The most sought after Aquaman variants are the Aquaman #1 (New 52) variant 1:100 by Ivan Reis ($350-500), the Joshua Middleton cover for Aquaman #33 ($150-250) and the variant cinema SDCC 2018 ($200-350).
Aquaman variant covers have experienced an explosion in popularity thanks to the revival of the character during DC Comics' New 52 and especially with the success of the 2018 film worn by Jason Momoa. What was once a minor character in the eyes of the general public has become a must-have for discerning collectors, and its variants reflect this spectacular rise in power.
Unlike the Spider-Man or Batman variants that have dominated the market for decades, Aquaman alternate covers still represent a relatively accessible investment area. The limited editions of the 1:50 and 1:100 ratio variants of the New 52 series, combined with the sublime illustrations of Joshua Middleton, offer exceptional value for money for those who know how to identify the right pieces.
Types of Aquaman Variants to Know About
Ratio variants (1:25, 1:50, 1:100)
DC Comics offered limited-run incentive covers throughout the New 52 series. For every order of 25, 50, or 100 copies of the standard cover, retailers received a single copy of the variant. The Geoff Johns/Ivan Reis 1:100s are particularly prized because of their absolute rarity.
Covers Joshua Middleton
Artist Joshua Middleton produced a series of watercolor variations for Aquaman (2016) which became major market pieces. His unique pictorial style gives these covers the status of a work of art in their own right, highly sought after even outside the circle of usual readers.
Cinema and convention variants
Tie-ins with the film Aquaman (2018) and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) generated SDCC, WonderCon and retailer exclusives. The photo variants with Jason Momoa and the IMAX covers are very popular with cinema/comics crossover collectors.
Top 10 most valued Aquaman variants
- Aquaman #1 (2011) variant 1:100 Ivan Reis: $350-500 in NM (9.4+)
- Aquaman #33 (2017) Middleton variant: $150-250 (first Mera by Middleton)
- Aquaman #1 (2011) variant 1:25 sketch: $120-180
- Aquaman #41 Middleton variant: $100-175 (iconic portrait)
- Aquaman #1 (2016) SDCC exclusive foil: $100-150
- Aquaman #0 (2012) variant 1:50: $80-130
- Aquaman #23.1 Ocean Master 3D lenticular: $60-100
- Aquaman #43 variant Middleton (Mera): $60-90
- Aquaman/Justice League: Drowned Earth variant 1:50: $50-80
- Aquaman #1 (2018) movie variant photo: $40-70
Identify authentic variants
Aquaman variants are distinguished by their barcode: ratio variants have a different suffix (e.g. “11” for 1:10, “125” for 1:25). Convention exclusives usually display the event logo on the back. Be wary of reprints that are not marked "First Print": only original prints have significant collectible value. For Middleton variants, check the Diamond Code corresponding to the month of publication.
Investment potential
The pre-movie Aquaman variants (2011-2017) remain undervalued compared to the Marvel equivalents. The film franchise guarantees renewed interest with each announcement of a sequel or TV series. The Middleton variants, in particular, have been on a steady upward curve since 2019. For a complete guide to essential numbers, see our article on Aquaman key numbers.
Conservation and grading
Modern variants of Aquaman in 9.8 CGC command a 40-60% premium over raw copies. Store them in Mylar pouches with acid-free cardboard, away from direct light. Middleton blankets, with their delicate pastel tones, are particularly susceptible to yellowing: a humidity-controlled environment (45-55%) is essential.
Ready to track your Aquaman variants? Discover our collection management tool to catalog each alternative cover and track its value in real time.
Finding Your Way Among Aquaman Variants
Aquaman variants fall into four families, and knowing which one a cover belongs to already says a lot about its scarcity. The first is the ratio variants (1:25, 1:50, 1:100), limited print runs offered by DC Comics throughout the New 52 series. The second gathers Joshua Middleton's covers for Aquaman (2016), the third the convention and retailer exclusives, the fourth the variants tied to the films Aquaman (2018) and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023).
Reading a ratio correctly
A 1:100 ratio means a retailer received a single copy of the variant for every hundred copies of the standard cover ordered. The higher the second number, the rarer the copy: a 1:100 is therefore, by construction, far less common than a 1:25. This simple rule lets you rank covers from the same period at a glance without knowing their exact print run.
Choosing according to your goal
The approach changes depending on what attracts you. If you seek scarcity, aim for the ratio variants of the New 52 series. If you seek the art object, Middleton's watercolor covers have the status of artworks in their own right and appeal even beyond the usual readership. If you like the crossover of cinema and comics, the photo variants with Jason Momoa and the IMAX covers are the most prized. Setting this goal before buying avoids scattering yourself across every family at once.
Building a search list
Variants are numerous, and one cover can exist in several versions: note for each the series, the issue, the year, the artist and the associated ratio or event. This list keeps you from buying the same cover twice, and lets you quickly check the barcode, the convention logo on the back or the "First Print" mention before closing a purchase.
A market still open
Unlike Spider-Man or Batman variants, which have dominated the market for decades, Aquaman's remain a relatively accessible investment ground, especially those from before the film. Patience and method count more here than urgency: each announcement of a sequel or a television series can nonetheless revive interest.
Frequently asked questions
Aquaman #1 (New 52) in the 1:100 variant by Ivan Reis, Joshua Middleton's cover for Aquaman #33 and the 2018 convention movie variant. The 1:100s by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis are especially valued because of their absolute scarcity.
It is a limited-print incentive cover: for every order of 25, 50 or 100 copies of the standard cover, retailers received a single copy of the variant. DC Comics offered them throughout the New 52 series.
By the barcode: ratio variants carry a different suffix (for example "11" for 1:10, "125" for 1:25). Convention exclusives generally show the event logo on the back. Beware of reprints without the "First Print" mention: only original print runs have significant collector value.
He produced a series of watercolor variants for Aquaman (2016) whose unique painterly style gives them the status of artworks in their own right. They are highly sought even outside the usual readership, and have followed a constant upward curve since 2019.
Store them in Mylar sleeves with acid-free board, away from direct light. Middleton's covers, with their delicate pastel tones, are particularly prone to yellowing: a humidity-controlled environment, between 45 and 55%, is essential.