Key Collector Comics

Pre Code Crime & Horror Halloween 2024

Highlights from Heritage Auctions' Pre-Code Horror and Crime event

1 2 › »

Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.

Black Cat Comics #37
Non-Key

Harvey ⋅ 1952

View Details
Black Cat Comics #37
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Cover art by Warren Kremer

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

7.5 sold for $3,240 [$114 in 2012] +2,742%

Strange Mysteries #15
Non-Key

Superior ⋅ 1954

View Details
Strange Mysteries #15
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Skull cover published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

6.5 sold for $3,840 [$136 in 2012] +2,724%

Venus #18

Timely ⋅ 1952

View Details
Venus #18
 
Low
$600
Mid
$1.8k
High
$6k

Key Facts

Cover art by Bill Everett

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

8.0 sold for $14,400 [$950 in 2007] +1,416%

Crime Does Not Pay #46
Non-Key

Lev Gleason ⋅ 1946

View Details
Crime Does Not Pay #46
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Non-Key Issue. No additional information is available.

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

8.0 sold for $3,480 [$350 in 2011] +894%

Exposed #2

D.S. ⋅ 1948

View Details
Exposed #2
 
Low
$35
Mid
$105
High
$340

Key Facts

Early Golden Age crime series

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

7.0 sold for $960 [$115 in 2005] +735%

Blue Bolt #112

Funnies Inc. ⋅ 1952

View Details
Blue Bolt #112
 
Low
$400
Mid
$1.2k
High
$4k

Key Facts

Demon cover art by L. B. Cole, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

5.5 sold for $1,800 [$267 in 2015] +574%

Mister Mystery #4

Media Pub. ⋅ 1952

View Details
Mister Mystery #4
 
Low
$135
Mid
$450
High
$1.4k

Key Facts

Bondage cover art by Ross Andru

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

7.5 sold for $1,560 [$250 in 2009] +524%

Crime Does Not Pay #58
Non-Key

Lev Gleason ⋅ 1947

View Details
Crime Does Not Pay #58
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Extreme violence cover, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

7.0 sold for $480 [$88 in 2014] +445%

Mysterious Adventures #13

Story ⋅ 1953

View Details
Mysterious Adventures #13
 
Low
$1k
Mid
$3k
High
$10k

Key Facts

Horror cover, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

7.0 sold for $7,800 [$1,999 in 2020] +290%

Journey Into Mystery #6

Marvel ⋅ 1953

View Details
Journey Into Mystery #6
 
Low
$1.2k
Mid
$4k
High
$12k

Key Facts

Published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

7.0 sold for $13,800 [$3,639 in 2018] +279%

Terrors of the Jungle #17

Star ⋅ 1952

View Details
Terrors of the Jungle #17
 
Low
$300
Mid
$1k
High
$3k

Key Facts

Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority

Reason: implication that the United States tests biological weapons on African natives

Reprinted story from Rulah the Jungle Goddess #21

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

4.0 sold for $1,260 [$350 in 2020] +260%

Gangsters Can't Win #2

D.S. ⋅ 1948

View Details
Gangsters Can't Win #2
 
Low
$500
Mid
$1.5k
High
$5k

Key Facts

Skull cover

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

7.0 sold for $3,600 [$1,080 in 2018] +233%

Forbidden Worlds #94
Non-Key

ACG ⋅ 1961

View Details
Forbidden Worlds #94
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Non-Key Issue. No additional information is available.

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

9.0 sold for $960 [$300 in 2015] +220%

Wanted Comics #52

Orbit-Wanted ⋅ 1953

View Details
Wanted Comics #52
 
Low
$380
Mid
$1.2k
High
$3.8k

Key Facts

Opium abuse story, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

8.0 sold for $5,040 [$1,764 in 2017] +186%

Chilling Tales #17

Youthful ⋅ 1953

View Details
Chilling Tales #17
 
Low
$230
Mid
$815
High
$2.3k

Key Facts

Cover art by Matt Fox, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

6.0 sold for $1,320 [$475 in 2017] +178%

Mysterious Adventures #21

Story ⋅ 1954

View Details
Mysterious Adventures #21
 
Low
$190
Mid
$750
High
$2k

Key Facts

Published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

5.5 sold for $600 [$250 in 2017] +140%

Venus #19

Timely ⋅ 1952

View Details
Venus #19
 
Low
$4.3k
Mid
$13k
High
$43k

Key Facts

Iconic horror cover art by Bill Everett published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

