Top Ten Key Green Lantern Comic Book & Comic Art Sales

Green Lantern is getting a major new spotlight tonight with the premiere of Lanterns on HBO and HBO Max, making it a fitting time to look at some of the most valuable collectibles connected to the long-running DC franchise. The new series follows veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan and new recruit John Stewart, two characters whose comic-book debuts are among the key issues collectors have chased for decades. Lanterns premieres August 16 on HBO and HBO Max.

With Green Lantern spanning more than 85 years of comic book history, some of the most valuable collectibles connected to the character stretch from Alan Scott’s Golden Age debut to Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner and John Stewart, along with original artwork from some of the most important Green Lantern stories ever published. At auction, the biggest prices have generally been reserved for landmark comic books and original artwork tied to defining moments in the character’s history.

The sales below are some of the largest documented Green Lantern-related public auction results on key issues, rather than valuations of privately held items that have in many cases never appeared on the open market. It’s also possible that we may have missed some results, but these are the top ones we could find. Also, we specifically focused on key comic book issues and key comic book art. There are likely other high grade non-key issues that may have sold for more.

Green Lantern #76 Original Cover Art — $442,150

The biggest Green Lantern auction result on this list belongs not to a comic book, but to the original Neal Adams cover artwork for Green Lantern #76. The artwork sold through Heritage Auctions in 2015 for $442,150, an extraordinary price for one of the defining images of the Green Lantern/Green Arrow era.

Published in 1970, Green Lantern #76 launched the celebrated Green Lantern/Green Arrow run by writer Dennis O’Neil and artist Neal Adams. Heritage notes that the $442,150 cover sale remains the most expensive Silver or Bronze Age Green Lantern original artwork it has sold.

All-American Comics #16 — $215,100

For collectors looking for the beginning of Green Lantern history, All-American Comics #16 is one of the most important books in the hobby. Published in 1940, the issue contains the origin and first appearance of Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern. A CGC 6.5 copy sold for $215,100 at Heritage Auctions in February 2018.

The sale remains Heritage’s record price for the issue. This price may seem low for such a historic comic, because it is. All-American Comics #16 remains one of the rarest of all key golden age comics, and it very rarely comes to market. There are higher grades in private collections that if they ever did come to market would likely command $1 million or higher.

Showcase #22 — $149,375

The Green Lantern most closely associated with the Silver Age arrived in Showcase #22 in 1959. The issue contains the origin and first appearance of Hal Jordan as Green Lantern, along with the first appearances of Abin Sur and Carol Ferris. A CGC 9.2 copy sold through Heritage Auctions for $149,375 in November 2017.

The issue takes on added relevance with Lanterns, which features Hal Jordan as one of its two central Green Lanterns. Kyle Chandler plays Jordan in the HBO series, alongside Aaron Pierre as John Stewart.

Green Lantern #1 (Golden Age) — $147,500

Alan Scott received his own comic series in 1941 with Green Lantern #1, making the premiere issue another major Golden Age collectible. According to Quality Comix, a CGC 9.0 copy of Green Lantern #1 sold for $147,500 in February 2012, but they do not specify the auction house behind the sale. The highest auction price after that online is a CGC 7.5 copy sold for $48,000 through Heritage Auctions in October 2024.

The book followed Alan Scott’s debut in All-American Comics #16 and helped establish Green Lantern as one of DC’s important early superhero properties.

Green Lantern #1 (Silver Age) — $56,333

Alan Scott received his own comic series in 1941 with Green Lantern #1, making the premiere issue another major Golden Age collectible. A CGC 9.0 copy sold for $56,333 through ComicConnect in June 2019.

The book followed Alan Scott’s debut in All-American Comics #16 and helped establish Green Lantern as one of DC’s important early superhero properties.

Green Lantern #10 Complete Original Story Art — $49,200

Original artwork takes another spot high on the list with the complete 10-page story “The Origin of Green Lantern’s Oath” from Green Lantern #10. The Gil Kane and Murphy Anderson artwork sold for $49,200 through Heritage Auctions in 2019.

The fact that the entire story survived together gives the piece additional appeal compared with individual Silver Age pages that have been separated over the decades. Its subject matter also connects directly to one of the most recognizable elements of Green Lantern mythology.

Green Lantern #76 — $37,343.75

The original artwork is not the only version of Green Lantern #76 to bring a major price. A CGC 9.8 copy of the comic itself sold through Heritage Auctions for $37,343.75 in November 2010.

The book marks the beginning of the O’Neil and Adams Green Lantern/Green Arrow run, which pushed the series toward stories dealing with contemporary social issues. The combination of its historical importance, famous Adams cover and exceptional 9.8 grade helped produce a price far above typical copies of the issue.

Green Lantern #59 — $30,000

Green Lantern #59 has become a major Silver Age key because it contains the first appearance of Guy Gardner. A CGC 9.8 copy sold for $30,000 at Heritage Auctions on January 12, 2025, smashing the previous Heritage record of $10,200 for another 9.8 copy sold in 2021.

Gardner is another character with a connection to the new Lanterns series, further increasing attention on key Green Lantern issues as the HBO show begins its run.

Green Lantern #87 — $10,800

Green Lantern #87 is one of the most significant Bronze Age issues in the franchise because it contains the first appearance of John Stewart. A CGC 9.8 copy sold through Heritage Auctions for $10,800 on January 9, 2025.

That issue may receive particular attention from collectors with the arrival of Lanterns. Aaron Pierre stars as John Stewart in the series alongside Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan, putting the character whose first appearance came in Green Lantern #87 at the center of the new HBO production.

Green Lantern #7 — $10,755

One of Green Lantern’s most important villains made his debut in Green Lantern #7 in 1961. A CGC 9.4 copy featuring the first appearance of Sinestro sold for $10,755 through Heritage Auctions in 2014.

Sinestro’s long history as both a former Green Lantern and one of Hal Jordan’s greatest enemies has made the issue one of the major keys from the original Silver Age series.

Taken together, these sales show that the upper end of Green Lantern collecting extends well beyond ordinary back issues. Alan Scott’s 1940 debut, Hal Jordan’s Silver Age introduction, the first appearances of Guy Gardner, John Stewart and Sinestro, and major pieces of original artwork have all produced significant auction results.

With Lanterns premiering tonight on HBO and HBO Max, some of those key issues are once again tied directly to characters being introduced to a much larger television audience. Whether that new exposure translates into stronger demand remains to be seen,