Expensive comic book covers from every artist

[@michaelcringoli9950]

I was the guy who bought the Iron Man 128 from James and I love the book Best cover ever in my opinion

[@MintHunterComics]

Rock on Mike! Glad you love it

[@chicosuave2966]

@@MintHunterComicshello sir do you know why the new Wolverine Revenge 1:100 ArtGerm book is selling for over a $150 already?

[@paulknowspicking6569]

I sold my entire childhood comic book collection ( 1970-86 ish ) to pay for my wife's wedding ring and part of the cost of our honeymoon. I only regret selling Giant Size X-men #1. NOW years later, I only buy books whose cover's bring back that original feeling I had as a collector.

[@CollectingLlama]

Definitely sold for the right reasons 😊

[@roggoblin]

You need a second part to this. I would love to see your picks for George Perez, The Kuberts, Art Adams. So many that you probably didn't have the time to get too. Great video.

[@catsadilla324]

Alex Ross!!

[@ericwilliams1845]

Barry Windsor smith, Gil Kane, Frank frazetta, Alex toth, lou fine, bill sinekiewicz! More more more

[@allthingscoolandcommon5161]

Agreed! All of the above.

[@MintHunterComics]

I tried desperately with Perez but all his iconic covers were also keys!

[@sirroxalot]

Marie Severin is an EXTREMELY underrated artist. Her run on the Silver Age Submariner was insane. Glad to see her getting some attention.

[@reprintranch]

I love Marie’s work with Bill Everett on early ‘70s Marvel covers.

[@Red-Devil884]

Man, we need a second and third part of this. So many great artists with AWESOME covers!

[@thomashernandez6985]

Silver Surfer #4 without any doubt, one of THE most iconic covers ever.

[@IAmYourDoom]

I love Silver Surfer #4. Thor fighting silver surfer on the rainbow Bridge. Beautiful cover!!!!

[@MintHunterComics]

Amen! I love your profile picture

[@rambler85478]

Mike Zeck doesn't get enough props. Love his Punisher mini series covers. Another great cover artist was Johnny Craig... love the one on Crime Suspenstories issue 3.

[@robertgray1365]

Zeck's covers, ESPECIALLY his GI Joe run, are completely underrated gems.

[@reprintranch]

Yeah, that Crime SuspenStories 3 cover is a gem. I also love the cover to issue 5. Craig had such a great instinct for composition.

[@Matt_Likes_Comics]

The creators of Futurama have admitted Bender 's inspiration is from that Startling Comics cover.

[@robertmalinowski6804]

When you mentioned the wonder woman cover, it brings something to mind. Have you ever noticed that the 1990s Wonder woman looks like the late Julie Strain?

[@jonathanosborne7407]

I think you need a sequel for this video: Battlefield 11 or or War Comics 11 by Russ Heath, among many; Punch Comics 12 by Ricca; Famous Funnies 213 by Frazetta; National Comics 39 by Kotzky; National Comics 16 by Lou Fine; Blue Beetle 52 by Kamen; Blackhawk 20 by Crandall; and my favorite Falling in Love 99 by Estrada

[@MintHunterComics]

True - I barely scratched the surface on war, romance, western, sci fi and other classics

[@Scott.B.Chapin]

Keep these coming - next video: Alex Ross Bill Sienkiewicz George Perez (plenty of non-keys out there) Dave Sim Mark Bagley Dave McKean John Cassaday Howard Chaykin David Mack Tim Sale Michael Golden Art Adams Walt Simonson Jim Starlin Gary Frank Dave Cockrum Adam & Andy Kubert Bob Layton Dave Gibbons

[@MintHunterComics]

I tried desperately with Perez but all his iconic covers were also keys! Remember we're going for expensive big $$$ books - all those with him are the keys

[@rickt5255]

I think the Adi Granov cover of Doom #1 is going to be on that list soon. It's a beautiful piece of artwork, especially the virgin variant.

[@Treg]

Wow.. I might be in love with that Warren Louw Wonder Woman cover. Never heard of the artist until this video

[@kick-face3558]

Didn’t know i needed that book until now lol

[@PunguinYoga]

@@kick-face3558 Really gorgeous.

[@BentTimeAndSpace]

I think Michael Turner and Ivan Tao are super underrated and not talked about enough

[@jrucker4181]

Jim lee 268, Artherm Batgirl 12 are two that spring to mind. I mean you should include hot artists. Love this idea for a list I hope you continue it.

