March 1, 2021
1983 — 75 cent variants continue!
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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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). 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. 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. 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. 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. Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist | ||||
| 18. | 608 | Daredevil #196 | Marvel 7/83 |
|
| Wolverine, Bullseye & Kingpin appearance. 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. 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. 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. Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist | ||||
| 23. | 538 | Amazing Spider-Man #245 | Marvel 10/83 |
|
| Hobgoblin appearance. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist | ||||
| 32. | 406 | Amazing Spider-Man #244 | Marvel 9/83 |
|
| Hobgoblin cameo. Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist | ||||
| 33. | 371 | Daredevil #191 | Marvel 2/83 |
|
| Bullseye appearance. 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. 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. 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. Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist | ||||
| 41. | 299 | Amazing Spider-Man #240 | Marvel 5/83 |
|
| Vulture appearance. 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. 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. 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). 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. 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. 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. Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist | ||||
| 48. | 266 | Daredevil #200 | Marvel 11/83 |
|
| Black Widow, Bullseye & Kingpin appearance. 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. 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. Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist | ||||
| 51. | 256 | Magik #1 | Marvel 12/83 |
|
| Storm & Belasco appearance. 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. 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. 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. Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist | ||||
| 55. | 251 | Super-Villain Classics #1 | Marvel 5/83 |
|
| Origin of Galactus. 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. 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. 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. 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. Rare CGC-recognized newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist | ||||
| 62. | 198 | New Mutants #9 | Marvel 11/83 |
|
| 1st appearance of Selene. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Rare CGC-recognized newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist | ||||
| 70. | 182 | Flash #324 | D.C. 8/83 |
|
| “Death” of Reverse Flash. 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. 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. Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist | ||||
| 73. | 173 | Captain America #286 | Marvel 10/83 |
|
| Deathlok appearance. 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. 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. 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. 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). 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Rare CGC-recognized newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist | ||||
| 94. | 142 | Batman #363 | D.C. 9/83 |
|
| 1st full appearance of Nocturna. 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. 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. 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 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). Rare CGC-recognized 75¢ newsstand cover price variant is confirmed to exist | ||||
| « 1982 | 1984 » | |||
