After the era of the Silver Age comics, which debatably expanded from Barry Allen's 1956 introduction to roughly the early 1970s, a series of events transpired to conceive what would be known as the Bronze Age. While it is mostly agreed that the defacto comic that would segway in the Bronze Age was a landmark team-up between Green Lantern and Green Arrow, this era also changed how comics were now being published and sold with specialty comic-book shops popping up around the country.
Veteran writers and illustrators would step down and new talent would take the reins, ushering in new developments and expansions in minority superheroes and bringing social issues front and center in covers and storytelling. Though these entries and their record sale won't reach numbers of comics hailing from the Silver and Golden Age, they're still worth a pretty coin, just not a gold or silver one. Each entry will list the value of the issue as well as the verified and unverified record sale if applicable.
10 Cerebus #1 (Cerebus the Aardvark First Appearance)
Up until the mid-to-late 80s, Marvel and DC had both dominated the comic book market, it wouldn't be until the next decade that the likes of Image and Dark Horse Comics would begin to make their own ripples and offer some choice and competition in the industry. Nevertheless, debuting in 1977 was the unlikely yet riveting publication series of Cerebus the Aardvark, a 27 year long on-going series of an anthropomorphic aardvark who takes on a litany of roles throughout his tenure. Where one would see this hero and concept as an ancillary one, Cerebus' fanbase is steadfast, and defend him jealously. Valued at $50, the record sale for this issue #1 is at $9,000.
9 House of Secrets #92 (Swamp Thing First Appearance)
While Marvel and DC share many character counterparts, none was as quite on the nose as Marvel's Man-Thing, and DC's Swamp-Thing. Debuting two months apart, Swamp Thing's first appearance in The House of Secrets #92 debuted in July of 1971, and features Alex Olsen, a Victorian-era scientist who was murdered when a fellow scientist, caught in a love triangle heartbreak, rigged his lab to explode and disposed of Alex's body in the swamp. Alex would later be "resurrected" as Swamp Thing, a supernatural, plant matter creature, and seeks out revenge for the betrayal of his past friend who is now married to Alex's widowed wife and kills him. Valued at $80, the record sale for this comic is at $14,000.
8 Werewolf by Night #32 (Moon Knight First Appearance)
As stated before, Marvel and DC have borrowed ideas from one another for years, and with MoonKnight it is debated back and forth amongst fans and disprovers that he is Marvel's spin on DC's titular hero, Batman. Although his origin would come later, the story features Moon Knight who confronts the Werewolf and ensues in a battle where Moon Knight uses crescent-shaped throwing darts and a myriad of martial arts to subdue his opponent. Valued at $40, the record sale for this debut comic is at $14,500.
7 X-Men #94 (New X-Men Reboot)
After Giant-Size X-Men #1 debuted featuring a new X-Men team brought together by Charles Xavier to rescue the original team from the sentient island, Krakoa, the two teams had presently been conjoined.
However, the New X-Men's subsequent solo comic would later be published, splitting the two teams and having the original X-Men of Jean Grey, Bobby Drake, Lorna Dane, Warren Worthington, and Alex Summers retiring from the team, leaving solely Scott Summers to remain in the New X-Men iteration. Where most would think their debut in Giant-Size X-Men #1 would fetch for a higher price than their solo introduction, X-Men #94 is in-fact valued at $80 with a record sale of $15,000.
6 The Amazing Spider-Man #129 (Punisher First Appearance)
With the light-heartedness that was the bedrock of Stan Lee's stories, Spiderman in his inception was intended to be and still is a witty character. Therefore, having the likes of what would become one of the most brutal and extreme characters across comic books, The Punisher, make his debut in The Amazing Spider-Man #129 is an interesting idea to ponder. Hired by the villain the Jackle, the Punisher would attempt to carry out a hit on Spider-Man but would eventually come to the realization that he was being manipulated by the Jackle to carry out his personal blood vendetta and vows revenge. Valued at $100, this gem of a comics' highest sale reaches $15.5k.
5 Hero for Hire #1 (Luke Cage First Appearance)
With the voices of change speaking during the Civil Rights era, various outlets of American society began to represent a more all-inclusive environment, and the comic book industry was no different. Amongst the many African-American superhero introductions of the Bronze Age, Luke Cage's debut in Hero for Hire #1 brought forth the bulletproof sensation who takes gripe from no one. After a tampered with science experiment that prison inmate Lucas (Luke Cage) was participating in goes awry, he consequently develops superhuman-strength and bulletproof skin. Lucas would use his newfound abilities to break out of prison and go on to become a hero to anyone who can meet his price, taking up the alias, Luke Cage. Valued at an affordable $30, the record sale for this landmark comic is at 24k.
4 Star Wars #1 (Rare Variant of First Issue)
Although reluctant at first, Stan Lee would approve of George Lucas' proposal to have a Star Wars comic book published before the film's debut as a means of further publicity. Running from 1977 to 1986, the series featured the classic Star Wars characters from the pre-sequels building on the Star Wars mythos and expanding it beyond what is featured on the silver screen.
Issue #1 transpired the events of roughly The Empire Strikes Back and more predominately Return of the Jedi, just in a more nuanced version. Valued at $450, the record sale for the specific 35c variant, meaning cover art, is at 26k.
3 Green Lantern #76 (Green Arrow Team-Up)
The Green Lantern publication has had its peaks and valleys in regards to popularity, Geoff Johns revitalization of the character would make him a more predominate one, however, after Hal Jordan hit the ground running, the fanbase began to wane and he began to fall towards the background of mediocrity. To save the character, DC brought forth the brilliant idea of teaming him up with a fellow green hero, Green Arrow, in which the series would also bring forth John Stewart, the black and arguably most popular Green Lantern. Valued at $40, this team-up comics' record sale is 31k.
2 Marvel Spotlight #5 (Ghost Rider First Appearance)
Debuting in 1972, it seems Ghost Rider was slightly ahead of his time with edgy, high octane characters not making more of a widespread presence till the next decade. However, Johnny Blaze's introduction brought forth an interesting character immersed in supernatural concepts, being imbued with the Spirit of Vengence by Mephisto, Marvel's devil for all intents and purposes, and becoming the Ghost Rider, a flaming demonic skull creature that can quite literally burn your soul. Valued at $20, the record sale for this collector comic is at $48.5k.
1 Incredible Hulk #181 (Wolverine First Appearance)
Published in 1974, Incredible Hulk #181 would introduce one of the most popular and intriguing characters Marvel would have to offer, Wolverine. Though his nuanced backstory wouldn't begin to be fleshed out till later decades, this introduction of pitting him against old jade-jaws turned out to be two peas in a rage-filled pod. While in the Canadian wilderness, the Hulk engages in a battle against the Wendigo, a mythological Canadian beast. In the midst of there brawl, Wolverine would spring into action to subdue the two but would turn his focus to Wendigo when his claws proved insufficient against the Hulk's skin. The Hulk assumes Wolverine a friend and helps incapacitate the common foe until Wolverine undoubtedly turns on the green brute himself. Valued at $300, the record sale for this landmark and pillar of a comic is at an astounding $150k.