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Mister Mystery
Aragon // September 1951 - October 1954
Issue count: 19
Some of the smaller publishers in the early 50's made the raciest comics; Aragon's Mister Mystery was no exception. With their depiction of voluptuous women in grave danger, these comics are going for top dollar! Our free price guide is just a click away!
In September of 1951, at the height of the horror-comic craze, publisher Stanley Morse (Media Publications/Argyle Magazines Inc./Aragon Magazines) came out with a particularly nasty little book called Mister Mystery. Don’t let the comically spooky little character that narrated the stories fool you; this comic had arguably, pound for pound, some of the most sick and distasteful cover images of the pre-code era!
And, oh, they absolutely loved bondage. Examples? OK. Issue #4 has a terrified woman tied to a pole with a mad painter about to plunge a dagger into her torso - and the canvas behind the artist has a painting of the woman in the same position, except with the knife actually in her...Issue #6 : A terrified woman is tied to a wheel being cranked forward by some sort of ghoul, and in front of the wheel is a boiling cauldron of oil which will be the poor girl’s ultimate destination...Issue #7 : A terrified woman is tied up at the bottom of a shallow, skeleton filled grave while a disfigured hunchback laughingly dumps dirt into it...Issue # 16 : A terrified woman with torn clothes is tied to an altar while a decomposing mummy advances on her, presumably to turn her into a mummy also!
And those are just the bondage covers! There’s more; issue #11 depicts a man buried alive up to his head while a colony of red ants are about to eat away his flesh… Issue #12 : A close-up of the side of a man’s face (the man being held down, is the implication) his wide open eye awaiting the hot-poker which is about to be thrust into it...Issue #14 : A terrified man is having his head forcibly pushed into a boiling cauldron by some mystery assailant…#17 : A jungle native is about to behead a pretty, terrified blonde, whom he is holding by the hair, with a machete…#18 : A witch doctor is boiling a cauldron of recently beheaded human heads, with his two terrified next-victims are tied to a tree behind him, being forced to watch.
If this kind of stuff is up your alley, look no further than Mister Mystery. But of course, you can’t carry off this kind of book without having deft artists that can make the material believable, and Comic Media retained some good ones ; Ross Andru, Mike Esposito, Jack Abel, Tony Mortellaro, Charles Stern, Don Perlin, Walter Palais, Basil Wolverton, Ed Robbins, Ed Smalle,Hy Fleishman, Eugene Hughes, Sal Trapani, and, notably Bernard Bailey, whose covers brough MM to a whole other level!
As with most of the graphic horror books of this era, Mister Mystery ceased production in late 1954, just as an industry-wide crackdown on “objectionable” material was about to be imposed.
Stanley Morse, as a publishing house, endured into the 70’s - but they would never produce another book as collectible as the 19 issues of Mister Mystery!
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Browse our selection of key issues from Mister Mystery below to get an instant estimate of their value.
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Issue #1
What's Mister Mystery #1 worth in 2024?
The top grade for this book is a single NM- 9.2, which sold for $3,107 in 2007. This top grade actually saw a decline in value over time, selling for only $2,271 in 2012. Judging by other grade trends, this single book could be a great investment. A FN 6.0 was worth $300 in 2012, and now goes for $1,300! That's an amazing 1,000% profit in a short amount of time.
Why is this comic book valuable?
It's the first issue in the 1951 horror series. The violently graphic nature of these kinds of comics led to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority.
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250 | $500 | $1,000 | $1,800 | $7,000 | $3,107 |
Issue #2
What's Mister Mystery #2 worth in 2024?
The top price for this issue was a NM- 9.2 that went for $1,315 in 2017. Three copies exist at this grade, with two above it at NM 9.4. A FN 6.0 produced a 300% profit from its $125 value to today's price of $500! A VG+ 4.5 showed an even better profit of over 400%, jumping from $90 in 2003 to its current value of $400!
Why is this comic book valuable?
A team of secret police fight to contain a gang of hyper-violent monsters in the subway system. This book features very early art by Ross Andru, who entered the Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2007.
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $225 | $400 | $725 | $2,500 | $1,495 |
Issue #3
What's Mister Mystery #3 worth in 2024?
The data available for this book is limited, both in terms of quantities and sales. There are only nine registered copies on file, with a single VF+ 8.5 representing the top grade. There are two sales on file for this book in history: a $511 price for a VF- 7.5 in 2019, and a GD 2.0 that sold for $56 in 2010.
Why is this comic book valuable?
Twin brothers fight over a woman's affection. The rejected brother commits suicide. A prime example of the kind of content that motivated the creation of the Comics Code Authority.
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75 | $150 | $300 | $600 | $2,250 | $511 |
Issue #4
What's Mister Mystery #4 worth in 2024?
