8 Groundbreaking Sci-Fi Comics That Became Collector Favorites
Sci-fi comics were a groundbreaking genre in the early 20th century. It is taken for granted today, but sci-fi comics were seen as a moral threat to America’s youth back then. EC Comics and other pioneering comic book publishers were forced to stop publishing horror in the mid-1950s.
The sci-fi genre didn’t die out, but there are many early-era sci-fi comics that are historically important today. Censorship authorities tried to wipe out sci-fi and horror comics forever in the 1950s, but did not succeed.
The sci-fi comics of the 1950s laid the groundwork for the sci-fi we love today. They are also very valuable.
Here are eight historically important and collectible sci-fi comics you must know about.
1. Planet Comics #1 (1940) Fiction House
Planet Comics was the sci-fi comic to ever exist in the comics medium. Sci-fi comics as we know them would not exist if not for this comic. The predecessor pulp magazine, Planet Stories, would evolve into Planet Comics, an anthology series, in 1940. The sci-fi comics of Planet Stories usually involved a muscular hero with laser ray guns saving a woman from a peril involving aliens or various bad guys from space.
The comic series ran from 1940 to 1974 for over 73 issues. It would feature stories from characters like Mysta of the Moon, Flint Baker, and the Space Rangers. The Red Comet, Reef Ryan, and more. The concept of the space opera would not exist without Planet Comics #1.
A copy of this comic with a CGC grade of 9.2 is worth over $39,500. Even a 6.0 CGC grade of this comic is worth over $11,400.
2. Weird Fantasy #13 (1952) EC Comics
EC Comics is infamous for pioneering horror and sci-fi comics in the anthology format during the 1950s. The morality crisis of the era led to the founding of the Comics Code Authority, which forced horror comics, and EC, to go out of business in 1956. EC Comics would continue with other comics and began publishing MAD Magazine.
Weird Fantasy was a notorious anthology comic with confusing numbering. The anthology began as a romance comic, A Moon, A Girl, Romance! but would end at issue #12. Weird Fantasy began at issue #13 in 1950, ran until issue #17, then it would restart again at issue #6. So, Weird Fantasy has issues #13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 in 1950 and 1952.
These EC sci-fi comics are a confusing benchmark in the early history of the genre, but are very valuable today.
A 9.2 CGC grade of this comic is worth almost $6,200. A near-perfect copy of this comic is worth over $50,000.
3. Mystery in Space #1 (1951) DC Comics
This was a legendary sci-fi comics anthology from DC Comics that ran for over 110 issues from 1951 through 1966. Interestingly, this debut issue would feature three non-sci-fi anthology stories. Still, this was a legendary sci-fi anthology of the era. This comic would feature characters like Adam Strange, Space Rangers, Star Rovers, Ultra the Multi-Alien, Hawkman, and more.
This issue features a cover by legendary artist Frank Frazetta and the debut of the characters “Knights of the Galaxy.”
A copy of this comic with a 9.2 CGC is worth over $5,200.
4. Strange Adventures #1 (1950) DC Comics
This comic was DC Comics’ first sci-fi comics anthology series. It ran for over 244 issues from 1950 to 1973. Legendary sci-fi characters like Captain Comet, Adam Strange, Chris KL-99, the Atomic Knights, Star Hawkins, Space Cabby, Immortal Man, Animal Man, Enchantress, and horror character Deadman made their debuts during Strange Adventures’ 13-year run.
A 9.2 CGC copy of this comic is worth over $4,300. A near-perfect copy of this comic is worth almost $152,000.
5. Tales of Suspense #39 (1963) Marvel
Iron Man is a sci-fi character when you really think about it. Tales of Suspense is a fantasy and sci-fi anthology of the era. Tony Stark is injured and lying in a Vietnam cave when he creates the Iron Man armor. He creates micro-circuitry and ahead-of-its-time proto-cybernetic elements to control his bulky, prototype grey armor.
A 4.0 CGC grade of this comic is worth over $6,250. A near-perfect copy of this legendary comic is worth almost $456,000 on the collectibles market.
6. Amazing Fantasy #15 (1962) Marvel
This comic features the iconic first appearance of Peter Parker and Spider-Man. However, this title was a fantasy and sci-fi comics anthology. This comic was on the verge of cancellation. Legendary creators Stan Lee and Steve Ditko were given permission to create anything; they created Spider-Man, and the rest is history.
This comic features lots of sci-fi elements, like web-shooters, radiation, radioactive spiders, and body alteration due to radiation. The creative inspiration for these sci-fi elements was the radiation and atomic war fears of the era.
A 4.0 CGC grade of this issue is worth $33,000.
7. The Eternals #1 (1976) Marvel
The Eternals are a species of human known as homo immortalis. They were made over 1 million years ago with cosmic technology by the Celestials. The Eternals are the product of ancient technology that was ahead of its time a million years ago. They hide their humanity to obfuscate their immortality, making them the basis for various legends and myths.
The Eternals defend humanity from the Deviants, the evil species Celestial also created, who are terrorizing humans.
A 9.8 CGC grade of this comic is worth $309.
8. Fantastic Four #1 (1961) Marvel
The Fantastic Four involves a lot of body horror elements. Mr. Fantastic’s body became elastic, Johnny Storm’s body ignites into fire, Sue Storm became invisible, and Ben Grimm’s body became rock-like. After taking a spaceship into space, the adventurers are hit with cosmic rays, which cause their transformation.
The Fantastic Four involves a lot of sci-fi comics, like Reed’s technology and inventions, travel to different dimensions, and space travel.
A 4.0 CGC grade copy of this comic is worth almost $13,000. A near-perfect copy of this comic is worth over $760,000 on the collectibles market.
Sci-Fi Comics
Sci-fi comics challenge what readers think about the world and the universe. It was the inspiration of sci-fi shows of the 20th century, and comics, that helped to shape the technology of the modern world. The tricorder and communication devices from Star Trek and sci-fi comics would influence smart devices.
The point is that traditional superhero comics get most of the attention from modern fans. If you really want to broaden your horizons when it comes ot comics, try checking out vintage and modern sci-fi.
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Allen Francis is the lead staff writer for PFAdvice.com at District Media, Inc., specializing in comic book investing, collectibles, popular culture, and practical wealth-building strategies. A New York City native, Marymount Manhattan College graduate, and former college academic advisor, librarian, and adjunct instructor, he brings 15+ years of professional writing experience and a proven personal transformation from financial illiteracy to expert collector. He also the author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing.