Aquaman first appeared in More Fun Comics #73, published by DC in 1941. That places it in the Gold Age.
Why this issue matters
One of the few DC heroes to have been in continuous publication since his debut, Aquaman's underwater kingdom of Atlantis has been part of DC lore for over 80 years.
More Fun Comics #73 is also the first appearance of Green Arrow, which is part of why the book carries the weight it does.
Key facts
More Fun Comics #73
- Character: Aquaman
- Publisher: DC
- Cover year: 1941
- Era: Gold Age
Before you buy or sell one
- Check it is a first print, not a facsimile or reprint. Newsstand and direct editions are priced differently too.
- Condition decides most of the value. Whether grading is worth it depends on the copy.
Other first appearances from 1941
- Captain America Captain America Comics #1, 1941
- Red Skull Captain America Comics #1, 1941
- Bucky Barnes Captain America Comics #1, 1941
- Scarecrow World's Finest Comics #3, 1941
- Wonder Woman All Star Comics #8, 1941
- Penguin Detective Comics #58, 1941
More DC firsts from the Gold Age
- Hawkman (Carter Hall) Flash Comics #1, 1940
- Black Canary Flash Comics #86, 1947
- Lex Luthor Action Comics #23, 1940
- Clayface (Karlo) Detective Comics #40, 1940
- Solomon Grundy All-American Comics #61, 1944
- Superman Action Comics #1, 1938
- Batman Detective Comics #27, 1939
- Green Lantern (Alan Scott) All-American Comics #16, 1940
Got a copy?
I buy key issues and whole collections across the UK, and I will tell you honestly whether what you have is the real first or a later printing. Send me photos of the cover and the indicia and I will come back with a straight answer, and a proper valuation if you want one.