Modern Comic Collecting: What’s Worth Big Money?
Curious about which comics from the last 30 years are commanding the highest prices? The modern age (1992 onward) is full of surprises—variant covers, first appearances, and rare errors are pushing some books to spectacular values!
Blockbuster Variants & Modern Grails
· Amazing Spider-Man #667 (Dell’Otto variant): Ultra-rare and wildly in demand—recently sold for up to $37,200. Not bad for a book less than 15 years old!
· Ultimate Fallout #4 (1st Miles Morales): A true modern classic, now topping $30,900.
· Edge of Spider-Verse #2 (Gwen Stacy as Spider-Woman): Both the rare retailer variant ($6,000) and standard cover ($5,900) break records, driven by film and character popularity.
· Batman #608 (Jim Lee retailer incentive): Early modern variant, now worth up to $5,500, credited for starting the “retailer incentive” buzz in modern collecting.
First Appearances Still Rule
· Walking Dead #1 (2003): Once $20,000 for a near-perfect copy; prices are settling but it’s cemented as a modern legend.
· NYX #3 (1st X-23), Captain Marvel #14/17 (Kamala Khan), Vengeance #1 (America Chavez): First appearances of future MCU stars are must-haves, with prices surging when characters appear on screen.
Spawn: Still Hot After All These Years
· Spawn #1 (1992): Huge print run, but perfect 9.9 and 10.0 copies surprise at auction, sometimes over $5,000—the appeal never dies!
Surprising Collectibles
· Danger Girl #2 (“Ruby Red Smoking Gun” variant): Worth it for rarity alone—over $5,400 even without mainstream fame.
· Saga #1 (Retailer Incentive): Hit $4,000—and could rise again if there’s a series or movie buzz.
· Elseworlds 80-Page Giant: Oddball DC one-shot with a $4,870 10.0 sale.
Key Trends for Modern Collectors
· Variants and incentives: Rare covers and incentive issues often leapfrog traditional keys due to scarcity and rabid fan bases.
· Female heroes & Spider-verse: First appearances of Spider-Gwen, X-23, America Chavez, and other “next gen” characters are climbing fast.
· Movie & TV speculation: Value spikes coincide with film/TV rumors (sometimes stratospherically, sometimes falling back).
Advice for Collectors
· Rarity, character heat, and media tie-ins drive prices more than age.
· Perfect grade books (CGC 9.9/10) can go for multiples—sometimes irrationally.
· Do your research; hype can fade but the right books stay gold.
Summary:
The Modern Age may be young, but it’s already home to some of the comic market’s most exciting keys and wildest auction results. Whether you’re chasing a rare variant, a new MCU hero’s debut, or just starting your collection, these trends show the modern era is here to stay for serious collectors.
What’s on your hunting list? Drop your favorite modern gem in the comments and check out our selection of hot key issues and variants—all from the last three decades!
[Source: SellMyComicBooks.com – Most Valuable Modern Age Comics][1]
