These Lesser-Known Comic Books Are Worth Big Bucks
Most collectors obsess over familiar titles like Action Comics #1 or Detective Comics #27 in the vast world of comic books. But buried beneath the iconic names are lesser-known gems—issues that were once tossed into bargain bins and are now worth a small fortune. These obscure comic books have skyrocketed in value, whether due to rare print runs, historical quirks, or unexpected character debuts.
Dagar the Invincible #1
A sword-and-sorcery title from Gold Key Comics, Dagar the Invincible never quite found mainstream success. However, its low print run and cult following have made the first issue a collector’s favorite. The series has gained popularity with fantasy fans seeking Conan-esque stories, and interest has grown thanks to nostalgia-fueled reprints and discussions online. High-grade copies are now surprisingly hard to find. Dagar The Invincible #1 will fetch about $800.
Skull the Slayer #1
Marvel’s attempt to blend time travel, sci-fi, and dinosaur action, Skull the Slayer, was short-lived, but its unique genre-bending storyline and Bronze Age charm now fetch over a grand for high-grade copies. The character's obscure status has created demand among niche collectors, and rumors of a potential reboot have added speculative heat in recent years. A lot is happening in Skull the Slayer, so editions are worth about $1,200 today.
MARVEL Comic SKULL The SLAYER Collection, This Old Collection
Prez #1
DC’s strange experiment about a teenage U.S. president was an oddity even in the 70s. While ridiculed at the time, its novelty and scarcity have transformed it into a quirky cult collectible. The character’s brief revival in the 2010s also reignited interest in the original issue, cementing its value among offbeat political and retro comic fans alike. This could have easily been made into a movie today, but "Prez" instead is worth about $1,500.
Prez: Remembering America’s First Teen President, Michael K. Vaughan
Brother Power The Geek #1
This psychedelic counterculture superhero was part Frankenstein, part hippie mannequin, and all 60s weirdness. DC only published two issues before shelving the bizarre character, making the debut a rare oddity. Today, it stands as a time capsule of the era’s experimental storytelling and is treasured by collectors of offbeat and socially reflective comic book history. It's worth about $2,300.
Brother Power the Geek, The Atomic Comic Pile
Albedo Anthropomorphics #2
This small-press comic introduced Usagi Yojimbo, the samurai rabbit who would go on to become an indie legend. With an extremely limited print run, this issue is a white whale for indie comic fans. Its anthropomorphic art style and enduring cult success have made it a cornerstone of non-mainstream comic collecting, particularly among 80s alternative comic fans. The small-time comic is worth about $2,800.
Albedo Anthropomorphics Volume 4 #2 Unboxing, MaxWriter
Sectaurs #1
Based on a toy line that never quite took off, Sectaurs comics were produced in small numbers. Nostalgia from 80s collectors and the growing market for obscure toy tie-ins have pushed this book’s value above $3,000. Fans of failed toy franchises view it as a nostalgic relic, and high-grade copies have become surprisingly difficult to locate. Despite the toys never taking off, the comics are still quite valuable, this one fetching around $3,200.
Vampirella #1
Originally published by Warren Publishing, Vampirella’s debut has long hovered under the radar. But recent interest in horror comics and female-led titles has boosted its market appeal dramatically. With Frank Frazetta’s iconic cover and a gothic cult status, the issue has gained traction among both horror aficionados and vintage comic collectors seeking genre diversity. If you like vampire stories, this comic is worth $3,800, if you can find one. Bring the garlic and a cross.
The Hawk and the Dove #1
This introduction to the dichotomous superhero duo didn’t initially make waves, but the characters have endured through DC’s various reboots. Original copies in mint condition now command a premium. The political themes of aggression versus pacifism have kept the title relevant, and early appearances are increasingly sought after by fans of legacy DC characters. The "OG" of DC's superhero duos will fetch about $4,500.
Tales of Suspense #39 UK Edition
While the U.S. version is already famous for debuting Iron Man, the UK variant is far rarer. The differences in format, pricing, and publishing make this an exciting find for variant hunters and international Marvel collectors alike. It'll net you $5,000 if you've got one lying around, or maybe your British cousin does.
