Comics from the 1970s can be quite valuable if you have the right books, but there are still plenty of issues that aren't worth much. The 1970s saw comic books taking a shift. This decade would have many of the children who read comics in the previous decades grow up and there would start a small collector's market that would bloom by the end of the decade. This decade also saw the first appearances of now-popular superheroes such as Wolverine and the Punisher. Print runs for comics also increased as new collectors entered the market. Today, old and new collectors will actively pursue these issues of significance to add to their collections.
You might be wondering how to identify a comic book from the 1970s. All you need to do to find out the published date of a comic book is to look at the cover price. Note that heavy inflation started in the 70s, which is why we saw cover prices start to rise. If you have anything with a cover price of 50 cents or more, then it's likely that it wasn't published in the 70s, but rather in the 80s or 90s.
Comics with a cover price of 15 cents were published from 1969 thru 1972.
Comics with a cover price of 20 cents were published from 1972 thru 1975.
Comics with a cover price of 25 cents were published from 1975 thru 1976.
Comics with a cover price of 30 cents were published from 1976 thru 1977.
Comics with a cover price of 35 cents were published from 1977 thru 1978.
Comics with a cover price of 40 cents were published from 1978 thru 1980.
There are many exceptions to the comic age cover price rule. An example would be Giant-Size X-Men 1 which was published in 1975 but has a cover price of 50 cents. This is because larger, double-sized comics or magazines will usually have a higher cover price than normal. If you find something like this, then just open the comic to the first page. Then check the copyright date on the fine print toward the bottom part of the page.
If you've found that your comics are from the 1970s, then you may have something that has value (especially when compared to 80s and 90s comics). The next part is to see if you have any comic books of significance. This would mean that the comic you have featured the first appearance of an important character (ex: Wolverine) or has a classic cover.
The list we've provided has 200 of the most valuable 1970s comics. While this guide isn't all-inclusive, it covers a large majority of the most valuable comics from the decade. Please note that there may be some books missing from this list, but we've done our research and tried our best to make a comprehensive guide. The list is in alphanumerical order. It doesn't include most magazines, runs/sets, underground comics, or manga.
Also, note that if you have anything in lower grade, then try to price accordingly. If you have anything from this list in high grades (ex: 9.0 or better), then it will be worth more. Use our grade consultation guide as well as our comic grading guide to determine the condition of your books.
Due to market volatility, we have decided to remove all prices from our guides. If you see something on our lists, then be sure to check eBay's sold listings to find comparable books to yours. Basically, you can use this guide for entertainment, but don't use it for anything more than that. And if you don't agree with any prices you find online, then you're welcome to sell your comics for whatever you'd like.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS LIST IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. DO NOT USE OUR GUIDES WHEN MAKING FINANCIAL DECISIONS. If you're looking to cut out the hassle of selling your comics online, and just want some free opinions (for entertainment purposes only), be sure to give us a call, text, or email. We also buy comic book collections, so be sure to contact us if you're looking to sell any comics. That being said, let's get on to our list of the 200 most valuable comics from the 1970s.
2000 AD Prog 2
First Appearance of Judge Dredd.
This sometimes underappreciated comic has the first appearance of Judge Dredd. Note that this comic was sold only in the UK and looks like a mix between a newspaper and a comic book. It can sell for good money whenever it goes up for sale. It can be tough to find in the USA outside of auctions.
2001 Space Odyssey 8
First Machine Man.
This comic book features the first appearance of Machine Man (originally called X-51) by Jack Kirby, who would become a mainstay in the Marvel Universe. This book wasn't worth much for a long time but recently saw a bump in price.
Adventure into Fear 10
Early Man-Thing.
While Man-Thing first appears in Savage Tales 1 (a magazine-sized comic), Adventure into Fear 10 has an early solo appearance from the character. This issue pre-dates the character's first solo title by almost 2 years.
Adventure into Fear 19
First Howard the Duck.
This issue has the first appearance of the lovable Marvel character, Howard the Duck. The character would have his own cult-classic 1980s movie as well as appearances in the more recent Marvel movies.
Air Pirates Funnies 1
Disney Lawsuit Issue.
Air Pirates Funnies 1 features Mickey and Minnie Mouse in some rather unscrupulous situations. The two issues of this title would be published without the consent of Disney. It would lead to a lawsuit that would prevent future sales of this comic making it tougher to find.
Air Pirates Funnies 2
Disney Lawsuit Issue.
This comic continues to have Mickey and Minnie Mouse engaging in unlawful activities. The two issues of this title would be published without the consent of Disney. It would lead to a lawsuit that would prevent future sales of this comic making it tougher to find.
All-Star Comics 58
First Power-Girl.
All-Star Comics 58 features the first appearance of Power-Girl who would go on to become a regular in the DC Universe. The character still seems rather underappreciated (like many DC superheroes) and this book still has some potential.
All-Star Western 10
First Jonah Hex.
This comic features the first appearance of the sometimes underappreciated western character, Jonah Hex. We feel like this book is slightly undervalued, but mostly because western comics aren't very popular. It didn't help that the character had a movie that was globally panned.
Amazing Adventures 11
First Beast with Fur.
Amazing Adventures 11 has the popular mutant character (Beast) with his iconic fur for the first time, which makes it a must if you're an X-Men collector.
