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What Are Silver Age Comics? Which Are Worth Money?
What Are Silver Age Comics? Only THE Most Important Comics Ever Published!
Loosely speaking, Silver Age comic books were published between 1956 and 1969.
What are Silver Age comics?They usually have 12c cover prices. Occasionally 10c and more occasionally 25c for annual-sized issues.
Pretty much every Marvel character you’ve heard of (and many that you have not!) were created during the Silver Age.
By contrast, most DC Comics characters first appeared during the Golden Age of comics, but made comebacks, often as new alter-egos, in the Silver Age.
But what does all this mean?
What is the Golden Age of Comics, and the Silver Age?
What about the Bronze Age and Copper Age?
Allow us to unpack all this weird stuff for you!
Explained: What Are Silver Age Comics?
There are five eras of comic publishing recognized by collectors and dealers:
- Golden Age 1935-1955
- Silver Age 1956-1969
- Bronze Age 1970-1981
- Copper Age 1982-1991
- Modern Age 1992-now
Let’s break these down for you and explain what each one means.
Golden Age 1935-1955
Almost all comics published during this era (except for over-size annuals and specials) cost 10c. They were all sold on the newsstands by the same vendors who sold newspapers and magazines.
All the oldest heroes still appearing in comic books come from this era. Superman, Batman, Flash, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Captain America; and many villains you’ll know too, such as Joker, Catwoman, Lex Luthor, the Riddler, the Penguin, Scarecrow, Two-Face, Cheetah and dozens of others.
There were several genres of comic books in the Golden Age. The most popular are superhero. But many others are strongly collected today.
They including horror, romance, crime, suspense, mystery, western, good girl, Archie, funny animal and classic literature in comic form.
As horror and crime comics took off in the early 1950s, superhero comics fell out of favor. Many of your favourite heroes had their titles cancelled, or drastically cut back, to follow market trends.
The Comics Code Authority was introduced in 1955 and stopped publishers from creating graphic horror images, sexual innuendo, scantily-clad women, bondage, undead and other topics. This ended the Golden Age, effectively neutering publishers and forcing them to tone down their content.
Horror, crime and suspense stories sold in dwindling numbers. Westerns and romance comics were barely supporting the market.
It was time for the Silver Age of superheroes to save the day!
So, What are Silver Age Comics Exactly?
The comic book credited with the beginning of the Silver Age was Showcase #4 in 1956, arguably one of the most important comics ever created.
Showcase #4
1st Barry Allen as Flash; the book which launched the Silver Age of Comics
Lowest price $3,500
Average price $30,000
Record price $900,000
The huge importance of this issue cannot be overstated. Superheroes were in the doldrums since the late 1940s.
Showcase #4 relaunched not only Flash comic books, but also all superhero books, leading to the explosion led by Fantastic Four and the Marvel Age of Comics.
Barry Allen replaced Jay Garrett, appearing as the new Flash, rocketing superheroes back into the mainstream.
Throughout the run of Showcase, more old favourites were brought back, and new faces introduced.
Showcase #22 saw Green Lantern reimagined as Hal Jordan. Lois Lane returned in Showcase #9. Silver Age Aquaman’s origin was told in #30, while the Silver Age Atom’s origin was told in #34.
New heroes such as Challengers of the Unknown, Adam Strange, Space Ranger, Rip Hunter Time Master, Metal Men and Sea Devils all appeared first in Showcase comics, as the Silver Age of heroes exploded with new life.
Sister title Brave and the Bold pivoted from a knights in armor series to superhero tryout, with Brave and the Bold #25, 1st Suicide Squad, and Brave and the Bold #28-30, the first Justice League of America comics.
Cave Carson came next in Brave and the Bold #31. Silver Age Hawkman soon joined them in Brave and the Bold #34 and Teen Titans debuted in #54.
Where was Marvel Comics in all this creative outpouring? For a while, nowhere. Stan Lee, tired of writing western comics, and inspired by the new material from rivals DC Comics, went to his publisher and asked to create superhero comics again.
