Top 100 Most Valuable Comic Books from the Copper Age:
Top 100 Most Valuable Comic Book from the Copper Age
The Copper Age (1981-1991) of comics was a very exciting period for both comic collectors and the comic book industry. It bought up many independent publishers and more exciting characters along with it.
The age begins with Marvel’s Secret Wars and DC’s Crisis and ends with the defection of Marvel staff to Image Comics.
The concept of the Copper Age is disturbed, some comic readers do not claim it and would dismiss it entirely stating that as soon as the Bronze Age ends the Modern Age begins.
For some Copper Age might run from 1981 to 1985 and for some, it begins from 1985 and ends in 1992 but this article covers the comics from the period 1981 to 1991
Top 100 Most Expensive Comic Book List from the Copper Age:
1. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 First Printing, Origin, and First Appearance of the Team
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (1984):
Origin and First Appearance, TMNT
1st printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
Original TMNT Comics #1 Breaks New Ground
This is one of the most expensive comic books published in the 1980s.
The recent sales in the year 2019 set this incredibly popular book even further apart from the rest of the field. No other comic book in the last 25 years had an impact on popular entertainment other than this issue from 1984.
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE FIRST PRINTING OF TMNT #1
All of the first three printings of this comic are identical from the outside. The second printing does NOT include the inside back cover ad (see below). The third printing is clearly stated on the inside cover. There is a slight difference in the outer look of the third printing but the first and second are impossible to tell apart.
The inside back cover on 1st prints has a full-page ad for Gobbledygook #1 which is another Mirage publication.
2021 Update: 9.8 Sale Has Not Been Repeated
. Multiple copies of the comic have been sold for less money since 2019, casting a doubt on the validity of the $90k sale.
The 2nd and 3rd printings for this comic now also make the top 100!
2. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8 
Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8 (1984): First Encounter Between
Symbiote and Spider-Man
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
The Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8 has gained quite a popularity recently and is currently hot in the comic book market.
3. Albedo #2, 1st Usagi Yojimbo
SAMURAI RABBIT SLICES THROUGH OPPOSITION!
Albedo #2 (1984):
Origin and first appearance,
Usagi Yojimbo
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
Samurai Rabbit Storms Up the List!
This was another massive breakthrough for potentially the 1980s’ most difficult book (even more difficult than TMNT #1 in high grade).
This dark house comic published by Stan Sakai recently just broke a record for being the only second book of the copper age to break the $30k barrier.
2021 Update: Rabbit Runs Slower
The sales from 2019 indicate that this is another book with more supply than the demand at the upper-grade level.
4. Wolverine #1 1988, 1st Patch
Wolverine v2 #1 (1988):
1st in Series
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
Of All The Books in All The World… Wolverine #1?
This is the fourth most expensive book of the 80s. People would pay huge amounts to get their hands on this issue.
This comic has a value equal to one copy of Incredible Hulk #181 and a copy of New Mutants #98, both in a high grade.
2021 Update: Calm Down If You Own This Book
Everybody who owns this issue thinks that have a goldmine but the fact is that they are never going to get their money back if another high-grade issue comes out, it’ll halve the value of the first. The only 10.0 in the census set the dense record.
5. Wolverine Ltd Series #1 (1982):
Classic Cover, 1st Solo Book
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
6. The Amazing Spider-Man #300 (1988):
First Appearance, Venom comic
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
There is a newsstand variant for the issue ASM #300, but currently, the prices are almost similar.
7. Bone #1 (1991):
First issue
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
This comic has set up some huge record sales has joined the five-figure club. This tough comic book can be rarely seen in the collections.
8. New Mutants #98 (1991):
First Appearance, Deadpool
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
Recently the sales for this issue have increased due to the pandemic but it might not last for long.
9. Amazing Spider-Man #238 (1983):
First appearance, Hobgoblin
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
The amazing price of this comic shows the potential for its growth in the future.
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
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
Most Expensive 1980s Comics #11 – #20
11. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (2nd Printing)
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
The fact that the second printing is this high up the list of the most valuable comic books of the 1980s shows how hot TMNT #1 has become.
12. Raphael #1: TMNT One-Shot Spin-Off (1985)
1st printing; 1st Casey Jones
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
13. Amazing Spider-Man #252 (1984):
First Appearance, Symbiote (Black Spider-Man Suit)
Regular edition
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
What is the TRUE 1st Appearance of the Symbiote?
While ASM #252 gets all the attention, two other simultaneous first appearances 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 because of its cool cover, and a large number of Spider-Man comic collectors.