Amazing Spider-Man 97
Drug Awareness Issue.
Amazing Spider-Man 97 can sell for more than many other issues because it features the classic drug story, which was controversial enough to be published without approval from the Comics Code Authority.
Amazing Spider-Man 98
Drug Awareness Issue.
Same as our previous issue, this book has a classic drug awareness story that was also unapproved by the Comics Code Authority.
Amazing Spider-Man 100
First Six-Arm Spider-Man.
Spider-Man decides that he doesn't want his powers anymore, so he tries something which ends up backfiring. This leads to the character growing 2 extra arms, making him even more deserving of the moniker of Spider-Man. This is also the 100th-anniversary issue.
Amazing Spider-Man 101
First Morbius.
Amazing Spider-Man 101 has the first appearance of the popular Spider-Man villain known as Morbius the Living Vampire. The comic has always had some value, but lately, it has seen a jump due to movie hype. The movie was a flop which caused the book to come back down.
Amazing Spider-Man 102
Origin of Morbius.
This comic continues where the previous issue left off and features an origin story for Morbius. It also continues the 6-arm Spider-Man story.
Amazing Spider-Man 119
Spider-Man vs Hulk.
Amazing Spider-Man 119 has Spider-Man go against the Hulk and has a great deal of cross-appeal among collectors of both characters.
Amazing Spider-Man 120
Spider-Man vs Hulk.
The second part of the story continues from Amazing Spider-Man 119. Most collectors will pursue this issue to complete the 2-part story.
Amazing Spider-Man 121
Death of Gwen Stacy.
The classic turning point in the Spider-Man stories, Amazing Spider-Man 121 has the death of Spider-Man's love interest at the hands of the Green Goblin. This issue has always been valuable due to its significance. It's become even more popular with the newer Spider-Gwen character.
Amazing Spider-Man 122
Death of Green Goblin.
Continuing the story from the previous issue, here we have Spider-Man go up against Green Goblin after the death of Gwen Stacy. The Goblin would end up dying in this issue after being impaled by his glider. This issue isn't as valuable as the previous entry, because Norman Osborn would return in the 90s.
Amazing Spider-Man 124
First Man-Wolf.
This comic book has the first appearance of John Jameson (son of J Jonah Jameson) as the Man-Wolf. We think this issue has some potential as we have yet to see any movie or TV appearances from the character.
Amazing Spider-Man 129
First Punisher.
Amazing Spider-Man 129 needs no introduction as it features the first appearance of the very popular character known as The Punisher (Frank Castle). The comic has been valuable for decades but seems to keep going up. This is mostly because the Punisher character is popular among the general public (non-collector) as well as comic fans. Make sure your copy of this comic is original as it has been reprinted several times.
Amazing Spider-Man 149
First Ben Reilly.
Amazing Spider-Man 149 is part of the original Clone Saga storyline. It has the first appearance of Spider-Man's clone (later known as Ben Reilly). Marvel would pick the story back up in the 90s with less than stellar results. Today the Ben Reilly character has become popular, so this issue has gone up in price.
Amazing Spider-Man 194
First Black Cat.
Amazing Spider-Man 194 features the first appearance of the very popular Black Cat character. While the character is a very obvious Catwoman rip-off, she has become very popular today. Black Cat would become a love interest for Spider-Man, and a popular ally to the web-slinger.
Archie 271
Classic Innuendo Cover.
Archie 271 has a rather interesting cover that has caught the attention of collectors. We won't go into detail about what is being said (we'll let you figure it out).
Astonishing Tales 6
First Barbara Morse (Mockingbird).
Astonishing Tales 6 has the first appearance of Barbara Morse, who would take the persona of Mockingbird a few years later. The character hasn't made any major appearances in Marvel TV or movies, so this comic might have future potential.
Astonishing Tales 25
First Deathlok.
The character of Deathlok makes his first appearance in Astonishing Tales 25. This comic also features the first professional work from the great artist, George Perez.
Avengers 80
First Red Wolf.
Avengers 80 has the first appearance of the Native American superhero (the first of his kind) Red Wolf. We wouldn't be surprised if the character makes an appearance in future Marvel movies or TV, so keep your eyes peeled.
Avengers 83
First Valkyrie.
This comic features the first appearance of the character who is a regular in Thor stories, Valkyrie. The book has been climbing a bit over the past few years.
Avengers 85
First Squadron Supreme.
Avengers 85 has the first appearance of Marvel's take on the Justice League of America, the Squadron Supreme. Note that the characters first appear as the Squadron Sinister in Avengers 70 a few years prior.
Avengers 87
Origin of Black Panther.
Avengers 87 has gone up over the past few years as it features an origin story and cover for the popular Black Panther character.
Avengers 112
First Mantis.
Here we have the first appearance of Mantis who would join the Guardians of the Galaxy in the Marvel movies. The Mantis character we see here is very different from what we see in the movies.
Avengers 144
First Patsy Walker as Hellcat.
Avengers 144 has gone up in the past few years as speculation seems to point to the character making future movie appearances. Note that Patsy Walker first appears in the Golden Age comic of Patsy Walker 1 (1945). This comic just has her don the Hellcat persona.
Avengers 181
First Scott Lang (Ant-Man).
