The Flash has been speeding through the imagination of comic book enthusiasts since 1940, and some Flash comics are worth enough money to make you think your bank account has been hit with a bit of the Speed Force, especially if they’re in excellent condition.
There have been two primary versions of the Scarlet Speedster: Jay Garrick and Barry Allen. A few others have taken up the mantle, including Wally West, founder of the Teen Titans, and Bart Allen, a member of the Teen Titans. Wally’s and Bart’s stories began in 2016; as these recent comics are less valuable than older comics, we will focus on Jay and Barry.
Jay Garrick Comics
Flash Comics #1 introduced us to Jay Garrick as the Flash in 1940, looking much like the Greek hero Hermes, with his winged baseball helmet and winged red shoes. Garrick was just an “average Joe,” a college student who took a smoke break in the lab where he was working. Inhaling experimental chemicals transformed him into The Flash. This debut comic has sold for as much as $273,125 at higher grades.
All-Flash #1 gave Garrick his own series on June 8, 1941. The highest recorded sale of this comic was $57,500; the lowest sale was $1,000. Later, DC launched Flash Comics, and it ran for 105 issues.
World War II ended the Garrick series, television briefly distracted from the genre, and DC Comics canceled most of its comics.
Barry Allen Comics
Thanks to the most recent TV show, Barry Allen is the Flash most of us are familiar with. He first appeared in 1956 in Showcase 4, a book worth anywhere from $4,500 to $78,000, depending on the condition. Barry was a police scientist who got doused with experimental chemicals.
Showcase #4 was a huge hit, so Barry got his own series in 1959. It starts with The Flash Issue #105 and ends with The Flash #350. The numbering picked up right where the old series left off. In issue #123 he got to meet his predecessor.
Despite launching the story of one of the most popular Flash variants, this comic sells for a lot less than old Garrick comics, ranging in value from $950 at the low end and $47,000 at the high end. Flash #123, featuring both Barry and Jay on the cover responding to a call for help, sells for $250 to $11,000 despite featuring both beloved characters.
While you can’t retire early on most Barry Allen comics individually, many of those old comics still offer a considerable sum. Several issues worth of comics can add up.
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