The highest prices point for this book was way above its grade, at $1,200 in 2019 for a VG+ 4.5. The highest grade sale for this book was back in 2006, when a VF/NM 9.0 sold for $777. There's one NM- 9.2 above it in grade with no sales history. Data for other sales is limited due to this book's quantity of 30 registered copies.
Why is this comic book valuable?
This issue follows a convicted murderer trying to escape the death penalty by acting insane. Another example of the kinds of storylines that motivated the creation of the Comics Code Authority.
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $575 | $1,200 | $2,250 | $4,000 | $15,000 | $1,375 |
Issue #5
What's Mister Mystery #5 worth in 2024?
There's only nine graded copies on record for this horror Golden Age issue from the pre-code days of gore and guts. Two copies of this issue exist at NM- 9.2, with a top sale of $2,600. A FN 6.0 sold for $720 in 2019, and a VG/FN 5.0 sold for $263 in 2017. That's it! Two sales on record. Could be an excellent long term investment given its low quantity.
Why is this comic book valuable?
Cover and art by Tony Morellaro early into his career. He'd go on to work on Captain America and Spider-Man, among other major titles.
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $175 | $350 | $725 | $1,400 | $5,500 | $2,600 |
Issue #6
What's Mister Mystery #6 worth in 2024?
This issue's historical high sale was $4,080 in 2019 for a FN- 5.5 book. There are two issues at this grade and seven above it, with a single copy at VF 8.0 on top. Its top sell value was a much lower $1,265, but this was back in 2003. A GD/VG 3.0 valued at $425 in 2013 now goes for $1,300, an increase over 200%.
Why is this comic book valuable?
Features an extremely graphic cover depicting a woman being tied up and tortured. An extreme example of over-the-top horror content in the pre-code era.
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $2,000 | $4,075 | $8,000 | $30,000 | $4,080 |
Issue #7
What's Mister Mystery #7 worth in 2024?
There are two registered copies at this issue at FN/VF 7.0, representing the highest grade currently available. A VG/FN 5.0 sold for the top historical price of $1,400 in 2019. The previous value for this grade was $480 in 2013, showing some serious growth in a six -year span. VG+ 4.5 showed a 300% profit increase, climbing from $400 in 2012 to today's $1,200!
Why is this comic book valuable?
Features "The Brain-Bats of Venus", written by the legendary Basil Wolverton.
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $4,000 | $15,000 | $1,400 |
Issue #8
What's Mister Mystery #8 worth in 2024?
A FN/VF 7.0 has the historical high sales price for this issue at $1,560 in 2019. There are three copies at this grade and two above it that have no known sales data: one VF- 7.5 and one VF/NM 9.0. A VG/FN 5.0 tripled in price from $200 in 2010 to $600 today!
Why is this comic book valuable?
Here's a unique story: an inmate feeds a rat to get him nice and fat with the hope of bending the bars in his cell!
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $200 | $375 | $750 | $1,500 | $6,000 | $1,560 |
Issue #9
What's Mister Mystery #9 worth in 2024?
Most copies of this issue are being held by their owners. There is a low registered quantity set at 13, with a high sales price of $625 in 2019 for a VG- 3.5. Given that a FN- 5.5 sold for $150 in 2014, this issue could explode in value if and when more copies go on the market. Until then, it's hard to gauge what this one is truly worth.
Why is this comic book valuable?
Queens, New York is famous for being the home of Spider-Man. In this book, a monster terrifies residents of the borough.
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $300 | $625 | $1,100 | $2,000 | $7,500 | $625 |
Issue #10
What's Mister Mystery #10 worth in 2024?
Like many other issues in this series, there's a very limited quantity available: only 20 registered copies. Like other issues of Mister Mystery, the market finally seems to be developing: in 2019, a FN 6.0 sold for a record high of $780, and a VG 4.0 went for $528. Contrast this to the highest grade sold on record, a FN/VF 7.0 for $335 back in 2006. There are four copies above this grade, with VF/NM 9.0 at the top.
Why is this comic book valuable?
Pre-code horror meets pure silliness: an evil furniture designer looks to turn his unfaithful wife into furniture.
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $250 | $525 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $7,500 | $780 |
Issue #11
What's Mister Mystery #11 worth in 2024?
A VF+ 8.5 copy of this issue sold for $9,866 in 2019. There are two grades registered at this level, with a single NM- 9.2 valued at a lesser $8,000 in 2017. The market looks to be surging on this one when one of the limited quantities becomes available. Check out GD/VG 3.0: an increase of over 500%, jumping from $200 in 2006 to today's $1,100!
Why is this comic book valuable?
Cover art by Bernard Baily, an icon of this craft.
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $675 | $1,250 | $2,500 | $5,000 | $20,000 | $9,866 |
Issue #12
What's Mister Mystery #12 worth in 2024?
