Topic hub
DC Key Issue Comics
DC key issues span the debuts and landmark covers of the DC universe (Batman, Superman, and the wider roster) across the Golden, Silver, and Bronze Ages. As with all keys, first appearances and high-grade census scarcity drive value more than raw age.
This hub collects the cataloged DC key issues with the character and first-appearance context that sets demand. Use it to compare significance across eras before checking sold-comp values by grade.
Action Comics #252
DC · 1959
1st: Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)
CGC 4.5 median $3,350 · 6 sold
Batman #121
DC · 1959
1st: Mr. Freeze (as Mr. Zero)
CGC 5.0 median $3,900 · 6 sold
Batman #16
DC · 1943
1st: Alfred Pennyworth
CGC 8.5 median $45 · 6 sold
Batman #181
DC · 1966
1st: Poison Ivy
CGC 7.5 median $2,200 · 6 sold
Batman #232
DC · 1971
1st: Ra's al Ghul
CGC 8.0 median $799 · 6 sold
Batman #251
DC · 1973
1st: Joker's Five-Way Revenge (Adams cover)
CGC 8.5 median $1,120 · 6 sold
Batman #357
DC · 1983
1st: Jason Todd, Killer Croc cameo
CGC 9 median $200 · 6 sold
Batman #428
DC · 1988
1st: Death of Jason Todd
CGC 9 median $283 · 6 sold
Batman #608
DC · 2002
1st: Beginning of Hush
CGC 9 median $130 · 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
Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1
DC · 1993
1st: Bane
CGC 9 median $275 · 6 sold
Crisis on Infinite Earths #1
DC · 1985
1st: Crisis on Infinite Earths begins
CGC 9 median $50 · 6 sold
Detective Comics #359
DC · 1967
1st: Barbara Gordon as Batgirl
CGC 6.0 median $660 · 6 sold
Detective Comics #400
DC · 1970
1st: Man-Bat
CGC 8.5 median $550 · 6 sold
Green Lantern #76
DC · 1970
1st: O'Neil and Adams Green Lantern/Green Arrow run begins
CGC 9.0 median $1,250 · 6 sold
Green Lantern #87
DC · 1972
1st: John Stewart
CGC 9 median $1,825 · 6 sold
House of Secrets #92
DC · 1971
1st: Swamp Thing
CGC 6.5 median $1,961 · 6 sold
Justice League of America #1
DC · 1960
1st: First Justice League series
CGC 5.5 median $1,889 · 6 sold
Mister Miracle #1
DC · 1971
1st: Mister Miracle (Scott Free)
CGC 9 median $673 · 6 sold
New Teen Titans #2
DC · 1980
1st: Deathstroke the Terminator
CGC 9 median $160 · 6 sold
Preacher #1
DC · 1995
1st: Jesse Custer, Tulip, and Cassidy
CGC 9 median $155 · 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
Showcase #22
DC · 1959
1st: Hal Jordan as Green Lantern
CGC 4.0 median $3,500 · 6 sold
Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134
DC · 1970
1st: Darkseid (cameo)
CGC 8.0 median $488 · 6 sold
Swamp Thing #1
DC · 1972
1st: First Swamp Thing solo series
CGC 7.5 median $665 · 6 sold
Tales of the Teen Titans #44
DC · 1984
1st: Dick Grayson becomes Nightwing
CGC 9 median $130 · 6 sold
The Batman Adventures #12
DC · 1993
1st: Harley Quinn in comics
CGC 9 median $545 · 6 sold
The Flash #123
DC · 1961
1st: Flash of Two Worlds (Earth-Two)
CGC 3.5 median $629 · 6 sold
The Sandman #1
DC · 1989
1st: Morpheus (Gaiman Sandman)
CGC 9 median $131 · 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
Action Comics #242
DC · 1958
1st: Brainiac and the Bottle City of Kandor
CGC 7.0 median $2,300 · 5 sold
Showcase #34
DC · 1961
1st: Ray Palmer as the Atom
CGC 7.0 median $788 · 5 sold
Batman #404
DC · 1987
1st: Batman: Year One begins
CGC 9 median $250 · 4 sold
Detective Comics #27
DC · 1939
1st: Batman
CGC 7 median $485 · 4 sold
Flash Comics #1
DC · 1940
1st: Jay Garrick and Hawkman
CGC 9 median $100 · 4 sold
Forever People #1
DC · 1971
1st: Darkseid (full appearance)
CGC 9 median $450 · 4 sold
Green Lantern #1
DC · 1960
1st: First Hal Jordan solo series
CGC 4.5 median $1,101 · 4 sold
New Gods #1
DC · 1971
1st: Orion and the New Gods
CGC 8.5 median $150 · 4 sold
Showcase #4
DC · 1956
1st: Silver Age Flash (Barry Allen)
CGC 5.0 median $7,520 · 4 sold
Adventure Comics #247
DC · 1958
1st: Legion of Super-Heroes
CGC 3.0 median $1,725 · 3 sold
Batman #47
DC · 1948
1st: Joe Chill named as the Waynes' killer
CGC 4.0 median $4,800 · 3 sold
Superboy #68
DC · 1958
1st: Bizarro
CGC 4.5 median $700 · 3 sold
The Brave and the Bold #28
DC · 1960
1st: Justice League of America
CGC 8.0 median $19,800 · 3 sold
Wonder Woman #1
DC · 1942
1st: First Wonder Woman solo title
CGC 3.0 median $695 · 3 sold
Adventure Comics #210
DC · 1955
1st: Krypto the Superdog
CGC 3.0 median $3,441 · 2 sold
Superman #75
DC · 1993
1st: Death of Superman
CGC 9 median $310 · 2 sold
Adventure Comics #260
DC · 1959
1st: Silver Age Aquaman origin
CGC 5.0 median $273 · 1 sold
All-Star Comics #8
DC · 1941
1st: Wonder Woman
CBCS 1 median $629 · 1 sold
Batman #1
DC · 1940
1st: The Joker and Catwoman
CGC 9 median $40 · 1 sold
Detective Comics #225
DC · 1955
1st: Martian Manhunter
CGC 3.0 median $1,875 · 1 sold
Detective Comics #66
DC · 1942
1st: Two-Face
CGC 4.0 median $8,280 · 1 sold
Superman #1
DC · 1939
1st: First Superman solo title
CGC 3.0 median $4,000 · 1 sold
DC Key Issue Comics: FAQ
Which DC key issues are the most valuable?+
Golden and Silver Age first appearances of flagship characters command the highest prices, but scarcity of high-grade copies matters as much as the debut itself. Compare sold prices at the same grade and grader for an accurate read.