Every year as Free Comic Book Day approaches (the first Saturday of May), there’s often water cooler discussion about which new releases will stand the test of time and become worthy of the acid-free envelope with pressed board backing treatment.
What’s in your collection? Do you have any of the oh-so-valuable rare first editions that have skyrocketed in value over the years? Take a look at the 12 most valuable comics in the world today and then hurry to your mom’s attic or basement to see if your comics have survived cobwebs, leaks and the ravages of time.

Props to the comic-savvy folks over at gocompare who have the 411 on turning comic books into an investment opportunity. They’ve got graphs and charts and stats and it appears that comics appreciate faster than gold.
So here it is: The 12 most valuable comics today, ranked.

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    Flash Comics #1 This first edition of the popular Flash collection introduced fans to the superhero with super-speed. This comic is now worth more than $200,000.
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    Detective Comics #31 Not all pricey comics are first editions, and you’ll see that the Detective series shows up more than once in our list. The dark, brooding cover of this edition turned it into a cult classic, introducing fanboys and girls to Batman’s fiancée Julie Madison. This comic is now valued at around $240,000.
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    Amazing Fantasy #15 We first met Spider-Man, and his alter-ego Peter Parker, in issue #15 of the Amazing Fantasy series. This comic has seen some ups and downs for investors, but is riding high and is now selling for around $275,000.
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    Pep Comics #22 This Pep Comics issue sold for just ten cents in 1941. Collectors wanting to own this popular comic, famous for featuring the first appearance of Archie Andrews, were able to purchase it for around $33,000 in 2008. Its value has skyrocketed since then, making it the highest appreciating comic on the list, with today’s price at around $280,000.
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    Action Comics #7 This comic is famous because it was just the second time where Superman appeared on the cover. Look, up in the sky, because the Action Comics #7 value has skyrocketed over the years and is now estimated to be worth more than $300,000.
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    Captain America Comics #1 This drool-worthy first edition of the phenomenally popular Captain America series has doubled in value since 2008, with appreciation almost exactly mirroring Standards & Poor’s values. Estimated value today is $360,000.
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    Batman #1 We’re big on origins stories, and this issue from 1940 introduces us to the complex and troubled Batman character who would go on to become a Hollywood icon. Collectors have a soft spot for this one and this first edition is now valued at approximately $575,000.
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    Marvel Comics #1 Often discussed but rarely owned, this first ever edition of Marvel Comics from October 1939 is one of the most famous comics ever released. Just last year it was valued at $600,000, making it a tremendous investment opportunity for those lucky enough to own a copy.
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    All-America Comics #16 We first met the Green Lantern Character in this 1940 issue. No evil shall escape its sight, and the power of Green Lantern’s light shines even more brightly today, estimated to be worth a cool $750,000.
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    Superman #1 When Superman #1 was unveiled we learned Clark Kent’s tragic origins story, selling for a thin dime in 1939. Collectors lucky enough to purchase a copy in 2008 were paying about $400,000, but today this rare favorite is fetching more than one million dollars.
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    Detective Comics #27 Brighter, faster, stronger. The front cover of this iconic comic from 1939 sheds light on why it’s seen such a sharp rise in value. Batman made his debut in this ten cent comic from 1939, although now it’s worth a stunning two million dollars.
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    Action Comics #1 As the first comic to feature the world’s most famous superhero, Clark Kent (aka Superman), it’s no surprise that 1938’s Action Comics #1 is a valuable asset. Even as recently as 2008 it could be purchased for about $675,000, but now only the Richie Riches of the world can plunk down the three million dollars to own a copy.

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