6.0 sold for $17,400 [$7,311 in 2017] +138%

Eerie #1

Avon ⋅ 1947

View Details
Eerie #1
 
Low
$1.6k
Mid
$5.5k
High
$16k

Key Facts

First comic book title dedicated to the horror genre

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

7.5 sold for $25,200 [$11,250 in 2022] +124%

Forbidden Worlds #73

ACG ⋅ 1958

View Details
Forbidden Worlds #73
 
Low
$60
Mid
$180
High
$600

Key Facts

1st appearance of Herbie Popnecker, an obese child who gains supernatural abilities from eating magic lollipops

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

6.0 sold for $324 [$150 in 2015] +116%

Horrific #13

Comic Media ⋅ 1954

View Details
Horrific #13
 
Low
$80
Mid
$200
High
$800

Key Facts

Final issue

Published during the month that the Comics Code Authority was established

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

8.5 sold for $900 [$475 in 2018] +89%

Manhunt #2
Non-Key

Magazine Enterprises ⋅ 1947

View Details
Manhunt #2
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Electric chair cover published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

6.5 sold for $1,320 [$750 in 2016] +76%

Dynamic Comics #20

Chesler Dynamic ⋅ 1946

View Details
Dynamic Comics #20
 
Low
$215
Mid
$850
High
$2.1k

Key Facts

Cover art by Paul Gattuso

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

8.0 sold for $1,560 [$896 in 2017] +74%

Horrific #6

Comic Media ⋅ 1953

View Details
Horrific #6
 
Low
$190
Mid
$925
High
$2.1k

Key Facts

Cover art by Don Heck, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

6.5 sold for $1,140 [$721 in 2019] +58%

Crime Reporter #1

St. John ⋅ 1948

View Details
Crime Reporter #1
 
Low
$70
Mid
$210
High
$760

Key Facts

Premiere issue, drug story

Cover art by Bob Lubbers

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

5.0 sold for $408 [$260 in 2013] +57%

Eerie #1
Non-Key

Avon ⋅ 1951

View Details
Eerie #1
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Non-Key Issue. No additional information is available.

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

7.5 sold for $2,640 [$1,793 in 2017] +47%

Dark Mysteries #19

Master Comics ⋅ 1954

View Details
Dark Mysteries #19
 
Low
$450
Mid
$1.3k
High
$4.5k

Key Facts

Bondage cover

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

7.5 sold for $5,400 [$3,840 in 2019] +41%

Beware! Terror Tales #8

Fawcett ⋅ 1953

View Details
Beware! Terror Tales #8
 
Low
$215
Mid
$765
High
$2.2k

Key Facts

Horror cover, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

5.5 sold for $1,080 [$800 in 2019] +35%

Strange Mysteries #11
Non-Key

Superior ⋅ 1953

View Details
Strange Mysteries #11
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

4.5 sold for $1,080 [$800 in 2018] +35%

Crime Does Not Pay #43
Non-Key

Lev Gleason ⋅ 1946

View Details
Crime Does Not Pay #43
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Infamous 'Rat' cover art by Charles Biro

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

6.0 sold for $660 [$504 in May] +31%

Crimes By Women #10

Fox ⋅ 1949

View Details
Crimes By Women #10
 
Low
$90
Mid
$280
High
$900

Key Facts

Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority

Reason: instructs girls on how to avoid making mistakes when committing a crime

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

6.5 sold for $1,080 [$865 in Sep] +25%

Punch Comics #9

Chesler Dynamic ⋅ 1944

View Details
Punch Comics #9
 
Low
$850
Mid
$2.1k
High
$8.5k

Key Facts

Cover art depicting extreme violence, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

1.0 sold for $3,840 [$3,120 in 2023] +23%

Racket Squad in Action #5
Non-Key

Charlton ⋅ 1953

View Details
Racket Squad in Action #5
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

'Headlights' cover published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

7.5 sold for $1,080 [$884 in 2016] +22%

Horrific #3

Comic Media ⋅ 1953

View Details
Horrific #3
 
Low
$830
Mid
$2.2k
High
$8.3k

Key Facts

Horror cover, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

5.0 sold for $4,560 [$3,755 in Mar] +21%

Beware #6

Trojan ⋅ 1953

View Details
Beware #6
 
Low
$625
Mid
$1.7k
High
$6.2k

Key Facts

Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority

Reason: a dead man is depicted with his face frozen in fear as onlookers notice his tongue has been ripped out

