Tales of Suspense #39 was one of the best-selling comics at Comic Buying Center in December, known for something definitely cool! What exactly makes it popular among collectors and those who sell comic books? Why does tales of suspense 39 value reach hundreds of thousands of dollars?
Tales of Suspense series
The first issue of Tales of Suspense, published in January 1959, leaned heavily into the popular themes of the time: science fiction and suspenseб hence the name. It featured standalone stories with twists, alien encounters, and mysterious events, aimed at capturing readers with its imaginative storytelling. Its storytelling looks like modern cartoons (The Simpsons, for example), with a unique story for each issue that may not have direct connections to further issues. But there were also “story arcs” and connections between issues. Legendary artists like Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko brought these early stories to life, with their dynamic art styles. While Tales of Suspense #1 didn’t feature superheroes, it set the tone for the series with its gripping narratives. Today, this issue is considered a rare collector’s item and a piece of Marvel’s early history. The series shifted from general suspense to a superhero theme with the introduction of certain popular heroes, like the first appearance of Iron Man in tales of suspense 39.
Tales of Suspense #39
Tales of Suspense #39, published in March 1963, is a game-changer issue that introduced Iron Man to the Marvel Universe. Created by legendary writer Stan Lee, scripter Larry Lieber, artist Don Heck, and cover artist Jack Kirby, this comic was the debut of Tony Stark – “Genius, Billionaire, Playboy, Philanthropist.” In the story, Stark is captured by enemy forces and forced to build weapons. Instead, he constructs a suit of powered armor to escape, becoming the superhero Iron Man. Sounds familiar? This origin story resonated with readers, with its Cold War themes paired with personal redemption that deeply changed Tony Stark.
How much is the tales of suspense 39
Tales of Suspense #39, published in March 1963, is a highly popular comic book, known for the first appearance of Iron Man. Tales of suspense #39 value has skyrocketed over the years, with recent auction sales reflecting this.
Recent Sales:
- High-Grade Copies. In April 2024, a CGC 9.6 (Near Mint+) tales of suspense no. 39 sold for $840,000 which was the issues’ record. Earlier, in 2013, a CGC 9.6 copy fetched $262,900.
- Mid-Grade Copies. A CGC 4.0 (Very Good) tales of suspense number 39 sold for $7,200 in October 2024.
- Low-Grade Copies. A CGC 1.5 (Fair/Good) iron man tales of suspense 39 sold for $4,899 in April 2024.
