Hey everyone! The comic book market is so unexpectedly interesting and fun to watch. Each month brings new surprises, and January 2025 was no exception. Using data collected from GoCollect Chartbusters, here is the compiled top-selling comics across all major ages, from the Golden Age to the Modern age. Enclosed is the playlist from my channel - Comics with IzzyVerseNYC. Shane from TenSIxtyThreeComics and I reviewed the top selling books for January 2025. We give our own opinions on the sales and what our thoughts are for each sale.
The next Chartbusters will be featured on my live stream next week on March 7th, and shared with you all here shortly after!
Here is last month's playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn11OgAR0Wn611Xgvaf1vBnAVLZDZ5T7-
Golden Age (c. 1938-1950):
The first Heritage Auction of 2025 saw a surge of interest in key comic books featuring iconic characters' early appearances. Action Comics #1 (Superman's debut), Detective Comics #38 (Robin, the Boy Wonder's first appearance), and More Fun Comics #52 (the Spectre's debut) all commanded high prices, reflecting their historical significance.
Controversial Comic Also Sells for High Price
Interestingly, Suspense Comics #3 also sold for a significant sum. This 1944 book from Continental Comics has a controversial cover depicting hooded men with Nazi swastikas and a woman in bondage, reflecting the tensions of World War II.
These sales highlight the enduring appeal of historically significant and controversial comic books, even decades after their initial publication.
Here is the video, where Shane and I discuss these sales and our thoughts.Shane and I shared our thoughts and discussed these sales in the video linked here.
Silver Age (c. 1956-1970):
Moving into The Silver Age, which ushered in a new era of creativity, introducing many of the most popular characters still featured in comics and movies today.
TV and Movie Spec are Leading the Charge
In January 2025, Silver Age keys remained highly sought-after by collectors, with a noticeable emphasis on those tied to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Daredevil #1 and Fantastic Four #48 surged in popularity, driven by the new Daredevil series on Disney+ and the anticipation for the upcoming Fantastic Four movie, which is rumored to feature Galactus as the main antagonist.
The excitement isn't limited to Marvel. DC Comics fans are eagerly awaiting the new Superman and Supergirl movies, leading to increased interest in Action Comics #252, the first appearance of Supergirl.
Meanwhile, Spider-Man, always a fan favorite, continues to command high prices for his key issues, Amazing Fantasy #15 and Amazing Spider-Man #1.
Shane and I discussed these sales and our thoughts in this video.
Bronze Age (c. 1970-1985):
The Bronze age of comics, marked a turning point in comics. Marvel keys dominated the sales at the Heritage. However, there doesn’t seem to be anything that was actually caused by hype or spec with the exception of one book.
More TV Spec that has buzz!
Amazing Spider-Man #129, a key issue featuring the first appearance of the vigilante, The Punisher, is generating significant buzz. With the character set to appear in Daredevil: Born Again, this key nearly reached $20k in a 9.8 grade. The Punisher's popularity is undeniable, and this book's value will likely continue to rise.
Another potential spec book is Hero for Hire, Luke Cage #1. While there are no announcements about Cage's future in the MCU, speculation and interest remain high.
Shane and I created a video in which we discussed these sales and our perspectives.
Copper Age (c. 1985-1992):
The Copper Age is known for the emergence of darker, grittier storylines. However, In January we also saw the rise of popular IPs that are beloved by fans of all ages. One saw two sales take place.
The Heroes in a Half Shell take center stage!
January saw a resurgence of interest in classic comics, with several beloved characters and storylines fetching high prices at auction. Leading the pack were the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, whose 1984 first appearance sold for just under $15,000 on eBay. Meanwhile, a copy of Gobbledygook #1, featuring an ad that predates the Turtles' debut, went for over $13,000 at Heritage Auctions.
Other popular first appearances that commanded top dollar in January included Hobgoblin, Sandman's sister Death, and the Merc with a Mouth, Deadpool. These sales highlight the enduring appeal of classic comic book characters and their ability to capture the imaginations of fans across generations.
To learn more, watch this video about the sales.
Modern Age (c. 1992-Present):
January 2025 saw unusual sales in the comics, with rare finds, misprints, and signed copies selling at highest prices.
Stan Lee remains "The Man"
January saw two sales of special blank variant comic books signed by Stan “the Man” Lee. One featured a quote from the Avengers movie and the other a sketch of Spider-Man. Both graded comics sold for over $10,000.
Other notable sales included Wolverine #145 with a desirable error variant cover, a rare Six Flags Batman comic signed by Jim Lee, and a 1 in 100 ratio variant of Spider-Man which sold for over $28,000.
View our response to these comic book sales here:
January 2025's comic sales charts offer a fascinating glimpse into the current state of the market. From the Golden Age to the Modern Age, collectors are passionate.
What trends will emerge next? Only time will tell. And stay tuned for our next monthly roundup!
