The 1990s were a transformative era for comic books, as superheroes soared to new heights in popularity and the industry experienced a remarkable surge in creativity. Within this dynamic landscape, certain issues emerged as the crown jewels of collectors’ dreams, fetching exorbitant prices in the market. In this article, we embark on a captivating journey through the Top 12 Most Valuable Comic Books from the 90s, carefully ranked by their staggering price tags. From legendary superheroes to groundbreaking storylines, join us as we explore the rare and sought-after gems that have become the holy grails for comic book enthusiasts and investors alike. We have conducted thorough market research for 2023 to ensure accurate pricing of the comic books. Nevertheless, it is important to acknowledge that prices may experience occasional fluctuations. Periodic updates will be made to this article to maintain the accuracy of the prices.
12. Venom: Lethal Protector (1993) No.1 (Gold Edition)($325)
Venom: Lethal Protector No. 1 (Gold Cover) is a highly sought-after comic book that marks the first-ever solo series for Venom, one of Spider-Man’s most iconic adversaries. Venom’s popularity surged during the 1990s, making this debut issue a pivotal moment in the character’s history. While the standard cover of the comic is relatively common, the gold cover variant is considerably rarer. The issue introduced a new storyline that saw Venom relocating to San Francisco and attempting to become a “lethal protector” rather than a mere villain. Combining the popularity of Venom, the rarity of the gold cover variant, and the comic’s historical significance, this comic book has become a highly coveted item. its value has soared in the market, making it one of the top 12 most valuable comic books from the 90s.
11. SPAWN (1992) NO.1 (black and white cover) ($350)
Spawn No. 1 introduced the character Al Simmons, a former government assassin who returns from the dead as a Hellspawn—a supernatural entity tasked with carrying out the bidding of Hell. The comic book was published by Image Comics, a company founded by several high-profile creators, including Spawn’s writer McFarlane, seeking to break away from the traditional superhero publishing model. The black and white cover variant of Spawn No. 1 had a relatively low print run compared to the color version. This rarity makes it more desirable among collectors. Spawn had a considerable impact on the comic book industry in the 1990s. It helped usher in a new era of darker and edgier superhero stories and influenced subsequent comic book art and storytelling styles. Due to these factors, the “Spawn” No. 1 (Black and White Cover) comic book has become a sought-after item among collectors.
10. batman beyond (1999) no.1 (newsstand cover)($600)
The first issue of “Batman Beyond” is set in a futuristic Gotham City and features a new Batman named Terry McGinnis. This first appearance of a new Batman and the fact that the comic book is based on the popular animated television show of the same name has made this issue highly sought after by collectors. Also, the newsstand edition of the comic was sold in retail outlets like bookstores and newsstands. Compared to the more common direct market editions sold in comic book stores, newsstand editions had lower print runs. This scarcity increases the desirability and value among collectors, which contributed to the high value of Batman Beyond No. 1) in the collector’s market.
9. the batman adventures (1992) no.12 ($650)
Up next, the Batman Adventures was published as part of the ongoing series based on the animated television show “Batman: The Animated Series.” This particular issue is notable because it features the first appearance of no other than Harley Quinn in the DC Comics continuity. Harley Quinn, created for the animated series, became an immensely popular character and eventually transitioned into the mainstream DC Comics universe. Since “The Batman Adventures” No. 12 holds significance as Harley Quinn’s first comic book appearance, it became highly sought after by collectors, with a market price of about $650.
8. The New Mutants (1990) No. 87 ($800)
The New Mutants No. 87 is a comic book issue that holds significant importance in the Marvel Comics universe. It features the first appearance of Cable, a highly popular character known for his connections to the X-Men and his time-traveling abilities. Cable, also known as Nathan Summers, has become an integral part of many X-Men storylines and has garnered a strong fan following. The New Mutants No. 87 is considered a valuable comic book due to its significance in introducing Cable. This particular issue of The New Mutants No. 87 is highly sought after by collectors, and its value can reach approximately $800 due to the significant demand it enjoys.
