Tales to Astonish Comic Book Values
Tales to Astonish was one of Marvel Comics’ first titles, showcasing the talents of Stan Lee, Don Heck, Steve Ditko, and Jack Kirby.
Featuring sci-fi driven stories, TTA is the sister comic to Tales of Suspense, which introduced the world to Iron Man.
The entire 101 issue run of Tales to Astonish is highly collectible, but a few key issues are some of the most valuable comics of all time.
Here is a comprehensive list of the series, and we break out the most valuable Tales to Astonish comics with additional notes.
KEY ISSUE! Tales to Astonish #13, Origin and First Appearance of Groot (Guardians of the Galaxy)
Tales to Astonish #13
First Appearance of Groot
Record sale: $7,000
Minimum value: $100
Since the Guardians of the Galaxy films, Groot has become a household name. This gentle tree-like alien has the ability to regenerate himself and control plants.
However, the Groot that first appears in Tales to Astonish #13 is dramatically different from the one we’ve come to love.
Coming to Earth to study humans, a giant Groot captures an entire town using an army of trees. Groot is taken down when thousands of termites eat away at his body.
Groot’s first appearance in TTA #13 makes this relatively rare issue valuable.
Groot’s next appearance wouldn’t be until 1976’s Incredible Hulk Annual #5.
TTA #26
Record sale: $1,100
Minimum value: $10
KEY ISSUE! Tales to Astonish #27, Origin and First Appearance of Hank Pym (Ant-Man)
TTA #27
1st Appearance of Hank Pym (Ant-Man)
Record sale: $200,000
Minimum value: $250
Tales to Astonish #27 is by far the most valuable and collectible issue in the entire series.
The first appearance of Hank Pym is hailed as one of the most important events in the Silver Age of Comics, and this issue is becoming increasingly hard to find.
In the story “The Man in the Anthill”, we meet Hank Pym, a genius scientist who has just invented a serum that will shrink any object.
Acting as any responsible scientist would, Hank tests the serum on himself, shrinks, then ventures into an anthill. Thanks to a friendly ant, Hank makes his way out and into a bottle of the reversal serum.
Even in poor condition, tattered and torn, TTA #27 can be worth thousands.
TTA #34
Record sale: $1,900
Minimum value: $10
KEY ISSUE! Tales to Astonish #35, First Appearance of Ant-Man as Costumed Superhero
Tales to Astonish #35
First Appearance of Ant-Man in Superhero Costume
Record sale: $51,000
Minimum value: $50
Hank Pym and Ant-Man are one in the same, but it wasn’t until Tales to Astonish #35 that he coined the name.
After inventing a gas that makes people resistant to radiation poisoning, Hank and his assistants are taken hostage by Communists.
Using his shrinking serum to escape, Hank dons a helmet that allows him to control ants (is there anything this guy can’t invent?). With the help of his ants, Hank defeats the Communists.
TTA #35 was the first time a character was reused in the series, showing that Marvel had high hopes for its newest superhero.
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KEY ISSUE! Tales to Astonish #44, Origin and First Appearance of The Wasp Marvel Comics
Tales to Astonish #44
First Appearance of the Wasp
Record sale: $26,000
Minimum value: $50
After scientist Vernon van Dyne is killed by an alien from the planet Kosmos, his daughter Janet seeks comfort from Hank Pym.
Seeing her potential, Hank convinces Janet to become his partner, Wasp.
Creating a suit based on a wasp’s biology, Hank and Janet inhale some shrinking gas, and the two micro heroes work together to stop the alien.
For several years, Ant-Man and Wasp had a passionate and chaotic relationship, getting married and then divorced.
In 1963, Ant-Man and Wasp became founding members of the Avengers. Despite getting zero attention in the films, Wasp was actually the leader of the Avengers for several years.
TTA #48
Origin and First Appearance of
The Porcupine
Record sale: $6,000
Minimum value: $20
KEY ISSUE! Tales to Astonish #49, Origin and First Appearance of Giant-Man
Tales to Astonish #49
First Appearance of Giant-Man
Record sale: $6,500
Minimum value: $30
That Hank Pym – he just can’t keep his busy mind under control.
Testing out his latest invention, a pill that allows him to grow 12 feet tall, Hank becomes Giant-Man. Giant-Man becomes one of Hank’s most used characters, seen just as much as Ant-Man.
Later, with the Avengers, Hank changes the name of Giant-Man to Goliath.
The first appearance of Giant-Man in Tales to Astonish #49 means that its value can often rival #35 and #44.
TTA #50
Origin and First Appearance,
Human Top aka Whirlwind
Record sale: $3,300
Minimum value: $10
TTA #52
Origin and First Appearance of
Black Knight
Record sale: $2,200
Minimum value: $10
TTA #60
First Incredible Giant-Man / Hulk Split Stories
Record sale: $5,700
Minimum value: $10
The original run of Incredible Hulk comics was cancelled after only six issues, leaving the green giant with nowhere to go (Hulk resigned from the Avengers in Avengers #2).
In 1963, Tales to Astonish #60 became a split comic, half Giant-Man, half Hulk.
Picking up where Incredible Hulk #6 left off, TTA #60 tells of Bruce Banner’s continued struggle to deal with his alter ego.
Later, with Tales to Astonish #70, the Giant-Man feature is replaced with Namor the Sub-Mariner stories.
TTA #71
Record sale: $750
Minimum value: $5
TTA #82
Record sale: $2,600
Minimum value: $5
Tales to Astonish #90
1st Appearance of the Abomination
Record sale: $1,400
Minimum value: $5
KEY ISSUE! Tales to Astonish #93, Classic Cover
Tales to Astonish #93
Classic Hulk vs Silver Surfer Cover and Story
Record sale: $13,000
Minimum value: $30
TTA #100
Hulk vs Sub-Mariner Story
Record sale: $1,500
Minimum value: $5
Tales to Astonish #101
Last in Series;
Hulk story continues in Incredible Hulk #102,
Sub-Mariner story continues in Iron Man and Sub-Mariner #1
Record sale: $1,300
Minimum value: $10
It’s the end of an era for Marvel! After nine years of Tales to Astonish, the series came to an end with Tales to Astonish #101.
The resurgence of Incredible Hulk in Tales to Astonish raised his popularity to never before seen heights. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Marvel created a new volume of Incredible Hulk from the ashes of Tales to Astonish.
Incredible Hulk volume 2 continues TTA numbering, starting the new series with Incredible Hulk #102.
Sub-Mariner went on to have his own series, but it was never as successful.
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The first appearance of Ant-Man was in Tales to Astonish.
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The first Marvel Super-Team since FF included Ant-Man and Wasp.
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