NOTE: We use eBay to provide references to live prices of comic books. Clicking a text link or image marked ‘Check live prices’ will take you to eBay.
Adventure Comics Price Guide
Adventure Comics Price Guide
Adventure first appeared in 1935, under the title New Comics.
National Allied Publications, one of the companies that eventually merged into DC, created it as a humor series.
With issue #12, the name was changed to New Adventure, and with that name change came a format change, moving towards serious adventure.
By the time that issue #32 came around in November, 1938, the title was shortened to Adventure.
In issue #40, superheroes began to appear, and would dominate the title until 1972, when Adventure became a fantasy/supernatural anthology series.
Superheroes returned only a few issues later, although usually the title featured more "off the beaten path" heroes. It was eventually canceled in 1983.
Over the years, Adventure would be home to:
- The Sandman
- Hourman
- Starman
- Martian Manhunter
- Green Arrow
- Superboy
- Johnny Quick
- Aquaman
- Legion of Super Heroes
- SuperGirl
- The Spectre
and numerous others would grace its pages.
Many of the issues produced over the 48-year run of Adventure would go on to become very desirable to collectors.
Particularly the Golden Age issues that feature the first appearances of superheroes.
Have Your Copies of Adventure Valued!
If you've got some old issues of Adventure (including issues #26, #40, #48, #103, #247, or #381), then click here to have them valued FREE by Sell My Comic Books!
New Adventure #26: The Rarest DC Comic?
Record sale: $11,100
Minimum price (poor but complete shape): $???
Check values here | Have yours appraised for free
It should be mentioned that any Golden Age comic is generally very desirable to collectors, and even the "pre-superhero" era of Adventure proves that true.
A copy of New Adventure #26, from 1938, and still bearing the transitional title, New Adventure, is very hard to price because copies are extremely scarce.
This issue appeared a month before Action Comics #1, and featured an ad for Action #1. It was one of the first times an image of Superman would be seen in print.
  |
Why This Guide is AWESOME for Wannabe Comic InvestorsIf you have either tried (and failed) to make money flipping comic books, or are frustrated by the huge array of choice out there, then this is the eBook for you. It's packed with 32 in-depth analyses of easy-to-buy and sell comic books from the Bronze to Modern ages. These are titles we have personally made a lot of money buying and selling. So can you. Make more than your money back with your first successful trade (or by NOT buying a losing book!). If you are not completely satisfied, we have a 365-day money-back guarantee. Click to read more, or order your copy today! |
Adventure Comics #40: The Sandman Cometh
Record sale: $63,000
Minimum price (poor but complete shape): $5,000
Check values here | Have yours appraised for free
The issue of Adventure that launched the superhero era in that title is one of the rarest of all key issue DC Comics.
There are, in fact, so few copies of issue #40 around that there has never been a copy above CGC 8.0 up for auction. CGC has only graded 22 unrestored copies in any condition.
Issue #40 of Adventure features Wesley Dodds, aka The Sandman, in a story called The Tarantula Strikes.
Adventure Comics #48: First Appearance of Hourman
Record sale: $54,000
Minimum price (poor but complete shape): $1,000
Check values here | Have yours appraised for free
Adventure #48 features the origin of Hourman, and is a scarce and valuable issue of this title.
There is also a Sandman story, but it is the Hourman origin that gives this issue its collector appeal, along with its rarity.
This is a very rare comic book, with just 20 graded by CGC.
Adventure #61: First Appearance of Starman
Record sale: $21,000
Minimum price (poor but complete shape): $500
Check values here | Have yours appraised for free
Another rare first appearance comic, with just 27 unrestored copies graded by CGC.
Adventure #73: Origin of Manhunter
Record sale: $21,000
Minimum price (poor but complete shape): $200
Check values here | Have yours appraised for free
Adventure #103: Superboy Takes Over
Record sale: $8,000
Minimum price (poor but complete shape): $150
Check values here | Have yours appraised for free
With Adventure #103 in 1946, Superboy takes over Adventure Comics.
Young Clark Kent's adventures would remain the lead feature in this title for a whopping 277 issues (a 23-year run).