They gave him the green light… And the Marvel Age of Comics was born!
Fantastic Four #1 in 1961 kicked Marvel Comics into gear. At this time, they were still publishing monster comics and soft-boiled suspense/horror titles such as Tales to Astonish, Tales of Suspense and Amazing Adult Fantasy.
The FF changed everything. Suddenly, titles which had limped along with tired tropes of hauntings and ancient monsters transitioned overnight into hero titles.
A glance at the major Silver Age key issues shows just how impactful these changes were to become for the future of superhero comics (and eventually movies and TV shows).
The Big Silver Age Marvel Comics That Changed the World
Fantastic Four #1
1st Mole Man;
1st Marvel Super-Team;
the comic which began the Marvel Age of Comics
Lowest price $5,000
Average price $18,000
Record price $1,500,000
There are few comics as important as Fantastic Four #1. This book turned Marvel Comics into a household name.
When you consider what would follow the FF into the Marvel universe, there is a strong argument for this being THE most important comic book ever published.
Spider-Man, Ant-Man, Hulk, Thor, the Avengers, Daredevil, and hundreds of other characters all owe their existence to the Fantastic Four.
Tales to Astonish #27
1st Hank Pym, aka Ant-Man
"The Man in the Ant Hill"
Lowest price $500
Average price $3,750
Record price $200,000
While it would be another eight issues before the title pivoted into a superhero title, collectors value this above TTA#35 as the first Ant-Man appearance. A huge, and somewhat scarce, key issue.
Tales of Suspense #39
Origin and First Appearance of Iron Man
Lowest price $2,900
Average price $7,000
Record price $840,000
One of the Marvel mega-keys from the Silver Age that will always be in demand. Tony Stark's creation of Iron Man has become a pillar of the MCU.
Founder member of the Avengers and standalone hero in his own right.
Rather like the Hulk, Iron Man comic books debuted with his armor being gray. Over several issues, it would change...
Amazing Fantasy #15
Origin and first appearance of Spider-Man
Lowest price $10,000
Average price $30,000
Record price $3,600,000
There is absolutely no doubt that this is THE Silver Age comic book! Spider-Man was first debuted in this, the final issue of a tryout series Amazing Fantasy.
He went on to become the world's greatest comic book character, effectively catapulting Marvel to the forefront of comic book publishing for decades.
The record sale of $3.6M was for a CGC 9.6. This is exceptional for any Silver Age comic. Most copies of AF#15 turn up in 2.5-4.0 condition.
Incredible Hulk #1
1st Hulk
Lowest price $7,000
Average price $25,000
Record price $825,000
Hulk has become a mainstay of the MCU. Originally gray-skinned, he becomes his more usual green color in issue #2.
Journey into Mystery #83
1st Thor
Lowest price $1,000
Average price $6,500
Record price $350,400
Journey into Mystery #83 is THE Thor comic book. It's the very first appearance of Thor, who is a founder member of the Avengers.
There are several reprints of this book, but the only one with value is the Golden Record Reprint from 1966. It has no price box on the front cover and a Golden Records ad on the back cover. It's worth from $50-$500 depending on condition.
Avengers #1
First appearance of the super team
Lowest price $1,000
Average price $3,500
Record price $432,000
The Avengers are the foundation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2012. Thor was a founder member of the team and went on to star in his own series of MCU movies.
Hulk fell out with the team and fought against them alongside Sub-Mariner not long after issue #1.
Strange Tales #110
First Doctor Strange
Lowest price $400
Average price $2,000
Record price $150,000
Doctor Strange is a massive part of the MCU, and crosses over into different Marvel properties. This is a huge key issue.
Avengers #4
Captain America returns
1st Baron Zemo
Lowest price $400
Average price $1,800
Record price $108,000
Captain America is freed from his long slumber in a block of Arctic ice, and returns to join the Avengers. A massively important Silver Age key issue.
Daredevil #1
Origin and First Appearance of Matt Murdock
Lowest price $700
Average price $2,500
Record price $360,000
From 1964, this is the most recently published of the big Marvel keys, and it turns up pretty often. Usually the condition is slightly better than the other keys, in the 3.0 to 5.0 range.
