TOP 10 DC COMICS AVAILABLE ON CANDY DIGITAL

Dec 18, 2024By Chris Severs (@MrktSmart)
Chris Severs (@MrktSmart)

Calling all DC diehards! If you’ve got a love for classic comics and a curiosity about continuing advancements with digital collectibles, you’re in for a treat. I was very fortunate to Team-Up with the fine gents from COMICS & CRYPTO - phygital collectors, podcasters, YouTubers and very entertaining enthusiasts, to dive into the Top 10 Must-Have DC Comics now available on DCNFT/Candy Digital.

QUICK BACKGROUND ON THE DC DIGITAL COMIC SPACE

As the comic collecting digital space continues to advance at the speed of bullets, we reformatted their wildly successful “TOP 10 DC COMICS ON CANDY DIGITAL” podcast for our GoCollect readers to enjoy.  Of course, this is not financial advice, nor do we challenge the performance of the physical comic space - Comics & Crypto have however, providing an incredible guide of physical valuations that are beginning to help digital collectors understand the nostalgic importance and real world valuations of the assets they are now acquiring digitally.

Moreover, many of the Digital asset titles shown below have very scarce edition sizes on Candy Digital, who merged with the DCNFT experience recently, in December 2023. Most are under 5,000 editions, some under 2,000. This may seem higher than their physical (graded) counterparts, but do remember - many physical books had print runs in the 100,000 to 1,000,000 range and many digital comic collectors "stack" titles - buying up multiple copies where that isn't typically done with print books, diminishing overall availability across titles. Key Mint numbers (historically significant years, palindromes, binaries, sequentials, etc., also add excitement for many buyers who have been accumulating incredilbe collections with their favourite numbers!

Last, one of the key differences between DC Digital and VeVe Digital Collectible comics are the variant covers. Where VeVe works with Marvel Artists directly to create exclusive (to VeVe) Rare & Ultra Rare variant covers, with VeVe-produced Secret Rare covers depicting the key character from the book, DC Digital Comics provide a 'fading' aspect that mimics physical books. The Common ("Core) & Uncommon covers are very faded...like they were left on the beach, with cracks, tears & creases built in. As you progress through the Rare, Epic then LEGENDARY covers, you can easily see the brightness, sharpness and clarity of the "higher grade" covers. Additionally, their edition sizes drop substantially the higher up the cover chain you go...

OK, Let’s Get Flyin' Fans!

10: ALL-STAR COMICS #3


All-Star Comics #3 (1941) is significant for introducing the Justice Society of America (JSA), the first superhero team in comic book history. It marked the beginning of team-based superhero storytelling, influencing many future superhero team-ups.  Limited at just 123 graded copies, a 9.6 grade or better could be seen in the $500,000 range. As with all the titles mentioned below, feel free to pop by GoCollect to check these out yoursefl!

9: SENSATION COMICS #1

Sensation Comics #1 (1942) introduced Wonder Woman's first full-length solo story, cementing her as a cultural icon and pioneering female superhero. It showcased empowerment themes, inspiring generations in comics and beyond.  We’re thinking a 9.6 CGC or better could set up in the mid $400,000 arena

Quickly adding some of the awesome sales info available on the app / website, showcasing total number of assets available by cover type, recent sales, total number of owners and more...

8: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #28

Considered valuable for writer Neil Gaiman's substantial cult following, The Brave and the Bold #28" (1960) is DC Comics' issue debuting the Justice League of America, marking the first team-up of iconic heroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.  With 1600 graded copies available, this asset could likely see sales north of $800,000 at 9.6 CGC

7: SHOWCASE #4


DC Comics' Showcase #4 (1956) is credited with launching the Silver Age of Comics. It introduced Barry Allen, the modern Flash, revitalizing superhero storytelling and industry interest.  We feel a 9.6 CGC grade would fetch a price just shy of $1M, likely in the $900,000 range

6: WONDER WOMAN #1


"Wonder Woman #1" (1942) marks the Amazonian heroine's debut in her self-titled series, cementing her as an iconic symbol of empowerment, justice, and groundbreaking feminist representation in comics history.  This could be another $1,000,000 sale expectation at a 9.4 grading or better

5: WHIZ COMICS #2


Whiz Comics #2 (1940) is a great key issue that introduced Captain Marvel (Shazam), one of the most iconic superheroes in comic history. Created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck, it established the Shazam mythos, featuring young Billy Batson’s transformation into the powerful hero, blending magic, heroism, and charm.  Another limited-graded-quantity title at just 63, we’d expect to see a 9.0 CGC set expectations in the $1,000,000 zone

4: DETECTIVE COMICS #31


Detective Comics #31 (1939)
 featured Batman's first iconic cover by Bob Kane. It introduces early Bat-gear; the Batwing & Batarang, and the villainous Monk, cementing Batman's legacy.  There are no census grades over 8.0, where our estimate on an 8.5 CGC would be well over $1,000,000

3: ALL AMERICAN COMICS #3


All-American Comics #3 (1939) is an emerald gem in DC's history, introducing the Golden Age of comics. Further, it is the first appearance of course of the Green Lantern.  With only 69 graded copies on GoCollect, a CGC 9.4 copy should command a value in the $2,000,000 range.

