Key comics are comic books that are historically important to comic book industry fans and collectibles experts. The first appearances of Superman, Batman, or Spider-Man are key comics. The first time that major Marvel characters like Iron Man, Thor, and the Hulk combine to form the Avengers is a key comic.
Pivotal storyline, character deaths, first work of famous creators, and so on, can make a comic a key comic. Another major factor that makes a key comic valuable is the first appearances of major female comic book characters.
Here is a list of eight key comics featuring the first appearance of major female characters. Each comic on this list is an investment with a historically proven and consistent valuation ranging in price between $600 to $4,500.
1. NYX #3 (2004) Marvel
Key comics like NYX #3 are a reliable collectibles investment. It is a comic that has historically retained its value. Also, it features the first comic book appearance of Laura Kinney, or X-23, a wildly popular X-Men character.
In the comic books, X-23’s origins are a bit convoluted. X-23 was originally an attempt by rogue scientists to clone Wolverine. Later, Marvel editors and writers would retcon X-23 to become Wolverine’s adoptive daughter. X-23 is now a major X-Men character and a fan-favorite
Actress Dafne Keen portrayed X-23 in 2017’s Logan and 2025’s Deadpool and Wolverine. In the comics, X-23 sometimes uses the name Wolverine herself. Marvel has future plans for this character.
A 9.8 CGC copy of this comic is worth $909 on the collectibles market.
NYX Gallery Edition is a 392-page hardcover that collects the first canonical comic book appearances of X-23. It collects the seven-issue series NYX and the six-issue NYX: Now Way Home. Buy it now for $31 on Amazon.
2. Action Comics #252 (1959) DC
Even though Superman is known as the “Last Son of Krypton,” his cousin Supergirl is just as popular. Actress Melissa Benoist was the Supergirl for the last generation of TV fans. Even though Sasha Calle was cast as Supergirl in 2024’s Flashpoint, she only made one appearance as the character.
DC is banking on Milly Alcock’s upcoming Supergirl to generate new fan interest in the character. Supergirl made her debut in 1959 in Action Comics #252. If you can find a 6.0 CGC copy of this comic, I would snap it up. It is worth $4,500 on the collectibles market.
You don’t have to be an economist to know that there might be a short speculation boost in the market price of this comic when Supergirl premieres. A 9.2 CGC copy is worth $47,900. If you can find a 9.8 CGC copy, it would be worth $171,000.
3. Giant-Size X-Men #1 (1975) Marvel
Ororo “Storm” Monroe is a mutant with the power to control the weather. She made her first appearance in Giant-Size X-Men #1 in 1975. Key comics like this one are well-known for their historical importance. This comic features the relaunch and reintroduction of the X-Men franchise with a new and diverse cast.
Storm began as a delicate, African X-Men with trauma issues and agency only as a minor team member. She would later become the first Black and first female Marvel character to lead a team.
A copy of this comic with a 9.2 CGC rating is worth about $4,150.
4. Tales of Suspense #52 (1964) Marvel
Natasha Romanova, also known as Natasha Romanoff, made her debut in Tales of Suspense #52. The original Black Widow was a kind of daffy, fashion-loving, femme fatale-type and a Cold War caricature of a female Soviet spy. Natasha was originally an Iron Man villain.
It took decades for Natasha to become the modern Red Room Russian spy that we know today. Although the modern version of the Black Widow would emerge in the late 1990s, actress Scarlet Johansson made the character a household name. Key comics like this are known for maintaining their value.
A 9.2 CGC copy of this comic is worth $4,100. The 9.8 CGC grade of this comic is worth almost $34,000 on the open collectibles market.
5. Action Comics #27 (1940) DC
While this comic does not feature the first appearance of Lois Lane, it is still a holy grail amongst key comics aficionados. Everyone knows that Lois Lane made her first appearance in 1938’s Action Comics #1. An ultra-rare 9.0 CGC copy of Action Comics #1 recently sold for $15 million at auction.
However, do you know when Lois Lane first appeared on a comic book cover? Lois Lane made her debut on a comic book cover on Action Comics #27. A copy of this comic with a 6.0 CGC is worth just under $2,500.
6. Marvel Super-Heroes #13 (1968) Marvel
Captain Marvel has always been a feminist icon. However, that label made the character very divisive and controversial during Brie Larson’s portrayal in the MCU. Still, such facts do nothing to diminish the historical importance of the character. Key comics like Marvel Super-Heroes #13, the first appearance of Carol Danvers, still matter.
You can get a 9.8 CGC copy of this comic for under $3,000.
7. Marvel Premiere #21 (1975) Marvel
Misty Knight is historically important because she was the first major Black female character to appear in a Marvel Comic. She was the first major character with a cybernetic arm, although characters like Cable and Winter Soldier have the same aesthetic and are more popular. Although she made her live-action debut in the Netflix-era Marvel streaming shows, the character has yet to become a household name.
A 9.8 CGC copy of this comic is worth $830.
8. Avengers Annual #10 (1981) Marvel
Rogue from the X-Men is wildly popular with Fox-era X-Men fans, gamers, fans of the cartoons, and the comics. However, Rogue has yet to become an MCU-level household name. It is a shame because the character is a fan-favorite.
The character can absorb the powers or personality of anyone she touches through bare skin. In recent years, the character has become massively powerful. Rogue can fly in space without oxygen and is super strong. A proper MCU portrayal will make the character a household name.
A 9.8 CGC copy of this comic has a collectibles market value of $600.
Underrated Female First‑Appearance Key Comics
There are many factors that can make a comic book a key comic. Many collectors don’t consider pivotal female first appearances as a factor in owning a comic of value. It’s an underrated method for owning collectible comics that more investors should consider.
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