
Minimum value: $100
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25. Primer
#2 (1982):
First appearance, Grendel
Record sale: $3,200
Minimum value: $40
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26. Captain America Annual #8 (1986):
First Cap vs Wolverine; 1st Appearance
of Tess-One and Overrider
Record sale: $3,100
Minimum value: $10
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Another one-off crazy sale that will probably never be repeated.
28. Star Wars #42
1st Boba Fett in comics
Regular edition
Record Sale: $4,500
Minimum Value: 30
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29. Amazing Spider-Man #238
(1983):
First appearance, Hobgoblin
Regular edition
Record sale: $2,700 (CGC 9.9)
$1,800 (CGC 9.8)
Minimum value: $40
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See our Amazing Spider-Man Price Guide
New Mutants #98
First appearance of Deadpool
Newsstand Variant
Record Sale: $11,700
Minimum Value: $70
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30. The
Transformers #1 (1984):
Origin and First Appearance, The Transformers
Canadian Price Variant
Record sale: $3,400
Minimum value: $30
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Read our Transformers Comic Price Guide
32. Miracleman #1 Gold Edition
(August 1985): First Appearance, Miracleman
Record sale: $2,200
Minimum value: $20
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There is a lot of uncertainty about this special edition, with prices all over the place and no close repeat of the record sale for a long time.
33. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3 (1985):
1st printing
Record sale: $1,450
Minimum value: $40
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36.
Batman #386 (1985):
1st Appearance of Black Mask
Canadian Price Variant
Record sale: $2,030
Minimum value: $20
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NEW ENTRY! Cry For Dawn #5 (1991)
Second Printing
Record Sale: $2,000
Minimum Value: $20
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41. Incredible Hulk #377
(1991):
Rare Third Printing
Record sale: $1,900
Minimum value: $10
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Only the third printing appears on the Copper Age comics list. The first and second printings of this book are not valuable.
The books are easy to identify, with totally different color covers and prices.
Most recent sales:
- 1st printing $95
- 2nd printing $150
44. Aliens #1 (1988):
1st Solo Aliens Comic; classic Copper Age comics
movie tie-in
Record sale: $2,370
Minimum value: $10
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Hellblazer Blazing the TV Trail
The announcement of a TV deal for Hellblazer has cemented John Constantine's first full appearance on the Copper Age comics top list.
You might want to snap up a copy of Saga of the Swamp Thing #25, which reportedly has a cameo of the character.
46. The Transformers #1 (1984):
Origin and First Appearance, The
Transformers
Regular edition
Record sale: $3,400
Minimum value: $20
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Newsstand variants are becoming big news in Copper Age comics collecting.
48. Love and Rockets #1 (1981):
Rare Self-Published Indie Comic; one of the rarest Copper Age comics
Record sale: $1,550
Minimum value: $400
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49.
DC Comics presents #47 (1982):
1st Appearance of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
Regular edition
Record sale: $1,740
Minimum value: $20
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50. Star Wars
#68
2nd appearance of Boba Fett in comics
Canadian Price Variant
Record Sale: $5,280
Minimum Value: $40
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Most Valuable Copper Age Comics (1980s) #51 - #75
51. The Crow #3 (1989)
First printing
Record Sale: $1,500
Minimum Value: $30
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53. Evil Ernie #1
1st
Evil Ernie and Lady Death
Record Sale: $1,440
Minimum Value: $100
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55. Amazing Spider-Man #265
First Silver Sable
Record Sale: $1,330 (CGC 9.9)
$280 (CGC 9.8)
Minimum Value: $10
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56. Teenage Mutant
Ninja Turtles #4 (1985):
1st printing
Record sale: $1,830
Minimum value: $40
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59. Amazing Spider-Man #239 (1983):
First Spidey vs Hobgoblin Battle
Regular edition
Record sale: $1,250 (CGC 9.9)
$330 (CGC 9.8)
Minimum value: $10
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60.
Marvel Team-Up #141:
Ties for First Symbiote
Canadian Price Variant
Record Sale: $1,220
Minimum Value: $30
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62. The Crow
#2
1st printing
Record Sale: $1,230
Minimum Value: $40
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All Four Crow issues are now on the Copper Age Comics top list.