2: BATMAN #1

DC Comics' Batman #1 (Spring 1940) was the first issue of the series, unveiling iconic villains like the Joker and Catwoman, solidifying Batman's status as a cultural phenomenon. It marked the Dark Knight's evolution from detective stories to a cornerstone of superhero storytelling and pop culture.  At 9.4 CGC, this book has an estimated valuation over $4,000,000!

Interestingly, when DC dropped this digital collectible, astute collectors noticed a design flaw - a portion of Batman's right arm, which should have been completed blue, was not filled in allowing the yellow background to be seen. Rather than correct the issue though, DC elected to keep it 'as is,' so for anyone who likes grabbing limited releases with flaws, this is one to look at!

#1: Superman #1

Superman #1 (1939) is simply a landmark comic, marking the first standalone series for The Man of Steel that cemented him as our legendary superhero. It set the foundation for superhero storytelling and elevated comic books into a popular and influential medium still enjoyed today, and of obvious importance to the the film industry, driving billions in revenue.  At it’s highest current CGC grade of 8.5, this book has an estimated market value of $6,000,000

As far as the digital assets are faring, the screenshot below is from NOV 16th, 2024 - the FLOOR (lowest price available in the marketplace) for the Legendary Variant is sitting at $6,000.00 USD, clearly indicating a powerful market where the assets can be acquired simply, using a credit card once your account is created. No need for crypto, blockchain, NFT...even Internet technical comprehension, just the ability to enjoy this entirely new asset class as a wonderful complement to physical collections.

Of course, for those who can't afford to own a physical copy (per GoColect - a 0.5 CGC grade fair market value sits at $78,000 USD), this is a SUPER way to share in pride of ownership, where only 150 Legendary variants will ever exist of just 3,000 total editions across all digital variants.

Further, Superman #1 was the FIRST comic from DC available to purchase as a digital collectible, having dropped October 27, 2023 for just $9.99 USD. As DC's SVP quoted in DARK KNIGHT NEWS:

“We want to take the physical, real-world experience of collecting comics that so many of our readers have loved over the years and expand that into a new digital community,” said DC Senior Vice President and General Manager Anne DePies. “We want to build that community aspect that everyone has been so proud to be a part of, in our digital ecosystem to make comic collecting more available and accessible than ever before.”

AFFIRMATION OF DIGITAL COLLECTIBLE AUTHENTICITY & OWNERSHIP

We wish to note physical values discussed reflect their potential success as digital collectibles, but real-world value may vary based on demand.  Of course, as these assets are still “new” (despite almost 4 years since digital comics first appeared), the debate rages on as to their legitimacy.

DC Digital collectibles, available via the Candy Digital platform, are considered "real" by most collectors, but opinions can vary: some argue they are valuable due to their scarcity, blockchain verification, connection to iconic characters, absence of quality degradation, ease of storage & transport and ability to instantly sell assets to a growing, global marketplace. 

One of the strongest support arguments is the brands / IP themselves putting their stamps of authenticity on these products.

Marvel's Official Announcement about their entry to digital collectibles:
https://www.marvel.com/articles/gear/first-ever-marvel-digital-comic-collectibles-nft-veve

DC Official Release Announcement:
https://www.dc.com/blog/2021/09/29/dc-partners-with-palm-nft-studio-for-epic-digital-collectibles-drop-for-dc-fan-dome-2021

DC CANDY Official Announcement:
https://blog.candy.io/icymi-the-dc-nft-marketplace-has-successfully-migrated-to-the-candy-digital-platform/

Others though, may see them as less tangible than physical comics, preferring the good old-fashioned feel & smell you just can’t replicate from a physical comic. The value here often comes from market history and very longstanding collector fandoms, with proven history and historical values, further supported by official 3rd party grading companies to verify authenticity.

Each side can be argued all day long, and if there was ever a more fun debate to ponder in comic collecting, this is it!

BONUS MATERIAL - DC ASSETS ALSO AVAILABLE ON THE VEVE APP

Many digital comic collectors are now "pairing" or matching their comics with the digital collectibles of key characters to build beautiful sets worthy of any any showroom. Even cooler, this is happen ACROSS PLATFORMS - even though DC Comics are not available on VeVe, their statues are. Years later that's still a fun debate why DC chose to go their own way with the comics, but what cannot be debated are the following:

SUPERMAN'S 1st On-Chain Appearance is on VeVe

As are the first appearance, first-on-blockhcain digital collectibles for WONDER WOMAN, GREEN LANTERN, THE FLASH/SUPERMAN RACE STATUE, SWAMP THING and of course, TODD MCFARLAN'S "THE TODD" BATMAN, the 1st DC Digital Collectible. So as mentioned repeatedly, if you're into collecting "firsts" these are becoming very difficult assets to ingore!

LAST, be sure to check Out Comic & Crypto's TOP 20 DC COMICS valuation list + their YouTube Video Top 10 DC-on-Candy Review for you video peeps!

Thanks for Reading!