This report looks into the value of X-Men comics created by Marvel. The X-Men first appeared in X-Men #1 in 1963 and the first volume featured some of the series’ most valuable comics. After being well-received, the comic book franchise has continued to grow and now features a large number of related titles.
- In 2022, a CGC rank 9.6 copy of X-Men #1 sold for $871,999 (CGC is a respected 3rd party that rates comic book conditions out of 10, with 10 being the highest quality).
- As of 2023, this holds the record for the most expensive X-Men comic ever sold.
- Two copies at a quality of 9.8 are known to exist, which would be expected to reach even higher prices if sold.
- In 2022, a copy of X-Men #94 sold for $72,110 (CGC 9.8).
- The price of a copy of this quality has increased 4.81 times from 2019 – 2022.
- In 2021, Giant-Size X-Men #1 had a record sale of $67,900 (CGC 9.8).
- As of 2023, the average price of an X-Men comic (excluding variants) is $36.76.
- X-Men comic prices decreased 30.49% over the previous year.
- As of 2023, the cover price for X-Men is $3.99.
- When X-Men was released in 1963, its cover price was $0.12.
Selected rare X-Men comic editions by record sale
Issues of X-Men (vol.1) dominate the list of the most valuable X-Men comics, although Giant-Size X-Men #1 also holds high valuations.
- In 2022, a copy of X-Men #1 sold for $871,999 (CGC 9.6).
- As of 2023, this holds the record for the most expensive X-Men comic ever sold.
- In 2021, the same copy was sold for $807,300.
- At this quality classification, X-Men #1 shows an annual price increase of 8.01%.
- In 2012, a copy with a quality rating of 9.8 was sold for $492,938.
- This is the highest valued copy available and would be expected to break the record sale if sold today.
- A copy of X-Men #94 sold for $72,110 in 2022 (CGC 9.8).
- Although high in issue number, it is known as a milestone for fans due to significantly changing the lineup of the X-Men.
- In 2019, a copy of equal quality was sold for $15,000.
- Within 3-years, its value increased by over $57,000.
- In 2021, Giant-Size X-Men #1 had a record sale of $67,900 (CGC 9.8).
- The issue gave the first appearance of the Nightcrawler, Storm, Thunderbird and Colossus characters.
| Rank | Edition | Record sale |
| 1 | X-Men #1 | $871,999 |
| 2 | X-Men #94 | $72,111 |
| 3 | Giant-Size X-Men #1 | $67,900 |
| 4 | X-Men #2 | $60,000 |
| 5 | X-Men #14 | $45,600 |
| 6 | X-Men #12 | $43,700 |
| 7 | X-Men #49 | $36,000 |
| 8 | X-Men #3 | $35,505 |
| 9 | X-Men #4 | $26,290 |
| 10 | X-Men #13 | $25,000 |
Average X-Men comic price
- As of 2023, the average price of an X-Men comic (excluding variants) is $36.76.
- This was also the lowest average price recorded from the given period.
- X-Men comic prices decreased 30.49% over the previous year.
- From the given data, the average price of X-Men was at its highest during 2021 at $69.03.
- X-Men comic prices decreased by 46.75% over the period.
- X-Men comic prices also decreased year-on-year.
| Year | Average price | Change |
| 2021 (Jul – Dec) | $69.03 | |
| 2022 | $52.88 | -23.39% |
| 2023 (Jan – May) | $36.76 | -30.49% |
A graph is given below to show average prices of X-Men comics:
X-Men comic cover prices
- As of 2023, the cover price for X-Men is $3.99.
- When X-Men was released in 1963, its cover price was $0.12.
- It remained at this price until mid-1969 when it increased to $0.15.
- In total, the cover price is 33.25 times higher in 2023 than in 1963.
- The first volume of X-Men was paused at a price of $0.50 in January 1981.
- A rebrand called The Uncanny X-Men was released the following month, which retained the same price.
| Year | Issue | Cover price | Change | Inflation-adjusted |
| 1963 | X-Men #1 (vol.1) | $0.12 | $0.12 | |
| 1973 | X-Men #84 (vol.1) | $0.20 | +66.67% | $0.14 |
| 1983 | Uncanny X-Men #173 (vol.1) | $0.60 | +200.00% | $0.18 |
| 1993 | X-Men #24 (vol.2) | $1.25 | +108.33% | $0.26 |
| 2003 | Uncanny X-Men #427 (vol.1) | $2.25 | +80.00% | $0.37 |
| 2013 | Uncanny X-Men #9 (vol.3) | $3.99 | +77.33% | $0.52 |
| 2023 | X-Men #23 (vol.6) | $3.99 | $0.40 |
A graph is given below to show cover prices of X-Men comics over time:
X-Men comics FAQ
Why were the X-men created?
From the perspective of superheroes, The X-Men were created to address the issues of discrimination and prejudice. In the series, marginalized groups in society could be metaphorically represented using mutants (individuals with genetic mutations and extraordinary powers). The X-Men franchise aimed to highlight real-world social issues in a way that would captivate audiences.
How did X-Men become popular?
With its unique concept and compelling story, The X-Men was able to gain a large amount of popularity. The team of superheroes fought for acceptance in the face of discrimination, which greatly resonated with its audience. As time passed, the franchise expanded through varied comic runs, animated series and movies, solidifying itself as one of Marvel’s most successful creations.
Are x-men comics from the 90s worth anything?
Although X-Men comics from the 1990’s can be of some value, much depends on the issue’s rarity, condition and demand. The number of comic books produced was much higher during the 1990’s, increasing supply and making them less valuable than earlier editions in general.
Which types of X-Men issues are the most valuable?
- First appearances: X-Men comics featuring first appearances of key characters tend to hold a higher value among collectors.
- Key storylines: Issues that contain central storylines are highly desired by fans due to their significance to the narrative.
- Limited editions and variants: Limited edition comics, such as those with variant covers or special events in the storyline may also reach higher valuations.