This is a good time for Bronze Age comics. Some of the Marvel books from the Bronze Age, including many issues of Spider-man, the X-Men, even She-Hulk, have reached all time high prices. But the Bronze Age explosion has effected more than just Marvel. DC titles too are seeing price records on resales of Bronze Age books; sometimes with unlikely series. One of those series will be the subject of this blog post: DC Comics Presents.

Lasting from 1978 until 1986, DC Comics Presents was a Bronze Age team-up book that always featured Superman and another DC Universe Hero/villain/persona in every story.

DC Comics Presents not only managed to tell good Superman stories (something desperately needed for the brand at the time) but with editing by legendary DC mainstay Julius Schwartz this comic also produced some very collectible issues.

Starting in the late 1970s, and probably encouraged by the successful Richard Donner directed and Mario Puzo scripted feature film starring Christopher Reeve, DC released a brand new Superman team-up title (to be published alongside, Superman, Action Comics and the successor to the Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane comics, the Superman Family).

In what follows I’ll list – in reverse order- the top five most valuable issues of DC Comics Presents. Some of these have broken price records and are highly desired simply for featuring first appearances of major DCU characters, others are collectible because of iconic stories or novel plot lines with already established characters. Some of these can still be found for a bargain at Garage Sales or, occasionally, in your LCS dollar bin.

DC Comics Presents #1 (July 1978) – First Issue

Coming in at number 5 is the first issue of DC Comics presents. This is valuable for two reasons. First, it is the beginning of the new Superman team-up book. Second, it features part one of the fourth Flash-Superman race. These races were fan favorite events and always popular. Currently DCP #1 can sell for upwards of $120.00 in certified 9.8 grade. Returns are slightly down in 9.8 but show a positive +40.8% roi in 9.6 grade (FMV in 9.6 = $90.00).

 

DC Comics Presents #87 (November 1985) – First Appearance of Superboy-Prime

Here’s an unlikely collectible. This issue was a special Crisis on Infinite Earths tie-in but it’s valuable because it features the first appearance and origin of Superboy from Earth Prime. Before the Crisis maxi-series, and starting in the Silver Age Flash, DC had established the 'multi-verse' concept. This meant there were many, perhaps an infinite, number of Earths and heroes of the same name from different eras were described as having their adventures on different earths. Earth Prime, featured in this story, was supposed to be our world, but in this comic it is given a Superboy who is revealed to be the original Superman. The later series Superman: Secret Identity would be inspired by this plot. Copies of this book, in certified 9.8 grade, have surpassed the $200.00 mark. Strong positive returns on all higher grades are notable.

 

DC Comics Presents #27 (November 1980) – First Appearance of Mongul
Superman teams up with the Martian Manhunter in this issue where and we get the first appearance of Mongul. Created by Len Wein and Jim Starlin, Mongul is a fan favorite and has featured in DC comics and animated series. His first appearance has a FMV of $220.00 in certified 9.8 condition with mixed returns. In June of 2017 however, a 9.8 CGC copy sold for $399.99.

 

DC Comics Presents #47 (July 1982) – First non-preview appearance of He-Man

The number two most collectible issue in the series is #47 which features the first appearance of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe in DC continuity. He-Man may be getting another feature film at some point, so keep your eye on this comic. FMV of a certified 9.8 is currently a jaw-dropping $600.00. A copy sold for a record prince of $748.88 on September 27, 2018. Not at all bad for a Bronze Age comic.

 

DC Comics Presents #26 (October 1980) – First Preview Appearance of the New Teen Titans

The number one most collectible issue of DCP is no surprise. Featuring the very first appearance of the New Teen Titans, DCP #26 can fetch sale prices of over $700.00 in certified 9.8 condition. The last eBay auction for this book, ending on October 28, 2018, sold for $800.00. Maybe that reflects the influence of the new 'Titans' live action series on the DCU streaming service. I have to admit, I’m enjoying the program much more than I thought I would, and more than any of the long running CW DC live action series - most of which I’ve stopped watching altogether. In any case returns are very strong on 9.6 and certified 9.8 grades of this comic as sales figures confirm.