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Mystic Comics

Timely // March 1940 - August 1942
Issue count: 10

Another home for Timely's b-list superheroes - BLUE BLAZE, DYNAMIC MAN, THE BLACK MARVEL, and THE DESTROYER (well, we'll give him a B+!). Again, very obscure, but potentially a big payoff if you happen upon any issues!

Mystic Comics

As stated before, Timely Comic’s most prolific period was 1940-1945 - the War years. Marvel Mystery Comics was a runaway hit, starring Sub-Mariner, Human Torch and the Angel. In the time between premiering Marvel Mystery (1939), and introducing their next, and perhaps greatest, superhero, Captain America in 1941, Timely tried very hard to replicate their earlier all new success by bringing forth 2 additional titles that would act as a testing ground for debuting all-new “long underwear” heroes. They had high hopes. The other books they started publishing were called Daring Mystery Comics, and Mystic Comics - our subject here.

Facing the same problem of where to find additional material, Martin Goodman and Timely turned to outsourcing (as they had earlier, virtually raiding the Jacquet Shop, and the Iger/Eisner Studio in order to produce the first Marvel (Mystery) Comics.

This time out, at least for the time being, they would turn to the oldest of the “Comic Book Packaging” studios operated and overseen by Harry A. Chesler. Chesler’s stable of talent was well established - and some big names that came and went through his shop were Charles Biro, Jack Cole, Jack Binder, Mort Meskin, George Tuska, Carmine Infantino and many others…

Mystic Comics #1 came out in March of 1940, and displayed the same tentativeness in committing to an ALL superhero format by padding out their new characters The Blue Blaze, Flexo,The Rubber Man, and Dynamic Man, with fairly generic adventure stories. Word is that most of this material, and that of the following three issues, came out of the Chesler Shop, with most of the stories having no writing or art credits (with the exception of Jack Binder and Fred Guardineer).

Issue #2 added The Master Mind, Excello to essentially the same cast as the first issue…

Issue #3  moved closer to being all-superhero, adding Hercules (a superhero version), to the roster mentioned above. #4 got even closer, introducing The Thin Man (resurrected briefly in the 70’s), and The Black Widow. And then the pause-button was hit on Mystic…

As issue #4 came out in July of 1940, it was starting to dawn on Martin Goodman and his Editor-In-Chief Joe Simon that none of these new features were really resonating with the public the way the Marvel Mystery characters did. Some re-tooling was in order.

When Mystic Comics re-emerged with issue #5 in March of 1941, it was with almost a whole new roster of more “edgy” superheroes, this time the writing and artwork was provided by the familiar names we have come to know as Timely staffers. For Example, #5 introduced The Black Marvel by Al Gabriele, The Terror by Syd Shores, Moon Man by Fred Guardineer, and the Blazing Skull by Bob Davis.

Issue #6 brought out the character that is probably the most remembered from Mystic Comics : The Destroyer! Not only would the character dominate the lead story until the last issue (#10), but he would be revived in the 70’s as a recurring character in Marvel’s Invaders series.

Other interesting facts about Mystic is that a 20 year-old Stan Lee took over as editor from Joe Simon, who had famously defected to DC/National with his partner Jack Kirby in early ‘42. And more and more, Stan Lee’s name started appearing on writing credits for many stories! But time was short by then for Mystic Comics, as a great number of the Timely staffers were conscripted into the Armed Forces to serve the war effort, and with the sudden loss of a creative team, Martin Goodman was forced to scale down production significantly until after the end of WWII.

And also, none of the heroes that passed through Mystic’s pages never really hit the big-time Timely would have to be content with best sellers Captain America, Sub-Mariner, The Human Torch, and (to a lesser degree) The Angel.

Mystic Comics’ ten issues remain a curious footnote to what would become the Marvel Universe, and surviving copies demand high prices on the collectors market...

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Key Art: Comic Book Price Guide

Issue #1

What's Mystic Comics #1 worth in 2024?

There are 2 copies registered with CGC Census as NM 9.4 that have never sold. The next highest copy, a NM- 9.2, sold for $25,000 in 2006. There are so few recorded sales it’s impossible to report on any kind of market trend. In 2017 a FN 6.0 brought $3,800, the only report of that grade ever selling. A GD 2.0 brought nearly $1,100 in 2015. We predict these books to be slow earners in lower grades but still a solid buy. In high grade you have a blue chip collectible that commands a premium.

Why is this comic book valuable?

Mystic Comics #1 is one of the most important comics for collectors. This is the first edition of Marvel Comics before anyone understood what it would or could be. Outside of introducing the world to two Golden Age heroes, Flexo the Rubber Man and the Blue Blaze, comics historians value this edition for its legacy. This book may have introduced a less than memorable cast of characters that wouldn’t last but that's ok. It was humble beginnings to a brand new idea in the world of modern media of the time. One thing is for sure, what would last is the company that would become Marvel Comics. Like so many Golden Age books these early issues are ridiculously rare (30 registered with CGC Census as unrestored) and so is the opportunity to buy one!

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$1,400 $2,800 $5,800 $10,000 $40,000 $25,450

Sell Mystic Comics #1

Issue #2

What's Mystic Comics #2 worth in 2024?

This comic’s price has been stable over the last decade, but has spiked during 2019. Copies graded as 2.0 have been stable around $700 while copies near 6.0 have spiked in 2019 to be over $7,000. The highest graded copy to ever sell was a 9.4 Allentown Pedigree that sold for over $30,000.

Why is this comic book valuable?

Mystic Comics #2 is well known to comics buffs for being the second ever comic in what would later become Marvel Comics. This edition features the second appearance of the Blue Blaze and the first appearance of Mastermind Excello.