[@MintHunterComics]

Sweet!

[@HiCon37]

Amazing job on this video. Do more of this.

[@Doc_Dooom]

Suspense 3, Punch 12, Famous Funnies 213, and pretty much any valuable non-superhero golden age comic book.

[@jesseduran7353]

Perfect timing, I've been going through and pricing my collection and came across Detective Comics 880 and couldn't believe the price. Wasn't sure why it was so valuable, but now I know!

[@MintHunterComics]

The value always surprises me

[@TimSchuette-tl2ie]

​@@MintHunterComicsyes.....WHY ?😂

[@johnwilliams9985]

Can't argue with you on that Incredible Hulk #340 for McFarlane.. but Batman #423 is neck and neck with it

[@govatos]

6:49 credit to Marie Severin for redrawing the Hulk’s face on this (Steranko’s version looked wrong to the editors)

[@ProfessorEchoMedia]

Arguably the best video you’ve ever done! (And I dare anyone to argue it with me!). ❤

[@bobtrottier8178]

Gotta jump back in....big ? To James and everyone else. Is it just me,or is Bob Layton like THE DEFINITIVE IRON MAN artist??? Maybe it's because his Iron Man was my first exposure to the character...but I don't ever see anything else that's NEAR his work!! Just SPECTACULAR!;;

[@theobsessedcollector]

I do like Bob Layton's more rigid style but I love Gil Kane's fluid take on the armor. He made it seem the metal was as thin as fabric and just as flexible.

[@christopherdukes2476]

I have orbited in and out of the hobby, but lately as I have tried to follow the content and learned more, I realized my small collection is not that much because I always bought because of the cover or character. Still happy and just focus on displaying my great covers for my enjoyment!

[@TokyoToyHunters]

Classic X-Men number 1 for that masterful Art Adams cover.

[@maartenbouw]

I like Scott McDaniel’s cover for Nightwing #30 from 1999. Iconic Superman’s image right there.

[@MintHunterComics]

I looked it up. Love it!

[@CosmicRobb]

If I’m not mistaken, Hulk Annual 1 is a Steranko but the face was redrawn by Marie Severin because marvel thought Steranko drew Hulk too ugly lol

[@MintHunterComics]

Now that’s a fun fact I wasn’t aware of!

[@15soundwave]

Nice list. Would love to see a part 2.

[@philiparsenault1043]

Jim Lee's X-men 11 was a hot comic for a while solely for its cover

[@robertgray1365]

I was trying to think of a Jim Lee cover that fit this description and I think you nailed it. I nominate Uncanny 251 for Silvestri.

[@mrsolodolo967]

Yeah and I don't know why, , the colors on it are blah and it doesn't pop like covers before it.

[@donaldmiller9648]

One of my favorites was Nick Fury Shield #7 with the Steranko cover inspired by Salvador Dali. Steranko covers were so different for that period. Wrightson had great covers also. Good to see you covering many periods.

[@minuswyatt2437]

I can’t even imagine trying to chose just ONE Neal Adams 😂 I’d have been sweatin!

[@MintHunterComics]

There were several artists on here where the choice was tough

[@michaelslattery3736]

I was literally looking at Swamp Thing 9 last night thinking I don't see enough homages of that cover; it's amazing.

[@stefansnow4386]

Brian Bolland - JLA #189 + #190... Starro dominating the same way he did in the suicide squad movie John Byrne - X-men #140... wendigo tossing wolverine like a rag doll

[@bobtrottier8178]

The Middleton Batgirl....I got for 4.6¢ in a massive bulk buy. Funny part is when I was in a really big pinch? Someone,out of the blue, called me asking about this book as I had a ton of the Batgirl variants. $60 bucks for it, and after seeing the rest my pinch became a thing of the past. Actually gifted the guy a cpl other AH! books he needed as a thank you. When he asked why I was giving them to him,I explained my situation and his completely random phone call. Now he calls weekly,though theft cost me the biggest part of that collection. Gotta love the universes sense of humor!!

[@BrokeBoyComics]

This was a great list I would’ve taken so long researching and picking out only one book. All very awesome covers and I definitely think there could be a part 2 to this with even more great and iconic artists.

