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Publishers & history

Timely Comics: collecting Golden Age Marvel

Published Sep 14, 2026 · Updated Sep 14, 2026 · 1 min read

Short answerTimely Comics was Martin Goodman's comics line from Marvel Comics #1 (October 1939) through the 1940s — the Golden Age incarnation of Marvel. Its big three were the Human Torch, the Sub-Mariner and Captain America, and its keys — Marvel Comics #1, Captain America Comics #1, Marvel Mystery Comics, Human Torch #2 (#1), All Winners Comics — are among the most valuable Golden Age books. A CGC 9.4 Marvel Comics #1 sold for 2.4 million dollars in March 2022.

The titles

  • Marvel Comics #1 (October 1939), retitled Marvel Mystery Comics from #2 — the flagship anthology with the Human Torch and Sub-Mariner; their fight across #8–10 (1940) is the first superhero crossover. A Marvel Mystery Comics #19 (May 1941) is in the store.
  • Captain America Comics (1941–1950) — Simon and Kirby's hero; see First appearance of Captain America.
  • Human Torch (1940–1954), Sub-Mariner Comics (1941–1955), All Winners Comics (1941–1947, the All-Winners Squad in #19 and #21), Young Allies, USA Comics, Daring Mystery, Mystic Comics.

The people

Joe Simon was the first editor; Stan Lee succeeded him in 1941 at nineteen and remained, with wartime service, until 1972. Artists included Jack Kirby, Bill Everett, Carl Burgos, Alex Schomburg (whose busy war covers are the most collected Timely covers), Syd Shores and Al Avison.

Collecting Timely

Timely paper and printing were poor, wartime paper drives consumed most copies, and survival is low; mid-grade copies of the major titles are scarce and high grades are exceptional. Schomburg covers, Japanese and Nazi war covers, and the early Torch–Namor issues carry premiums. Restoration is common — buy graded.

See A short history of Marvel Comics and browse Timely Comics in the store and the Golden Age collection.

Written by the Rare Comics Collectors grading team. Spotted an error or have a question this guide does not answer? Tell us.

In the vault right now

Browse all listings →
Key issueLast copy

Timely Comics · Golden Age

Captain America Comics #1

CGC 6.0 · Universal Blue

First appearance of Captain America (Steve Rogers) and Bucky Barnes

(5)
$450,000
Key issueLast copy

Marvel Comics · Bronze Age

Avengers #100

CGC 9.8 · Universal Blue

Anniversary issue — every past Avenger appears

(0)
$800
Key issueLast copy

Timely Comics · Golden Age

Marvel Mystery Comics #19

CBCS 7.0 · Universal Blue

Alex Schomburg cover; Sub-Mariner story by Bill Everett

(0)
$2,950

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