The World of Rare Comic Books: Amazing Spider-Man #1

by Sarah Gilbert (RSS feed)
Feb 3rd 2008 at 1:05PM

In the world of superheroes, Superman may be have the most other-worldly power, but it's Spider-Man who twinges the heart-strings. Perhaps it's his familiarity -- weren't you, too, that nerd in high school? -- or perhaps it's his tragedy, what with his unknowing part in his uncle's death. Either way, two of the most expensive comic books ever sold at auction are issues of Amazing Fantasy 15, the series in which Spider-Man was first introduced in 1962.

One of the rarest comic books still in existence in near-perfect condition is an issue of "Amazing Spider-Man #1," rare not only because of its singularity but also because of its quality. The comic book sold for only 12 cents per copy when it was published in March 1963, and is now worth over $40,000 -- not an exceedingly high price for comic books (the most valuable, first appearance of Superman in "Action Comics 1," is said to be worth $350,000) -- but extremely rare in such pristine condition.

In 2002, a comic book shop in Manhattan was broken into, and a particularly rare copy of "Amazing Spider-Man #1" was stolen, by a "gentlemanly" robber holding a duffel bag containing a rifle and handcuffs. He tied up the store owner while he picked the desired issues -- certainly a scene right out of the pages of his contraband. If only Spider-Man was real ...

Tags: amazing-spider-man, comic books, ComicBooks, comics, rare, spider-man, the rare, TheRare

Filed under: Auctions

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Charlie Jan 31st 2008 4:21PM

They picked Amazing Spider-man #1 for "one of" the rarest comic books? Not even close. I've seen hundreds of high grade copies at conventions.

I took a look at the CGC Census.
1 in Near Mint/Mint 9.8
3 in Near Mint + 9.6
8 in Near Mint 9.4
10 in Near Mint- 9.2

1,302 graded.. and this doesn't even count the ungraded ones!

This is rarest?

Action Comics # 0 Ashcan - 2 copies exist.
But let's not even count ashcans.

Action Comics # 1
36 copies graded, highest is VF/NM 9.0
(I think an estimated 75 exist?)

Still not close.

Motion Picture Funnies Weekly
8 known to exist. 5 graded, highest is 9.0

I know several issues of New Comics / New Fun Comics / More Fun Comics are exceedingly rare, as well as the first ten issues of Detective Comics.

Several years ago I encountered online a collector trying to get every DC Comic -- he had 10 left to go at the time, as I recall, and he couldn't find them anywhere and some were oddball comics he questioned whether they existed at all.

Another thing exceedingly rare:

Any and all of DC's 15 cent variants from 1940 are only 1-3 known to exist. I know, because I have one of them.

Batman # 2, 15 cent variant from Summer, 1940.

3 copies known to exist.

2 are restored.
(Mine is a restored Fine- 5.5, the only copy graded by CGC.)
The third is in Poor condition with chunks missing and tape on the spine.

Amazing Spider-man #1 isn't even in the top 100 rarest comics.

l Jan 31st 2008 6:55PM

Rarest comics in high grade? Not!

Looking at prices from some fairly recent sales at Heritage Auction Galleries shows the following.

Flash Comics #1 NM 9.6, 1-21-06 - $273,125
Marvel Comics #1 VF/NM 9.0, 8-04-07 - $205,000
Detective Comics #38 NM 9.4, 5-20-05 - $126,000
Amazing Fantasy #15 (1st appearance Spider-Man) NM 9.4 - 126, 500
More Fun Comics #52 NM 9.2 - $119,000

I could go on and on...

Bill

Robin Jan 31st 2008 7:07PM

I have two comic books that are VERY old. One is "The Tales of the Green Beret" dated 12-30-43 and "Strange Mysteries" dated 08-04-63. Can anyone tell me what these comic books are worth if anything? Both books are in MINT condition. Both books were sold for 12 cents each.

quanta Feb 4th 2008 1:06AM

Robin,

A good place to get a rough estimate of comic book prices is comicspriceguide.com.

Do note that comic book collectors are very strict in their definition of "mint"; a 10 point scale is used with 10.0 being "Mint"...and basically impossible to achieve.

Discolouration in the inner pages or minute creases in the spine can drop a book's value tremendously. Even a flattened spine (such as if it has been underneath a pile of comic books) may bring a book to a "very fine/near mint" rating. A dog ear or tear can render a book worthless.

Riddler Feb 5th 2008 1:19AM

the nearest i was to a collector's item (not even rare!) was when somebody lent me The Death of Spiderman.
I myself am nowhere near making a site like this, but pls check out my card collecting guide.

Riddler Feb 5th 2008 2:43AM

neil Feb 5th 2008 12:07PM

the spectacular spider-man vol.1 no2 the goblin lives
nov 1968.looking to sell this

dennis champlain Feb 10th 2008 6:40PM

i have three comic book i would like find out if they are worth anything.the defenders,{marvel},plop[dc],mickey mouse,walt disney nov.1978

rose Feb 18th 2008 10:14AM

i have a spiderman comics etc.great shape wrapped in plastic like to know what they are worth

CHARLES TURNER Feb 26th 2008 6:08PM

I have two boxes of comic books that were handed down to me. Each of the comic books appear to be in great condition and are in plastic sleeves placed there shortly after purchase. Is there a place that will take them on consignment or purchase them as a lot? I would estimate there is well over 200 comic books between the two boxes. I have never tried to remove them from the plastic sleeves they are in

Rich Feb 22nd 2008 2:00PM

I have a box of Conan the Barbarian Comics and Savage Sword of Conan @ 250 in all dating as far back as 1974

Anyone interested , contact me at fathergothic@aol.com

Thanks

~Rich~