Key Collector Comics

100 Copper Keys

🗝 The Top 100 Comic Books From The Copper Age 💎 Thank you for utilizing the eBay links when making ANY purchase and contributing to the continued develpoment of Key Collector Comics

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Omega Men #3

DC ⋅ 1983

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Omega Men #3
 
Low
$8
Mid
$20
High
$85

Key Facts

1st appearance of Lobo, an intergalactic bounty hunter

[January 2023 - Jason Momoa speculated to play Lobo in James Gunn's DC films]

Thor #337

Marvel ⋅ 1983

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (4)
Thor #337
 
Low
$12
Mid
$40
High
$120

Key Facts

1st appearance of Beta Ray Bill, a Korbinite alien worthy of picking up Mjolnir

1st appearance of Lorelai, the sister of Enchantress

Gobbledygook #1

Mirage ⋅ 1984

View Details
Gobbledygook #1
 
Low
$180
Mid
$560
High
$3.2k

Key Facts

Advertisement for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (1984)

1st appearance of Fugitoid

As of November 2023 only five CGC copies have ever been publicly sold

To date there are only 23 copies on the census

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #21

Marvel ⋅ 1984

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G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #21
 
Low
$20
Mid
$80
High
$220

Key Facts

1st appearance of Storm Shadow, a former ally of Snake Eyes and the Young Master of the Arashikage Clan

Solo story featuring Snake-Eyes, told without any text or dialogue

Amazing Spider-Man #252

Marvel ⋅ 1984

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Amazing Spider-Man #252
 
Low
$15
Mid
$55
High
$185

Key Facts

1st appearance of Spider-Man's black costume

Cited as being tied with Marvel Team-Up #141 as the first appearance of the black costume, this issue went on sale January 31,1984

Marvel Team-Up #141 went on sale February 14,1984

Cover art inspired by Amazing Fantasy #15

The symbiote costume was designed by a Marvel fan from Illinois named Randy Schueller who was paid $220 by Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter for the concept

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1

Mirage ⋅ 1984

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1
 
Low
$1.2k
Mid
$3k
High
$15k

Key Facts

1st team appearance and origin of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Donatello, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo

1st appearance of Splinter, the Turtles' mentor

1st appearance and death of the Shredder

First printing: 3,000 copies

[February 2022 - Paramount+ to develop three spin-off villain features]

Mage: The Hero Discovered #1

Comico ⋅ 1984

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (2)
Mage: The Hero Discovered #1
 
Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$60

Key Facts

1st appearance of Kevin Matchstick, the reincarnation of King Arthur with Excalibur depicted as a glowing baseball bat

Saga of the Swamp Thing #25

DC ⋅ 1984

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Saga of the Swamp Thing #25
 
Low
$5
Mid
$20
High
$65

Key Facts

1st cameo appearance of John Constantine, Hellblazer

⚠️ Debatable Firsts: it is widely accepted that this is the first cameo appearance of John Constantine but the character in question is not identified as such nor does he wear the classic trenchcoat that is seen when Constantine first appears in full, 12 months later, in Swamp Thing #37

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1

Marvel ⋅ 1984

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Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

1st cameo appearance of the Beyonder as a white light and a voice

First line-wide crossover event series

Firestorm the Nuclear Man #24

DC ⋅ 1984

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Firestorm the Nuclear Man #24
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

1st appearance of Blue Devil, a 16-page original story preceding Blue Devil #1

1st appearance of Bug

Origin of Byte

1st appearance of Marla Bloom

1st appearance of Edward Bloomberg, later becomes Kid Devil then Red Devil

Tales of the Teen Titans #44

DC ⋅ 1984

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Tales of the Teen Titans #44
 
Low
$5
Mid
$20
High
$75

Key Facts

Dick Grayson becomes Nightwing, formerly Robin

Joseph adopts the name Jericho

Origin of Deathstroke and Jericho

Power Pack #1

Marvel ⋅ 1984

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Power Pack #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

1st team appearance of Power Pack: Gee (Alex Power), Lightspeed (Julie Power), Mass Master (Jack Power), Energizer (Katie Power)

[August 2024 - a few years ago, it was rumored Power Pack would be adapted for an animated Disney+ series and once again, the rumor has been recirculated]

New Mutants #18

Marvel ⋅ 1984

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
New Mutants #18
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

1st cameo appearance of Warlock, a techno-organic extraterrestrial

1st full appearance of Demon Bear, a villain of Dani Moonstar

Transformers, The #1

Marvel ⋅ 1984

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Transformers, The #1
 
Low
$20
Mid
$80
High
$200

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Autobots: Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Prowl, Ironhide, Huffer, Cliffjumper, Sideswipe, Hound, Gears, Brawn, Sunstreaker, Bluestreak, Windcharger, Ratchet, Wheeljack, Trailbreaker, Mirage

