Top 40 Superman Comic Books

40 Best Superman Comic Books

Here are the 40 most expensive Superman comics from the solo comic series.

If you're looking for Action Comics, then check out our separate price guide here.

We begin with issue #1 and bring it right into the modern era, showing you the best Superman comics to find in an old collection.

There are loads of average comic books which feature Superman, and they aren't all valuable unless they're in very high grade.

Some key issues featuring the first appearance of Superman characters and villains can be worth good money, in addition to the comics shown below.

This can all be a lot to navigate, but we're here for you. If you have some comics to sell, then good news! We're buying. Get in touch and we'll assist you.

Top 40 Key Issue Superman Comic Books

Superman #1
First solo comic; rare in Universal grades

Lowest price $90,000

Average price $300,000

Record price $5,300,000

Superman #1 reprints the Superman origin story from Action Comics #1. It's also the first comic book dedicated to a single superhero.

This book has been reprinted. The most common is an oversize magazine-size reprint measures 13.5 inches along the spine.

Many copies of this book have been restored by dealers over the years. There are 77 known copies which are in Universal CGC holders, with 101 restored copies graded.

Superman #10
1st Bald Lex Luthor

Lowest price $150

Average price $1,200

Record price $14,000

Superman #17
Hitler and Hirohito cover

Lowest price $1,500

Average price $5,000

Record price $31,000

There are some classic WWII covers in this era. Some of the most popular feature major DC Comic books heroes fighting the Axis leaders.

Superman #24
Classic patriotic flag cover

Lowest price $1,000

Average price $2,500

Record price $42,000

Patriotism was a very popular topic during WWII, and this flag-waving Superman cover is one of the best of the type.

Superman #30
1st Mr. Mxyztplk; Superman flies for the first time

Lowest price $250

Average price $1,500

Record price $17,000

Mr. Mxyztplk is one of the Superman villains who nobody can name. He had staying power, being published in many Superman comic books over the years.

Superman #53
Classic cover; Superman's origin retold

Lowest price $250

Average price $2,000

Record price $50,000

The first major retelling of Superman's origin makes this a very popular issue with collectors.

Superman #76
Batman crossover story

Lowest price $300

Average price $1,200

Record price $13,000

Superman and Batman learn of each other's secret identities in this landmark issue.

Superman #123
Supergirl tryout story

Lowest price $75

Average price $600

Record price $2,400

Another of the early Supergirl/Superwoman tryout issues. Briefly popular when Supergirl was turned into a TV series.

Superman #127
1st Titano

Lowest price $20

Average price $200

Record price $500

The popularity of King Kong led DC to bring a similar villain into Superman comic books.

Superman #147
1st Legion of Super-Villains

Lowest price $50

Average price $500

Record price $11,000

A cover swipe from Adventure Comics #247 (first Legion of Super-Heroes), only the villain version.

Superman #317
Classic Kryptonite cover by Neal Adams

Lowest price $5

Average price $100

Record price $360

Another awesome Neal Adams cover makes this issue stand out from those around it.

Superman Comic Books Volume 2: 1987 Series

Superman v2 #1 (1987)
First issue in relaunched series

Lowest price $1

Average price $20

Record price $995 (CGC 9.9); $115 (CGC 9.8)

The relaunch of the long-running Superman comic books series began here, and led to the cultural event of comic book publishing in the 1990s...

Superman v2 #75: Death of Superman

The controversial Doomsday storyline culminated in the death of Superman in #75. Due to the clever marketing campaign, this was a major cultural event.

News reports showed people lining up to buy multiple copies of the book "as a future investment". The first printing of 2.5M copies sold out rapidly, and the book went on to be reprinted three times. There were also presentation sets sealed in black bags with the Superman logo bleeding on the outside.

Various versions exist. The platinum edition is worth the most. The second most valuable version is the newsstand edition of the 4th printing, identifiable by the UPC bar code and the Roman numerals IV.

Superman v2 #75
Death of Superman; 2.5M copies printed in first run

Lowest price $1

Average price $10

Record price $175

A massive success in by some measures; 2.5M copies sold out and this book ran to four printings.

Somewhat tainted by the stink of the 1990s gimmick covers and multiple versions of the same book, which led to the collapse of the comic book market.

Currently, CGC 9.8 direct edition copies sell for:

• 1st print $90
• 2nd print $90
• 3rd print $140
• 4th print $140

While CGC 9.8 newsstand edition copies sell for:

• 1st print $140
• 2nd print no data
• 3rd print $220
• 4th print $500

As you might expect, with 2.5M copies printed in the first run alone, there is no shortage of this book in the market. Copies in the sealed black bag sell for $10-20.

Even the scarcer platinum variant still sealed in bag sell for $120-200 each.

Other Superman Comic Books

Superman 1988 n/n
This Bradman Superman

Lowest price $800

Average price $1,200

Record price $3,960

This private Superman comic book was produced by Mr. Bradman for his son Daniel's bar mitzvah. More than 50 copies are in the CGC census, including 2 in CGC 9.8.

Flash #175
2nd Superman vs Flash race

Lowest price $20

Average price $140

Record price $4,500

The second of the Superman vs Flash races. To be continued in World's Finest #198-199 and DC Comics Presents #1.

More Fun Comics #125
Superman cover appearance

Lowest price $200

Average price $1,000

Record price $2,300

A scarce Superman cover appearance on a funny animal-style comic book from 1947.

All-New Collector's Edition C-56
Superman vs Muhammad Ali; oversize treasury edition

Lowest price $1

Average price $20

Record price $200

Oversize treasury editions are not popular because they are very hard to store for collectors. But some feature amazing matchups like this one!

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