Have you ever wondered which are the top selling comic book issues of this century? One thing that technology hasn’t managed to oust yet are comic books, as this countdown intends to demonstrate. Never-ending intrigue, mesmerizing plot twists, surprising celebrity appearances and relaunched classics are some of the secrets behind the comic book issues that succeeded in selling lots of copies.
Comic book collectors find rare and special issues very valuable, just check out our list on The 10 Most Expensive E-Bay items Ever Sold and find out if unique comic books are featured in the countdown.
Are you curious about the top selling comic book issues of this century? Let’s take a look at the countdown!
- Action Comics #1
With 250,898 sales, Action Comics #1 is one of the top selling issues of our time. This reboot of the legendary issue that introduced Superman into the comics’ universe back in 1938 was released in the context of a DC Comics revamp and relaunch known as “The New 52”.
- Batman # 1
Although in the 21st century Batman had to compete with himself in other DC Comics titles (Batman: The Dark Knight and Batman and Robin), its first number still managed to sell 262,379 units. With Greg Capulo’s artistry and Scott Snyder’s writing, Batman came out on the top 10 of comic books’ issues sales.
- Secret Invasion #1 (262,975 Unit sales)
For those of you unfamiliar with it, Secret Invasion is a Marvel Comics comic book crossover storyline that joins the forces of some of our favorite superheroes including Iron Man, Mister Fantastic, Namor, Black Bolt, Professor Charles Xavier, and Doctor Strange. Published in 2008, Secret Invasion #1 was well received and sold 262,975 units.
- Infinite Crisis #1
Published between 2005 and 2006, Infinite Crisis was a DC Comics seven-issue storyline written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez. Moreover, this storyline was a sequel to DC’s series Crisis on Infinite Earths, which was published in 1985. The first issue of this limited series sold 269,991 units.
- All-Star Batman & Robin the Boy Wonder #1
As you’ve probably realized by now, first issues are usually widely popular among comic book fans, and the All-Star Batman & Robin the Boy Wonder #1 was no exception to that general rule, since it sold 276,017 units. Published between 2005 and 2008, the series focused on the beginnings of Batman and Robin.
- Captain America #25
The shocking death of America’s most patriotic beloved superhero, “The Death of Captain America”, was an eighteen story arc published by Marvel Comics between 2007 and 2008. The first issue of the plot twist, Captain America vol. 5 #25, sold 317,713 units and left us all in awe.
- Civil War #2
Marvel’s Civil War #2 sold 341,856 units when it was published in 2006. The plot, as its name clearly states, presents a scenario of a civil war between superheroes. The two opposing sides were leaded by Captain America and Iron Man, with Spider-Man caught in the middle of the conflict.
- Justice League #1 (361,138 Unit sales)
The first issue of DC Comics’ New 52 Wave, Justice League #1, was extremely popular, as the 361,138 units it sold proves. Reprints, sales, reorders, and combo packs combined amounted to that remarkable figure of unit sales. Justice League was the result of a creative team that include Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, and Scott Williams.
- The Amazing Spider-Man #583
With a back-up story titled “Spidey meets the President!” in which Spider-Man met Barack Obama, The Amazing Spider-Man #583 sold 530,500 units. Naturally, Obama’s appearance in the comic book is what boosted the sales in that way, as it was released only two months after his election.
- Star Wars #1
Published last January, the first issue of Marvel’s Star Wars has already sold close to one million copies, making it the top selling comic book issue of the century.
