Topic hub
Copper Age Key Issues
The Copper Age (roughly 1984 to 1991) sits between the Bronze and Modern ages and holds a dense run of first appearances and speculator-era keys. High print runs make raw copies common, so value concentrates in verified high-grade census copies of the genuine keys.
The Copper Age packs a lot of firsts into a short window. This hub gathers the cataloged Copper Age keys with era and first-appearance context, and flags why grade does the heavy lifting on books that were printed in large quantities.
Amazing Spider-Man #252
Marvel · 1984
1st: Spider-Man black costume in title
CGC 9 median $325 · 6 sold
Amazing Spider-Man #300
Marvel · 1988
1st: Venom (full)
CGC 9 median $709 · 6 sold
Amazing Spider-Man #316
Marvel · 1989
1st: Iconic McFarlane Venom cover
CGC 9 median $265 · 6 sold
Batman #428
DC · 1988
1st: Death of Jason Todd
CGC 9 median $283 · 6 sold
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1
DC · 1986
1st: Miller Dark Knight Returns begins
CGC 9 median $980 · 6 sold
Batman: The Killing Joke
DC · 1988
1st: Landmark Joker graphic novel
CGC 9 median $250 · 6 sold
Crisis on Infinite Earths #1
DC · 1985
1st: Crisis on Infinite Earths begins
CGC 9 median $50 · 6 sold
Incredible Hulk #340
Marvel · 1988
1st: McFarlane Hulk vs Wolverine cover
CGC 9 median $382 · 6 sold
Infinity Gauntlet #1
Marvel · 1991
1st: Infinity Gauntlet event begins
CGC 9 median $135 · 6 sold
Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8
Marvel · 1984
1st: Origin of Spider-Man black costume
PSA 9 median $617 · 6 sold
New Mutants #87
Marvel · 1990
1st: Cable (full)
CGC 9 median $182 · 6 sold
New Mutants #98
Marvel · 1991
1st: Deadpool, Gideon, and Copycat
CGC 9 median $470 · 6 sold
Saga of the Swamp Thing #21
DC · 1984
1st: Anatomy Lesson
CGC 9 median $200 · 6 sold
Saga of the Swamp Thing #37
DC · 1985
1st: John Constantine
CGC 9 median $325 · 6 sold
Tales of the Teen Titans #44
DC · 1984
1st: Dick Grayson becomes Nightwing
CGC 9 median $130 · 6 sold
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1
Mirage · 1984
1st: TMNT
CGC 8.5 median $1,500 · 6 sold
The Sandman #1
DC · 1989
1st: Morpheus (Gaiman Sandman)
CGC 9 median $131 · 6 sold
Thor #337
Marvel · 1983
1st: Beta Ray Bill
CGC 9 median $340 · 6 sold
V for Vendetta #1
DC · 1988
1st: DC series debut
CGC 9 median $217 · 6 sold
Watchmen #1
DC · 1986
1st: Watchmen ensemble
CGC 9 median $181 · 6 sold
X-Men #244
Marvel · 1989
1st: Jubilee
CGC 9 median $85 · 6 sold
X-Men #266
Marvel · 1990
1st: Gambit (first in-story appearance)
CGC 9.0 median $323 · 6 sold
Batman #404
DC · 1987
1st: Batman: Year One begins
CGC 9 median $250 · 4 sold
The Man of Steel #1
DC · 1986
1st: Byrne Superman reboot begins
CGC 9 median $69 · 1 sold
X-Force #1
Marvel · 1991
1st: X-Force team
CGC 9 median $96 · 1 sold
Batman #423
DC · 1988
1st: Iconic Todd McFarlane cover
CGC 9 median $405 · 6 sold
Copper Age Key Issues: FAQ
When was the Copper Age of comics?+
The Copper Age runs roughly from 1984 to 1991, bridging the Bronze Age and the Modern Age. It is known for a wave of first appearances and the beginnings of the speculator market, which means high print runs and a premium on high-grade copies.