Key Comic Books From 1983

March 1, 2021

1983 — 75 cent variants continue!

Key comics from 1983

There are two main ways I’ve seen online lists of key comic books presented by year: (1) personalized lists based upon judgment calls of what is “key” (thereby omitting any comic books the particular writer doesn’t happen to consider key — or doesn’t know about), and (2) lists based upon high sales price data (also a flawed method because high prices can just as easily be caused by a non-key book happening to grade a 10 at CGC)

The top 100 key comic books from 1983 list you’re about to see is neither of those other types.

Instead, to briefly repeat the introduction I gave on the main 1980’s page, the list I’m about to present is essentially “crowd-sourced”… by the crowd of collectors sending comics to CGC. All I’ve done here is to rank the universe of comic books published in 1983, according to how many copies of each issue have passed through CGC’s doors to date (as of 1/19/2021) to reveal the comic books with the highest census counts — that’s it!

This exercise should “tease out” a very interesting list of important and/or key comic books from 1983, but this will not necessarily be an all-encompassing list (if very few copies were created for a given key, for example, that restricted supply could keep the count of CGC submissions low even though the comic is very important — this exercise will unfortunately see such comics sort themselves off of the bottom through no fault of their own). So essentially, you should think of this list as just one more tool in your tool-belt of researching key comic books from 1983.

Key Comic Books From 1983:

