Star Trek Comic Book Prices
Value of Star Trek Graphic Novels
If you’re a Trekkie, you can probably recite dialogue from the series at will and tell random strangers all about the benefits of a gravimetric field displacement manifold. But what do you know about Star Trek comic book prices?
As of this writing, there have been eleven feature films, six television series, video games, a Las Vegas attraction, and a seemingly endless number of novels (including some written by William Shatner himself). With so much material available, it’s logical to assume that a comic book adaptation would also be in the cards.
In fact, Star Trek was being adapted into comic book form years before any movies were made or William Riker ever though about leaning through a doorway at an odd angle. This article will take you down memory lane as it relates to the history of these comics, as well as providing information for collectors on some of the more notable Star Trek comic book prices.
History of Star Trek Comic Books
The history of Star Trek comic books started in 1967, when Gold Key secured the rights. This relationship would continue through 1978, and during that time 61 issues were released that still remain popular with hardcore fans of the series. In fact, a series of reprints called The Key Collection were released starting in 2004 that contain the first 52 issues. Most of the comics included original stories, but classic episodes such as “The City on the Edge of Tomorrow” did get the sequel treatment.
Marvel Comics got the rights to the franchise and started releasing Star Trek comics in 1979. Their first release was an adaptation of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, and the following two years saw them expand upon the characters included in the film (for legal reasons, the original TV series was off-limits). The series would end in 1981 with a total of 18 issues being published.
DC Comics took over the property in 1984, with their first eight issues set just after the events of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Stories then took place after Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and the series ended in 1988 when DC was forced to renegotiate their licensing agreement with Paramount.
DC resumed publication of Star Trek comic books the following year, focusing on filling in the events that occurred between Star Trek V and Star Trek VI. This series lasted for a total of 80 issues. In 1988, DC also released a six-issue adaptation of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and this would be followed by a monthly series that would run until 1996.
In 1993, Malibu Comics started publication on a series devoted to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. There were also plans to do a Voyager series, but Malibu was bought out by Marvel and the potential series was shelved.
Marvel started publishing Star Trek comics again in 1996, and these ranged from various one-shots to a series based on the exploits of Captain Christopher Pike. There was even a crossover between The X-Men and the cast of The Next Generation, although it met with a lukewarm reception from fans. Due to the high cost of licensing the Star Trek franchise, Marvel eventually cancelled their series and ended the relationship with Paramount.
From 1999 to 2002, the Wildstorm imprint of DC Comics took over the responsibilities of published Star Trek comics. But instead of a monthly title, they focused on graphic novels and limited series.
2004 saw Tokyopop unveil plans to present tales of The Next Generation in a manga style, but two anthologies based on the original series were released, instead. In 2009, the TNG version finally hit the shelves.
In 2006, IDW Publishing purchased the rights to make the comics, and their first release was a six-issue limited series dealing with The Next Generation. Under the direction of IDW, a number of series have been published, including Star Trek: Year Four, Star Trek: Klingons: Blood Will Tell, Star Trek: Spock Reflections, and Star Trek: Alien Spotlight. As of this writing, IDW still holds the rights to release comic books set in the Star Trek continuity, and their next project is reported to be a series set in the time of the 2009 J.J. Abrams reboot.
Values for Star Trek Comics
When it comes to values for Star Trek comics, your best bet is to seek out the original Gold Key issues. The first issue is valued at $600 in near mint condition, while a variant of the first issue with a photo on the back cover is worth even more at $800. Issues two thru six range in value from $200 to $500, while issues 10 thru 20 are also listed at $100.
Only a few issues of the 18-issue Marvel run in the early ‘80s are worth more than $3, with the final issue being the most valuable at $5. If you’re looking to get rich by collecting comics, go ahead and ignore these.
It turns out that some of the newer series are more valuable than those from the 1980s, with Star Trek: Klingons – Blood Will Tell bringing in $20 for a first issue Comics Pro exclusive variant cover that was limited to 600 copies. A number of incentive variant covers of this series also manage to command a $10 or $12 price tag.
The original issues from Key Comics are available in collected editions with anywhere from eight to 14 issues included. Each of these can be sold for at least $23 is you have a near mint copy, while a mid-range grade of 6.5 will get you around $9.20.
While I suggest a five-year mission to learn about all the Star Trek comic book prices available, you may also be content to pick and choose the additions to your collection. The world originally created by Gene Roddenberry is filled with bizarre aliens and dangers in the depths of space, and it’s become synonymous with the science fiction genre. The comic book adaptations are just as thrilling, and they can do things on the page that would cost a studio millions of dollars. The next time you’re looking to make a geek-themed investment, check out the continuing adventures of Captain Kirk, Captain Picard, or even Commander Benjamin Sisko.
See also: Star Trek RPGs