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Science Comics

Fox // February 1940 - September 1940
Issue count: 8

Right on the heels of PLANET COMICS, Fox put forward their take on the sci-fi comic, which tried it's best to compete - they even got Lou Fine to draw covers!Ultimately, Science lasted only 8 issues, by which time had become more of a superhero book...

Science Comics

Victor Fox had hard luck right out of the box. He had established his comic-book division of Fox Features Syndicate, and his first release, Wonder Comics, caused quite a stir in the industry.

He was one of the many publishers that relied on material produced by the freelance studio run by Will Eisner and Jerry Iger. The Eisner/Iger Shop as it was known, was a co-operative of many artists and writers that would produce comic book features on demand to be sold to outside companies.

When Fox tasked Will Eisner to come up with a character “like Superman,” he came up with Wonder Man, who made his debut in May 1939 in Wonder Comics #1. In short order National Periodicals/DC, who published the now-overwhelmingly successful Superman, cried “FOUL” and promptly brought suit against Fox because the Wonder Man character was too close to The Man of Steel for their liking.

DC won. Eisner testified that he intentionally stole the character…

However, before this debacle all went down, Fox had obtained at least 4 good issues of material from Eisner/Iger for his new science fiction title, Science Comics, which was heavily modeled after Planet Comics from rival Fiction House. Rockets, babes, and cowled space-heroes in colorful garb were featured heavily on artist Lou Fine’s immaculately illustrated covers, and the anthology format with many running characters mimicked the Planet model.

So, after the Wonder Man case, Victor Fox fired Eisner/Iger, and poached one of their staff, Joe Simon to edit Science Comics (Simon would almost immediately be snatched up by Martin Goodman and Timely Comics, and Simon, along with another E/I alumnus, Jack Kirby, would create Captain America within months of being hired - the rest is history).

Simon had a liking for superheroes, and right away, as Editor, would move Science Comics in that direction, thus straying from its original intention. There were only eight issues, but the last two, under Simon, highlighted the superhero characters The Eagle and Dynamo.

Still there is some great work in those comics with notable contributions from Lou Fine, Emil Gershwin, George Tuska, Dick Briefer, Bert Whitman, and, yes, even Jack Kirby, who’s Cosmic Carson appeared in issue #6 (this would in effect be his last work for Eisner/Iger).

Even after Simon and Kirby’s departure, Victor Fox saw that the future was with long-underwear characters, and for most of the next six years would concentrate on that type of material in titles such as The Blue Beetle, The Flame, Wonderworld Comics, Samson, The Big-Three, The Eagle and The Green Mask. It was pretty respectable stuff, too.

But Science Comics will always be collectible because there are so few of them out there, and will forever be recalled as the companion book from the company that lost one of the highest-profile comic-book copyright-infringement lawsuits ever. Big dollars are changing hands over existing copies of Science Comics...

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Issue #1

What's Science Comics #1 worth in 2024?

Science Comics #1 maintains a strong price with GD 2.0 copies selling for around $2,000 today. FN 6.0 sold for $600 in 2009, but can go for over $4,000 today. The highest graded copy to sell was only 8.0 that had a price of $6,000 and sold in 2016.

Why is this comic book valuable?

Science Comics #1 is a historic comic. Published in 1940, it features some of the first superheroes and is the first appearance of a villain named Dr. Doom. 

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$1,600 $3,000 $5,800 $11,000 $40,000 $11,353

Sell Science Comics #1

Issue #2

What's Science Comics #2 worth in 2024?

Science Comics #2 demands a high price. GD 2.0 copies could sell for over $3,000 in 2017 and their price hasn’t gone down. FN 6.0 copies sold for $1,000 in 2008, but today could get over $6,000. A 9.2 graded copy sold for over $33,000 in 2017.

Why is this comic book valuable?

Science Comics #2 continues the adventures of some Golden Age sci-fi heroes. Electro change things up and becomes Dynamo, Cosmic Jackson, Marga the Panther Woman, and others continue their plots. Collector’s value these comics for their stunning artwork. 

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$3,000 $6,000 $11,000 $20,000 $80,000 $38,400

Sell Science Comics #2

Issue #3

What's Science Comics #3 worth in 2024?

Science Comics #3 has a stable price. GD 2.0 copies have climbed slowly up from $900 in 2018 to over $1,000 today. FN 6.0 could sell for $1,000 in 2007 and are considerably higher now. A 9.4 graded copy sold for $24,000 in 2018. 

Why is this comic book valuable?

