We’re living in an age where movies seemingly provide a higher entertainment value. Just look at the Box Office success of blockbusters such as Avengers: Endgame or Star Wars. However, there’s no denying that there would be no movies if it wasn’t for the comics that introduced their flagship characters in the first place.
Between Superman’s debut in Action Comics issue #1 (1938) and young Peter Parker aka Spider-Man’s first appearance in Amazing Fantasy, no. 15 (1962), readers have seen dozens of different characters come and go. With that in mind, we have created a list of the top five best-selling comic books of all time. Keep reading to know more.
1: Ultimate Spider-Man Issue #1 (2002)
While Spider-Man has been the face of Marvel Comics for a long time, the cinematic version has yet to get that prestigious. The webslinger remains one of Marvel’s most popular characters to date. He is also one of the world’s most famous superheroes.
The Ultimate Spider-Man Issue #1 brought in huge numbers for Marvel Comics. Originally released in 2000, Ultimate Spider-Man Issue #1 got a re-release in 2002 as part of the publication giant’s plans to promote it alongside Sam Raimi’s critically-acclaimed Spider-Man.
The Free Comic Book Day re-release sold 631,990 copies, the highest for a Spider-Man title so far. Ultimate Spider-Man Issue #1 is known for two things. Number one is that it propelled writer Brian Michael Bendis to new heights of fame. The second is that it sowed the seeds for the emergence of Miles Morales as Spider-Man.
2: Batman: The 10-Cent Adventure (2002)
Batman: The 10-Cent Adventure is known for containing one of the best Batman storylines of all time. It featured a two-part crossover – Bruce Wayne: Murderer? and Bruce Wayne: Fugitive. The plot revolved around Bruce Wayne aka Batman trying to prove his innocence over a murder he didn’t commit.
Batman: The 10-Cent Adventure was released in 2002 and immediately found critical and commercial success. It sold 702,126 copies. DC made a smart choice with the pricing of the comic, selling it for 10 cents apiece. That’s innovative pricing strategy at its best.
3: Fantastic Four Issue #60 (2002)
2002 was a great year for the arts and entertainment industry in the United States. You had the WWF rebranding itself as WWE. Hollywood was giving hits after hits such as Spider-Man, Resident Evil, 8 Mile, etc. Marvel Comics also saw peak sales with the release of Fantastic Four #60.
The issue sold 752,699 copies, the highest for a Fantastic Four title. Also, it was the stepping point for writer Mark Waid who went to have a critically acclaimed run with the title. The promotional edition for the issue was sold for nine cents – just one cent less than the pricing point of Batman: The 10-Cent Adventure.
4: Star Wars #1 (2015)
The Star Wars franchise is nothing short of iconic. It is probably one of the most well-known movie franchises in the entire world. Star Wars #1 was released in 2015 to critical and commercial acclaim. The issue coincided with the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens (Episode VII). While the film made $2.066 billion at the Box Office, the comic book brought in great numbers for Marvel.
Star Wars #1 sold over one million copies. Yes, you read that right. It was the highest number of sales recorded for an American comic book in years. This put Star Wars in the category of one of the best-selling comic books of all time. Issue #1 served as a canonical reboot amid the announcement that Disney had declared the majority of the franchise’s cannon defunct.
5: X-Men #1 (1991)
Before X-Men #1, Secret Wars (1984) had been Marvel’s best-selling title for a long time. But the release of X-Men #1 broke all previous records. The comic book, which focuses on a group of mutants together called X-Men sold more than eight million copies. Sheesh!
X-Men #1 introduced readers to fan favorites like Wolverine and Cyclops. It felt different from previous comic book stories readers had read over the years. It depicted real-life issues such as social isolation and violence against minorities in a fictional setting. Readers were able to relate to it.
