Given the recent surge in superhero movies, comic collecting is making waves across the world. Comic book and graphic novel sales reached new heights (approximately $1.28 billion in 2020) during the pandemic, as per a joint estimate by ICv2 and Comichron.
Needless to say, it’s a great time to be a comic book connoisseur. But if you’re planning to make money off your graded comics library, you’ll have to invest in a few highly prized collectibles. With these classics in your stash, you’re more likely to get a bigger bang for your buck.
So, before you raid your go-to online graded comic books store for some fancy souvenirs, check out these ten crucial comics that are worth their weight in gold.
Batman
What’s a DC fan without a few Batman comics in their arsenal? As one of the most iconic superheroes of the modern era, the Dark Knight is a moneymaker for comic book collectors. Featuring a troubled hero, a trusted advisor, a young sidekick, and a whole volley of villains (all developed by a star cast of artists), each issue of Batman teaches lessons of bravery, justice, and vengeance.
Thanks to the character’s popularity, a few graded comic books with Batman on the cover can easily bring you thousands of dollars.
Detective Comics
When it comes to graded comics, you can hardly go wrong with the Detective Comics series. Based on the character on the cover, the CGC grade, and the edition, a Detective Comics issue can earn hefty payoffs with ease. For example, Detective Comics #27 (starring Gotham’s caped crusader for the first time) was recently sold for an astounding $1.5 million at a public auction.
Fantastic Four
If you manage to get your hands on a high-grade Fantastic Four comic, you’re in for a treat. Marvel’s original superhero family, including Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and The Thing, has provided fans with some of their earliest memories of superhero escapades. Plus, being one of the original creations of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, these comics hold quite a bit of collective value.
The Amazing Spider-Man
Spider-Man is probably one of the most popular characters in the graded comic books community. And, given his boyish charm and quick wit, it’s easy to see why. Most male superheroes are tough physical specimens (not to mention, aggressive), but Spider-Man thrives on his agility. He’s also the first teenager to be placed front and center of a superhero narrative, instead of being reduced to a sidekick.
Action Comics
Before Detective Comics brought Batman to the fore, the world had already met Superman in the Action Comics series. Debuting in 1938, the loveable alien caught everyone’s attention with a display of his strength on the cover. Since then, Superman has foiled several foes, with his one true love, Lois Lane, by his side.
Daredevil
Anyone who’s looking to make a long-term investment should put their money on Daredevil. The sheer grit of Matt Murdock’s alter-ego has always appealed to audiences, causing Daredevil #1 to feature on a list of Hot Comics for 2021. There’s definitely something about a differently abled superhero that speaks to all readers, no matter their age.
The Eternals
Jack Kirby’s Eternals are a powerful cosmic race of fictional humanoids with spectacular strengths and abilities. While Kirby’s original stint was short-lived, the series was revived in 2006 by none other than Neil Gaiman. Gaiman’s version is usually considered the most well-known Eternals comic story.
Graded comics collectors should look into the Eternals as quickly as possible. With Marvel planning to include these god-like heroes in its cinematic universe, you best believe that a high-grade copy from this series will soon fetch a small fortune.
The Avengers
It’s safe to say that comic book collecting wouldn’t be the same without the Avengers. Some of the first few editions of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s original work are incredibly rare and highly sought-after. Incidentally, these issues also sell for the highest price. So, if you have a vintage Avengers copy lying around in your study, get it slabbed and graded without delay.
X-Men
Everyone wants a piece of the world’s most powerful mutants. Perhaps this is why the Bronze Age entries in the X-Men series are getting pricier by the day. Even as early as 2018, a grade 9.4 copy of X-Men #1 sold for $600,000. And, with the MCU set to cast Charles Xavier’s rag-tag school of heroes in Phase 4, this figure is sure to rise.
Future State
DC’s most recent comic book storyline has gripped fans across the globe. Set in 2025, the plot focuses on the Dark Knight and the Man of Steel, as they battle a para-military force called the Magistrate.
Considering the stir Future State has caused, any issue from this series may be a sound investment for the future. In case you’ve purchased a Future State comic, it’s best to get it graded now.
Conclusion
There are plenty of perks to investing in comic books, provided you choose the right ones. Hopefully, with this list, you’ll know what to add to your collection next.
At Wicked Monkey, our large collection of graded comics is sure to satiate seasoned collectors. Feel free to contact us or check out our online store to start shopping for your favorite classics today!
Author Bio
Matt Shively and Matt Martin founded Wicked Monkey in 2020 in the pursuit of creating a comics shop concerned with the full “ecosystem” that exists in the cross-over between the world of fine arts, contemporary collectibles, and comics. Wicked Monkey an online store that sells a curated collection of high-quality graded comic books from various mainstream publishers such as DC, Marvel, Boom! Studios, and specializes in independent publishers—all boasting a high CGC score, the majority being a 9.8 score out of 10.