Superboy needs no introduction, and Adventure #103 was not his first appearance, but it began a very long tenure that should help to explain the high value of this comic.
Adventure #210: First Appearance of Krypto the Super-Dog
Record sale: $6,300
Minimum price (poor but complete shape): $250
Check values here | Have yours appraised for free
Some ideas are best left on the drawing board. Krypto the Super-Dog is one such idea.
DC Comics had a habit of coming up with hokey content, and it only got worse in the 1960s, just as Marvel got their act together and started making heroes with realism.
Adventure Comics #229: First True Appearance of Aquaman in the Silver Age
Record sale: $650
Minimum price (poor but complete shape): $100
Check values here | Have yours appraised for free
This book is the TRUE first Silver Age appearance of Aquaman. It was published in the same month as Showcase #4, the book which most pundits agree began the Silver Age.
It predates Showcase #30 by two years.
Adventure Comics #247: First Appearance of The Legion of Super Heroes
Adventure Comics #247 (1st Legion of Superheroes) is on our 100 Hot Comics you must invest in. Click to read more!
Record sale: $19,000
Minimum price (poor but complete shape): $300
Check values here | Have yours appraised for free
Perhaps the most valuable of the Silver Age issues is Adventure #247, from April of 1958, which features the introduction of the Legion of Superheroes.
Only three Legionnaires appear: Cosmic Boy, Lightning Boy, and Saturn Girl.
There are 269 copies certified by CGC, but this book seldom comes up for sale.
Adventure #256: Origin of Green Arrow
Record sale: $1,500
Minimum price: $20
Adventure #260: Origin of Aquaman
Record sale: $6,400
Minimum price: $50
Adventure #267: 2nd Appearance of the Legion of Super-Heroes
Record sale: $3,200
Minimum price: $40
Adventure #269: First Appearance of Aqualad
Record sale: $1,900
Minimum price: $20
Adventure #271: Origin of Lex Luthor Retold
Record sale: $780
Minimum price: $10
Adventure #283: First Appearance of General Zod and Dr. Xadu. First Appearance of the Phantom Zone
Record sale: $2,400
Minimum price: $50
Adventure #300: Legion of Super-Heroes Takes Over
Record sale: $4,500
Minimum price (poor but complete shape): $20
Check values here | Have yours appraised for free
With Adventure #300, the Legion would become a regular second feature in Adventure, and would sport a very large and rotating roster of heroes.
Adventure #462: Death of Earth Two Batman
Record sale: $350
Minimum price (poor but complete shape): $1
Check values here | Have yours appraised for free
Have Your Adventure Comics Valued
Don't pay a fee to have your comics appraised. Simply send us photos, and we'll give you an honest appraisal.
We'll also make you a cash offer if you wish to sell your comic books.
More of our Comic Price Guides
DC Comic Superheroes in Adventure Comics
Many famous characters have appeared in Adventure Comics over the years. Find out the value of individual characters here.
Batman Comic Book Price Guide
Learn how much early issues of the Caped Crusader's exploits are worth. Later issues are being added all the time!
Superman Comics Values
Find out what the Man of Steel's classic Golden and Silver Age appearances are worth in our detailed price guide, or send us photos for a free appraisal!
All Star Comics Values
Learn the worth of old comic books from the All-Star publication, the home of the original Justice Society of America, and the first ever appearance of Wonder Woman.
Recent Articles
-
Action Comics Price Guide: What Are Your Comic Book Worth?
Apr 01, 20 10:41 PM
Learn the values of individual Action Comics, and find out what your early Superman comics are worth with our FREE appraisal service! See record sales here.
-
Action Comics Values for Issues #101 to #200: FREE Appraisals
Apr 01, 20 10:16 PM
The second part of our guide to Action Comics values focuses on issues #101 through #200. Some classic Golden Age art and stories -- but what are your Superman comics worth? Find out here, or get a FR…
-
Timely Comics Price Guide: Cap, Marvel Mystery, Human Torch
Apr 01, 20 10:54 AM
Timely Comics are among the most collectible and valuable comic books. Learn what Timely issues are worth today, or get your comics appraised FREE by us!