(Top 100 list based on census data as of January 19, 2021)
Rank CGC Count Issue Publisher/
Date
1. 7,134 Amazing Spider-Man #238 Marvel
3/83
  1st appearance of the Hobgoblin. Manufactured with “Tattooz” insert & sample.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
2. 5,935 Omega Men #3 D.C.
6/83
  1st appearance of Lobo.
3. 5,825 Thor #337 Marvel
11/83
  1st appearance of Beta Ray Bill. Nick Fury appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
4. 4,255 New Mutants #1 Marvel
3/83
  Origin of Karma. 2nd appearance of the New Mutants.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
5. 2,170 Amazing Spider-Man #239 Marvel
4/83
  1st Spider-Man vs. Hobgoblin battle. Madame Web appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
6. 1,866 Alpha Flight #1 Marvel
8/83
  1st appearance of Puck & Marrina. Origin of Alpha Flight.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized $1.25 newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
7. 1,598 Batman #357 D.C.
3/83
  1st full appearance of Killer Croc (Waylon Jones) & Jason Todd. “Atari” insert included.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
8. 1,404 Star Wars #68 Marvel
2/83
  David Michelinie story. Gene Day & Tom Palmer art. Gene Day cover.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
9. 1,147 Uncanny X-Men #171 Marvel
7/83
  Rogue joins the X-Men. Binary (Carol Danvers) appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
10. 1,096 Thor #338 Marvel
12/83
  2nd appearance of Beta Ray Bill. Nick Fury appearance. Thor #126 cover homage.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
11. 881 Marvel Tails #1 Marvel
11/83
  1st appearance of Peter Porker the Spectacular Spider-Ham.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
12. 699 Brave and the Bold #200 D.C.
7/83
  Last issue. 16 page preview featuring 1st appearance Batman & the Outsiders (Halo, Geoforce & Katana).
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized $2.00 newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
13. 674 Thing #1 Marvel
7/83
  John Byrne story & cover. Ron Wilson & Joe Sinnott art.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
14. 657 Daredevil #190 Marvel
1/83
  Black Widow, Kingpin & Stick appearance. Letter from Fabian Nicieza.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized $1.25 newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
15. 654 Uncanny X-Men #166 Marvel
2/83
  1st appearance of Lockheed. Binary & Brood appearance. Origin of Acanti.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized $1.25 newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
16. 643 Judge Dredd #1 Eagle
11/83
  1st U.S. appearance of Judge Joseph Dredd.
17. 627 Uncanny X-Men #168 Marvel
4/83
  1st appearance of adult Madelyne Pryor. Lockheed appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
18. 608 Daredevil #196 Marvel
7/83
  Wolverine, Bullseye & Kingpin appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
19. 605 Batman #366 D.C.
12/83
  1st Jason Todd in Robin costume. Joker appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 95¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
20. 604 Uncanny X-Men #172 Marvel
8/83
  Wolverine & Mariko engaged. Silver Samurai, Yukio & Viper appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
21. 569 Ronin #1 D.C.
7/83
  Wraparound cover.
22. 563 Uncanny X-Men #173 Marvel
9/83
  1st new look for Storm. Silver Samurai, Yukio, Mariko & Viper appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
23. 538 Amazing Spider-Man #245 Marvel
10/83
  Hobgoblin appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
24. 524 Uncanny X-Men #169 Marvel
5/83
  1st appearance of Callisto & the Morlocks. Sebastian Shaw, Tessa & Emma Frost appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
25. 520 New Teen Titans Annual #2 D.C.
1983
  1st app. of Vigilante (Adrian Chase), Chesire, Scorcher, Slasher, Spear, Bazooka & Tanker.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
26. 513 Uncanny X-Men #175 Marvel
11/83
  Scott Summers weds Madelyne Pryor. Mastermind appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized $1.25 newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
27. 485 Uncanny X-Men #167 Marvel
3/83
  New Mutants, Starjammers, Lilandra & Gladiator appearance. Fantastic Four cameo.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
28. 480 Uncanny X-Men #165 Marvel
1/83
  Paul Smith art begins.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
29. 446 Star Wars: Return of the Jedi #1 Marvel
10/83
  Movie adaptation.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
30. 431 Uncanny X-Men #176 Marvel
12/83
  Chris Claremont story. John Romita Jr. & Bob Wiacek art. John Romita Jr. cover.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
31. 426 Further Adventures of Indiana Jones #1 Marvel
1/83
  John Byrne story & art. Terry Austin cover.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
32. 406 Amazing Spider-Man #244 Marvel
9/83
  Hobgoblin cameo.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
33. 371 Daredevil #191 Marvel
2/83
  Bullseye appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
34. 360 Marvel Fanfare #11 Marvel
11/83
  Pin-ups by Terry Austin, Bob Wiacek, Jim Shooter & Craig Russell.
35. 358 Thor 337 Canadian Price Variant Marvel
11/83
  1st appearance of Beta Ray Bill. Nick Fury appearance. 75¢ cover price.
36. 345 Grendel #1 Comico
3/83
  Origin of Hunter Rose. Indicia indicates title is “Skrog v1 #1”
37. 342 Moon Knight #29 Marvel
3/83
  Werewolf (Jack Russell) appearance.
38. 327 Amazing Spider-Man #236 Marvel
1/83
  “Death” of the Tarantula. Will O’ the Wisp appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
39. 325 Iron Man #170 Marvel
5/83
  1st full James Rhodes as Iron Man. Magma appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
40. 309 Uncanny X-Men #174 Marvel
10/83
  Mastermind, Starjammers, Lilandra, Binary & Mariko Yashida appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
41. 299 Amazing Spider-Man #240 Marvel
5/83
  Vulture appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
42. 293 Uncanny X-Men #170 Marvel
6/83
  Mystique, Rogue, Callisto & Morlocks appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
43. 293 Hawkeye Limited Series #1 Marvel
9/83
  1st meeting of Hawkeye & Mockingbird. Origin of Hawkeye retold.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
44. 290 Batman #359 D.C.
5/83
  1st comic book work by Dan Jurgens. 1st Killer Croc cover (face revealed).
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
45. 289 Amazing Spider-Man #241 Marvel
6/83
  Origin of the Vulture.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
46. 287 Cloak and Dagger #1 Marvel
10/83
  Bill Mantlo & Ed Hannigan story. Rick Leonardi & Terry Austin cover & art.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
47. 278 Amazing Spider-Man #246 Marvel
11/83
  “The Daydreamers!” story featuring cameos by Cary Grant, John Travolta, Meryl Streep & Woody Allen.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
48. 266 Daredevil #200 Marvel
11/83
  Black Widow, Bullseye & Kingpin appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
49. 259 Batman and the Outsiders #1 D.C.
8/83
  2nd appearance of the Outsiders. Justice League appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
50. 257 Amazing Spider-Man #243 Marvel
8/83
