Golden Age pre-code horror has risen in popularity and value in 2021. It’s important to understand which series and issues are keys.  EC Comics published some of the most inventive horror comics ever; these should be among the first pre-code horror comics collectors and investors target.  Let’s take a look.

Crypt of Terror and Tales from the Crypt

One of the first two horror comics published by EC, Crypt of Terror #17 is considered a key issue by collectors.  Golden Age comics are notoriously hard to find in high grades. EC comics, due to the destruction of so many copies in the 1950s, are extremely rare.

Only 80 graded copies exist in the CGC census. As a result, only two have been sold in 2021. A 4.5 graded copy sold on September 19 for $2,315 and the only 1.5 graded copy for $1,500.  Should either of the two 9.8 graded copies come up for sale, expect astronomical numbers.

Tales from the Crypt #20 is the first issue with the Tales from the Crypt title.  There are a few more copies of this in the census and three 9.8 graded copies sold in the past five years at the following prices:  $6,000 in 2016, $8,664 in 2018, and $12,600 in 2019.

Based on that trajectory, GoCollect is projecting an FMV for a 9.8 of $23,000.  Tales from the Crypt #41, with its bondage cover, has attracted the eyes of buyers this year.  A 9.0 copy sold in June for $3,300 and a 7.5 sold for $1,140 in May. Two 5.0 copies were sold. The first went in August for $419 and the second in November for $501.

The incredible Jack Davis cover for Tales from the Crypt #42 brought in $4,180 in July for a 9.4 sale.  Final issues of important series have become sought after by collectors, and Tales from the Crypt #46 has been part of that trend, with two sales of 5.5 copies averaging $1,210, a 158% increase in value in less than two years.

Vault of Horror

Vault of Horror #12, the first issue with that title, is considered by many to be the EC horror comic.  Tied with Crypt of Terror #17 as the first EC horror comic, prices have seen some odd trends in 2021.

A 9.0 copy sold for $10,100 in April, down from two sales north of $13,000 in 2018. In addition, an 8.0 sold for $14,400 in September, up 173% in three years.

The amazing Johnny Craig cover for Vault of Horror #30 – one of my all-time favorites – saw two high-grade sales for the first time in decades, both in September:  a 9.0 for $2,800 and an 8.5 for $2,000.

Haunt of Fear

The first two issues of Haunt of Fear are key issues to watch, and high-grade copies of both were sold in 2021.  A 9.8 graded copy of Haunt of Fear #15 sold for $5,500 on February 10.  A 9.6 graded copy of Haunt of Fear #16 sold for the same price one week later.

The zombie Johnny Craig cover for Haunt of Fear #17 brought in $6,600 for a 9.6 graded copy sold in April.  It’s surprising to see this relatively high number of sales of high-grade EC horror issues in one year.  Clearly, sellers are looking to capitalize on the growing interest in Golden Age horror in general and EC horror in particular.

Hope you enjoyed reading about these key issues of EC horror.  Have a favorite EC horror comic?  Let us know below.

*Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not represent the opinions or advice of GoCollect.