The Greatest Comic Books of ALL TIME..Revealed

What are the greatest comic books of all time? The answer is revealed through the G.O.A.T. Pyramid. Only 30 comic books make the cut including many golden-age and silver-age keys and a handful of bronze and copper books.
---IN THIS VIDEO--
0:41 | Copper-Age Books on the Pyramid
1:02 | Bronze-Age Books
1:55 | Silver-Age Books
4:29 | Golden-Age Books Begin
6:51 | The TOP Two Tiers
---ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS---
All images of comic books and posters are from Heritage Auctions (HA.com) with the following exceptions:
Action 1 image from Comicconnect.com
Superman 1 image from CGC.com
The idea of a GOAT pyramid is from JxmyHighroller. Check out his awesome NBA Goat pyramid below:
• Creating An NBA G.O.A....
--Clarification--
The first Sub-mariner appearance is in Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1 ...but it's often not considered an "official" first appearance.
Thanks for stopping by and checking out the video, my comic book friends! -Keston

[@startaiger49]

Your "pyramid list" is pretty solid, I can't argue with any of your choices. As a suggestion, I might add an issue of Famous Funnies with a Frazetta cover (iconic art and high price).

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hi Startaiger! Thanks....those Frazetta covers are pretty sweet.

[@AlextheComicHoarder]

I like your list, but I find it extremely hard to believe hulk 181 ranks above all star 8, X-men 1, Whiz 2 and Dec 31. If I had hulk 181s to trade for any of the above mentioned books I would do it every time. Great video as always my friend!

[@AlextheComicHoarder]

Not that I think about it get hulk 1, FF1 and Showcase off that 3rd tier as well. I want to see sensation 1 on this pyramid as well.

[@AlextheComicHoarder]

There is no world where I’m putting zap 1 on any goat pyramid. I’m just not a fan of underground comics. Haha. Your videos are seriously the best content in the community in my opinion.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Admittedly, that's a fragile selection :-)

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Thanks Alex for the comment. Grade for grade, of course it can't hang with the books...but the popularity of the character is MT Rushmore level :-)

[@AlextheComicHoarder]

@@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842 yep. You always do a fantastic job of looking at the whole picture.

[@hipoopy777]

Very cool list and lots of interesting comments. Would also add All American Comics #16 should be on here somewhere and would agree with FF #5 needing to be on here. And I never know what to think about Motion Pictures Funny Weekly #1.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hipoopy, thanks for the kind words! Af16 was briefly mentioned (and it it on the 3rd rung). FF5 seems to be the most popular pick to be included so you are in good company. You’re the first to mention Motion Pictures Funnies Weekly #1 - great book - and as you said - it’s hard to place.

[@hazeldan1216]

Hey, Keston. Fun video and the type of discussion my wife and I often have, lol. Two changes for us. We would replace the Avengers 1 with More Fun 52, and of course, we would bump that Pep 22 up a tier. The first appearance of Archie Andrews is the rarest of those huge grails. Outside a few of the major superheroes, he is arguably the most important and popular piece of Americana in comics and pop culture. He is still relevant and loved globally.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

I would have bet anything that you all would have sad MF 52 should be there and that Pep 22 should be a rung or two higher! And, you came through :-). You do, of course have great comic book taste.

[@hazeldan1216]

Lol.😂 You know us pretty well, my friend. Like you said, we actually thought about that Pep being bumped up two tiers, but couldn't really justify it outside of our personal preference.

[@kryptoniterocks8245]

More fun 52 💯 spot on.

[@captain_uk]

Very interesting summary with good solid choices, my only disagreement would be some of the positions on the pyramid particually Hulk # 181, for me yeah maybe it should be there but for me on the bottom level, great entertaining video, thanks for sharing.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Thanks Cap. Appreciate your thoughtful comment, as always. Hulk 181 is a book I've had a tough time with. Up until very recently, it would have been fair to call me a golden age snob. Don't waste my time with any book with over 500 copies :-). But man, for so many people Hulk 181 is the comic book. And, given the tens of thousands of copies out there, the demand is incredible to support the book's lofty price.

[@captain_uk]

@@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842 Oh yes there is no denying the popularity of the book, I guess its the movement with the times and the people that really love and want the book are also beginning to fall into that disposable income time of their lives.

[@MetalBum]

He’s back. Excited to watch. 😊😊🎉

[@randyhos7673]

I agree, Can not question one of your judgement calls

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Thanks, Randy :-)

[@MetalBum]

Love the video. Love this. I dig the criteria. . Historic significance. Popularity and cover art.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Thank you, MB. Great to hear from you, my friend. I also factor in price too :-)

[@oacomics5956]

I love this channel. Personally I’m putting BB28 above X-Man 1 and Avengers 1 any day of the week. Neither would exist without the former.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Thanks OA! I've been having a related conversation with a number of people. There are a handful of comics that have changed the industry. They opened up new branches of possibilities in the comic world. BB28 is certainly one of them.