65. Incredible Hulk #340 (1988):
McFarlane Wolverine Cover; one of the iconic Copper Age comics covers
Record sale: $3,400
Minimum value: $20
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Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8
(1984):
Canadian Price Variant
Record sale: $16,800
Minimum value: $10
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68. X-Factor #6 (1986):
First Appearance, Apocalypse
Canadian Price Variant
Record sale: $1,050
Minimum value: $30
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69. Sonic the Hedgehog
Promotional Supplement #1 (1991)
Rare giveaway
Record Sale: $850 (CGC 9.9)
$110 (CGC 9.8)
Minimum Value: $100
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70. Thor #337 (1983):
First Appearance of Beta Ray Bill
Canadian Price Variant
Record sale: $2,950
Minimum value: $20
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Don't Miss the Most Valuable Modern Comic Books!
71. Amazing Spider-Man #239 (1983):
Canadian Price Variant
Record sale: $1,250
Minimum value: $20
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74.
Sandman #8 (1989):
1st Appearance of Death
Regular edition
Record sale: $4,560
Minimum value: $10
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Most Valuable Copper Age Comics #76 - #100
Watchmen #1 (1986)
A classic Copper Age comics series
Record Sale: $1,380
Minimum Value: $20
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78. Marvel Super Heroes
Secret Wars #1
Record Sale: $1,500 (CGC 9.9)
$275 (CGC 9.8)
Minimum Value: $10
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79. X-Factor #6 (1986):
First Appearance, Apocalypse
Newsstand Variant
Record sale: $1,050
Minimum value: $30
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80. Batman
#359
Canadian Price Variant
Record Sale: $680
Minimum Value: $20
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83. X-Force #2 (1991):
2nd Appearance of Deadpool
Record sale: $660 (CGC 9.9)
$80 (CGC 9.8)
Minimum value: $20
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86. The Crow #4
(1989)
1st printing
Record Sale: $620
Minimum Value: $40
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89. Marvel Team-Up #141
Ties for First Symbiote
Regular edition
Record Sale: $1,220
Minimum Value: $30
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92. Sonic the Hedgehog #1
(1991):
Rare, 1st Appearance Sega
Record sale: $1,000
Minimum value: $60
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See our Video Game Comics price guide
93. G. I. Joe #21 (1984):
First Appearance of Storm Shadow; So-called "Silent Issue"
Canadian Price Variant
Record sale: $3,000
Minimum value: $80
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96. G. I.
Joe #21 (1984):
First Appearance of Storm Shadow; So-called "Silent Issue"
2nd Printing
Record sale: $3,000
Minimum value: $80
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97. Batman #428 (1989):
A Death in the Family Pt. 3, Robin Dies; Classic Copper Age comics story arc
Record sale: $450
Minimum value: $20
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98. Punisher #1
(1986):
First Solo Comic Appearance
Canadian Price Variant
Record sale: $940
Minimum value: $10
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Read our Punisher Comic Price Guide
99. Batman #357 (1983):
1st Appearance of Jason Todd and Killer Croc
Canadian Price Variant
Record sale: $1,750
Minimum value: $50
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100. X-Factor #6
(1986):
First Appearance, Apocalypse
Regular edition
Record sale: $1,050
Minimum value: $20
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Most Valuable Copper Age Comics:
Books Which ALMOST Made The List
101. Silver Surfer v3 #44 (1990):
1st Appearance of Infinity Gauntlet
Record sale: $410
Minimum value: $20
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104. Tales of the
Teen Titans #44 (1984):
1st Appearance of Nightwing
Record sale: $850
Minimum value: $30
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Sales have softened on these Copper Age comics in 9.8. The record sale of the only 9.9 is over 15 years old and will be smashed if and when it changes hands again.
105. Omega Men #3 (1983):
1st Appearance of Lobo
Record sale: $400
Minimum value: $10
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106. Batman #404
(1987):
Year One by Miller Begins
Record sale: $700
Minimum value: $10
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What Are Copper Age Comics?
The Copper Age Comics era is disputed. Some comics people would dismiss it entirely, saying the Modern Age begins as the Bronze Age ends.
For those who buy in, we can say that it begins with Marvel's Secret Wars and DC's Crisis, and ends with the mass defection of Marvel staff to Image Comics.
So, let us say the Copper Age runs from 1981, 82, 83, 84 or 85 to 1991 or 1992. For the purposes of this article, we'll call it 1981 to 1991.
The prices on the most expensive Copper Age comics list is influenced by 80s kids in the workplace, now able to afford to indulge in their nostalgia.
Speculators are also driving up prices of the most expensive Copper Age comics, as 60s and 70s books become unaffordable for many.
Don't Miss the Most Valuable Modern Comic Books!
Most Valuable Comic Books From Other Eras
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