As with most Science Comics, issue #3 is well known for its artwork. This issue features more action and sci-fi stories including Dynamo’s weakness being exposed and more adventures from Persiphere Payne, Cosmic Jackson, and an ad for the Comic-Scope.

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$650 $1,300 $2,500 $4,500 $16,000 $24,000

Sell Science Comics #3

Issue #4

What's Science Comics #4 worth in 2024?

A GD 2.0 copy of Science Comics #4 could sell for $1,700 in 2017 and today is closer to $2,500. FN 6.0 copies have a value over $10,000 on today’s market. Due to the rare nature of this comic, the highest graded copy to sell was just a 6.5 that sold for $10,900 in 2017.

Why is this comic book valuable?

Science Comics #4 is well known for its stunning art. This issue features some very early work by famous comic artist Jack Kirby. That alone is enough to keep this a rare find on the market. 

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$2,000 $3,800 $7,500 $14,000 $50,000 $10,900

Sell Science Comics #4

Issue #5

What's Science Comics #5 worth in 2024?

A GD 2.0 copy of Science Comics #5 could sell for just $100 in 2003 and today that copy is over $600. FN 6.0 copies have a value closer to $2,000 on today’s market. The highest graded copy to sell was a 7.5 that sold for just $2,222 in 2014.

Why is this comic book valuable?

Science Comics #5 features more stories from Dynamo, Cosmic Carson, and Marga. This issue also has a guest appearance from Captain Nemo from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. 

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$400 $800 $1,600 $3,250 $12,000 $3,585

Sell Science Comics #5

Issue #6

What's Science Comics #6 worth in 2024?

A GD 2.0 copy of Science Comics #6 would have a price of about $100 in 2000, but today can sell for over $600. FN 6.0 copies today are well over $1,000. The highest graded copy to sell was a 9.4 that sold for $12,000.

Why is this comic book valuable?

Science Comics #6 features more of the astounding artwork that fans of this series love. Time travel plots, sharkmen, and some of the earliest superheroes keep this comic in high demand. 

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$400 $800 $1,500 $2,750 $10,000 $12,000

Sell Science Comics #6

Issue #7

What's Science Comics #7 worth in 2024?

The value for a mint condition Science Comics #7 is currently unknown, as one has never been sold publicly. If a CGC NM+ 9.7 copy ever came up for sale, we think it could sell for around $5,500. The highest graded copy (unretouched by a restoration artist) is a CGC Near Mint+ for 9.6 and sold for $4,950 in May of 2013. Of the 15 copies graded by CGC, only 13 are considered unrestored, and only one has been qualified. In low grade, a copy of Science Comics #7 usually has a price of around $300 - $500. These comics are tough to find in good condition, so keep your eyes out for one!?

Why is this comic book valuable?

This comic is valuable as it is the first time Dynamo (originally Electro before becoming 'Dynamo' in Science Comics #2,) is referred by his full real name, Jim Andrews.  Additionally, Eagle loses his wings but gains power of flight through his cape. Villains Lanzatti, Apollo, and Black Circle are first introduced during 'Black Circle,' and new villains are presented throughout.  Published by Fox Feature Syndicate in August of 1940, look for the 10 cent mark on the front to verify your copy is not a reproduction. 

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$300 $575 $1,100 $2,100 $8,000 $4,950

Sell Science Comics #7

Issue #8

What's Science Comics #8 worth in 2024?

The value for a mint condition print of Science Comics #8 is unknown, as one has not been found yet. If a CGC VF+ copy came up for sale, it could sell for the price of $2,000 to $1 million. The highest graded unretouched copy ever sold was valued at a VF 8 and sold for $1,315 in 2016. There have only been 10 copies evaluated by the CGC, with one copy at an NM- 9.2 and only one has been restored. In low grade, where a majority of copies have been evaluated, the value of Science Comics #8 is around $500. 

Why is this comic book valuable?

The introduction of Professor Read is what makes this comic valuable and sell price hard to pin down. The original price was $.10 - which is the marker in the upper left-hand corner you'll need to look for to verify its authenticity. Captain Nemo guest stars in 'The Log of Harald the Red' in this 68 page in-color comic from Fox Feature Comics. Science Comics #8 was originally published in September 1940 as part of the nine-part Science Comics series. 

Price Guide Report

GD 2.0 VG 4.0 FN 6.0 VF 8.0 NM 9.4 RECORD SALE!
$180 $375 $750 $1,500 $6,000 $1,315

Sell Science Comics #8