1st team appearance of the the Decepticons: Megatron, Starscream, Buzzsaw, Thundercracker, Laserbeak, Frenzy, Skywarp, Rumble, Ravage, Soundwave

Albedo #2

Thoughts & Images ⋅ 1984

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Albedo #2
 
Low
$950
Mid
$3.2k
High
$9.5k

Key Facts

1st appearance of Usagi Yojimbo

Yojimbo is Japanese for bodyguard

An animated series set in the Usagi Yojimbo universe is in production for Netflix

Macross #1

Comico ⋅ 1984

View Details
Macross #1
 
Low
$5
Mid
$20
High
$75

Key Facts

1st appearance of Robotech

Early English-translation of an anime property, based off of the Macross episode titled The Super Dimension Fortress

[April 2022 - Hawkeye director, Rhys Thomas will direct Mark Canton and Gianni Nunnari’s Robotech for Sony Pictures]

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8

Marvel ⋅ 1984

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Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8
 
Low
$18
Mid
$60
High
$180

Key Facts

"Secret Wars" part 8

Origin of the black symbiote costume that later bonds with Eddie Brock to become Venom

2nd appearance of Spider-Woman, Julia Carpenter

Coyote #11

Epic ⋅ 1985

View Details
Coyote #11
 
Low
$8
Mid
$25
High
$85

Key Facts

First interior art by Todd McFarlane in the comic industry, officially

McFarlane previously had a sketch published in the Comics Journal #84 fanzine

Uncanny X-Men #191

Marvel ⋅ 1985

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (2)
Uncanny X-Men #191
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30

Key Facts

1st appearance of Nimrod, an advanced sentinel from an alternate timeline

Crisis on Infinite Earths #1

DC ⋅ 1985

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Crisis on Infinite Earths #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

"Crisis on Infinite Earths" part 1

1st appearance of Blue Beetle, Ted Kord, in the DC Universe after being acquired from Charlton Comics

1st appearance of Pariah

1st appearance of Alex Luthor Jr.

1st full appearance of the Monitor

Lyla Michaels becomes Harbinger

New Mutants #26

Marvel ⋅ 1985

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
New Mutants #26
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

1st appearance of Legion, the son of Professor Xavier

Raphael: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1

Mirage ⋅ 1985

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
Raphael: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1
 
Low
$30
Mid
$90
High
$350

Key Facts

First Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles one-shot spin-off

1st appearance and cover of Casey Jones

Infinity Inc. #14

DC ⋅ 1985

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Infinity Inc. #14
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

First published cover art by Todd McFarlane

Saga of the Swamp Thing #37

DC ⋅ 1985

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (7)
Saga of the Swamp Thing #37
 
Low
$30
Mid
$100
High
$300

Key Facts

1st appearance of John Constantine, Hellblazer

[September 2022 - Warner Bros. announced Keanu Reeves will reprise the role of Constantine in a sequel film]

Amazing Spider-Man #265

Marvel ⋅ 1985

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (3)
Amazing Spider-Man #265
 
Low
$9
Mid
$30
High
$90

Key Facts

1st appearance of Silver Sable

1st team appearance of the Wild Pack

[October 2024 - there is chatter once again that Sony has put a Silver Sable project back into development]

Avengers, The #257

Marvel ⋅ 1985

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (2)
Avengers, The #257
 
Low
$5
Mid
$12
High
$45

Key Facts

1st appearance of Nebula, the adopted daughter of Thanos

Batman #386

DC ⋅ 1985

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Batman #386
 
Low
$5
Mid
$20
High
$75

Key Facts

1st appearance of Black Mask, a crime boss who wore a mask carved from the casket lid of his deceased father

Miracleman #1

Eclipse ⋅ 1985

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Miracleman #1
 
Low
$10
Mid
$30
High
$100

Key Facts

Reintroduction of Marvelman, a 1950s British superhero renamed Miracleman for legal purposes

Longshot #1

Marvel ⋅ 1985

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Longshot #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

1st appearance of Longshot

1st appearance of Spiral

Crisis on Infinite Earths #7

DC ⋅ 1985

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Crisis on Infinite Earths #7
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$20

Key Facts

"Crisis on Infinite Earths" part 7

Death of Supergirl

Origin of The Monitor, Anti-Monitor, Pariah and Guardians of Oa

DC Comics Presents #87

DC ⋅ 1985

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DC Comics Presents #87
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

1st appearance and origin of Superboy-Prime, a corrupted, parallel universe version of Superman

Punisher Limited Series #1

Marvel ⋅ 1986

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Punisher Limited Series #1
 
Low
$12
Mid
$45
High
$135

Key Facts

First solo series featuring the Punisher

Uncanny X-Men #201

Marvel ⋅ 1986

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Uncanny X-Men #201
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