[@abanfi01]

Great video & interesting takes ! 👌 Gotta love that Marvel 9

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hear, hear. It's an all-time great, for sure.

[@zuffin1864]

I have been enjoying facsimilea a lot. Its good for keeping the original readingg experience alive, and makes it affordable for anybody to have a piece of the golden age history, and it looks like a cgc 10.0!

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Thanks Zuffin. Yeah, it's nice to go between the covers once in a while. I used to have a raw copy of x-men 1 in low grade. It was.a thrill to open it up and see all those characters appear for the first time. By that time in his career, Stan Lee's writing was so sharp and clever.

[@wazdakka1342]

I think this is a very reasonable objective pyramid and I imagine every collector has their own subjective pyramid with individual copies they never want to sell. I know I do, and as the years go by I appreciate my subjective period more and more while still appreciating the G.O.A.T.S from afar.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Thanks Waz for the kind words. Yeah, I tried to be "objective" about the GOATs. The top three tiers were fairly easy. Figuring out the last 10 in vs the last 10 out is tough. And, I probably was too hard on my subjective favorites, like ASM1 :-)

[@wazdakka1342]

It'll be interesting to see how it changes in the next 30 years. Back in my college days I would have bet Spiegelman's RAW #1 and something from Tezuka Osamu would be in today's pyramid. But history played out differently, and in the case of RAW it's now totally obscure.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

@@wazdakka1342 Hindsight is 20/20 as they say. Folks used to think Conan #1 a Hulk 181.

[@Saboten_Ken]

Hi Keston, great video !!Regarding the list, I would swap FF 52 or even 48 with FF 5. FF5 is simply too huge for FF and the Marvel brand to ignore.

[@kryptoniterocks8245]

FF 52 is a jewel of a book. First black superhero it should be noted it’s very underrated and undervalued now. A book as iconic as Af 15

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hi kryptonite. Grade for grade, it's the least valuable book on my pyramid...I believe. But...the MCU has done wonders for the character. I did some preliminary research and the only single-character-focused movie that has done better than Black Panther is one of the Spider-man movies. Plus, the cover is -- imho -- one of Kirby's best.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Thanks Ken! Your are not alone. Quite a few folks have lobbied for FF5.

[@timreierson26]

Great video. I would have found room somewhere (or expanded your pyramid a bit) for Fantastic Four #5 (Dr Doom might be the greatest and most popular villain ever?).

[@DanSchawbel]

That’s on the next rung on the pyramid but not at the level of any of those featured

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hi Tim...that is a sweet book. It's the 2nd most expensive silver-age book not on the pyramid (ASM#1 being the 1st). One thing that bugs me about the pyramid is a lack of featured supervillains. The Joker and Magneto piggy back off of Bat1 and X-men 1 -- but that's about it. FF5 may be the greatest comic known primarily for a supervillain appearance. Yeah...it hurt me to leave it off the pyramid.

[@timreierson26]

Disagree. I would replace FF48 with FF5. It has significantly greater value and a much better cover.

[@DanSchawbel]

@@timreierson26 go look at the census for both books. FF48 is 7x more common.

[@interzone119]

Great opinion. I enjoyed the work you put into it. Worthy of a screenshot and a like..... All day

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Thanks so much interzone. That was a fun video to do...and, it did take a while.

[@elijahcruz9095]

Love this! We don’t get these types of content enough. Please post more of this maybe a modern age tier list idk.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Thanks so much, Elijah. Appreciate it. I like the idea of a modern pyramid. Not sure if I'm the best to do it...as I know less about books from 1990 forward.

[@User8vfjhejf]

I's put More Fun 52 on that list somewhere

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hi Kevn...yep, that was one that was on the bubble for me. LOVE that book.

[@kryptoniterocks8245]

These books you nailed it Keston. Although I would have looooved to have seen Suspense 3 on the list next to Fantastic Comics #3 Samson vs the robot my grail!! I would throw out Avengers 1 and FF 1 for those two substitutes lol 😊👌

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

haha...Hi Kryptonite. Yeah, I may make another pyramid at some point based on the best covers. Without a doubt Suspense 3 and Fantastic Comics 3 would be up there!

[@rogerhaight5880]

I liked your list, but I’m dumbfounded that House of Secrets 92 would be overlooked. Star Wars #1 35 cent variant seems like a novelty pick (and I say this as a huge Star Wars fan and as someone utterly bored by Wolverine). House of Secrets’ value rivals both (actually higher than Hulk 181 in 9.8) but it’s infinitely more important to Comic Books as a medium than Star Wars will ever be (IMO).

