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

Price Trend
Low
$50
Mid
$150
High
$500

Key Facts

Prototype of Sandman

DC ⋅ 1949

Low
$125
Mid
$385
High
$1.4k

Key Facts

Prototype of Supergirl

Marvel ⋅ 1953

Low
$400
Mid
$1.2k
High
$4k

Key Facts

Story titled Werewolf By Night, published nearly two decades before Marvel Spotlight #2 but not connected to the character beyond the title alone

Image ⋅ 2008

Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

Prototype of Skullkickers

10-page story initially titled 'Two Copper Pieces'

Low
$7
Mid
$20
High
$90

Key Facts

1st appearance of Starr the Slayer, a Conan the Barbarian prototype introduced to test market interest in a sword and sorcery property

First cover collaboration of artists Marie Severin and Bill Everett who signed their artwork as "7EV" a combination of their last names

Low
$30
Mid
$105
High
$375

Key Facts

Prototype of the Watcher, first and only appearance of a pilot disguised as an alien named Zarkorr

Glamour ⋅ 1993

Low
$50
Mid
$150
High
$500

Key Facts

Prototype of Hellboy

Print run: 2,000 estimated copies

Hellboy shares the cover with a character named Nathan Never, an Italian comic book character

Low
$120
Mid
$400
High
$1.2k

Key Facts

Prototype of Iron Man, a character named Metallo who is an escaped convict in a radiation prevention suit

Marvel ⋅ 1961

Low
$35
Mid
$95
High
$385

Key Facts

Prototype of Magneto

Marvel ⋅ 1962

Low
$40
Mid
$120
High
$400

Key Facts

Prototype of Doctor Octopus, created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, published fifteen months before The Amazing Spider-Man #3, the first appearance of Doctor Octopus - character does not take human form in story

Low
$30
Mid
$100
High
$510

Key Facts

Prototype of Doctor Strange

Low
$120
Mid
$400
High
$1.2k

Key Facts

Prototype of Doctor Doom, specifically the design of his faceplate in near identical detail to the Monster in the Iron Mask

Low
$105
Mid
$365
High
$1.1k

Key Facts

Prototype of Thor, created by Jack Kirby prior to the character's introduction in Marvel Comics, Journey Into Mystery #83

Low
$100
Mid
$300
High
$1k

Key Facts

Prototype of the Fantastic Four

Written and illustrated by Jack Kirby who co-created the Fantastic Four with Stan Lee three years later

In this story, one of the characters returns from space with four distinct abilities: fire projection, ice projection, size manipulation, invisibility

Marvel ⋅ 1973

Low
$40
Mid
$120
High
$400

Key Facts

Prototype of Wolverine, published 1.5 years prior to Wolverine's first appearance

Andy Olsen, a comic fan, created an original character concept of The Wolverine who had regenerative abilities, a metal exoskeleton and was the product of experimentation

There is some question as to whether the Wolverine briefly introduced in Hulk #180 was inspired by this concept though Andy Olsen was never credited or compensated

Comics Magazine Company ⋅ 1936

Low
$3.5k
Mid
$10k
High
$45k

Key Facts

1st appearance of Dr. Mystic, a Superman prototype

Centaur ⋅ 1939

Low
$175
Mid
$525
High
$1.9k

Key Facts

Prototype of Bruce Wayne

Independent ⋅ 1991

Low
$500
Mid
$1.5k
High
$5k

Key Facts

Prototype illustration a creature with the name Hell Boy engraved on his belt

Great Salt Lake Comic Con pamphlet from 1991

Low
$300
Mid
$900
High
$3k

Key Facts

Prototype of Sgt. Rock

Low
$50
Mid
$150
High
$500

Key Facts

1st appearance of Mr. Freeze, a prototype of the Batman villain with an almost identical weapon

Blackhawk #117 preceded Batman #121 by nearly two years

Low
$100
Mid
$300
High
$1k

Key Facts

1st appearance of the Living Hulk, a prototype of the Incredible Hulk who was later reintroduced as Xemnu the Titan, an enemy of the Hulk

Marvel ⋅ 1962

Low
$120
Mid
$410
High
$1.2k

Key Facts

Prototype of Peter Parker's aunt and uncle, also named Aunt May and Uncle Ben

Cross-promotion text teaser for The Incredible Hulk #1, released one week later

Timely ⋅ 1965

Low
$55
Mid
$150
High
$550

Key Facts

Prototype of the Black Panther, the suit design is similar although worn by a white villain named Dr. Elixir who used the code name, The Panther

Published ten months prior to the Black Panther’s introduction in Fantastic Four #52 this issue was also written by Stan Lee

Story reprinted in Two Gun Kid #119, but The Panther prototype character was recolored red

Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$5

Key Facts

Prototype of Captain Britain in a British fanzine

Cover appearance of 'an unknown British superhero' according to interior notes

Preceded the first appearance of Captain Britain in Captain Britain #1 (October 1976)

Skywald ⋅ 1971

Low
$12
Mid
$40
High
$120

Key Facts

1st appearance of Butterfly, the first super-powered black female in comic books

1st appearance of Brice Reese, a vigilante with a customized motorcycle that included a flamethrower

Prototype of Ghost Rider, also created by Gary Friedrich

Low
$120
Mid
$400
High
$1.2k

Key Facts

Prototype of Doctor Strange, the sorcerer Sazzik

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!