This comic has the first appearance of Scott Lang. He is the character who would become the Ant-Man in the Marvel movies, so it's easy to see why this book is in demand. This story would continue in Marvel Premiere 47.
Avengers 186
First Appearance of Magda and Chthon, Origin of Scarlet Witch.
This comic features the origin of the Scarlet Witch and has recently seen a price jump as we will be exploring more of the character in future Marvel movies.
Batman 222
Beatle Homage Cover.
This is a great cover that addresses the rumors at the time which said that Paul McCartney of the Beatles had passed away and replaced in secret. That makes Batman 222 great among Beatles fans as well.
Batman 227
Classic Neal Adams Cover.
The cover for Batman 227 needs no introduction as it features Neal Adams' take on the classic Bob Kane cover for Detective Comics 31. The comic has always been in demand from collectors. It is also called a "classic cover" by CGC (rare for comics from the 70s).
Batman 232
First Ras Al Ghul.
The popular Demon's Head character makes his debut in this issue and immediately establishes himself as a force to be reckoned with. Batman 232 went up with the character's appearance in the classic Nolan Batman movies and the price has never come back down.
Batman 234
Return of Two-Face.
After a long absence from Batman comics, we finally see the official return of Two-Face and he doesn't waste time becoming one of the most popular Batman villains.
Batman 244
Classic Adams and O'Neil Story.
Batman 244 features a great Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams cover and story. The comic continues the build upon the great character that is Ras Al Ghul.
Batman 251
Classic Neal Adams Cover.
Another classic Neal Adams cover that needs no introduction. This comic is one of the latest books to get the "classic cover" designation from CGC.
Batman 313
First Tim Fox.
Batman 313 features the first appearance of Lucius Fox's son Tim Fox. The comic was a dollar bin issue for years until the character took the mantle of Batman in DC's Future State.
Batman Family 6
First Joker's Daughter.
This comic has cooled off over the years, but it features the first appearance of Duela Dent (Joker's Daughter), who we would see have a short run in the late 1970s thru the 1980s.
Black Panther 1
First Solo Black Panther Title.
The popular character makes his solo comic book debut with this issue. Note that this is the first solo title for the character, but is preceded by Jungle Action.
Captain America 217
First Marvel Man (Later Quasar).
Captain America 217 features the first appearance of Marvel Man (later renamed Quasar), who is rumored to make appearances in future Marvel projects.
Captain Britain 1
First Captain Britain (Brian Braddock).
This UK-exclusive comic book features the first appearance of Captain Britain and can be tough to find, due to it not being available in the USA.
Captain Britain 8
First Psylocke (Betsy Braddock).
Same as our previous entry, this issue was exclusive to the UK. It also features the first appearance of the popular X-Men character, Psylocke (Betsy Braddock).
Captain Marvel 26
First Thanos Cover.
The popular character, Thanos, who would take the world by storm with his appearances in the Avengers movies makes his first cover appearance with this comic book. Note that Captain Marvel 27 has recently gone up in value as well.
Captain Marvel 33
Origin of Thanos.
The Mad Titan's origin is revealed in this classic story by the great writer, Jim Starlin. The comic has cooled off a bit but can still sell for some cash.
Cerebus the Aardvark 1
First Cerebus the Aardvark.
The indy darling character, Cerebus, makes his debut in this issue by Dave Sim. This book is one of the rare titles to have only 1 writer/artist on it for decades. It's a very valuable 1970s comic and can sell for a lot of money but beware of counterfeits.
Conan the Barbarian 1
First Conan the Barbarian in Comics.
The popular Cimmerian makes his comic book debut in this book and becomes an instant success. This comic has slowly climbed to even higher prices over the last few years. Note that other early issues of Conan can sell for some money in high grades.
Conan the Barbarian 14
First Elric.
An overlooked comic for many years, this book features the first appearance of the villain Elric, who is a mainstay in Conan's stories.
Conan the Barbarian 23
First Red Sonja.
Red Sonja makes her debut in this comic, and much like Conan, she was an instant success and even had a popular movie in the 1980s. Note that this issue is called a cameo by some, but it is the first full appearance of Red Sonja as she is featured throughout the issue.
Conan the Barbarian 24
First Red Sonja Cover.
Conan 24 is considered by some to be the first full Red Sonja, but the character appears in a good portion of the previous issue, so we consider this issue to be the first Red Sonja cover only. This comic still has some good value.
Daredevil 131
First Bullseye.
One of Daredevil's greatest enemies, Bullseye, makes his debut in this comic book. The character is a fan favorite and was even a member of the Dark Avengers when he took the mantle of Hawkeye.
Daredevil 158
First Frank Miller in Title.
The classic Frank Miller run of Daredevil (a personal favorite) begins with this issue. Note that Frank Miller's first work on Daredevil is in Spectacular Spider-Man 27, but that issue isn't as valuable.
DC Superstars 11
First Solo Zatanna.
DC Superstars 11 has the first solo story for the fan-favorite character, Zatanna. The comic has recently gone up in value as some expect to see her in future projects.
DC Superstars 17
First Huntress.
DC Superstars 17 features the first appearance of the Huntress who was originally the daughter of Earth-2's Batman and Catwoman.
Deadly Hands of Kung Fu 19
First White Tiger.
