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Low
$50
Mid
$150
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$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
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$900
High
$3k

Key Facts

Prototype of Sgt. Rock

Low
$50
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$150
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$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
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$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

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