The recent monster sale of a 9.8 set a new record. Prices for this book are all over the place, with the previous record $500K and a recent $125K sale of 9.8s showing just how random it can be when high-grade copies come to market.
The First Comic Book Inflationary Price Increase
As the 1960s began, comics still sold for 10c. Fantastic Four #1 and #2 were 10c issues.
Inflation led to a price increase to 12c, which lasted through the entire Silver Age. So if you’re wondering what are Silver Age comics in the pile you found, then check out this cover price chart:
- 10c Golden Age to very early Silver Age
- 12c Silver Age
- 15c very late Silver Age to Bronze Age
- 15c, 20c, 25c, 30c, 35c Bronze Age
- 40c-$1.00 Copper Age
- $1.25 and higher Modern Age
Annuals and other special over-size comics were also published. These were typically 68 pages and usually priced at either 25c or 50c.
Some valuable annual-sized Silver Age comic books include Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1, Silver Surfer #1, #3 and #4, Fantastic Four annuals #1-#3.
The most famous Bronze Age book of the same size was Giant-Size X-Men #1, priced 50c.
There were lots of annuals and giant-size specials in this period also. Most titles had at least one or two. Some were simply reprints of older stories targeting the Christmas market.
What Are Silver Age Comics Without Superheroes in Them?
Remember that the "Silver Age" name comes from the era comics were published. So if you find any comic with a cover price of 12c, then it's from the Silver Age.
If could be an Archie comic, a western, a horror title, a movie tie-in comic, Classics comic, a comic for kids, a romance comic or anything else you can imagine.
The Silver Age was not just about superheroes, even though they inspired the explosion of comics publishing during the 1960s.
What Silver Age Comics are Worth the Most Money?
The more famous the characters in the comic book you’ve found, the more valuable they tend to be. The Marvel books pictured above are the most expensive, plus Showcase #4.
These are the so-called Key issues; in addition, there are the more general run books.
Some collectors try to put together an entire run of a title, for example buying every Green Lantern or every Avengers comic. Other collectors focus solely on Key issues, and these are the ones which tend to be worth big money today.
If you've heard of a hero or villain, then chances are their first appearance, origin story or death (where applicable) will be valuable.
Some titles are just worth more than others on a random issue basis. Here are the top 10 most collected Silver Age comic series:
Some of the B-list characters you know and love from the movies also first appeared in the Silver Age:
X-Men #4
First Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch
First Brotherhood of Evil Mutants
Lowest price $400
Average price $1,200
Record price $26,000
Perhaps the second-most important X-Men issue, certainly in the early years. Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch appear here.
Tales to Astonish #44
1st Wasp
Lowest price $200
Average price $900
Record price $56,000
Janet van Dyne becomes the Wasp in this crucial key issue. She goes on to become a founder member of the Avengers, and co-stars alongside Ant-Man in several MCU movies.
Strange Tales #135
1st HYDRA; 1st Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Lowest price $65
Average price $350
Record price $20,400
HYDRA is a criminal network bent on world domination.
It is a long-time source of some of the worst threats to humanity, and the backdrop to many of the MCU properties.
Tales of Suspense #45
1st Pepper Potts and Happy Hogan;
1st Jack Frost
Lowest price $150
Average price $700
Record price $24,000
Love interest Pepper Potts (played in the MCU by Gwyneth Paltroe) appears for the first time in this issue. Also Happy Hogan, who you may recall from cameos in various MCU properties.
Jack Frost was the nickname for the villain Gregor Shapanka. His cold-generating battle suit helped him to commit crimes.
Tales of Suspense #57
1st Hawkeye
Lowest price $60
Average price $900
Record price $102,000
Another critical member of the Avengers, Hawkeye starred in several MCU movies. The future of the character seems to be with his daughter.
Tales to Astonish #13
1st Groot
Lowest price $500
Average price $2,000
Record price $20,000
Without Guardians of the Galaxy, this would have been just another random monster story.
