Much like trading cards and sneakers, comics are indelible collectibles in American pop culture, but what are the most expensive comic books ever sold? With their immense popularity during the 20th century, comic books have emerged as a viable alternative asset, much like fine art and rare wristwatches.
Comics also serve as the inspiration for the massive superhero film industry we see today. Countless box office hits and television shows have kept these heroes relevant across generations. As time has passed, the generation that grew up reading these comics now looks to purchase them for their rarity and nostalgia factor. In turn, some of these have gone from newsstands to auction houses, with many claiming a seven-figure price tag.
Today, instead of focusing on trading cards of our favorite characters, we will be counting down the 10 most expensive comic books ever sold. You'll notice that all of these comics were graded by CGC, the top grading service for comic books. To keep the list fresh, we are only allowing each individual comic to appear once. Let’s jump right in and highlight some familiar pop culture faces.