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@adamchace]

Love thoughtful and novel content like this, awesome watch

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

HI James. Excellent video! I appreciate your throwing in some great golden age artists. As you mention, Schomburg's Startling 49 is a beast. Regarding Matt Baker, the three books that usually pop up for his best cover are Phantom Lady 16 (which you highlighted), Cinderella 25 (glad you picked it), and Seven Seas 4. All are incredible. If you do create another video, here are a few other artists to consider from the golden age: Ricca, Flessel, Baily, Lou Fine. I appreciate the time and research you put into this one.

[@Whalewraith]

Dirty pair 'run from the future' #1 Adam Hughes is my favourite cover.

[@curtismorrow1453]

Hey James, the Batman holding Robin is Michelangelo's La Pieta. the comicstrope guy did a bit on it. I like Jim Starlin's Death of Captain Marvel version.

[@ComicCollectorGeek]

I have most of these in my collection. I still need the Mask. The Thrilling 49 was the inspiration for Bender. I confirmed this in an interview I did with Bill Morrison. Really great list of covers.

[@MintHunterComics]

To have most of the is genuinely impressive

[@dalemoyers8881]

Great topic. Lots of great comics. Thanks. Keep up the good work. 😎

[@MintHunterComics]

Thanks, will do!

[@PunguinYoga]

So many fantastic overs.

[@ShogunZIlla]

Oh man great topic hope we get a sequel video!

[@charlesjohnson3287]

Nice to have most of the Silver Age Marvels in my collection! And that Jock too! No Jim Lee on the list? Nods his head in the direction of UXM 268.

[@FRothRose]

Cool video... glad to see Dave Stevens on here. Though my favorite cover of his is Planet Comics #1. Curious of your thoughts on Simon Bisley and Joseph Michael Linsner. Lobo #1 is Lobo's first stand alone series, so that might not qualify for this list... any other Bisley's that could make the list? Or how about Linsner, any of his to consider for this list? Thanks for the vid... good stuff.

[@The_Oak_Boat]

lee elias has to have chamber of chill 19

[@DavendraJurakhan]

I never known this, Thank you

[@literallyunderrated]

DC Showcase 79 “dolphin” is sought after pretty much only for the great cover. I don’t really think of dolphin, besides that issue. Also that Wally Wood love at the ending 👍🏼

[@arthurtripp6922]

How about Russ Heath on the painted for.Sea Devil?

[@jeffstanley6013]

Unfortunately, Showcase 79 would be disqualified from this list as it's Dolphin's 1st appearance, so it's a key for something other than the cover.

[@literallyunderrated]

@@jeffstanley6013 lol its not all that unfortunate

[@YurrNext]

I have that Spidey #33 in a 9.6, one of my fave covers ever! 🤘

[@michaelstone446]

great video, James. But what about Perez, Simonson, Cockrum, Sinkevitch....we need a part 2!

[@MintHunterComics]

I tried desperately with Perez but all his iconic covers were also keys!

[@RedRockShane]

Great list. For Brian Bolland I think you have to go with Zatanna #5 the 1:25 variant. It's not a key but everyone wants it. The value never goes down. I think it's the best cover he's ever done. For Matt Baker, I'm partial to All Top Comics #16. That Cinderella cover gets a lot of love but the All Top has to be the most underappreciated book that he's done.

[@Mr.Digit115]

i agree w the second part idea,...

[@LXA2008]

Unique content as always, I appreciate it!

[@lucasevans462]

Awesome content! Well done!

[@kick-face3558]

Dope video! I would like more vids on iconic covers

[@leeniren3706]

Thank you I did not realize that the value of some of these books had solely to do with the cover and nothing to do with the interior of the book. The one cover that might be added to this list is Hulk number one. It is the first cover of the red Hulk, but there is nothing to do with him on the interior of the book

[@CaeliaShaw]

Can't wait to start my collection

[@stampscapes]

Cool subject/vid! I missed that Jungle Action Byrne somehow. I used to try and collect everything Byrne back in the day when I was collecting as a kid.

[@MintHunterComics]

Such a great one. I think people were blind to that particular title thoguh

[@stampscapes]

@@MintHunterComics Right. I don't have a single issue of that title. Looks like it was discontinued a few years before I started collecting. Overstreet used to have Byrne noted books including his covers so they probably didn't note that one or I would have been all over that.