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$1,100 $2,150 $4,000 $8,000 $32,000 $30,033

Sell Mystic Comics #2

Issue #3

What's Mystic Comics #3 worth in 2024?

Mystic Comics #3 is another valuable Golden Age comic. In the early 2000’s most prices for this issue were under $1,000. A GD 2.0 copy could sell for less than $300, but now can get notably more. FN 6.0 copies sold for $1,000 at the start of 2012, but as of 2017 could go for closer to $2,000. The highest graded copy to ever sell is a 9.4 Allentown Pedigree that sold for over $21,000.

Why is this comic book valuable?

Mystic Comics #3 is another popular title from the dawn of Mystic Comics. This issue is valuable as Mystic Comics would later go on to become Marvel Comics. This edition features the ongoing adventures of Flexo, the Blue Blaze, and introduces Hercules as a character.

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$650 $1,300 $2,600 $5,000 $20,000 $21,800

Sell Mystic Comics #3

Issue #4

What's Mystic Comics #4 worth in 2024?

Mystic Comics issue #4 is a valuable comic with prices on the rise. Today, even a GD 2.0 copy can expect to go for over $2,000. FN 6.0 copies can go for upwards of $4,000. Ironically, the highest graded copy to ever sell was a 6.5 that went for $3,000 before prices went up.

Why is this comic book valuable?

Mystic Comics #4 is a well known comic. It features the ongoing adventures of Flexo, Hercules, and the first appearance of the Thin Man and Black Widow.

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$1,750 $3,500 $7,000 $13,000 $45,000 $4,500

Sell Mystic Comics #4

Issue #5

What's Mystic Comics #5 worth in 2024?

This comic has a stable long term value similar to other early Mystic Comics. GD 2.0 copies sold for around $478 in 2014, but have been climbing since. FN 6.0 copies have had the same trend going from $800 to over $1,000. The most expensive copy ever to sell was a 9.2 San Francisco Pedigree that sold for over $16,000. 

Why is this comic book valuable?

Mystic Comics #5 is another issue in the groundbreaking line of comics that would go on to become Marvel. That fact alone keeps the historic value of this comic high. This comic also features the first appearance of the Black Marvel and Terror.

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$750 $1,500 $2,800 $5,250 $20,000 $16,200

Sell Mystic Comics #5

Issue #6

What's Mystic Comics #6 worth in 2024?

Mythic Comics #6, like most of Mythic Comics early titles, has seen its price shoot up recently. GD 2.0 copies sold 2009 for just $700 dollars, but are now much higher. FN 6.0 have tripled in price going from $1,000 in 2003 to over $3,000 in 2017. The highest graded copy to ever sell was a 9.4 that sold for almost $9,000.

Why is this comic book valuable?

Mythic Comics #6 is well known for the first appearance of the Destroyer as well as being another early example of Stan Lee’s work as Editor-in-Chief for the series. This is another comic sought after for being part of what would soon become Marvel Comics. 

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$5,500 $12,400 $3,900 $6,925 $8,975 $12,400

Sell Mystic Comics #6

Issue #7

What's Mystic Comics #7 worth in 2024?

Mythic Comics #7 has a higher market value than others. GD 2.0 copies set the pace around $1,700 while FN 6.0 copies were $2,700 in 2017 and have climbed higher since. A 9.0 caps the prices at $12,000 which sold in 2014. 

Why is this comic book valuable?

Mythic Comics #7 is well respected for its amazing cover art and, at the time, established roster of characters. Destroyers, Black Widow, Blazing Skull, Terror, and others all continue their story arcs in this issue.

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$1,500 $3,000 $6,000 $11,000 $40,000 $12,100

Sell Mystic Comics #7

Issue #8

What's Mystic Comics #8 worth in 2024?

Mythic Comics #8 is a high value comic. GD 2.0 copies can fetch around $2,000. An FN 6.0 copy could fetch $6,200 in 2017 and has climbed higher today. The highest grade to sell was a 9.2 that went for over $21,000.

Why is this comic book valuable?

This comic continues the now stable set of early Mythic characters. Destroyer, Challenger, and Black Marvel continue their exploits. Comic historians favor these early editions for their interaction with World War II.

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$2,100 $4,200 $7,000 $13,000 $45,000 $21,076

Sell Mystic Comics #8

V2 Issue #9

What's Mystic Comics V2 #9 worth in 2024?

Mythic Comics #9 is rare to find on the market today. GD 2.0 copies have gone for around $1,000 in the past. A FN 6.0 copy could get $5,000 back in 2014, but could easily get near double today based on similar issues. Surprisingly, the highest graded copy to ever sell was an 8.5 that slipped away for the 2003 price of only $2,990. Today, that same comic could easily break $15,000.

Why is this comic book valuable?

Mythic Comics #9 features Black Marvel and other early Mythic heroes. This comic is also known for its early Stan Lee story “Horror Mansion.”

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$2,500 $4,700 $8,500 $18,600 $65,000 $18,600

Sell Mystic Comics #9

V2 Issue #10

What's Mystic Comics V2 #10 worth in 2024?

Mythic Comics #10 is another rare comic. GD 2.0 copies sold for $1,000 in 2014. FN 6.0 used to sell for $800 in 2004, but could go for much more today. The highest graded copy was an 8.5 that sold for $5,000 in 2003 and could easily get much more today. 

Why is this comic book valuable?

This comic is known for its continuing of several Mythic characters and a few shorts about Inky Dinky.

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$1,500 $3,000 $6,000 $12,000 $40,000 $5,060

Sell Mystic Comics #10