Once the movies hit the MCU, values of Groot's first appearance rocketed. Rare in higher grade.
Avengers #57
First Vision
Lowest price $75
Average price $400
Record price $37,500
The Vision has been a huge part of the MCU, and his race may not yet be run.
Amazing Spider-Man #31
First Mary Jane Watson
Lowest price $200
Average price $500
Record price $96,000
Mary Jane Watson, the love interest in Peter Parker's life, appears for the first time in this bright red covered issue.
Fantastic Four #52
First Black Panther
Lowest price $350
Average price $800
Record price $65,000
The first Black Panther was a huge part of the MCU for a while. Overdue a reboot.
Journey into Mystery #84
Lowest price $200
Average price $650
Record price $35,000
The second appearance of Thor is also the first appearance of Jane Foster, who became the first female Thor in the MCU movie Thor: God of Thunder.
Tales to Astonish #49
Ant-Man becomes Giant Man
Lowest price $40
Average price $170
Record price $6,500
Giant Man is the alternative skill for Ant-Man, which allows him the power to grow massively, as well as shrinking to tiny size.
The MCU had a lot of fun with this, including the famous Civil War scene at the airport.
Detective Comics #359
1st Barbara Gordon as Batgirl
Lowest price $150
Average price $2,500
Record price $132,000
Another classic attempt to bring in female love interests, around the same time as Poison Ivy was getting her hooks into Batman...
What are Silver Age Comics featuring Super-Villains Worth?
Some of the Silver Age Key issues featuring super-villains are usually valuable:
Amazing Spider-Man villains of the Silver Age:
- #2 Vulture
- #3 Doctor Octopus
- #4 Sandman
- #6 Lizard
- #9 Electro
- #13 Mysterio
- #14 Green Goblin
- #20 Scorpion
- #41 Rhino
- #50 Kingpin
Fantastic Four villains of the Silver Age:
- #1 Mole Man
- #2 Skrulls
- #4 Silver Age Sub-Mariner
- #5 Doctor Doom
- #7 Kurrgo
- #8 Puppet Master
- #11 Impossible Man
- #19 Rama-Tut
- #30 Diablo
- #36 Medusa
- #45 Inhumans
- #48 Galactus
- #65 Ronan the Accuser
- #94 Agatha Harkness
Batman villains of the Silver Age:
- #121 Mr. Freeze
- #155 Silver Age Penguin
- #171 Silver Age Riddler
- #181 Poison Ivy
- #189 Silver Age Scarecrow
Thor villains: 1st RingmasterIncredible Hulk villains of the Silver Age:
- #3 1st Ringmaster
- #103 Space Parasite
Thor villains of the Silver Age:
- Journey into Mystery #85 Loki
- #103 Enchantress
- Thor #132 Ego the Living Planet
- #Thor 165 Adam Warlock
Justice League of America villains: 1st DesperoJustice League of America villains of the Silver Age:
- #1 Despero
- #5 Mr. Destiny
- #64 Red Tornado
Avengers comics villains of the Silver Age:
- #2 Space Phantom
- #8 Kang the Conqueror
- #43 Red Guardian
- #48 Black Knight
- #55 Ultron
- Tales of Suspense #46 Crimson Dynamo
- Tales of Suspense #50 Mandarin
- Tales of Suspense #52 Black Widow (later a hero)
Flash comics villains of the Silver Age:
- #105 Mirror Master
- #106 Grodd the Gorilla and Pied Piper
- #110 Weather Wizard
- #112 Elongated Man
- #113 Trickster
- #117 Captain Boomerang
- #128 Abra Kadabra
- #139 Professor Zoom (Reverse Flash)
- #140 Heat Wave
Uncanny X-Men villains of the Silver Age:
- #1 Magneto
- #2 Vanisher
- #3 Blob
- #4 Brotherhood of Evil Mutants
- #8 Unus
- #12 Juggernaut
- #15 Sentinels
- #28 Banshee
- #40 Frankenstein’s monster
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