This magazine-sized comic can be tough to find and it features the first appearance of the White Tiger character. Many expect big things from White Tiger.
Defenders 1
First Solo Defenders Title.
This comic is the beginning of a long run from the Defenders team and is a must if you're looking to finish your collection.
Defenders 10
Classic Thor vs Hulk Story.
A popular comic among collectors, Defenders 10 has the Hulk go up against Thor in a classic fight.
Demon 1
First Demon (Etrigan).
Demon 1 has the first appearance of Etrigan by Jack Kirby. The character might make more appearances in future projects as he is part of the popular mystical side of DC Comics.
Detective Comics 400
First Man-Bat.
Detective Comics 400 has the first appearance of the villain Man-Bat, who we haven't seen in any major movie or TV projects yet, so keep your eyes peeled. This comic also has art from Neal Adams.
Detective Comics 405
First League of Assassins.
Detective Comics 405 is interesting as it features the first appearance of the League of Assassins, who we would find out to be allied with Talia Al Ghul (see our next entry). It also has another great Neal Adams cover.
Detective Comics 411
First Talia Al Ghul.
Detective Comics 411 features the first appearance of Talia Al Ghul, who is the daughter of Ras Al Ghul, and Batman's love interest. She would go on to have a child with Bruce Wayne who would go on to become the current Robin (Damian Wayne).
Detective Comics 474
First Modern Deadshot.
This comic has the first appearance of the modern Deadshot character. The character first appears one time before this issue in Batman 59 way back in the Golden Age but did not have a costume.
Detective Comics 475
Classic Joker Story.
Detective Comics 475 has a great Joker cover and is the first part of the classic laughing fish storyline. Note that the next issue continues the story and is worth slightly less (this issue has the more popular cover).
Devil Dinosaur 1
First Devil Dinosaur and Moon Boy.
This comic features the first appearance of Moon Boy and Devil Dinosaur. This is another comic book that was in dollar bins for many years but has started to catch the attention of collectors as of late.
Doctor Strange 1
First Silver Dagger.
While Doctor Strange would have his first solo title a few years earlier, this comic has the character in a title that would go on for many years.
Doorway to Nightmare 1
First Madame Xanadu.
A very underappreciated issue for many years, this comic has the first appearance of the DC occult character, Madame Xanadu by artist Mike Kaluta. The book went up recently as there are talks for an upcoming TV show.
Eternals 1
First Eternals (Icarus).
Eternals 1 has cooled off a bit, but it still has some value as it features the first appearance of the Eternals team by Jack Kirby. Note that there is a 30-cent price variant that sells for more due to being harder to find.
Fantastic Four 94
First Agatha Harkness.
Fantastic Four 94 wasn't worth much for a long time, but the addition of Agatha Harkness to the Wandavision TV show has made the comic popular.
Fantastic Four 112
Classic Thing vs Hulk Story.
Here we see round 2 of the classic Hulk vs Thing fight as the two brutes see who is the strongest in Marvel. The issue has always been popular among collectors.
Fantastic Four 120
First Air-Walker.
The herald of Galactus, Air-Walker, makes his first appearance in Fantastic Four 120. Most Galactus books have been climbing in price lately.
Fantastic Four 211
First Terrax the Destroyer.
Similar to our previous example, this issue features the first appearance of another herald of Galactus, Terrax the Destroyer.
Fantasy Quarterly 1
First Elfquest.
This issue features the first appearance of the Elfquest characters by Richard and Wendy Pini. Prices for this comic in higher grades have seen more movement as of late.
Firestorm 1
First Firestorm (Ronnie Raymond).
This book still seems a little underpriced to us, as it features the first appearance of a mainstay in the DC Universe, Firestorm. Keep your eyes peeled as this comic has potential.
Firestorm 3
First Killer Frost.
Firestorm 3 features the first appearance of the popular villain Killer Frost. The comic has seen movement over the past few years as the character is a regular in the DC TV shows.
Foom 2
First Wolverine in Preview.
This issue features the first appearance of Wolverine in somewhat of a fan concept design, making it catch the attention of fans of the character. Note that Wolverine doesn't look like the character we know, but the concept is there.
Foom 10
First New X-Men in preview.
We see here the first appearance of the New X-Men team before Giant-Size X-Men 1. It can be tough to find, so it can sell for some money when it goes up for sale.
Forever People 1
First Full Darkseid.
Here we have the first full appearance of the Justice League villain, Darkseid, by Jack Kirby. The comic isn't worth as much as his cameo appearance, but can still command some cash online.
Ghost Rider 1
First Solo Ghost Rider Title.
Ghost Rider 1 has the flaming head demon in his first solo title. It also features the first appearance of Daimon Hellstrom in a cameo.
Giant-Size Chillers 1
First Lilith (Dracula's Daughter).
This comic was in most $5 bins for many years but has recently gone up in price. It's a must if you're a fan of the Marvel Dracula character. Lilith is also making more appearances and has a lead role in a Marvel video game.
Giant-Size Creatures 1
First Tigra.
There is a great deal of speculation that we will see Tigra in future Marvel movies or TV shows, causing Giant-Size Creatures 1 to climb in price in recent years.
Giant-Size Defenders 3
First Korvac.
This issue features the first appearance of the villain Korvac, and there is some speculation surrounding the character.