1st appearance of Nathan Summers (Cable) as a baby, son of Scott Summers and Madelyne Pryor

Solson Christmas Special #1

Solson ⋅ 1986

View Details
Solson Christmas Special #1
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50

Key Facts

First interior art by Jim Lee, interior inks

Booster Gold #1

DC ⋅ 1986

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Booster Gold #1
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50

Key Facts

1st appearance of Booster Gold

1st appearance of Skeets, the robot sidekick of Booster Gold

1st appearance of Blackguard

1st appearance of Trixie Collins, later becomes Goldstar

1st cameo appearance of Mindancer

[January 2023 - a Booster Gold TV series about a "loser from the future" who returns to the past to pretend to be a superhero is planned for HBO Max]

X-Factor #1

Marvel ⋅ 1986

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X-Factor #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

1st team appearance of X-Factor, the original X-Men: Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Iceman, Angel

1st appearance of Cameron Hodge, a human who passionately hated mutants

1st appearance of Rusty Collins, a mutant with the ability to manipulate fire

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1

DC ⋅ 1986

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (7)
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1
 
Low
$20
Mid
$80
High
$200

Key Facts

1st appearance of Robin, Carrie Kelley, in an alternate reality

1st cameo appearance of the Mutants and the Mutant Leader

💰Original cover art sold on June 16, 2022 for $2.4 million dollars

Alpha Flight #33

Marvel ⋅ 1986

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (2)
Alpha Flight #33
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

1st appearance of Yuriko Oyama as Lady Deathstrike, in costume - previously introduced in Daredevil #197

Megaton #5

Megaton ⋅ 1986

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Megaton #5
 
Low
$1
Mid
$3
High
$12

Key Facts

First interior art by Rob Liefeld

Dark Horse Presents #1

Dark Horse ⋅ 1986

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (3)
Dark Horse Presents #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

First comic book published by Dark Horse Comics founded in 1986

1st appearance of Concrete, an average man's journey through life in a stone body

1st appearance of Black Cross, a fearless warrior in a post-apocalyptic world

X-Factor #6

Marvel ⋅ 1986

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (2)
X-Factor #6
 
Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$65

Key Facts

1st full appearance and cover of Apocalypse

Captain America Annual #8

Marvel ⋅ 1986

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (2)
Captain America Annual #8
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$40

Key Facts

Iconic cover art by Mike Zeck

1st appearance of TESS-One

Watchmen #1

DC ⋅ 1986

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Watchmen #1
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$60

Key Facts

Premiere issue of a twelve-issue series that explores the dark side of superheroes from a realistic, flawed perspective

1st appearance of Rorschach, Dr. Manhattan, Ozymandias, Silk Spectre, The Comedian and Night Owl

Alan Moore based his characters off of DC's newly acquired Charlton heroes: the Question, Captain Atom, Thunderbolt, Nightshade, the Peacemaker and Blue Beetle

[July 2023 - Warner Bros. announced an animated Watchmen feature is in development]

New Mutants Annual #2

Marvel ⋅ 1986

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
New Mutants Annual #2
 
Low
$10
Mid
$30
High
$100

Key Facts

1st appearance and origin of Betsy Braddock in U.S. comics, renamed Psylocke by Mojo

1st appearance of Meggan in U.S. comics

Superman: The Man of Steel #1

Variant ⋅ DC ⋅ 1986

View Details
Superman: The Man of Steel #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$5

Key Facts

Variant cover art by John Byrne

First intentional variant cover, available from comic stores only

Uncanny X-Men #212

Marvel ⋅ 1986

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
Uncanny X-Men #212
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30

Key Facts

First battle of Wolverine versus Sabretooth

📖 Reading Order: Mutant Massacre Part 6

Wonder Woman #1

DC ⋅ 1987

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (6)
Wonder Woman #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

Origin of Wonder Woman

1st appearance of Philippus, an Amazonian captain

1st appearance of Aella, an Amazon warrior, Reintroduction of Ares and Hippolyta

Origin of Hippolyta and Antiope

Wraparound cover art by George Perez

Suicide Squad #1

DC ⋅ 1987

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (2)
Suicide Squad #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

1st appearance of Warden John Economos

1st team appearance of Onslaught aka Jihad: Chimera aka Nightshade, Djinn, Jaculi, Manticore, Ravan and Rustam

1st appearance of Simon LaGrieve

Introduction of Belle Reve

[April 2023 - Steve Agee to voice John Economos in Creature Commandos]

Transformers Magazine, The (UK) #113

Marvel ⋅ 1987

View Details
Transformers Magazine, The (UK) #113
 
Low
$40
Mid
$120
High
$400

Key Facts

1st appearance of Death's Head, a robot bounty hunter

Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21

Marvel ⋅ 1987

View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

Marriage of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson

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