Classic Covers: You Don’t Have to Spend a Fortune
I’ve got good news… bad news… and then good news again.
Good news: One of the hottest markets over the last few decades has been classic covers. In a previous article, I showed that since 1970, at least three classic-cover books have outperformed the incredible long-term returns of Action Comics #1!
Bad news: Many of these amazing books are out of reach for all but the wealthiest collectors.
Good news again: There are plenty of great classic covers that don’t cost nearly as much. The collecting community often behaves with a hive mentality; their brains and wallets act as one. You can break out of the hive and discover breathtaking covers that can be had for a mere fraction of the apex books.
Alternatives to Suspense Comics #3
Let’s start with one of my favorite comics: Suspense Comics #3 (1944). Hooded bad guy. Woman in a bear trap. Spear-wielding hero who’s barely part of the scene. In Fine condition, this book will run you $250,000+. Shew!
If perilous situations featuring evil villains, damsels in distress, and fire are your thing, let me suggest a few alternatives.
If you want to stick with the same artist—Alex Schomburg—my pick would be All New Comics #8 (1944). In fact, comic book historian John Berk believed this book may have been a prototype for Suspense #3. The villain’s pose, the sword, the perspective—they’re strikingly similar. All New #8 isn’t cheap, but it still costs less than 3% of Suspense #3.
If hooded villains are more your thing, Wally Wood’s Shock SuspenStories #6 (1952) is an excellent alternative. The damsel’s flowing dress, the villain’s white robe, red hood, and whip, plus the moon in the background, paint a terrifying scene. To me, the image is almost too realistic, but I understand its dark appeal.
Finally, at just a hair over $1,000, I suggest Super Magician Vol. 3 #2 (1944). Sure, the bad guy looks like a maniacal Plato, but there’s no denying the sinister vibe Al Bare created with this mesmerizing cover.
Alternatives to Punch Comics #12
If we were playing a word association game and I said "skull," I’m guessing most people wouldn’t answer "beautiful." But that’s exactly the word that comes to mind when I look at Punch Comics #12 (1945).
Gus Ricca nailed the composition: the White Skull against a black background with a crime story weaving in and out of the skull’s orifices. The green accents add just the right finishing touch. Of course, this book will set a collector back around $90,000 in Fine condition.
Fortunately, skulls are a popular comic book theme.
In Mysterious Adventures #13 (1953), Dick Beck gives new meaning to "hot breath" as the heroine attempts to snatch Victor from the flaming jaws of defeat.
Gangsters Can't Win #2 (1948) features a skull that doubles as both a bank and a vault, providing the backdrop for an oddly chivalrous moment. While punching the woman who alerted the authorities, Eddie Bentz explains, "I'm sorry, Miss, but you shouldn't have screamed. If I weren't a gentleman, I would shoot you."
If the cover doesn’t grab you, the robber’s proper use of the past subjunctive certainly should.
I’m cheating a bit with my last Punch #12 alternative because Famous Fantastic Mysteries #41 (1946) is a pulp rather than a comic book. But hear me out. Skull covers are even more common in pulps than comics and, despite often being just as rare—or rarer—they're usually much cheaper. Do yourself a favor and take a closer look at FFM #41. To my eye, it’s a bargain at around $500.
Alternatives to Seven Seas #4
If you're into beautiful women, no artist captured their essence better than Matt Baker.
He arguably has several apex books, but I’ll focus on one: Seven Seas Comics #4 (1947). Her hair suspended in the water. The swirl of colors. The circling shark. It’s my wife’s favorite comic book, and it’s near the top of my list as well—but the $20,000 price tag isn’t exactly wallet-friendly.
For roughly one-quarter of the price, you can own another outstanding underwater cover featuring the svelte Kitten alongside Catman. The duo battles a shark among a school of highly stylized fish. Catman #32 (1946) is a true masterpiece by L. B. Cole.