Tales of Suspense #39 Story and Page Count - Marvel Comics 1963 - Iron Man, Comic Buying.
Mystery Men Comics #1
Published by Fox Features Syndicate, this Golden Age anthology introduced the Blue Beetle. Though the character evolved greatly over time, his first appearance in this obscure book is a major collector’s piece. Its historical significance as a pre-Batman superhero debut and its relatively fragile paper stock contribute to its scarcity and rising price. For now, Mystery Men #1 is worth about $6,500.
Fox Feature Syndicate, original uploaded by Chordboard, Wikimedia Commons
Rima the Jungle Girl #1
Based on a literary character from the 1920s, this short-lived DC series stood out for its unusual jungle fantasy vibe. First appearances of niche characters like Rima have found a surprising second life on the collector’s market. The comic also has appeal due to its unique blend of Tarzan-inspired storytelling and feminine adventure themes. It's worth about $7,000 today.
Sunday Comics: Rima the Jungle Girl, John's Longbox
Phantom Lady #17
This comic is famous more for its cover than its content—specifically, a risqué "Good Girl Art" cover by Matt Baker, one of the first prominent Black artists in comics. It's historically significant and incredibly rare, making it a must-have for collectors. It's worth about $8,000 for it's troubles.
Crime SuspenStories #22
Once held up as a symbol of what was “wrong” with comics during the 1950s congressional hearings, this infamous EC Comics issue is now a prized relic of censorship history. The graphic cover, featuring a decapitation, became infamous and is considered one of the most important artifacts in comics' First Amendment struggles. It's worth for being part of the fight for free speech preservation in the U.S? About $9,000.
Golden Age Comic Book Spotlight - Crime Suspenstories 22, eta nick
All Negro Comics #1
A landmark in comic history, this was the first comic written, drawn, and published entirely by African Americans. Its social significance and extreme rarity make it one of the most valuable obscure comics ever. A cornerstone of African-American artistic history, this edition is worth about $10,000.
Quick Indie Comics Review of All Negro Comics!, Indie Comics and Reviews
Red Raven Comics #1
Only one issue of Red Raven was ever printed, making it one of the rarest Golden Age Marvel comics. The character went nowhere, but that only adds to the allure of its mysterious failure. For completists of Timely/Marvel's early catalog, this is a cornerstone—often selling well above guide price at auction. Because only one issue was ever published, this comic fetches about $12,000 at auction.
Suspense Comics #3
A cover by Alex Schomburg featuring horror themes makes this one of the most iconic and controversial pre-code comics. Collectors prize it for both its rarity and shock value. It’s frequently cited in academic works on censorship, and its provocative imagery continues to fuel intense interest at auctions. Most recently, it fetched about $15,000 at auction.
Alex Schomburg, Wikimedia Commons
Detective Eye #1
Published by Centaur Publications, this is one of the most obscure titles from the Golden Age. With very few known copies in circulation, it’s a ghost of a rare, strange, and highly valuable comic. Its detective-noir content and eerie visual style make it a gem. An $18,000 gem.
Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1
Intended as a giveaway in movie theaters, very few of these promotional comics survived. It features the first appearance of the Sub-Mariner, making it historically critical despite its obscurity. Copies discovered decades later in warehouse storage have become some of the most prized books in Marvel’s early publishing history. It has an incredible estimated market value of $30,000.
Marvel Comics #1 Ashcan Edition
Not to be confused with the widely known Marvel Comics #1, the ashcan version was printed only to secure copyright. It’s one of the rarest comic books on Earth, with only a handful in existence. This placeholder issue is essentially Marvel’s birth certificate and is treated as a relic among elite collectors. It has an estimated market value of $45,000.
Now You Know Comics : What are comic ashcans?, A-1 Comics
Did You Ever Have A Rare Edition Comic Book?
Let us know if you've ever owned a rare edition comic book. Did you give it away? Sell it for a dime? Let us know your favorite comic books in the comments below, and the story behind your rare comic book that got away.
Blake Handley from Victoria, Canada, Wikimedia Commons
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