Giant-Size X-Men 1
First Nightcrawler, Storm, Colossus, and Thunderbird.
Giant-Size X-Men 1 doesn't need much of an introduction as it's very valuable and features the first appearance of the new X-Men team after the title took a bit of a break for several years. It has the first appearances of Nightcrawler, Storm, Colossus, and Thunderbird. We recommend grading this comic, especially if your copy looks nice.
Godzilla 1
First Godzilla Comic Book.
Godzilla 1 is the first comic book appearance of the popular monster. The comic was in dollar bins for many years until recently. Note that there is a 35-cent price variant for this comic that is worth much more.
Green Lantern 76
Classic O'Neil and Adams Stories Begin.
This comic book has the legendary team of Denny O'Neil and Neal Adams begin their unforgettable run. A classic cover doesn't hurt either.
Green Lantern 85
Drug Story.
After the Comics Code Authority failed to approve Amazing Spider-Man 97 and 98, they learned their lesson and approved this issue as it shows the sidekick of Green Arrow, Speedy developing an addiction to drugs. Issue 86 continues the story and has value as well.
Green Lantern 87
First John Stewart.
This issue sees the first appearance of John Stewart as Green Lantern. The character would become a regular in DC Comics and would join the Justice League on multiple occasions.
House of Secrets 92
First Swamp Thing.
Here we see the team of Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson write and illustrate the very popular character of Swamp Thing, who needs no introduction. The comic can be tough to find in high grades.
Howard the Duck 1
First Solo Howard the Duck Title.
This issue features the first solo title for the ever-beloved character of Howard the Duck. The book is common but can sell in higher grades.
Incredible Hulk 141
First Doc Samson.
Incredible Hulk 141 has the first appearance of the character Doc Samson, who would become a regular in Hulk stories.
Incredible Hulk 162
First Wendigo.
This issue features the first appearance of Wendigo, who would go on to battle Hulk in future issues.
Incredible Hulk 180
First Wolverine in Cameo.
Incredible Hulk 180 features the first appearance of the Wolverine in a cameo on the final page. Many collectors who can't afford Hulk 181, will gravitate more toward this issue.
Incredible Hulk 181
First Full Wolverine.
Incredible Hulk 181 is essentially the most valuable comic book from the 1970s as it features the first full appearance of Wolverine which comic fans can't get enough of. Note that this book can sell for a good amount in almost any grade. The grade is very important as the highest graded (9.8) copies of this book can sell for close to 6 figures. Be careful with making assumptions that your comic is a 9.8 (and having your hopes go sky-high).
Incredible Hulk 182
Third Wolverine.
This book has an early Wolverine appearance on the first page, making it essential if you want to complete the first appearance trifecta.
Incredible Hulk 234
First Marvel Man (Quasar).
This comic has the Marvel Man character officially take the mantle of Quasar, who is rumored to appear in future Marvel projects.
Invaders 1
First Solo Invaders Title.
This book is the first solo title for the Invaders team, which consists of popular Golden Age characters returning.
Invaders 7
First Baron Blood and Union Jack
Invaders 7 has been going up late as it has the first appearance of two well-known characters, Union Jack and Baron Blood.
Iron Fist 14
First Sabretooth.
The very popular Wolverine villain makes his first appearance in Iron Fist 14. Most comic fans know of the rivalry between the two characters, making this book valuable among collectors. There is also a price variant for this worth much more.
Iron Man 54 First Moondragon.
This issue features the first appearance of Moondragon and starts the Thanos saga from Jim Starlin which would continue in the next issue.
Iron Man 55
First Thanos, Eros, and Drax.
Iron Man 55 has a lot going for it as it features the first appearances of 3 major characters by Jim Starlin (Thanos, Eros, and Drax). It can fetch good money even in lower grades.
Iron Man 118
First Jim Rhodes.
The man who would eventually don the War Machine armor makes his debut as Tony Stark's associate in this issue. The book doesn't seem valuable considering how important the character is.
Iron Man 128
Classic Alcoholism Story
This issue features the classic Demon in a Bottle cover and story where we see Tony Stark battle alcoholism. This is arguably one of the best Iron Man stories from the 1970s.
Joker 1
First Solo Joker Title.
Over 30 years after his first appearance, we see one of the most popular Batman villains get a solo title. It's easy to see why this comic is valuable as even non-comic book fans will look for it.
Jungle Action 5
First Solo Black Panther.
This comic has the first solo story for Black Panther and pre-dates Black Panther 1 by a couple of years.
Jungle Action 6
First Killmonger.
A book that was in many dollar bins for decades caught the attention of comic book collectors after Killmonger made a spectacular appearance in the Black Panther movie.
Luke Cage Hero for Hire 1
First Luke Cage.
This comic book has the first appearance of Luke Cage, Hero for Hire, who would go on to change his name to Power Man (and then eventually back to Luke Cage).
Man-Thing 1
First Solo Man-Thing Comic.
This comic has Man-Thing in his first solo title. The character would make his first appearance in Savage Tales 1 (see below) a few years prior.
Marvel Chillers 1
First Modred the Mystic.
This comic has gone up in price due to the character being featured in future Marvel movie projects. It sat in many dollar bins for years prior.
Marvel Feature 1 (Vol 1)
First Defenders.
