The most valuable comic books of the 1980s were published in the middle of two crucial ages for comic books. Those would be the second half of the Bronze Age and the dawn of the Modern Age.
During the Bronze Age, comic books began to mirror topical issues of the real world. Comic book stories were sillier and had straight good-vs-evil stories during the Silver and Golden Ages. These comic ages were also the targets of heavy censorship.
The Modern Age of comics starts in 1986. These comics were set on mirroring the social issues of the real world while depicting more violence. Also, the mass commercialization of comic books became a fully viable industry in the 1980s.
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have been pop culture phenomenons since the 1980s. Usagi Yojimbo is an obscure samurai rabbit character who rose to fan-favorite staus in the 1980s. A mint condition copy of Amazing Spider-Man #300, from 1988, is worth thousands now.
So, if you want to know what the most valuable comic books of the 1980s are, check out these three pivotal comics from the decade. If you are a comic book casual, I will also include a suggestion link for popular comic book stories for you to check out.
1. Amazing Spider-Man #300 (May 1988) Marvel Comics
In Secret Wars #8, from December 1984, Spider-Man is on an alien planet where superheroes and villains must battle. After his costume suffers damage, Spider-Man uses an alien device to fix it.
The device releases black symbiote goo which spreads over Parker’s body and transforms into the black costume. In subsequent stories, readers learn that the symbiote is a malevolent alien parasite that physically bonds to its host.
The symbiote amplifies the subconscious and negative emotional instincts of the host in uncontrollable ways. The more that Spider-Man bonds with the symbiote, the more likely the bonding can become permanent.
Enter Eddie Brock
Amazing Spider-Man #300 is the first appearance of Eddie Brock and Venom. Brock, a journalist, becomes a pariah after Peter Parker reveals his fraudulence.
Meanwhile, Parker finally separates himself from the symbiote. It was aggressively making him a more violent version of himself.
Brock, nearly insane with fury, jealousy, and regret, bonds with the symbiote. Then they become Venom. The symbiote and Brock essentially become one new being.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Venom was Spider-Man’s deadliest enemy. But he became so popular with fans that he soon became an anti-hero.
A copy of this comic with a 9.8 CGC grade is worth $2,615. It is an affordable investment.
You can buy a Kindle version of this key issue for $6.99.
Suggested Reading for Casuals – Venom by Donny Cates Vol. 1
In the comic books, the Venom symbiote is now a part of an ancient lineage of alien invaders. The Venom comics of the past recent years have been very exciting to read. They have made a new status quo for Venom that is distinct from Spider-Man. That is not easy to do since Venom is a Spider-Man ripoff.
This 139-page paperback collects first six issues of the 2018 series.
2. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (May 1984) Mirage Studios/ Eastman and Laird
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 was self-published by creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird in 1984. The comic took off in popularity immediately. It’s about four pet turtles who were turned into anthropomorphized superhero ninjas by radioactive sludge. They are trained by a rat named Splinter.
The first cartoon series came out in 1987. There have been five TMNT live-action motion pictures. The first TMNT movie was made just 6 years after TMNT #1! The last two TMNT films were made within the last decade.
TMNT is a pop culture mainstay, so it’s not hard to understand why someone spent $90,000 for a first-print copy of TMNT #1 in August 2019. This comic has a CGC grade of 9.8. This comic usually has a collectibles market value of $43,500.
You could invest in a 6.0 CGC grade for less than $9,000.
Suggested Reading for Casuals – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Ultimate B&W Collection Vol. 1
It is very hard to find affordable copies of TMNT #1. So, this hardcover graphic novel collects the first seven issues of the 1984 comic book launch. Some of the best Teenage Mutant Ninja Stories ever began in this seminal run of issues.
3. Albedo Anthropomorphics #2 (November 1984) Thoughts and Images
Albedo #2 features the first appearance of fan-favorite Usagi Yojimbo. So, Albedo was an anthology comic book series of the era that featured stories starring anthropomorphic characters. Usagi Yojimbo roughly translates to “Rabbit Bodyguard.”
Stan Sakai is the creator of Usagi Yojimbo. The stories are set in Edo-period Japan. Usagi Yojimbo comic books still exist to this day via independent publishers.
A 9.8 CGC graded copy of Albedo #2 sold for $31,000 in May 2019. Only 2,000 issues exist in the original first-edition printing.
Suggested Reading for Casuals – Usagi Yojimbo Saga Volume 1
This paperback collects over 600 pages of classic tales featuring Usagi Yojimbo as a wandering samurai vigilante. If you have ever seen old Akira Kurosawa samurai films about wandering Ronins, then just imagine similar scenarios with a samurai rabbit.
Get it for $19.99 at Amazon now.
Seek Out Collectible Comics Strategically
Comics from the 1980s are not generally known to be valuable. However, it can be if it is a key issue or has historical significance. Time and growing collector interest create demand. In decades to come, the comics on this list will be in greater demand.
If you have a mint-condition copy of any of these comics, hang onto it. Or, consider investing now.
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