There’s a collector and determined bidder for just about every comic book. If you’re already confident you’ve got a valuable Bronze Age comic book or collection and would like to sell it for the maximum at auction (live or online), contact Central Mass Auctions today. Or read on to learn more about Bronze Age comics and what to expect when selling them. (You may also check out our pages on Silver Age and Golden Age comic books.)
Hulk issue # 181
Why do comic book collectors refer to “ages”?
Comic books have a longer history than you might expect. Swiss cartoonist Rodolphe Töpffer created “Histoire de M. Vieux Bois” in 1837. The book was retitled “The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck” when it was translated into English in 1842. It is considered the first comic book, according to the South Florida Reporter.
The first modern comic book was published nearly 100 years later, in 1933. It contained several comic strips that had previously appeared in newspapers. According to the South Florida Reporter, “the term ‘comic’ implies that the tone of these strips are always humorous, [but] that couldn’t be further from the truth. Comics have been used as a medium for telling stories of all kinds.”
When was the Bronze Age of comic books?
Comics are categorized in four different “ages.” The Golden Age was from 1938 to 1956. The Silver Age took place from 1956 to 1970. The Bronze Age went from 1970 to 1985, and the Modern Age began in 1985 and continues today. Some experts also include the Copper Age from 1984 to 1991.
As you might expect, older comics typically are more valuable. Condition is also a huge factor in determining what a comic book is worth. Comics featuring superheroes are the most desirable.
Even a few Modern Age comic books can be valuable. Spiderman issue # 300 can sell for hundreds of dollars in exceptional condition. The Walking Dead issue # 1 can bring thousands of dollars for a copy in pristine condition.
Some Bronze Age comic books can sell for high prices. A near-mint Hulk issue # 180 from 1974 sold for over $2,000 recently. That comic book featured the first appearance of Wolverine. Two near perfect copies of Iron Fist # 14 each fetched over $2,000 at auction this spring. A Marvel Spotlight issue # 5 with the first appearance of Ghost Rider and in great condition sold for $4,000 in a recent online auction. A “Giant-Size” X-Men from 1975 in great condition recently brought $4,300. Hulk issue # 181 has a full story on the Wolverine. A near-mint version sold for over $10,000 online recently.