  Roger Stern story. John Romita Jr. & Dave Simons art. John Romita Jr. & John Beatty cover.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
51. 256 Magik #1 Marvel
12/83
  Storm & Belasco appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
52. 255 Fantastic Four #250 Marvel
1/83
  Captain America, Spider-Man, Gladiator & Skrulls appearance. Fantastic Four pin-up by John Byrne.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized $1.25 newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
53. 251 Special Edition X-Men #1 Marvel
2/83
  Wraparound cover.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized $2.25 newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
54. 251 Daredevil #197 Marvel
8/83
  1st appearance of Yuriko Oyama who later becomes Lady Deathstrike.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
55. 251 Super-Villain Classics #1 Marvel
5/83
  Origin of Galactus.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
56. 250 Detective Comics #526 D.C.
5/83
  “Death” of Jason Todd’s parents. Pin-up by Bob Kane. Anniversary issue.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized $2.00 newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
57. 235 Amazing Spider-Man #237 Marvel
2/83
  Stilt-Man appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
58. 232 Green Arrow #1 D.C.
5/83
  1st comic book devoted to Green Arrow.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
59. 206 Moon Knight #30 Marvel
4/83
  Werewolf (Jack Russell) appearance.
60. 201 Omega Men #1 D.C.
4/83
  Text origin of Omega Men written by Roger Slifer.
61. 198 Star Wars: Return of the Jedi #2 Marvel
11/83
  Movie adaptation.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
62. 198 New Mutants #9 Marvel
11/83
  1st appearance of Selene.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
63. 196 Amazing Spider-Man #242 Marvel
7/83
  Mad Thinker appearance. Letter from Evan Dorkin.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
64. 194 Amazing Spider-Man #247 Marvel
12/83
  Thunderball & Frog-Man appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
65. 192 Amazing Spider-Man 238 Canadian Price Variant Marvel
3/83
  1st appearance of the Hobgoblin. Manufactured with “Tattooz” insert & sample. 75¢ cover price.
66. 192 Detective Comics #532 D.C.
11/83
  Joker appearance. Green Arrow backup story written by Joey Cavalieri with art by Jerome Moore.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
67. 191 Ghost Rider #81 Marvel
6/83
  “Death” of Ghost Rider & Centurious. Last issue.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
68. 190 Iron Man #169 Marvel
4/83
  Jim Rhodes replaces Tony Stark as Iron Man. Magma appearance. Daredevil cameo.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
69. 186 Star Wars: Return of the Jedi #3 Marvel
12/83
  Movie adaptation.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
70. 182 Flash #324 D.C.
8/83
  “Death” of Reverse Flash.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
71. 176 Detective Comics #523 D.C.
2/83
  Ed Hannigan & Dick Giordano cover. 1st appearance of Killer Croc in cameo. Solomon Grundy appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
72. 174 Batman #358 D.C.
4/83
  1st Killer Croc cover (face hidden). Killer Croc appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
73. 173 Captain America #286 Marvel
10/83
  Deathlok appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
74. 169 Vigilante #1 D.C.
11/83
  Origin of the Vigilante (Adrian Chase).
75. 165 Spectacular Spider-Man #85 Marvel
12/83
  Hobgoblin & Black Cat appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
76. 164 Fantastic Four #252 Marvel
3/83
  Annihilus appearance. Manufactured with “Tattooz” insert & sample.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
77. 164 New Mutants #2 Marvel
4/83
  Chris Claremont story. Bob McLeod & Mike Gustovich art. Bob McLeod cover.
78. 163 Pacific Presents #2 Pacific
4/83
  Dave Stevens & Steve Ditko stories & art. Dave Stevens cover.
79. 162 Masters of the Universe #2 D.C.
1/83
  Origin of He-Man & Ceril. Based on the Mattel action figures.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 95¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
80. 160 New Mutants #8 Marvel
10/83
  1st appearance of Magma (Amara Aquilla).
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
81. 159 Grendel #2 Comico
1983
  Origin of Argent.
82. 158 Star Wars #74 Marvel
8/83
  1st appearance of Mone, Primor, Kendle & Admiral Tower. Letter from Glenn Greenberg.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
83. 155 Masters of the Universe #3 D.C.
2/83
  Paul Kupperberg story. George Tuska & Rodin Rodriguez art. George Tuska & Klaus Janson cover.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
84. 154 Alien Worlds #4 Pacific
9/83
  Bruce Jones story, Dave Stevens cover. Bruce Jones, Dave Stevens, Jeff Jones,. Al Williamson & Bo Hampton art.
85. 153 Primer #5 Comico
1983
  1st published Sam Kieth art. 1st appearance of Max the Hare.
86. 151 Fantastic Four #258 Marvel
9/83
  Doctor Doom & Terrax appearance. Captain America & Iron Man cameo.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
87. 151 G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero #14 Marvel
8/83
  1st full appearance of Destro. 1st appearance of Ace.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
88. 150 Wonder Woman #300 D.C.
2/83
  1st appearance of Lyta Trevor (Fury). Anniversary issue. Wraparound cover. Frontispiece by George Perez.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized $2.00 newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
89. 149 Red Sonja v2 #1 Marvel
2/83
  Christie Marx & Roy Thomas story. Tony DeZuniga & Ernie Colon art. John Buscema cover.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
90. 148 Alien Worlds #2 Pacific
5/83
  Bruce Jones & Dave Stevens stories. Ken Steacy & Bruce Jones art. Dave Stevens cover & art.
91. 148 X-Men Annual #7 Marvel
1983
  Impossible Man, Iron Man, Dr. Strange, Ka-Zar, She-Hulk & Nick Fury appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
92. 144 Flash #323 D.C.
7/83
  Reverse Flash appearance. Creeper backup story.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
93. 142 Falcon Limited Series #1 Marvel
11/83
  Jim Owsley story. Paul Smith & Vince Colletta art. Paul Smith cover.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
94. 142 Batman #363 D.C.
9/83
  1st full appearance of Nocturna.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
95. 136 Moon Knight #27 Marvel
1/83
  Kingpin appearance.
96. 135 Star Wars #67 Marvel
1/83
  “Death” of the Darker. Plif & the Hoojibs appearance.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
97. 135 Avengers #236 Marvel
10/83
  Spider-Man, Blackout, Moonstone & Lava Men appearance. Electro & Rhino cameo on last page.
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
98. 133 New Mutants #3 Marvel
5/83
  Ties in with Uncanny X-Men #167
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
99. 132 New Mutants #4 Marvel
6/83
  Ties in with Uncanny X-Men #167
100. 132 G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero #11 Marvel
5/83
  1st appearance of Airborne, Gung-Ho, Doc, Snow Job & Wild Bill. 1st app. of Destro in cameo (face hidden).
CGC variant confirmed Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist
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