Rare Marvel Comic Books

Comic book collectors tend to have stacks of longboxes. These white, heave cardboard boxes can hold up to 500 comic books. In all of these boxes, most comics aren't worth more after they're sold, but older comics are an exception to that rule.

Marvel Comics is one of the biggest comic companies in the world. They brought us such heroes as Spider-Man, the X-Men, Fantastic Four, the Hulk, and others. It was founded in 1939 by Martin Goodman as Timely Comics. The Marvel people are familiar with comes from the 1960s birth of the Fantastic Four and other comics created by Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, and others.

These eight Marvel comic books are costly collector's items. The prices are what was listed on the websites and would vary according to the condition of the comic books.

1. Ultimate Spider-Man #1 (2000)- This is the newest comic on my list. It is sometimes credited with pulling comic books out of the "dark ages" of the 90's, when the comic book industry sagged. Brian Michael Bendis is the author, while Mark Bagley did the artwork. Originals sell for around $190.

2. Fantastic Four #1 (1961) - The debut of the Fantastic Four, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Said to be priced at $33,000.

3. Fantastic Four #5 (July 1962) - This comic is notable to collectors because it features the first appearance of Doctor Doom. Stan Lee wrote this comic as well. It is said to fetch $3,500 in Very Fine condition.

4. Amazing Fantasy #15 (August 1962) - The first appearance of Spider-Man. The comic series was going to be canceled, but Stan Lee was allowed to introduce this teenage everyman. Near-mint copies have been sold for well over $100,000. Lee says, "Nobody cares what you put in a book that's going to die, so I threw in Spider-Man. I featured him on the cover and forgot about him." (http://www.coverbrowser.com/top/rare)

5. Captain America #109 (June 1969) - The origins of Captain America, the cover boasts. This issue of Captain America sells for around $350

6. - 8. Amazing Spider-Man #13, #14, #15 (1964) - This run of comic books is known for containing the first appearances of Mysterio (13), Green Goblin (14), and Kraven and Anna Watson (15). These were originally sold for twelve cents, but now sell for anywhere from $2000 down to $600, depending on condition. All of these were written by Stan Lee himself.

9. The Amazing Spider-Man #129 (Feb 1974) - This comic is notable for the first appearance of The Punisher. Written by Gerry Conway, The Punisher was put into a Spider-Man comic because he was thought too violent for his own (which came later). It can be purchased for around $490.

10. X-Men #1 (September 1963) - The X-Men make their debut along with their enemy Magneto. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby are credited as Co-plotters. This can sell for up to $2700.