Booster Gold #1
Booster Gold was created by Dan Jurgens just a few years before the JLI debuted. Unlike other heroes of the day, Booster was greedy and self-serving. He had come from the future to become a hero and make as much money as possible while doing so.
Things would change for Gold over the next few decades and he would eventually become a true hero. DC head James Gunn recently announced that the character will be getting his own live-action series. Now might be a good time to pick up his debut, which sells for around $500 in a CGC 9.8.
Justice League International #12
Created by Giffen, DeMatteis, and Kevin McGuire, Ice made her first appearance in Justice League International 12. Also known as Tara Olafsdottor, the heroine had the ability to manipulate ice. The character was later killed off by writer Mark Waid, a decision he says he regrets.
Ice was later resurrected and rejoined the DC Universe. She plays a critically important role in Tom King's critically acclaimed Human Target series. Most issues of Justice League International have not been graded and a clean-looking copy can be picked up on the cheap online.
Green Lantern #59
Like the JLA, the JLI had the services of an Earth-bound Green Lantern. Guy Gardner, though, was a much different hero than Hal Jordan. The Green Lantern, who is in an on-again-off-again relationship with Ice, is often antagonistic. This leads to Gardner getting punched out by Batman.
Today's Gardner, while heroic, still displays a similar attitude to his days in the JLI. His likely appearance in future DC projects could lead to increased interest in his first appearance. This book is a little more costly with a CGC 8.0 copy going for $500.
Captain Atom #83
For many comic fans, Ted Kord was their first Blue Beetle. He was actually the second individual to become the Blue Beetle after Dan Garrett. The Beetle was valuable to the team as the genius behind Kord Industries. At the same time, he was more than happy to pal around with Booster Gold and attempt get-rich-quick schemes.
Kord's first appearance comes in Captain Atom 83, a Charlton Comic book that featured a script and artwork from the legendary Steve Ditko. Despite the age and rarity of the book, it is still somewhat affordable. A CGC 8.0 copy of the issue will sell for a little more than $300.
Justice League #1
One of the key characters in the initial run of Justice League International is Maxwell Lord, a wealthy industrialist who helps to create and form the team. He would later go on to become a major supervillain within the DC Universe.
These days, Lord now serves as a major antagonist to Wonder Woman. The character was portrayed by Pedro Pascal in Wonder Woman 1984. Lord was introduced by Maguire, DeMatteis, and Giffen in 1987's Justice League #1. Copies of the issue are quite common and can be purchased for close to $150 in CGC 9.8 condition.