If you prefer sticking with the same artist, Matt Baker’s All Top #16 (1949) is a terrific option. A fierce brunette keeps sea life at bay with a knife—but this time the nemesis has eight arms instead of a dorsal fin.
Finally, comic fans shouldn’t sleep on Alex Schomburg’s good-girl covers. In Exciting Comics #60 (1948), Judy of the Jungle wrestles a shark while her red hair streams through coral-festooned waters. An exceptionally nice cover at a 94% discount.
Alternatives to Fantastic Comics #3
Fantastic Comics #3 (1940) sits atop the mountain alongside Suspense Comics #3 as one of the most expensive non-superhero books.
Well... technically, I suppose Sampson is a superhero. But nobody’s paying a quarter-million dollars for Sampson. They’re paying for the train-snatching robots and Lou Fine’s exquisite artwork.
Fortunately, there are several outstanding robot covers that cost far less.
Schomburg’s Startling Comics #49 (1948), while still expensive, comes in at less than 10% of the cost of Fantastic #3. That's a hefty discount for a book many collectors consider one of the ten greatest Golden Age covers. Granted, this cover has a much friendlier vibe than Fantastic #3.
Schomburg also gives us The Human Torch #23 (1946). This one is much closer in tone to Fantastic #3, featuring a giant robot laying waste not only to a building but virtually every mode of transportation in sight. Fortunately, Torch and Toro are there to light up the automaton.
Admittedly, Katy Keene #62 (1961) is a better alternative to Startling Comics #49 than it is to Fantastic Comics #3—but I couldn’t resist. Something about a robot being Archie-fied pushes all my pleasure buttons.
Alternatives to Mask #1
I hesitated to include this one because L. B. Cole’s Mask #1 (1945) is so unique.
The monster and candle grab your attention immediately. But look closer and you'll notice fairies in various stages of demise as they fail to resist the evil flame.
No comic book artist did a better job of drawing you in with a bold central figure before rewarding you with hidden details around the edges.
That’s why all of my alternatives are other L. B. Cole covers: Catman #28 (1945), Blue Bolt #111 (1951), and Blue Bolt #115 (1952). Blue Bolt #115 has been relatively soft over the past couple of years and looks like a bargain at around $1,600.
Alternative to Captain America Comics #1
I featured Captain America Comics #1 (1941) in an earlier article for The Collector Hub. This time, though, I’m highlighting it not because it’s Cap’s first appearance but because it’s arguably the most famous Hitler cover.
Fortunately, there are plenty of outstanding covers built around either Hitler’s villainy or the satisfaction of delivering justice to the Führer. Here are a few of my favorites.
For a straight-up menacing Hitler cover, my pick is Headline Comics #8 (1944). The kids rub a lamp, presumably hoping for a genie to grant their wishes. Instead, they conjure a yellow-clawed, nightmarish Hitler. Yikes.
For superheroes giving Hitler the business, it’s hard to top Daredevil Battles Hitler #1 (1941). Biro and Wood produced a cover that's terrific despite—or perhaps because of—its wonderfully over-the-top goofiness.
Finally, my favorite oddball alternative is Blue Circle #3. An octopus with Hitler’s head sits on the ocean floor while being attacked simultaneously by a woman with a trident and a swordfish. Not quite as iconic as Cap punching Hitler in the jaw, but it certainly grabs your attention.
Conclusion
Classic covers can be an exciting and rewarding collecting niche; in fact, they’re the primary focus of my own collection. That said, the prices of the most ballyhooed books can scare collectors away before they even begin looking.
Before throwing in the towel, spend a little time digging. I’m betting you’ll discover outstanding alternatives at every price point.
Best of luck on your collecting journey!
Acknowledgments and Disclosures
All images of comic books are from Heritage Auctions (HA.com).
As of this writing, I own copies of the following books: Suspense Comics #3, Super Magician Vol 2, #3; Seven Seas Comics #4, All Top Comics #16, Exciting Comics #60; Startling Comics #49; Captain America Comics #1.
