One area of focus in comic collecting that has been overlooked since other forms of media began to have such a great influence on the hobby is that of hunting down key comics by top creators. Never fear. We’re here to help you sort through the top books by individual creators, both in terms of investing and reading. This time we’re looking at the works of Jim Steranko.

An Artistic Meteor

Perhaps no comic book artist has as much fame with as light a resume as Jim Steranko. He exploded onto the scene in 1966 with his work on Nick Fury in the pages of Strange Tales. Combining the power of Kirby and Buscema with a modernism that hadn’t yet been seen in comics, Steranko was catapulted into stardom.

Within a few years, Steranko was done at Marvel, and – for all intents and purposes – done with comics. There was a smattering of covers and his work on FOOM, but nothing to compare with his work in the late 1960s.

Steranko’s first comic book work was for Harvey where he was brought on to work on their new superhero line. His primary work was as a writer, however, with little of his artwork being used. His first artwork was on the splash page of Spyman #1, a stylized rendition of Spyman’s hand that also made it to the cover.

There are 143 graded copies of Spyman #1 in the CGC census. While it’s well-known that this is Steranko’s first work, there’s so little here that it makes for a very affordable comic. Recent sales include two 8.0 graded copies selling in May for $305 and a slashed $325.

There is some conjecture that Steranko’s artwork – at least breakdowns – was used in Double-Dare Adventures #1, which I wrote about in a recent Undervalued & Overlooked Silver Age Comics blog.

Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Steranko started at Marvel as most artists did in 1966, finishing Jack Kirby’s rough pencils. Strange Tales #151 marks his first work at Marvel as he penciled and inked over Kirby’s layouts on “Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.” in that issue and the next. There are 334 graded copies of this comic in the CGC census.

The singular 9.8 graded copy sold for the first time ever in the April 2 Heritage auction for $4,320. In the more pedestrian 9.4 grade, after reaching a peak of $423 in a March 25 eBay auction, the price plummeted to $255 in a May 7 eBay auction. It’s hard to say which is closer to a realistic value.

If you’re looking to purchase a copy, definitely play up the latest sale in your haggling.

Steranko’s first full issue with pencils and inks – and also his first full cover – was Strange Tales #153. Peaking in value in the 9.4 grade at $305 in 2019, it currently has a 90-day average of $204. After dropping as low as $173 in December 2022, it has recently risen to the 90-day average.

By Strange Tales #155, Steranko had become a one-man show on Nick Fury, taking over not just the scripting, but also the coloring with that issue. A 9.4 sold in the February 13 Heritage auction for $402, a peak price.

Much more affordable in the lower grades, the average sales price for an 8.0 graded copy in 2022 was just $64.

Rising Fame

Steranko’s work on Nick Fury had become incredibly popular throughout 1967 as he successfully weaved in groundbreaking and innovative techniques. His artwork had a three-dimensional quality that included photo collages and planes of depth that had scarcely been used prior in comic books. He was also expanding the cast in the “Nick Fury” series, introducing Contessa Valentina Allegro de Fontaine as Nick’s love interest in Strange Tales #159. Despite the downturn in back issues over the past year, this issue reached a record price in the April 2 Heritage auction where a 9.8 sold for $4,920. Thanks to Val’s inclusion in the MCU and upcoming starring role in Thunderbolts, expect prices to stay high for this issue.

Of all Steranko’s covers on the series, Strange Tales #167 stands head and shoulders above the others. One of his most iconic pieces, it is beloved by Steranko aficionados and Marvel Silver Age collectors.

There are 648 graded copies, and the record price was set on January 15 when a 9.8 sold in a Heritage auction for $3,840. If you can’t afford the top grade, the current 30 and 90-day averages for a 9.0 stand at $180.

Nick Fury Solo Series

When Marvel’s output exploded in 1968, Steranko moved with Nick Fury to his brand new solo series, beginning with Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1. While his work grew ever more creative, Steranko wouldn’t last long on the series.

Writing and drawing just four issues, his last was Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #5. While he contributed covers for a number of additional issues – some spectacular in their own right – there would never be another issue written and penciled by Steranko.

Introducing the villain Scorpio, Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 boasts an impressive 2,555 graded copies in the CGC census. Despite this large number, values are high. The current 30-day average for a 9.8 stands at $3,399, while the 30-day average for a 9.4 is at $564.

Like many comics, this issue has experienced a decline in value, although not as steep as many others.

X-Men

Steranko’s next move was a bit of a surprise, as he moved to X-Men starting with X-Men #49. He only lasted three issues but in just those few comics he had a lasting impact on the series. X-Men #50 is one of Steranko’s most sought-after works.

Besides the introduction of Polaris, the issue also sports the first use of the X-Men logo - designed by Steranko - that would be used for decades after and is the one most readily associated with the team.

There are 2,627 graded copies of X-Men #50 in the CGC census. It is one of the most valuable of all Steranko’s comic works. While it’s been a year since a 9.8 graded copy sold for a record-setting price of $5,760, prices in other grades have seen a decline, dropping down to roughly 2021 values.

A huge key, it’s hard to see prices dropping much more; although if they do, definitely consider a purchase. It’s an important issue with an iconic cover, perhaps the greatest of Steranko’s career.

Captain America

Steranko moved next to Captain America. As with X-Men, he only lasted three issues, writing and drawing Captain America #110, Captain America #111, and Captain America #113. All three of these are amazing comics with superlative covers.

While Captain America #111 contains yet another iconic cover by Steranko, it’s Captain America #110 with the first appearance of Madame Hydra (aka Viper) that has captured collectors’ attention.

There are 1,829 graded copies of Captain America #110 in the CGC census. The most recent sale of a 9.8 in October 2022 hit a record price of $7,267. Curiously, while a 9.2 has dropped as low as $403 in a May 15 eBay auction, this comic has been rising in value in the 9.0 grade, selling in a February 20 Heritage auction for $384, a May 30 Heritage auction for $432, and a May 31 fixed price eBay sale for $500.

Legacy

And that was pretty much it. While there would be a couple more issues, Steranko’s comic career had – for the most part – come to an end. Lasting only three years, his artwork blazed across the comic book firmament only to disappear as the 1960s came to a close.

While he would contribute artwork to covers here and there, he would never again be a regular comic book artist or writer. Steranko created some of the most defining work of the era and his influence can be seen in many modern-day comics as well as in films and TV series.

Do you collect Jim Steranko’s works? What are some of your favorites?
Let us know below!

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