7. Batman: Vengeance of Bane (1993) No. 1 ($650)
One of the top 12 most valuable comic books from the 90s, Batman: Vengeance of Bane No. 1 is a one-shot comic book that tells the origin story of the character Bane, one of Batman’s top adversaries and the main antagonist of The Dark Knight Rises 2012 movie, which is the third installment in Christopher Nolan’s Batman film trilogy. This issue explores Bane’s background, his rise to power in the criminal underworld, and his eventual confrontation with Batman. It is considered a key issue in Bane’s character development and is highly regarded among Batman fans. The comic book’s significance in introducing and delving into Bane’s character, coupled with its limited run as a one-shot issue, contribute to its desirability among collectors. Although the exact value can fluctuate, based on the research I conducted, the current market value of this comic book is approximately USD 650.
6. Spawn (1992) No.1 the UPC Variant ($1,100)
Originally published in May 1992, Spawn No. 1, The UPC Variant, is a comic book issue that holds significance in the world of comics. It is a variant cover edition of the first issue of the “Spawn” series, created by Todd McFarlane. This variant cover features a unique Universal Product Code (UPC) symbol placement, which distinguishes it from the regular edition. The demand for this variant cover is high due to its unique characteristics and its association with the popular “Spawn” series. The current market value of “The Spawn” No. 1, The UPC Variant, has surged significantly, reaching an impressive USD 1,100.
5. The Uncanny X-Men (1990) No. 266 ($1,200)
Printed in August 1990, The Uncanny X-Men No. 266 is a comic book issue that is considered significant in the history of the X-Men franchise. It features the first full appearance of the character Gambit, who later became a popular and beloved member of the X-Men team. The issue was written by Chris Claremont and illustrated by Mike Collins, Josef Rubinstein, and Glynis Oliver. According to my latest research it t had a market value in the range of $1,200 to $1,300, depending on its condition.
4. venom: lethal protector (1993) no. 1 (black cover) and (white cover) ($1,500 each)
The Venom: Lethal Protector” No. 1 is a comic book that was published by Marvel Comics in February 1993. It features the popular Marvel character Venom in a solo series. The series explores Venom’s transition from being a villain to an anti-hero. There are two different covers for issue No. 1, commonly referred to as the “Black Cover” and the “White Cover” variants. The “Black Cover” variant of “Venom: Lethal Protector” No. 1 is the more common version, with a cost of about $1,300, while the “White Cover” variant is considered slightly rarer and more sought after by collectors with a price tag of $1,500. The White Cover variant features a different cover design with a predominantly white background.
3. The Amazing Spider-Man (1992) No. 361 ($2,000)
Published in April 1992, The Amazing Spider-Man No. 361 is extremely notable for featuring the first appearance of the popular character Carnage, who is a supervillain and an offspring of the villainous Venom symbiote. The Amazing Spider-Man No. 361 is considered a key issue in Spider-Man’s comic book history due to Carnage’s debut with a remarkably high price, reaching an impressive $2,000.
2. The New Mutants (1991) No. 98 ($2,700)
Originally published in February 1991, The New Mutants No. 98 holds significant importance in the Marvel Comics universe. It features the first appearance of the character Deadpool, who has since become an incredibly popular and iconic character known for his humor and unconventional nature. It also featured the first full appearance of the characters Gideon and Copycat. In terms of value, “The New Mutants” No. 98 is considered highly valuable among collectors, and it’s worth about USD 2,700.
1. bone (1991) no. 1 ($6,000)
Bone is a highly acclaimed comic book series created by Jeff Smith. The series was initially self-published by Jeff Smith’s company, Cartoon Books, starting in 1991. The first issue of “Bone” was simply titled “Out From Boneville.” “Bone” is a fantasy adventure series that follows the adventures of three Bone cousins: Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone, as they find themselves in a mysterious valley filled with strange creatures and epic quests. The series combines elements of humor, fantasy, and epic storytelling and has been praised for its engaging characters and intricate plot. In terms of value, early issues of “Bone” can be sought after by collectors, especially the self-published ones from the 1990s. The first issue of Bone, which originally cost $2.95, is now worth a whopping USD 6,000,