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hi Roger. HoS92 is a sweet book. Thanks for the suggestions and analysis! Yeah, SW 35c is a little niche. My take on the book is that it is the best known -- and most valuable -- representative of variants, which for good or bad has had a huge impact on the hobby.

[@robertbeattie7057]

Thank you. Brought back memories, good and bad. Don't know that I have much to contribute. I'm an old man and don't want to waste your time with a full explanation, but I'll say in the 1960s I had family in the comic book business. I believe that I have held in my hands and read each comic on this list (including TMNT, though for a different reason). I have not followed comics much over the decades, though I dip in for a read at long intervals. The only comic on your list I still possess is a reading copy of FF48. I know I am little judge of comic book popularity and value -- in the previous millennium I gave away quality copies of Hulk 180 and 181 to a stranger, a mere acquaintance of a friend, because he said "wow" when he saw I had them. "Take them," I said. He protested this was too valuable a gift. I said I thought Wolverine's popularity would fade away and the character would be forgotten. He disagreed. I said again, "Take them." He did. He was right and I was wrong. Robert Beattie, New York Times bestselling author

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hi, Robert. Great to hear from you. 9 times out of 10, you'd be right about a "hot book" being a fad. But yeah...Wolvie has stood the test of time. BTW: thanks for letting me know that you are an author. I see one of your works features the BTK killer. Your thoughts on the relationship of Tom Holt #30 with the killer???

[@robertbeattie7057]

Again, I like your post. Here, perhaps you are confounding Zodiac with BTK. Easy to understand confusion. Zodiac likely was aware of the comic, but if someday there is evidence otherwise, that's easy to accept, too.@@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842

[@omegacollects]

Excellent pryamid Keston 💪🏾 What about All American Comics 61

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Good to hear from you, Omega! It's funny you mention, AA61. It's a book that I know a lot folks are fanatical about. I need to learn more about it.

[@ericp2714]

Switch places with Brave and the Bold 28 and Avengers 1. The Marvel Age (Silver Age) of comics wouldn’t have occurred without B&B 28. Stan Lee was told to create a superhero team thanks to DC’s success with the Justice League of America. A little over a year later, Fantastic Four 1 debuted and then that launched the “Marvel Age”. Also, you should drop Star Wars 1 $.35 cents issue and put in Action Comics 23, the first appearance of Lex Luther. The first true Super-Villain appearance. The Joker would appear several months later in Batman 1. I liked the rest of your list 👊🏼

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Thanks Eric P for the thoughtful comments. I've been wrestling with the idea of impact vs. popularity. For example, there may never have been comic books without Funnies on Parade, NN (extremely impactful) -- but few people know about it and even fewer care about it. JLA certainly set the stage for the Avengers and X-men but is not nearly as popular today.

[@mightycomicsandcollectibles]

Excellent video! Can’t say I disagree with much. I’m sad to say I only own 5 of these books. You should take this video and have a guest who has each book on your channel. That would be a great video

[@DanSchawbel]

Good idea

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Laurence! Good to hear from you, buddy. Hey, five books out of this 30 is something to be proud of. That is a good idea. Have 30 people each do a 30 second clip. What book would you like to present, Laurence?

[@mightycomicsandcollectibles]

@@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842 tech 31. That’s a great idea!

[@brute_nm]

Hey Keston, thoughts on Famous Funnies #1? No first appearances but has historical significance (first comic to be sold on newsstands), rarity (less than 10 on census), and value (a top-of-census 4.5 would easily hit 6-figures if one ever came up for sale). What do you think?

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hi Brute. Good call. Famous Funnies #1 and Funnies on Parade #NN were books on my bubble list. Yeah...seems like one should be on the list.

[@VaryingViewpoint]

Great video!

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Thanks, VV!

[@davidtorres2048]

Great job!!! Totally agree sharing the top!

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Great to hear from you again, David. Appreciate the kind words.

[@timreierson26]

I also would not put a variant on the hierarchy. If the non-variant version can’t make the pyramid, then any variants shouldn’t either.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hi Tim, Great comment. I've had a weird relationship with variants. A couple years ago I dismissed them altogether. Part of the reason I included this book is that variants -- whether we like them or not -- are a huge part of comics today. And, I think Star Wars 1, 35c is the variant that has best captured collectors' imagination. This is a book that was definitely on my "GOAT fence." :-)

[@justauntaun2337]

Dude, Where is Amazing Spider-man #1?

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Heh, heh....I knew someone would jump on that one. Appreciate the comment and the humor!