[@brendandaley9355]

Does X Men 50 for Steranko not count due to being a second appearance because that is my pick for him that cover is just gorgeous

[@DapprDave]

That Zatanna status is BEAUTIFUL!!! For McFarlane, what about Batman 423. How do the sales numbers match up to Incredible Hulk 340?

[@rob3066]

Batman 423 for Todd is my pick. I got 2 9.8 1st prints back from the last signing. Love that cover.

[@MintHunterComics]

That was the other obvious Todd choice!

[@danielmctaggart707]

Batman #423 is a great example with that McFarlane cover.

[@Paul-gh6ng]

I love Captain America 230. And now....The Hulk by Bob Layton

[@danzigvssartre]

Daredevil #16 my favorite for John Romita Snr. Fantastic Four #74 or Daredevil # 43 for Jack Kirby. Michael Golden also did some beautiful covers for Rom: Spaceknight. Especially #7, 9 and 12.

[@joekandul9914]

Spectacular Spider-man 101 is my pick for Byrne.

[@IAmYourDoom]

Can you do a video on where to start reading DC comics? It's very overwhelming because of pre crisis, new 52, and rebirth.

[@MintHunterComics]

After 1986s Crisis in I finite Earths everything got nice and streamlined. (And stayed that way for decades) so basically start from 1987 on up haha. Batman year one and up, George Perez Wonder Woman and up, John Byrne Superman and up, etc

[@nerd_life34]

It's criminal that you didn't include just. Scott Campbell or artgerm on here. So many other artists too that you missed on. Momoko, Adam's, perez I think you didn't mention. You definitely need to do a part 2. But overall awesome video. I really liked this one. But seriously, part 2. I'm waiting lol

[@MintHunterComics]

I tried desperately with Perez but all his iconic covers were also keys!

[@davidallen4026]

Not disagreeing with you about Daredevil #53 - I'm just amused you say it isn't a key... I imagine myself as a crotchety old man waving my overstreet price guide and screaming "but it retells his ORIGIN!!!!!"

[@comicfanagain8405]

For McFarlane - I kno 340 is big but I actually wud have thought Batman 423 is far far more famous and iconic a cover and is actually part of popular culture even outside of comics (statues, movies, toys etc)

[@reprintranch]

This is a terrific concept, though I would argue that to be excruciatingly focused, you should have chosen only comics where the cover artist did no interior work - because if the cover artist did illustrate a story, that provides more buying incentive and muddies the waters. But it’s your vid, I enjoyed it, and I encourage you to make a follow-up. A few miscellaneous thoughts… The Infantino Batman and Robin image appears on the dust jacket of the 1971 hardcover reprint collection, Batman with Robin the Boy Wonder - From the ‘30s to the ‘70s. Though I have no proof, I believe Steranko’s composition for the Hulk Annual 1 cover was inspired by the image of the boy holding the drum on the cover of MAD issue 51. Next time around, please consider Frank Frazetta. I’d vote for Famous Funnies 214, but he’s got a bunch of strong candidates, especially if you include the black-and-white Warren mags.

[@tedbell7948]

I'm a big fan of Spectacular Spider-Man 101, which has the b&w cover

[@Klung1]

It’s funny you picked a Steranko cover where the face was redrawn by Marie Severin.

[@shawnjones8748]

Feels like I'm on the path to a good investment collection when it's small yet has five of the books on your list

[@Whytemonkee]

My favorite Steranko Cover is Nick Fury # 7 Omage to Salvador Dali

[@johnnydropkicks]

James, have you ever done a video of the most homaged covers?

[@MintHunterComics]

Sort of! kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6m8gJWmpZJ6odk&ab_channel=Mint-HunterComics

[@johnnydropkicks]

@@MintHunterComics Thanks. Your explanation of “sort of” is spot on. I still think that doing a video on the most homaged, original covers would make for a good video. Then again, I know nothing about making KZbin videos and what causes a video’s success; or lack there of. 🙂

[@robertgray1365]

Spider-Man #1 wins that by a mile.

[@johnnydropkicks]

@@robertgray1365 I think ASM #300 might have it beat.

[@later_daze_4080]

Zatanna cover u showed in the beginning by Brian Bolland is 🔥

[@backinthegame_comics]

Batman 227 & 423, Superman 233, most all the classic PCH

[@scooobydoo27]

I like your picks, but I'm not sure how the choice for Adams wasn't Batman 251 hands down.