While it can be debated that the Defenders team first appeared in Sub Mariner 34 and 35, this issue is accepted by most as the first official appearance of the team.
Marvel Premiere 1
First Him as Adam Warlock.
Adam Warlock first appears in Thor 165 as Him, but this issue would see the character take the moniker and look that we all know him for.
Marvel Premiere 10
First Shuma Gorath and Death of Ancient One.
Shuma Gorath is a villain that was mostly known for his appearances in the Marvel vs Capcom games, and this comic has the first appearance of the character. We will see more of the villain in future Marvel movie projects.
Marvel Premiere 15
First Iron Fist.
This issue has the first appearance of Iron Fist (Danny Rand). The book cooled off for a while but has once again gained some value as of late.
Marvel Premiere 28
First Legion of Monsters.
Marvel Premiere 28 has the first appearance of the Legion of Monsters team. The book wasn't worth much until recently as it is catching on among superhero and monster fans.
Marvel Premiere 47
First Scott Lang as Ant-Man.
This comic has Scott Lang don the Ant-Man costume for the first time. It can be debated which issue has the first appearance of Lang (Marvel Premiere 47 or Avengers 181), but the consensus is that this issue was released later.
Marvel Preview 2
First Punisher Origin Story.
The popular Marvel character gets his classic origin story told in this magazine-sized comic book. This comic has potential as Punisher's origin is always a popular story.
Marvel Preview 4
First Starlord.
The future leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy makes his debut in this magazine-sized comic. Note that Starlord (Peter Quill) is presented as a much more serious character.
Marvel Preview 7
First Rocket Raccoon.
This issue sees the first appearance of everyone's favorite raccoon superhero, Rocket Raccoon. There is debate among the community as the character is called Rocky and looks somewhat different from his future appearances.
Marvel Spotlight 2
First Werewolf by Night.
This issue has the first appearance of the Marvel monster known as the Werewolf by Night. The book is starting to climb in price so keep an eye out.
Marvel Spotlight 4
First Nightwatch.
This comic features the first appearance of the Nightwatch character who we might be seeing more of in future projects.
Marvel Spotlight 5
First Ghost Rider.
Another very valuable comic book from the 1970s, Marvel Spotlight 5 has the first appearance of Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze). This comic can sell for big bucks if it's in very high grades. We highly recommend grading it if you have a nice copy.
Marvel Spotlight 12
First Son of Satan.
This book has started to cool off a bit, but it still sells for some money online. It features the first appearance of the Son of Satan character.
Marvel Spotlight 28
First Solo Moon Knight.
After a few appearances in Werewolf by Night, we finally see Moon Knight in his first solo adventure. This comic always had some value but has climbed up in recent years. There is a price variant for this comic worth much more.
Marvel Spotlight 32
First Spider-Woman.
This issue features the first appearance of the Spider-Woman (Jessica Drew). Like many books on this list, the book has gone up due to speculation.
Marvel Super Special 1
First Solo Kiss Comic
This magazine-sized comic book has the first solo Kiss appearance in a comic book. Each copy was printed with a small amount of blood from the band members.
Marvel Team-Up 1
First Misty Knight.
Marvel Team-Up 1 has the first appearance of the sometimes-overlooked character, Misty Knight. Keep your eyes peeled as we could see big things from her in future projects.
Marvel Team-Up 95
First Mockingbird.
Marvel Team-Up 95 has Barbara Morse take the mantle of the Mockingbird. The comic is starting to go up as of late.
Mister Miracle 1
First Mister Miracle (Scott Free)
Based on comic book artist, Jim Steranko, we see the first appearance of the escape artist superhero, Mister Miracle. The character would become a mainstay in the New Gods comic books.
Mister Miracle 4
First Big Barda.
Here we meet the future wife of Mister Miracle, Big Barda. This book still seems slightly underpriced in today's market.
Ms. Marvel 1
First Carol Danvers as Ms. Marvel.
After receiving her powers a few years prior, we finally see Carol Danvers take the identity of Ms. Marvel in this well-known 1970s title.
Ms. Marvel 16
First Mystique in Cameo.
The popular X-Men villain makes her first appearance in this issue but is disguised as someone else, making it only a cameo appearance.
Ms. Marvel 17
First Mystique in Cameo.
Same as our previous entry, this issue has Mystique appear, but only in a cameo disguised as another character.
Ms. Marvel 18
First Full Mystique.
After 2 cameo appearances disguised as someone else, we finally see the true form of the popular mutant Mystique.
New Gods 1
First Orion and the New Gods.
Written and illustrated by the great Jack Kirby, here we see the beginning of the New Gods world within the DC Universe.
Night Nurse 1
First Night Nurse (Linda Carter).
This comic can be one of the tougher books to find from the 1970s and it features the first appearance of Linda Carter as the Night Nurse. Note that issues 2-4 also have some value.
Nova 1
First Nova (Richard Rider).
This comic has the first appearance of a personal favorite character of ours, Nova (Richard Rider) as well as the Nova Corps. The character would go on to make many appearances in Marvel's space stories.
Savage Tales 1
First Man-Thing.
This magazine-sized book features the first appearance of Man-Thing. It also has a great Conan the Barbarian cover.
Scooby-Doo 1
First Scooby-Doo in Comics.
