Wonder Woman’s First Appearance
Although not the first heroine in comics, Wonder Woman is in many respects the most important. Throughout her 80-year history in the medium, she has become one of DC’s three crucial characters, ranking up there with Superman and Batman. Wonder Woman made her first appearance in the immortal All-Star Comics #8, cover dated December 1941.
This is one of the great Golden Age keys. How much is it worth? The simple adage that, if you have to ask you can’t afford it, likely applies here. In June 2022, a 9.4 graded copy, the singular highest graded copy, sold in a Heritage auction for $1.62 million.
Overall, there are 199 graded copies in the CGC census. Sales volume has increased substantially over the past two years; eight graded copies sold in 2021, followed by twelve sales in 2022.
Perhaps it’s due to the inevitable cycling out of older collectors or just a renewed interest in the character because of recent film appearances. Whatever the reason, if you have the means, it appears that current availability makes this a good time to invest in All-Star Comics #8.
Wonder Woman’s First Solo Appearance
Debuting in her first solo adventure, Wonder Woman made her next appearance in Sensation Comics #1, cover dated January 1942. Besides her second appearance, this issue also marks her first cover appearance as well as her origin. There are 110 graded copies in the CGC census, and one of the more recent sales was the second highest price ever paid; an 8.5 graded copy sold in the December ComicConnect auction for $165,000.
The highest sale occurred back in 2017 when the lone 9.6 graded copy sold in an eBay auction for $399,100. It will be fascinating to see how high this copy can go if it comes up for sale again, particularly if it’s through one of the larger auction houses.
Wonder Woman’s First Self-Titled Issue
In June 1942, Wonder Woman received her own series with Wonder Woman #1. It’s a classic issue with a cover known throughout the collecting universe. Despite this, recent sales have seen prices dropping in the lower grades. For example, a 4.0 graded copy sold in the December Heritage auction for $28,800, exactly half the price paid in a September 2021 Heritage auction.
Did the earlier buyer overpay? Did the later buyer get a deal? A fair price is likely somewhere in the middle, but in the present market it makes sense to follow auctions and be ready to pounce when there are deals to be had.
Modernizing Wonder Woman
Toward the end of the 1960s, DC attempted to revamp Wonder Woman, giving her a much more modern look. The experiment would last for a few years before being abandoned due to lack of reader interest. The first issue with a “modern” Wonder Woman was Wonder Woman #178, an issue in which she gives up her powers to focus on her Diana Prince persona.
A $749 price was the highest paid for a 9.4 graded copy when it sold in a January 28 eBay auction, showing some resilience for a Silver Age DC key with a low census count of 137 graded copies.
Wonder Woman TV Show
Any history of Wonder Woman would be remiss without mentioning her TV show. The first season of the series started on air in September 1975 on ABC with episodes taking place during World War II. Seasons two and three would air on CBS from September 1977 to September 1979 and take place during the 1970s. The original pilot, starring Lynda Carter, actually stayed pretty close to its comic book roots.
While the series was never one of the top ones on television at the time, it made Carter a household name and ensured that Wonder Woman as a character would retain cultural relevancy during a time of flagging comic book sales.
Wonder Woman Comic Revival
Wonder Woman, despite her importance in comic book history, had never been a particularly important character to comic book readers. That all changed when George Perez took over the series beginning with 1987’s Wonder Woman #1.
Hewing closely to Diana’s mythological Greek origins, Perez’s new series was met with glowing reviews and revived sales. 9.8 graded copies currently sell around the $200 price point and it’s definitely worth picking up a copy.
Wonder Woman Films
Wonder Woman appeared in her own blockbuster film in 2017. Wonder Woman was among the top ten films of the year, grossing more than $822 worldwide. Starring Gal Gadot, the film received excellent reviews and generated more than enough buzz and money to receive a sequel.
Unfortunately, that sequel, Wonder Woman 1984, received less than stellar reviews and a tepid fan reaction during the height of the COVID-19 epidemic.
The Future of Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman remains a vital part of DC’s comic offerings as one of the publisher’s trinity of top heroes. There is no doubt that Wonder Woman will appear in the new DCU in film and/or TV series. An announced Paradise Lost series focused on the Amazons of Themyscira will likely reveal the future cinematic direction for Wonder Woman.
Are you a Wonder Woman collector? What are some of your favorite issues? Let us know below.
