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Red Skull
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Creation & Design

Red Skull was created during World War II as a symbol of the Nazi threat, embodying the fears and tensions of the time.

Early Years

Initially introduced as Captain America's archenemy, Red Skull quickly became a prominent villain in the Marvel Universe, representing the evil of fascism.

Character Development

Over the decades, Red Skull has evolved from a simple Nazi villain to a complex character with various incarnations and motivations, often reflecting the sociopolitical climate of the times.

Cultural Reception

Red Skull has been received as one of the most iconic villains in comic book history, often cited as a representation of pure evil.

Character Details

Real Name:
Johann Schmidt
First Appearance:
Captain America Comics #1
Aliases:
Red Skull, Master of the Skull, The Führer
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Hydra, Axis Powers, Nazi Party
Abilities:
Genius-level intellect, Expert tactician, Skilled hand-to-hand combatant
Equipment:
Hydra technology, Various weapons
Weight:
180lbs
Height:
6' 0"
Eye Color:
blue
Hair Color:
bald

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Captain America Comics #1
Marvel ⋅ 1941
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Captain America Comics #1
 
Low
$45k
Mid
$160k
High
$680k

Key Facts

1st appearance and origin of Captain America

1st appearance of James Buchanan Barnes aka Bucky, later becomes the Winter Soldier

1st appearance of the Red Skull, George Maxon, an agent of the true Red Skull

1st appearance of Doctor Reinstein aka Doctor Erskine, the inventor of the Super Soldier serum

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1st appearance of Hurricane, later becomes Makkari

1st appearance of Tuk the Cave Boy, first offspring of the Inhumans

Introduction of Project Rebirth, the Super Soldier Program that eventually expanded into Weapon Plus

💰 In April 2022, a 9.4 sold for $3,120,000 (San Francisco Pedigree)

Captain America Comics #3
Marvel ⋅ 1941
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Captain America Comics #3
 
Low
$8.7k
Mid
$24k
High
$87k

Key Facts

First written work in the comic book industry by Stan Lee

Two-page text story with a couple of illustrations by Kirby

3rd appearance of Captain America

3rd appearance of Bucky Barnes

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2nd appearance and 1st cover of the Red Skull, George Maxon

Captain America Comics #7
Marvel ⋅ 1941
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Captain America Comics #7
 
Low
$900
Mid
$2.9k
High
$9k

Key Facts

1st appearance of the Red Skull, Johann Shmidt, the real Red Skull

Previous appearances of the Red Skull were George Maxon, an agent in the employ of Johann Shmidt

Young Allies #4
Timely ⋅ 1942
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Young Allies #4
 
Low
$500
Mid
$1.5k
High
$5.5k

Key Facts

World War II cover featuring the Red Skull

Captain America Comics #16
Marvel ⋅ 1942
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Captain America Comics #16
 
Low
$1.8k
Mid
$6k
High
$18k

Key Facts

2nd appearance of the Red Skull, Johann Shmidt

Red Skull impersonates Captain America

All Select Comics #2
Timely ⋅ 1943
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All Select Comics #2
 
Low
$650
Mid
$2k
High
$12k

Key Facts

3rd appearance of the Red Skull

Although the Red Skull made his third appearance in Young Allies #4, a later retcon made Young Allies a comic book that existed in the Marvel Universe

Tales of Suspense #65
Marvel ⋅ 1965
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Tales of Suspense #65
 
Low
$60
Mid
$180
High
$600

Key Facts

1st appearance of the Red Skull in the Silver Age, George Maxon, the first Red Skull in a retelling of a story from Captain America Comics #1

As of Nov 2023 there are three copies graded 9.8 with the only recorded sale being the Pacific Coast pedigree copy in 2012 for $5,079

Tales of Suspense #66
Marvel ⋅ 1965
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Tales of Suspense #66
 
Low
$40
Mid
$120
High
$400

Key Facts

1st appearance of Red Skull, Johann Schmidt, in the Silver Age

Origin of Red Skull

Debut of Iron Man's 'Model III,' equipped with what would become his classic Repulsor Rays

Amazing Spider-Man Annual #5
Marvel ⋅ 1968
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Amazing Spider-Man Annual #5
 
Low
$10
Mid
$30
High
$140

Key Facts

1st appearance of Richard Parker and Mary Parker, the parents of Peter Parker

This issue reveals that the Red Skull orchestrated the deaths of Peter Parker's parents in a plane crash

Captain America #115
Marvel ⋅ 1969
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Captain America #115
 
Low
$35
Mid
$90
High
$385

Key Facts

Iconic cover art by Marie Severin

Final Captain America issue with a $0.12 cover price

Invaders #5
Marvel ⋅ 1976
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Invaders #5
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$45

Key Facts

Origin of the Liberty Legion

Captain America #290
Marvel ⋅ 1984
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Captain America #290
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50

Key Facts

1st appearance of Mother Superior, the daughter of Red Skull, later becomes Sin and then Red Skull

1st cameo appearance of Black Crow, in crow form

Red Skull #16
Marvel Legends ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2003
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Red Skull #16
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

Reprint of Captain America #16 (1999)

Cover art from Captain America #14 (1999)

Packaged with the 2003 Marvel Legends Red Skull action figure

Vengeance #5
Non-Key
Marvel ⋅ 2012
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Vengeance #5
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

Cover art by Gabriele Dell'Otto featuring Red Skull

Uncanny Avengers #1
Marvel ⋅ 2012
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Uncanny Avengers #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$4

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Avengers Unity Squad: Havok, Captain America, Thor

1st team appearance of the S-Men: Red Skull clone (1st), The Goat-Faced Girl (1st), Honest John (1st), Dancing Water (1st), The Insect (1st), Mzee (1st), Living Wind (1st)

Uncanny Avengers #4
Marvel ⋅ 2013
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Uncanny Avengers #4
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

Red Skull becomes Red Onslaught, a clone of the Red Skull merged with Onslaught, in one-panel

Avengers / X-Men Axis #1
Marvel ⋅ 2014
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Avengers / X-Men Axis #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

1st full appearance of Red Onslaught

Secret Empire #9
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2017
View Details
Secret Empire #9
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30

Key Facts

Variant cover art by J. Scott Campbell

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