While most cartoon comics aren't valuable, this book can be relatively difficult to find, making it valuable on the collector's market.
Shazam 1
Return of Shazam (Captain Marvel).
After a long absence (due to a DC lawsuit), this comic book has the first appearance of Shazam in the DC Universe after the character was in limbo for over 15 years.
Shazam 28
First Modern Black Adam (2nd Overall Appearance).
Black Adam only made 1 appearance in the Golden Age (Marvel Family 1), and this issue has the character return after almost a 35-year absence. The character would go on to become a regular DC Universe villain.
Special Marvel Edition 15
First Shang-Chi.
This issue features the first appearance of Shang Chi by Jim Starlin. The comic has cooled off after the movie but can still sell for some money.
Spider-Woman 1
First Spider-Woman Title.
This comic has Spider-Woman in her first solo title and provides a new origin story for the character.
Star Wars 1
First Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in Comics.
Star Wars 1 has the first appearances of the characters from the movies in comic books. It has a big print run but also has a great deal of cross-appeal. There is a 35-cent variant cover (pictured) that is one of the most valuable comics from the 70s but be careful as the variant needs to have a barcode (there are a couple of 35-cent reprints of this that aren't worth much).
Star Wars 2
First Han Solo, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Chewbacca in Comics.
This comic has the popular Star Wars characters Obi-Wan Kenobi, Han Solo and Chewy make their first appearance in comic books. Star Wars 2 also has a 35-cent variant worth big money, but it needs to have a barcode. Note that there is a 35-cent variant for Star Wars 3 as well which is worth a good amount.
Strange Tales 169
First Brother Voodoo.
Strange Tales 169 has crept up in value as it has the first appearance of Brother Voodoo who is becoming a regular in Marvel Comics today.
Strange Tales 178
First Magus.
This comic has the first appearance of Magus who is a regular Adam Warlock villain.
Strange Tales 179
First Pip the Troll.
Pip the Troll makes an appearance in a recent Marvel movie, so this comic book has gone up in value as of late.
Strange Tales 180
First Gamora.
Strange Tales 180 has the first appearance of Gamora, who we see plenty of in MCU movies.
Sub-Mariner 34
First Defenders.
Sub-Mariner 34 and 35 both have stories that are precursors to the Defenders team forming. Both issues have about the same value.
Sub-Mariner 50
First Namorita.
Sub-Mariner 50 has gone up in value recently as it features the first appearance of Namorita.
Super Friends 7
First Wonder Twins.
This comic was overlooked for years but has gone up recently as it has the first appearance of the Wonder Twins from Super Friends.
Superman 233
Classic Neal Adams Cover.
Neal Adams covers from the 1970s are always popular and this issue is no different as we have Superman in a classic pose.
Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane 106
Classic Cover.
The comic definitely wouldn't fly today but in the early 1970s, we saw Lois Lane take the guise of an African American woman to get a scoop.
Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen 134
First Darkseid in Cameo.
Jimmy Olsen 134 features the first appearance of the Justice League's greatest foe, Darkseid. The issue only has a tiny cameo from the character, but it is enough to make this comic valuable.
Swamp Thing 1
First Solo Swamp Thing Title.
Swamp Thing 1 has the character make his solo comic debut. While the character debuted after Man-Thing, it's clear that he's the more popular character today.
The Cat 1
First Cat.
This comic has gone up in value as there is speculation that we might see the character in future Marvel projects.
Thor 193
Classic Thor vs Silver Surfer Story.
Comic book fans love a hero vs hero issue, which makes Thor 193 a desirable issue among collectors.
Thor 225
First Firelord.
Another herald of Galactus makes his first appearance in this issue (Firelord). Galactus will eventually show up in the Marvel movies, so we might see Firelord join him.
Tomb of Dracula 1
First Dracula (Marvel).
This comic has the first appearance of Marvel's Dracula and is a popular title among collectors. It also has a lot of cross-appeal with horror fans.
Tomb Of Dracula 10
First Blade.
The Tomb of Dracula 10 features the first appearance of Blade the Vampire Hunter. The comic has always been valuable but has gone up with speculation about the character joining the MCU. Note that high-grade copies of this comic can sell for thousands (we recommend grading nicer copies of this comic).
Tomb of Dracula 13
Origin of Blade.
This comic book has the first origin story for Blade the Vampire Hunter.
Tomb of Dracula 25
First Hannibal King.
This comic has the first appearance of Hannibal King who was played by Ryan Reynolds in the third Blade movie.
Uncanny X-Men 64
First Sunfire.
X-Men 64 has the first appearance of the Sunfire character (Shiro Yoshida) by writer Roy Thomas. The comic is a must for X-Men key collectors.
Uncanny X-Men 94
First New Team in Title.
This comic has the new X-Men team make their first appearance in the regular title and begins a classic run from Chris Claremont. The issue that follows also has some value.
Uncanny X-Men 96
First Moira McTaggert.
This X-Men comic book has the first appearance of Moira McTaggert. The character is starting to get more of a role in recent X-Men comics. Note that issues 97-100 also have some value.
Uncanny X-Men 100
New X-Men Team vs Old Team.
The old X-Men team goes up against the new team in this comic book.
Uncanny X-Men 101
First Phoenix.