There is also an expensive newsstand value and Canadian price variant (see below)
14. Gobbledygook #1 (1984):
Rare Eastman and Laird Book, Photocopied and Stapled;
Forgeries are Common
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
If you can find one of these you are in a good shape, it is one of the rarest and expensive books of the 80s.
15. Daredevil #181 (1981):
Death of Elektra
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
16. Amazing Spider-Man #316 (1989):
Classic McFarlane Venom Cover
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
17. Superman (1988):
“This Island Bradman”, Private Commission by Bradman for son’s Bar Mitzvah
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
18. Vampirella #113 (1988):
Rare Final Issue; most returns were reported to be destroyed
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
19. Love and Rockets #1 (1982)
Volume 2, color, 1st printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
20. Star Wars #42
1st Boba Fett in comics
Newsstand variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
What are Newsstand Variants?
A newsstand variant is the opposite of a direct edition. They were sold at newsstands and regular stores.
A newsstand variant is super easy to spot. The UPC bar code that is at the bottom left is the way to tell
We have a dedicated page for Newsstand Variant Comic Book Prices.
Most Valuable Comic Books of the 1980s #21 – #50
21. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (3rd Printing)
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
Even the third printing of this comic made it up to the top 20.
22. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 (1984):
2nd Appearance of Turtles
First printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
23. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3 (1985):
Rare “Laird’s Photo” Comic-Con Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
24. The Crow #1 (1989):
First Solo Comic Book
First printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
25. Uncanny X-Men #266 (1990):
First Appearance, Gambit
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
26. Primer #2 (1982):
First appearance, Grendel
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
27. Captain America Annual #8 (1986):
First Cap vs Wolverine; 1st Appearance
of Tess-One and Overrider
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
This is another one-off sale that will probably never be repeated.
28. G. I. Joe #21 (1984):
First Appearance of Storm Shadow; So-called “Silent Issue”
1st Printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
29. Star Wars #42
1st Boba Fett in comics
Regular edition
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
30. Amazing Spider-Man #238 (1983):
First appearance, Hobgoblin
Regular edition
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
31. New Mutants #98
First appearance of Deadpool
Newsstand Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
32. The Transformers #1 (1984):
Origin and First Appearance, The Transformers
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
33. Star Wars #68
2nd appearance of Boba Fett in comics
Newsstand variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
34. Miracleman #1 Gold Edition (August 1985):
First Appearance, Miracleman
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
Since the prices for this comic were all over the place and no there were no close repeats of the record sale for a long time there has been a lot of uncertainty about this special edition.
35. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3 (1985):
1st printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
36. G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero #1 (1982): First Issue
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
37. Sandman #8 (1989):
1st Appearance of Death
Rare Recalled Editorial Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
38. Batman #386 (1985):
1st Appearance of Black Mask
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
39. Caliber Presents #1 (1989):
1st Appearance of the Crow
in Comics; Scarce
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
40. Archie’s Girls Betty and Veronica #320
1st Cheryl Blossom
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
41. Cry For Dawn #5 (1991)
Second Printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
42. The Amazing Spider-Man #299 (1988):
Second Todd McFarlane art, first brief Venom appearance
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
43. Incredible Hulk #377 (1991):
Rare Third Printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
The first two printings of this comic are not that valuable.
The printings are easy to identify as they have completely different covers.