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

6.0 sold for $1,325 [$1,125 in Mar] +18%

Mister Mystery #6

Media Pub. ⋅ 1952

View Details
Mister Mystery #6
 
Low
$1k
Mid
$3k
High
$10k

Key Facts

Bondage cover, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

4.0 sold for $3,480 [$3,328 in 2020] +5%

Weird Chills #3

Key ⋅ 1954

View Details
Weird Chills #3
 
Low
$200
Mid
$800
High
$2k

Key Facts

Cover art by Bernard Baily

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

4.0 sold for $600 [$576 in 2021] +4%

Men's Adventures #24
Non-Key

Timely ⋅ 1953

View Details
Men's Adventures #24
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Cover art by Sol Brodsky, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

9.0 sold for $9,600 [No Previous Data]

Marvel Tales #124
Non-Key

Marvel ⋅ 1954

View Details
Marvel Tales #124
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Cover art by Harry Anderson, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

9.0 sold for $6,600 [No Previous Data]

Haunted Thrills #13
Non-Key

Farrell ⋅ 1954

View Details
Haunted Thrills #13
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Skeleton cover

The skeleton cab driver motif was a popular recurring theme in Pre-Code Horror books

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

8.5 sold for $5,760 [No Previous Data]

Journey Into Unknown Worlds #28
Non-Key

Atlas ⋅ 1954

View Details
Journey Into Unknown Worlds #28
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Cover art by Harry Anderson, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

8.5 sold for $4,680 [No Previous Data]

This Magazine Is Haunted #11
Non-Key

Fawcett ⋅ 1953

View Details
This Magazine Is Haunted #11
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

9.2 sold for $4,080 [No Previous Data]

Men's Adventures #21
Non-Key

Timely ⋅ 1953

View Details
Men's Adventures #21
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Skull cover art by Bill Everett, published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

8.0 sold for $3,240 [No Previous Data]

Tim Holt #30

Magazine Enterprises ⋅ 1952

View Details
Tim Holt #30
 
Low
$1k
Mid
$3k
High
$10k

Key Facts

In 1970, a San Francisco reporter received a Halloween greeting card from the real-life Zodiac serial killer with the words "by fire, by gun, by knife, by rope”

Later, a comic collector noticed the wording was eerily similar to Lady Doom’s “Death Wheel" on the cover of this book

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

5.5 sold for $2,880 [No Previous Data]

Fight Against Crime #13
Non-Key

Story ⋅ 1953

View Details
Fight Against Crime #13
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

7.5 sold for $2,640 [No Previous Data]

Baffling Mysteries #9
Non-Key

Ace ⋅ 1952

View Details
Baffling Mysteries #9
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Cover art by Ken Rice

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

8.5 sold for $2,280 [No Previous Data]

Crime Mysteries #4

Ribage ⋅ 1952

View Details
Crime Mysteries #4
 
Low
$750
Mid
$1.9k
High
$7.5k

Key Facts

Bondage cover

One-page interior artwork by Frank Frazetta on a public service announcement titled 'Prayer Works Wonders'

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

5.5 sold for $2,160 [No Previous Data]

Eerie Adventures #1

Ziff-Davis ⋅ 1951

View Details
Eerie Adventures #1
 
Low
$200
Mid
$800
High
$2k

Key Facts

Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority

Reason: a legal battle between Eerie and Eerie Adventures led to Wertham, author of Seduction of the Innocent, to believe the courts cared more about protecting the financial interests of publishers than the well being of the children

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

7.5 sold for $2,160 [No Previous Data]

Haunted Thrills #10

Farrell ⋅ 1953

View Details
Haunted Thrills #10
 
Low
$215
Mid
$840
High
$2.1k

Key Facts

Cover art by Iger Shop featuring the Grim Reaper

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

8.5 sold for $2,160 [No Previous Data]

Adventures Into Terror #19
Non-Key

Marvel ⋅ 1953

View Details
Adventures Into Terror #19
 
Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

Cover art by Carl Burgos

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

8.0 sold for $2,040 [No Previous Data]

Manhunt #1

Magazine Enterprises ⋅ 1947

View Details
Manhunt #1
 
Low
$180
Mid
$600
High
$1.8k

Key Facts

Interior art depicts scantily clad women and bondage panels

Market News

📣 Signature Auction: New High [Previous High]

7.0 sold for $2,040 [No Previous Data]

1 2 › »

Adjust Your Filters To See More Comics!

By default Key Collector searches for Standard Cover Key Issues.

Adjust the "Variants" search filter above for additional content:

  • Variant Covers ([[totalVariants]])

At Key Collector, our primary focus is on unearthing those rare Standard Cover Key Issues for you. However, the world of comic collectibles is vast and varied. We want to make sure you have the tools to explore it all!