The fan-favorite character of the Phoenix makes its first appearance in X-Men 101. This comic has always been valuable among collectors and keeps going up in price.
Uncanny X-Men 107
First Starjammers.
This issue features the first appearance of the sometimes forgotten team of the Starjammers. Note that there is also a price variant that sells for much more.
Uncanny X-Men 109
First Vindicator.
We see the Alpha Flight leader Vindicator (also known as Guardian) make his first appearance here. The comic has gone up in value in recent years.
Uncanny X-Men 120
First Alpha Flight in Cameo.
This issue has the first appearance of Alpha Flight in a cameo. It doesn't sell for as much as the next issue but still has some value.
Uncanny X-Men 121
First Full Alpha Flight.
Here we have the first full appearance of Alpha Flight. The team would be popular as they would become the first Canadian superhero team.
War is Hell 9
First Death (Marvel).
War is Hell 9 has the first appearance of Death personified in the Marvel Universe. The character would become important as she would be the constant love interest for Thanos in his quest to present her with all lives in the universe.
Werewolf by Night 1
First Solo Werewolf by Night Title.
The popular Marvel monster makes his solo debut in this issue. The title is generally one of the tougher Marvel runs to complete from the 1970s.
Werewolf by Night 32
First Moon Knight.
Here we have another issue that needs no introduction. Werewolf by Night 32 has the first appearance of Moon Knight, who fans absolutely love. The book has always been valuable but has gone up even more with his addition to Marvel TV and films. Note that Werewolf by Night 33 has the 2nd appearance of Moon Knight and has some value as well. This comic can sell for a lot in higher grades.
What If? 10
First Jane Foster as Thor (Not in Continuity).
This non-canon story has our first glimpse into Jane Foster as Thor. The book has gone up over the past few years after the character became Thor in the Marvel continuity.
Where Monsters Dwell 6
Reprint of the First Groot.
A cheaper alternative to those who can't afford the actual first appearance of Groot (Tales to Astonish 13). This issue reprints the cover and story from the original.
Woman Woman 199
Classic Cover.
This issue has the classic grey tone cover from Jeff Jones and has always been a bit of a fan favorite, causing it to be worth more than the issues that preceded it.
Wonder Woman 200
Classic Cover.
Another personal favorite cover of ours that has a great grey tone to it.
Wonder Woman 204
First Appearance of Nubia.
Wonder Woman 204 has gone up over the past few years as Nubia has become a regular in more current Wonder Woman stories. Note that Wonder Woman 205 features the origin of Nubia and also has some value.
So you’ve gone through our list of the 200 most valuable comic books from the 70s and don’t see any of your comics? Don’t fret. That doesn’t mean that your 70s comics are worthless. There are still other comics that have value from the 70s. Also, note that our list isn't all-inclusive so it might be missing a few comics.
Here is also a categorized list of comics that may have value.
Price Variant Covers. Most comic price variants from the 70s have value. Note that this is because many price variant comic books are tough to find and there is a collectors market for them. They might not be the easiest books to sell sometimes, but if you find the right buyer, then you can get some cash, depending on the issue.
Underground Comics. While we have provided a few underground comics on this list, there are still some from the 1970s that we didn’t list as they have adult content that we tend to keep off this website. If you have a collection of underground comics, then be sure to do your research as there are many printings of early issues.
Magazine-Sized Comics. While we did have a few magazines in this article, we didn’t list most magazine-sized comic books. Some examples of magazine-sized comic books that may have value are Vampirella, Nightmare, Voodoo, and many more.
Runs and Sets of Major Characters. This one is for anyone who has a big collection of comic books. If you have thousands of comics, then chances are that you’ll have runs or sets of certain titles (ex: Batman 300-350). While most books aren’t going to be worth big bucks individually, you’ll be able to get good money if you sell them in sets or runs. Some examples of popular comic runs that can sell for good money are Batman, Detective Comics, Amazing Spider-Man, and Uncanny X-Men.
If you find that your collection of comics from the 1970s just consists of a random assortment of (non-key) comics from the decade, then note that most random issues are mostly worth between 1 and 15 dollars each, depending on condition. How much exactly will depend on content and demand. Cartoon content (ex: Archie) tends to be worth less than superhero comic books, so those will be valued at the lower end of the spectrum.
Please note that this guide on the 200 most valuable comics from the 70s we've provided is just our estimate. The collectibles market is very volatile and a comic that’s worth $100 today might be worth $10 tomorrow. Know that if you have something expensive and in high grade, then we highly suggest grading the comic so you can maximize your profit when selling the book. The grade on a comic book can be the difference between a comic being worth $50 or $5,000. A good example would be Incredible Hulk 181. A CGC graded 2.0 copy of this book will usually sell for about $2,000 while a CGC 9.8 copy of this book sold for a record $96,000 recently.
If you need help with your comic book collection, then know that we offer any opinions (for entertainment purposes only) that you may need completely free of charge. Any advice or opinions we offer (personal or on our website) should not be your sole means of research. You should always do proper amounts of research when selling a collection of comic books. Make sure to look up values on multiple sites (ex: eBay, Heritage, etc) and always keep your expectations low. If you want to sell your collection of comic books, whether they’re from the 70s, 80s, or 90s (or older), then be sure to call, text, or email us. We buy comic collections of all sizes and ages and pay fair prices.