44. Star Wars #68
2nd appearance of Boba Fett in comics
Regular edition
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
45. Amazing Spider-Man #252 (1984):
First Appearance, Symbiote (Black Spider-Man Suit)
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
46. Aliens #1 (1988):
1st Solo Aliens Comic
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
47. Cry For Dawn #1 (1989)
First appearance of Dawn;
3rd Printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
48. Saga of the Swamp Thing #37 (1985):
First Appearance, Hellblazer
(John Constantine)
Regular edition
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
49. The Transformers #1 (1984):
Origin and First Appearance, The Transformers
Regular edition
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
50. Amazing Spider-Man #299 (1988):
Newsstand variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
Most Valuable Comic Books of the Copper Age (1980s) #51 – #75
51. Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 (1985):
First issue in series
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
52. Love and Rockets #1 (1981):
Rare Self-Published Indie Comic
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
53. DC Comics presents #47 (1982):
1st Appearance of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe
Regular edition
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
54. Star Wars #68
2nd appearance of Boba Fett in comics
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
55. The Crow #3 (1989)
First printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
56. Batman, The Dark Knight Returns #1 (1986): First Issue;
Classic Frank Miller Cover
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
57. Archie’s Girls Betty and Veronica #320: 1st Cheryl Blossom
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
58. Evil Ernie #1
1st Evil Ernie and Lady Death
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
59. Cry For Dawn #1 (1989)
First appearance of Dawn;
2nd Printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
60. Amazing Spider-Man #298 (1988):
First Todd McFarlane art on the title
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
61. Amazing Spider-Man #265
First Silver Sable
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
62. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 (1985):
1st printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
63. Thor #337 (1983):
First Appearance of Beta Ray Bill
Regular edition
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
64. Amazing Spider-Man #252 (1984):
First Appearance, Symbiote
Newsstand Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
65. Amazing Spider-Man #239 (1983):
First Spidey vs Hobgoblin Battle
Regular edition
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
66. Marvel Team-Up #141:
Ties for First Symbiote
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
67. Cry For Dawn #1 (1989)
First appearance of Dawn;
1st Printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
68. Amazing Spider-Man #256 (1984):
First Appearance, Puma
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
69. The Crow #2
1st printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
70. Avengers Annual #10 (1981):
1st Appearance of Rogue
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
71. Incredible Hulk #271 (1981):
1st Appearance of Rocket Raccoon in comics continuity
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
72. Incredible Hulk #340 (1988):
Classic McFarlane Wolverine Cover
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
73. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8 (1984):
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
74. Amazing Spider-Man #238 (1983):
First appearance, Hobgoblin
Newsstand Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
75. Amazing Spider-Man #301 (1988):
Classic McFarlane Cover
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
Most Valuable Comic Books of the 1980s #76 – #100
76. X-Factor #6 (1986):
First Appearance, Apocalypse
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
77. Sonic the Hedgehog Promotional Supplement #1 (1991)
Rare giveaway
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
78. Thor #337 (1983):
First Appearance of Beta Ray Bill
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
79. Amazing Spider-Man #239 (1983):
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
80. Macross #1 (1984):
Rare, Precursor to the Robotech Series
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
81. Batman #357 (1983):
1st Appearance of Jason Todd and Killer Croc
Regular edition
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
82. Sandman #8 (1989):
1st Appearance of Death
Regular edition
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
83. Spectacular Spider-Man #90
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
84. Predator #1 (1989):
1st Appearance of Predator
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
85. Sandman #1 (1989):
1st Appearance
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
86. Watchmen #1 (1986)
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
87. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
88. X-Factor #6 (1986):
First Appearance, Apocalypse
Newsstand Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
89. Batman #359
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
90. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 (1984):
Second Appearance of Turtles
2nd Printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
91. Grendel #1 (1983):
First in dedicated series
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
92. X-Force #2 (1991):
2nd Appearance of Deadpool
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
93. New Mutants Annual #2 (1986):
1st Appearance of Psylocke
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
94. Usagi Yojimbo #1 (1987)
First in solo series
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
95. The Crow #4 (1989)
1st printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
96. Web of Spider-Man #1 (1985):
1st Issue of Series
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
97. Punisher #1 (1986):
First Solo Comic Appearance
Regular edition
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
98. Marvel Team-Up #141
Ties for First Symbiote
Regular edition
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
99. Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1
Newsstand variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
100. Saga of the Swamp Thing #37 (1985):
First Appearance, Hellblazer (John Constantine)
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
Honorable Mentions:
101. Sonic the Hedgehog #1 (1991):
Rare, 1st Appearance Sega
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
102. G. I. Joe #21 (1984):
First Appearance of Storm Shadow; So-called “Silent Issue”
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
103. Spectacular Spider-Man #64 (1982):
1st Appearance of
Cloak and Dagger
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
104. Star Wars #107 (1986):
Last Issue, Scarce in High Grade
Regular edition
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
105. G. I. Joe #21 (1984):
First Appearance of Storm Shadow; So-called “Silent Issue”
2nd Printing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
106. Batman #428 (1989):
A Death in the Family Pt. 3,
Robin Dies
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
107. Punisher #1 (1986):
First Solo Comic Appearance
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
108. Batman #357 (1983):
1st Appearance of Jason Todd and Killer Croc
Canadian Price Variant
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
109. X-Factor #6 (1986):
First Appearance, Apocalypse
Regular edition
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
110. Silver Surfer v3 #44 (1990):
1st Appearance of Infinity Gauntlet
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
111. Usagi Yojimbo Summer Special (1986)
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
112. Sandman #4 (1989)
First Lucifer Morningstar
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
113. Tales of the Teen Titans #44 (1984):
1st Appearance of Nightwing
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
114. Omega Men #3 (1983):
1st Appearance of Lobo
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
115. Batman #404 (1987):
Year One by Miller Begins
Have this comic? Well, it’s worth money.