[@sppnetwork-po3gy]

Strange Adv 207 is Neal Adams' 1st Deadman. His Deadman is what defined the character. I would say it's a key

[@Scott.B.Chapin]

For Byrne, I would go with Spectacular Spider-Man 101 (B/W cover) - iconic

[@joncoxe3703]

I noticed your Batman trades behind you in this video and I don't know if you've already done it but you should do a video on expensive trades! A couple of the Batmans on the shelf behind you I got 80 and 100 for and I think there's a lot of confusion as to which ones are valuable and which ones aren't etc. anyway love your content keep up the good work!

[@RikMorrison]

One I got slabbed because of the cover was the Variant cover of Swap Dogs #1 by John Gallagher.

[@sppnetwork-po3gy]

Awesome video!

[@J0KERtm]

Kind of surprised with the Neal Adams choice, I would think Batman #227 would be the pic as the cover is the only thing driving up the price.

[@literallyunderrated]

Another comic that sells only for the cover is Star Wars 68. People think its Boba Fett but its actually just some Irish dude named Fenn Shysa

[@nostalgic_addiction]

Would the Skottie Young Deadpool 45 Run the Jewels Variant count? Or is it considered scarce or a minor key?

[@buraddorun3043]

I bought Catwoman 51 new off the shelf because of the LOST reference. I looked the show at the time, and still do, including the ending.

[@buraddorun3043]

*loved the show

[@MintHunterComics]

I have to watch Lost one of these days

[@jabezcreed]

So much goodness!

[@MichaelNella]

No way that Hulk 340 is more famous for its cover than Batman 423

[@MintHunterComics]

YES way

[@vynilrob9719]

Top 10 most expensive no-cover comics!

[@AffectionateLacrosse-ju9jt]

The invincible Ironman 126

[@rwc3500]

No Barry Smith? My personal favorite of his is Conan the Barbarian #7 (or 5, or.. :)

[@reprintranch]

I think I’d go with Conan Annual 1, but almost every Smith Conan cover is a contender.

[@rwc3500]

@@reprintranch - I had forgotten about that one, but yes, the annual 1 was probably Barry's peak with the Conan run before he moved on to limited prints.

[@RayFromCarolinaComics]

Prefer Buscema's Silver Surfer #4, Love your Ditko choice but can't leave out Steve Ditko Strange Tales #146 (the only ST cover that Ditko had entire cover for Dr Strange).

[@theobsessedcollector]

Let's be honest. Once a book is graded and encased, it's really about the cover and recognizeability. Then it's resell value. I think that's why you see so many modern books being graded and slabbed. Fans seem to slab books that will probably never make their cost back, ( hence $20-$35 asking prices) but the artist and "cool looking" factor keeps the grading trend moving forward. If a book happens to be a quick, high demand item that commands a ridiculously high price, if you don't already have it graded and in your possession for a quick sale, it's too late to cash in on the wave. As you say James, collect what you love first.

[@mancavecomics6832]

Love the video. But I think your choice for Marie Severin cover was lacking although I do love that Captain America run. Tales to astonish 93 is highly valued for the cover and her best work in my opinion.

[@MintHunterComics]

What??? The red skull is iconic!

[@Whytemonkee]

Modern Covers are just AI portraits and suck IMO

[@bigwillcomics9968]

Great video but isn't hulk annual number one a key because it's hulk annual number one regardless of the cover? I mean sure that boosts it it's an awesome cover.

[@MintHunterComics]

Just being the first annual isn’t enough of a key (if you ask me.) it’s absolutely the cover that drives this

[@ccsportsfan7886]

excellent

[@scooobydoo27]

I feel like you need another one with different rules, because it just seems wrong to exclude 99% of Jack's great covers, because every new first thing that he and Stan did became, by definition, "a key". Maybe a "covers that launched a phenomenon" or some such thing. Characters that become iconic and it was from that very first cover that it became so. Marvel Spotlight 5, FF 49, X-Men 266, Secret Wars 8, Daredevil 167, New Mutants 87 are all examples.

[@louben987]

Definitely Silver Surfer #4

[@MintHunterComics]

That’s a multi-key! It doesn’t qualify for the rules for this list