One of these Amazing Spider-Man #129 comic books is worth about $10,000, another one for over $300 and one, under $20.
Can you tell which Marvel, Amazing Spider-Man comic book is the most valuable?
The first comic book photo has a high-CGC grading and is from Marvel’s 1st series (1963) of-The Amazing Spider-Man #129. This comic is the most valuable. High rating means: Big bucks!!
The second comic book is only worth $20. It is a 2004 reprint for Lion’s Gate movie promo giveaway-Note the upper right-hand corner to the cover is different.
The third comic book is from the 1st series (1963), but is in fair condition (CGC 4 or less). It sold for $300 on eBay.
If your a novice comic book collector, you wouldn’t be able to tell the difference, so before you spend a huge amount of cash to purchase a comic book believed to be collectible/valuable, make sure you do your homework.
Because this particular issue of The Amazing Spider-Man #129 is highly collectible; I choice it to prove my point. The Amazing Spider-Man #129 comic was from the Bronze Age comic book era (circa 1970-1985), and a landmark comic book because it was from the Amazing Spider-Man 1st series-which ran from 1962-1998. In 1962, Marvel Comics introduced “The Amazing Spider-Man” character during the Silver Age comic book era (circa 1956-1970).
The #129 Marvel “Amazing Spider-Man” comic book, Introducing the Punisher!” was first published in 1974. Additionally, reprints were published for the same comic in 2004 as a “Lion’s Gate Films Giveaway” movie promo for viewers who purchased a ticket for the “Punisher” starring John Travolta and Thomas Jane.
These reprints are almost identical to the original 1973 original issue except the following-
- Check the title and issue number in the “indicia” (small print found at the bottom of the first page or inside front cover of most comic books.) The indicia will contain proper identification for the title of the publication, the issue number, and other important information, such as the publisher’s name and date of publication.
- Condition of the comic-Any comic book dating from the 1970s or earlier, will be notably different than a newer reprint. Paper may be discolored-thinner due to age. The covers art probably may have faded a bit-not as vibrant.
- Open up the publication-check for presence of the original Ads on the backside of the cover and throughout the comic book.
- Small differences to the cover.
Here are two videos from comic book collectors. The first video will illustrate the 2004 Lionsgate reprint of “The Amazing Spider-Man,” and the second video talks about the condition of a 1973 1st series “The Amazing Spider-Man” comic book….note the differences.
Notice on the second video how the person illustrating his new comic book, refers to numbers 6, 8 9; these are grade ranges certified by the CGC grading system. Also, he is speaking about some of the reasons the comic won’t receive a high grade (9 range), because of a small tear, fading, creases, and spine condition.
If you find a rare super-hero comic book, but it was many defects, it will undoubtedly bring down its value.
Watch for-creasing in the cover, spine separation, stains to the comic, fading-not glossy cover, dents, tears and hand-writing found on the cover and on the inside pages;and curled pages.
The most valuable comic books, have been CGC graded. Comic book collectors are perfectionists, so if you have found a comic you believe could be rare and collectible; please take the time to have it CGC graded. Also, once you sell it online, make sure you put cardboard in front of the comic book and on the back, and put into a plastic sleeve for protection when shipping.
Happy Treasure Hunting!!
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