Like many of the other issues in this series, 2019 has proven to be an explosion year for value. A VG 4.0 marked the historical high price at $7,250. For context, the highest grade available for this issue is represented by a group of five VF 8.0 copies. The top price at this much higher grade was a 2012 sale for $7,000.
Why is this comic book valuable?
About that VG 4.0: if you held onto a copy valued at $900 in 2012, you'd now have a 700% gain over seven years!
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,675 | $5,500 | $10,000 | $18,000 | $60,000 | $7,250 |
Issue #13
What's Mister Mystery #13 worth in 2024?
2019 is the year when the market started to take off for Mister Mystery. The top sale price for this issue was $3,050 in 2013 for a FN+ 6.5. The same grade sold for $300 in 2012. Yes, that's a profit of 1,000%! There are three books on record higher than this grade: single copies of a VF- 7.5, a VF 8.0 and a VF+ 8.5.
Why is this comic book valuable?
Evil women gossip enough to motivate a rash of suicides . . . but the dead return for their revenge.
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | $1,025 | $2,000 | $4,000 | $15,000 | $3,050 |
Issue #14
What's Mister Mystery #14 worth in 2024?
There are 14 registered copies of this issue on record, with a top sales price of $631 for a FN 6.0 in 2019. Very little sales data exists at the other grades, though a GD/VG 3.0 saw 350% growth between a value of $50 in 2011 to today's $225.
Why is this comic book valuable?
Features early career contributions by Tom Feelings, who later wrote critically acclaimed stories highlighting the African American experience. His work would earn him mainstream awards, including the Smithsonian Best Book of the Year "To Be a Slave".
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $175 | $350 | $650 | $1,300 | $5,000 | $631 |
Issue #15
What's Mister Mystery #15 worth in 2024?
There are only twelve registered copies of this issue available, and sales history reflects a market with very little movement. A FN- 5.5 sold for a record $575 in 2017, and there are two single copies of books registered above this grade: one FN/VF 7.0 and a VF 8.0. We've seen high growth for other issues in this series; it could be a good time to jump in on #15 if you can find a copy.
Why is this comic book valuable?
Another excellent pre-code piece of gore meets ridiculous: a man turns his wife into a cat, then the cat murders him with graphic detail.
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $150 | $300 | $600 | $1,100 | $4,000 | $575 |
Issue #16
What's Mister Mystery #16 worth in 2024?
A FN- 5.5 marked the high price point for this issue, going for $1,560 in 2019. This showed some excellent growth from its sale price of $856 one year earlier in 2018. There are only 21 registered copies currently available for this issue, and others in the series have exploded in price the last few years. It's a market with little information, but one that has massive growth potential.
Why is this comic book valuable?
Early pre-code horror contributions by Bruce Hamilton, who would go on to become legendary for his decades of Disney comics. Talk about a shift in tone!
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $325 | $700 | $1,500 | $2,800 | $10,000 | $1,560 |
Issue #17
What's Mister Mystery #17 worth in 2024?
The record price for this issue was $1,427 in 2014 for a VF 8.0. There's a single VF/NM 9.0 graded above this, selling for a lesser price of $975 three years earlier in 2011. This echoes the excellent overall market growth for the Mister Mystery series in recent years: a VG/FN 5.0 in 2012 sold for $200, and tripled in value to today's $600.
Why is this comic book valuable?
In one story from this pre-code horror book, the Oscar award is used as a murder weapon!
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $150 | $300 | $600 | $1,250 | $5,000 | $1,427 |
Issue #18
What's Mister Mystery #18 worth in 2024?
The Mister Mystery series continued is recent explosion in value with #18. The record high for this issue was $1,900 in 2019 for a VG+ 4.5. The same grade sold for $600 in 2002, for an increase over 200%. The real good stuff is at the low end: a VG- 3.5 valued at $150 in 2007 now goes for $1,300. An increase over 750%!
Why is this comic book valuable?
The cover features a savage playing with decapitated heads while a tied up couple appears to be next. This kind of extreme content would lead to the creation of the Comic Code Authority.
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $300 | $600 | $1,100 | $2,100 | $7,500 | $2,600 |
Issue #19
What's Mister Mystery #19 worth in 2024?
The Mister Mystery series is the kind of content that got pushed out by the Comic Code Authority. This created an odd market due to limited remaining quantities. For #19, there are only nine registered copies on record. It has a record sales price of $430 in 2013 for one of the two top graded VF 8.0 books. Given the market growth this series has produced starting in 2019, there's lots of potential if you can find a copy to buy.
Why is this comic book valuable?
In this pre-code horror book, the tables are turned on a hunter when spirits of nature come to life.
Price Guide Report
| GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $75 | $150 | $300 | $600 | $2,500 | $430 |