Black Panther's first solo run begins in Jungle Action #6 (September 1973), where T'Challa gets his own dedicated stories under writer Don McGregor. That same issue holds the first appearance of Erik Killmonger, the Bronze Age key every collector wants. The first series to carry the character's own name, Black Panther #1 by Jack Kirby (1977), shows an eBay median of €17 (91 active listings, June 2026). Here's the analysis, grounded in real data.
Seven years after his debut in Fantastic Four #52 (July 1966) — created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby as mainstream American comics' first Black superhero — T'Challa finally earned his own narrative platform. Writer Don McGregor seized that opportunity in 1973: in the pages of Jungle Action, he launched an arc of unprecedented ambition for the era, over 200 continuous pages set entirely in Wakanda, and in doing so invented the multi-issue story arc format that would become the industry standard for decades.
This guide sticks to the verifiable: real-time eBay medians for series covered by our estimator (Fantastic Four, Black Panther 1977), and documented market data for Jungle Action (not covered). When a precise figure can't be verified, we say so rather than inventing it.
Key issues from Black Panther's first solo era
eBay values = median of active listings, all grades combined (our estimator, eBay.fr + eBay.com). For Jungle Action, figures come from documented market sources (ComicsAndCollectiblesNearMe, GoCollect): this series is not covered by our estimator, so figures are indicative.
| Issue | Significance | eBay median (estimator) | Documented market data |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fantastic Four #52 (Jul. 1966) | First Black Panther appearance (Silver Age) | €9 · 89 listings* | Record ~$65,000 (CGC 9.8) |
| Fantastic Four #53 (Aug. 1966) | First Klaw, extended origin | €9 · 100 listings* | — |
| Jungle Action #6 (Sep. 1973) | First solo + first Killmonger (Bronze Age) | — (not covered) | Avg. ~$150; record ~$6,000 (high grade) |
| Jungle Action #7–18 (1973–1975) | Panther's Rage continuation | — (not covered) | Accessible in low grade |
| Jungle Action #19–24 (1975–1976) | Panther vs. the Klan | — (not covered) | Sought after, less liquid |
| Black Panther #1 (Jan. 1977, Kirby) | First series bearing T'Challa's name | €17 · 91 listings | Record ~$4,100 (pandemic peak) |
* The "all grades combined" eBay median for FF #52 and #53 (€9) reflects the wide spectrum of conditions on the market (low grades, lots, multiple printings). High-grade CGC-certified copies trade far above that: the documented record for FF #52 CGC 9.8 exceeds $65,000. Sources: ComicsAndCollectiblesNearMe, GoCollect, Heritage Auctions.
Jungle Action: the first solo arc, born in 1973
Jungle Action was a Marvel anthology title that T'Challa gradually took over. Issue #6 (September 1973) marks the true start: Don McGregor launches "Panther's Rage," an arc running through issue #18 that historians now regard as one of Marvel's first proto-graphic-novels. Artists Rich Buckler, Gil Kane, and Billy Graham take turns across the run, each bringing a distinct visual register to this entirely Wakanda-set story.
What McGregor accomplished was rare for 1973: a superhero narrative set entirely in Africa, treating T'Challa as a head of state as much as a fighter, and introducing antagonists with genuine narrative depth. Erik Killmonger — whose first appearance in Jungle Action #6 is the most sought-after key of the run — embodies that ambition: he isn't a simple obstacle but a mirror of the hero. His MCU prominence in the 2018 Black Panther film drove the issue's value sharply upward, though the market has since normalised.
After "Panther's Rage," McGregor followed with "Panther vs. the Klan" in issues #19–24 (1975–1976), an even more politically charged arc, before the series was cancelled. The entire Jungle Action run has been collected in Epic Collection format.
Black Panther #1 (1977): Jack Kirby picks up the torch
After Jungle Action was cancelled, Marvel handed the first series formally titled Black Panther to Jack Kirby, co-creator of the character. Issue #1, cover-dated January 1977 (30-cent cover price), opened a 15-issue run in a register very different from McGregor's: Kirby chose exuberant science fiction — ancient artefacts, time travel, impossible creatures — inked by Mike Royer in unmistakably Kirby style.
The eBay median of €17 (91 listings, all grades, June 2026) reflects genuine liquidity: this is an affordable Bronze Age book in low grade, but high-grade CGC copies climb considerably. The documented record around $4,100 corresponds to a pandemic-era spike unlikely to be repeated; current CGC 9.8 sales trade at substantially lower levels.
What these series mean for the collector
- Jungle Action #6 = the key to secure. First solo story AND first Killmonger in a single issue — no other comic in the run concentrates that much value in one copy. Raw low-grade copies remain accessible; a high-grade certified copy is a serious collection piece.
- FF #52 = the Silver Age grail. T'Challa's absolute first appearance, but the all-grades eBay median (€9) hides an enormous spread: high-grade CGC copies sell for thousands to tens of thousands of euros. Worth owning if budget allows; worth framing honestly if it doesn't.
- Black Panther #1 (1977) = the Bronze Age entry point. The liquidity-to-accessibility ratio is favourable: 91 active eBay listings, €17 median, and a record far enough above the current price to keep expectations realistic. The natural starting point for a collector who wants original Kirby art on T'Challa.
- Grade is decisive. Across all these series, the gap between a rolled, creased copy and a high-grade certified slab can run 10x to 1,000x. Always check live values before buying — the medians above are from June 2026 and prices move.
Own a Black Panther comic? Get a free valuation with our tool based on real eBay sales to find its low, median and high value.