#10 – Dennis the Menace Bonus Magazine Series #153
Figured we’d start off with something really obscure with the Bicentennial issue of this forgotten series. Dennis the Menace Bonus Magazine Series was a continuation of the Dennis the Menace Giants that began publication in 1955 and lasted for 75 issues before the title change.
There are no graded copies of Dennis the Menace Bonus Magazine Series #153 in the CGC census, which really isn’t all that surprising. However, I don’t recall ever seeing this issue in the wild. If you have a copy or have seen it, let us know in the contents below. This is a very cool, kid-friendly patriotic comic cover.
#9 – Supergirl #13
Supergirl in an all-new costume with the American flag waving in the breeze of some alien moon makes this Ed Hannigan and Dick Giordano cover a patriotic highlight.
There are only 36 graded copies of Supergirl #13 in the CGC census, and a 9.8 last sold in 2021 for $150. Odds are, with the downturn over the past year, you could likely find a 9.8 for under $100.
#8 – Man of War #1
Paul Gustavson drew the cover for Man of War #1, published by Centaur in 1941. This obscure patriotic character’s series only lasted two issues, but it’s a cool cover, and those bare legs and short shorts really stick out! There are only 26 graded copies, and the last sale was a 5.5 going for $10,200 in 2022.
If you really want a copy for your patriotic comic cover collection, you’ll have to hope Uncle Sam (more on him later) sent you a hefty tax refund this year.
#7 – American Flagg #1
Part of a new wave of independent creator-owned comics that hit the stands back in the early 1980s, American Flagg #1, by Howard Chaykin and published by First Comics, is a striking patriotic cover for the first issue of a rip-roaring political satire.
There are 176 graded copies, and the one-year average for a 9.8 currently stands at $139. The first twelve issues of the series are excellent and definitely worth a read.
#6 – All-Star Comics #22
No Superman or Batman on the cover of this Golden Age DC classic. Instead, we have George Washington and Abraham Lincoln as Hawkman leads the charge while carrying the American flag in this cover by Frank Harry.
There are 71 graded copies of All-Star Comics #22 in the CGC census – a decent number for a 1944 comic. The most recent sale took place in December 2022 when a 5.5 went for $1,560, while in the 9.2 grade a copy sold earlier in the year for $9,000. That gives you a good range from which to choose depending on your budget.
#5 – National Comics #26
You can never go wrong with Reed Crandall, who gave us the amazing cover for National Comics #26 featuring Uncle Sam and Buddy Smith. There are only 15 graded copies of this 1942 gem published by Quality Comics in the CGC census, and no sales data to determine value.
A quick eBay search shows a raw very good copy selling for $499 on May 13. If you’re one of those lucky 15, know that you have one of the coolest patriotic comic covers of all time.
#4 – Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #58
There are 43 graded copies of the very affordable Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #58 in the CGC census. An 8.0 sold in 2021 for $840, while a 3.5 sold in 2022 for just $175.
#3 – Strange Tales #167
With 657 graded copies, there’s no shortage when compared to others on this list. The 30-day average for a 9.2 stands at $385, while in the 7.0 grade it’s just $90. Either is a worthwhile price to pay for the only Silver Age comic to make our list.
#2 – Superman #14
It’s a tough call putting this iconic Fred Ray cover for Superman #14 on our list of patriotic comic covers at #2. It’s one of the greatest covers of all time, drawn by arguably Superman’s greatest cover artist. There are an appreciable 238 graded copies of this Golden Age great in the CGC census.
The latest sale was a 6.5 selling in the April 2 Heritage auction for $14,400, a record in the grade and a pittance for this legendary cover.
#1 – Captain America Comics #1
Only the first appearance of Captain America in Captain America Comics #1 could beat out Superman #14 to take the crown as the greatest patriotic comic cover of all time. Featuring Captain America as drawn by the King himself – Jack Kirby – decking Adolf Hitler, this cover is one of the most well-known of all time.
There are 191 graded copies, and a 9.2 just sold in the June 25 Heritage auction for $810,000. And just think: somewhere out there is a 9.8 that has never sold.
Happy Fourth of July from all of us at GoCollect!
