6 Forgotten Comic Books from the ’80s and ’90s That Are Worth Thousands

While superheroes like Spider-Man and Batman have dominated headlines for decades, some of the most valuable treasures in comic collecting come from lesser-known issues. Many forgotten comic books from the ’80s and ’90s were mass-produced, leading collectors to assume they’d never be rare, but certain editions, print errors, or key character debuts have turned forgotten books into goldmines. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or recently dusted off a childhood collection, these 6 forgotten comic books might surprise you with their value.

6. GI Joe #21

This silent issue from 1984, featuring no dialogue or captions, was groundbreaking for its time and introduced the now-iconic ninja, Snake Eyes. This particular issue’s unique format and key moments have made it a standout for collectors. Mint copies can sell for over $600, and its influence on visual storytelling has secured its legacy among forgotten comic books.

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5. New Mutants #98

This 1991 issue marked the first appearance of Deadpool, though at the time, few knew he’d become one of Marvel’s most beloved antiheroes. With Ryan Reynolds’ portrayal bringing massive attention to the character, the value of this book has skyrocketed. A pristine copy can go for $1,500–$2,500, depending on grading.

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4. Malibu Sun #13

This comic previewed Spawn before his official debut, and it’s a favorite among error collectors. Some copies of the 1992 Malibu Sun #13 feature a rare printing defect known as the green logo variant. High-grade copies with the error have fetched up to $3,000. It’s a case where a promotional issue became one of the most valuable forgotten comic books.

3. The Crow #1

Before Brandon Lee’s cult-classic film, James O’Barr’s The Crow began as a gritty, emotional indie comic about love, death, and revenge. Released in 1989 by Caliber Press in limited numbers, early issues are now incredibly valuable. The first issue regularly commands prices over $1,000 in high grade.

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2. TMNT #1 First Print

The very first issue of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, self-published by Mirage Studios in 1984, was printed in a small batch of just 3,000 copies. Originally intended as a parody, the book exploded into a global franchise. A CGC 9.8 graded first print has sold for over $200,000. While the turtles are now household names, this black-and-white debut remains a top-tier collector’s item among forgotten comic books.

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1. Albedo Anthropomorphics #2

This 1984 independent comic introduced the world to Usagi Yojimbo, the samurai rabbit created by Stan Sakai. Though the character became beloved through crossovers with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, his debut was easy to miss. With limited copies printed, mint condition versions of Albedo Anthropomorphics #2 now sell for over $5,000.