[@RedRockShane]

I'd also be tempted to throw a SciFi cover up like Startling Comics #49

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Temptation #2 :-)

[@roygibb8740]

I would probably add amazing spider-man #1 to the list. 1st solo title series, first j jonah Jameson and first meeting with the fantastic four.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hi Roy, Yeah, ASM1 is one of my personal favorites. It's likely the top silver book not on my pyramid. I may reconsider...but what do I take off...that's the question.

[@timreierson26]

I don’t believe there is room for both Amazing Fantasy #15 and ASM #1. AF #15 is the superior book as it relates to Spider-Man.

[@SouvenirProgramsHere]

Howdy Keston !

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

SPH...hey, buddy! Thanks for stopping by.

[@RedRockShane]

Suspense Comics #3?

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Shane! Don't tempt me. That book is on my personal Mt. Rushmore...and, I want it to be a top 30 book sooo badly :-)

[@tec31kid]

Yaaah - Marvel 1 & 9 ❣️❣️

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Marvel 9 deserves a spot, objectively. You know I'd include about 20 other Schomburg books if it was just about my taste :-)

[@CCOCC_]

I think Avengers #4 should be stuck on the end of the 5th row or maybe just clinging to the side of the pyramid. Captain America is essential to the Avengers story and I think it rivals Avengers 1 in significance 👀 maybe thats just me

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Avengers 4 is a nice book. Thanks for commenting, Michael.

[@DanSchawbel]

Not his first appearance. Avengers 1 is FA of avengers who have movies that have made billions.

[@DanSchawbel]

I like Keston’s ranking better than Overstreet.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Heh, heh. You flatter :-)

[@Levicrush]

Best comic book cover of all time is not there. Suspense Comics 3!

[@DanSchawbel]

He has one so maybe he thought there was bias lol

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Thanks, Levi. As Dan said (and you might know) I do have a copy and was tempted to put it on the list. I may have been too harsh on the book, but I had it among the top 10 that miss the pyramid.

[@rocketfighter8]

I only have 10 of your 30 including one on Mt. Rushmore. 😭

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hi Rocket. .333 is a great batting average in this game :-)

[@ComicCollectorGeek]

I would have removed FF52 there are many better books with greater significance. But overall a great pyramid.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hi CCG! Thanks, man. RE FF52, that's the book that's taken the most heat.

[@zachstmark]

Darkhawk 1-Best Troll Book of all time.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Heh, heh. It just missed the cut.

[@RedRockShane]

I think if you redo this list 10 years from now X-Men #1 is probably a tier 3 book.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hi Shane. Could be. It definitely has a lot going for it. The other "big team" superhero 1st issues (i.e., JSA, JLA, Avengers) are basically all star books: taking characters who had already made their from their own series and assembling them as a team. X-men has provided an awesome platform for new characters via the school for the gifted youngsters.:-)

[@PeterLeou]

Detective comics #1?

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hi Peter. That's a good one. The book that launched one of the greatest series, ever. And, gave a publisher its name...as you likely know given your endorsement :-)

[@JM-jv6cb]

Nice video but to quick and 2 short

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hi JM. Thanks for the feedback. Appreciate see you back.

[@therealhyperion]

Dude where is Suspense comics #3?

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Ahhh…a popular choice! Thanks for commenting TRH!

[@stevenloube6784]

Avengers 1 and FF 52 don’t belong on the list. FF5 is more valuable than both and bigger than both. Also FF49 rarer and more valuable than 48 in 9.8 grade for what that’s worth.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Thanks Steven. FF5 has been a popular choice for putting on the pyramid.

[@goldschool9050]

You can't have 2 on the top

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Hi, Gold School. Thanks for the comment. I went a bit unconventional. If I had to choose one, it would be Action 1 at the top. But...as mentioned I think there's a bigger gap between 'Tec 27 and the rest than between 'Tec 27 and Action 1.

[@scottmcmanus4697]

Jumbo comics 1 first sheena and Jack Kirby art. Sheena is marquee character running 15+ years spawning multiple female jungle queens and first female to get own title. Also forgot Disney keys. Uncle Scrooge the mouse and DD. Also Looney Tunes 1. I would remove Batman 1 and superman 1 replace w my suggestions. Also dump css22 that is just modern phenomenon last few years. No one cared 10 years ago.

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Here's a man who knows something about comic books. Appreciate the Jumbo 1 reference. Yes...a incredibly important book that is unknown to the vast majority of collectors. Appreciate your suggestions, Scott!

[@scottmcmanus4697]

@@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842 I love your show btw. Consistently excellent material. Keep it up. And I should have said your list was really well done and I am sure I forgot some important books that could be added. Such a daunting task that would never satisfy everyone 😊

[@backinthegame_comics]

Great video!

[@kestonsoldschoolcomicbooks6842]

Thanks so much!