Thanos is one of the most complex and fascinating characters in the Marvel universe. Born from Jim Starlin's imagination in 1973, the Mad Titan spent five decades in comics before becoming the main villain of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, propelling his key issues to value levels few would have anticipated.
Thanos is one of the most complex and fascinating characters in the Marvel universe. Born from Jim Starlin's imagination in 1973, the Mad Titan spent five decades in comics before becoming the main villain of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, propelling his key issues to value levels few would have anticipated. Thousands of collectors now aim to build the ideal Thanos collection, but with dozens of important appearances, where do you start? This guide presents the 10 absolutely essential Thanos key issues — with their current values, historical context, and the reasons each deserves a place in your collection.
Why collect Thanos key issues?
Before diving into the list, it's essential to understand Thanos key issues' particular market dynamic. This character has a fascinating value history: relatively ignored for decades, he experienced a spectacular renaissance at the turn of the 2010s, when Marvel Studios began preparing him for the big screen. The post-credits scene of Avengers (2012), where Thanos turns around and smiles, triggered a real explosion in grade values. Iron Man #55, which sold for a few hundred dollars, jumped into the thousands — then tens of thousands for top grades.
Today, the MCU effect is partially priced in. But experienced collectors know that major-character key issues tend to stabilize at high levels after news spikes, and to resume their climb with each new production. Thanos remains at the core of Marvel's upcoming projects, which sustains steady interest in his foundational comics.
The 10 essential Thanos key issues
Iron Man #55 (1973)
The most important issue in all Thanos mythology. Written and drawn by Jim Starlin, this issue simultaneously introduces Thanos and Drax the Destroyer in a single story. It's the Mad Titan's first official appearance in a Marvel comic. Note that Starlin drew inspiration from DC Comics' Metron character (Jack Kirby) for the visual design of Thanos, while giving him a philosophical dimension Metron never had. Iron Man #55 is now one of the most sought-after Bronze Age comics in the world.
CGC 9.8: $150,000–$220,000 · CGC 8.0: $3,000–$6,000 · CGC 6.0: $800–$1,500Strange Tales #180 (1975)
Two years after Iron Man #55, Jim Starlin continues building his Marvel cosmic universe in the pages of Strange Tales. Issue #180 marks the first appearance of Gamora, Thanos's adopted daughter and future Guardian of the Galaxy. Gamora is introduced as "the most dangerous being in the galaxy" — a title she amply earns in both comics and film. The importance of this issue exploded with the Guardians of the Galaxy announcement, then with James Gunn's 2014 film.
CGC 9.8: $12,000–$20,000 · CGC 8.0: $400–$800 · CGC 6.0: $120–$220Strange Tales #179 (1975)
The issue just before Gamora's first appearance, Strange Tales #179, introduces Pip the Troll — a recurring companion in Starlin's cosmic universe. Less spectacular than the other key issues on this list, it remains an important complement for completist collectors. It's also the start of Starlin's legendary Strange Tales run, which would transform Marvel's cosmic universe. The grade value is more accessible, making it an excellent entry point for this period.
CGC 9.8: $3,000–$5,000 · CGC 8.0: $150–$300 · CGC 6.0: $50–$100Marvel Two-In-One Annual #2 (1977)
This Thing and Spider-Man crossover is actually one of the most important Thanos stories of the 1970s: it's here that Jim Starlin concludes his cosmic arc with Thanos's defeat and "death" — turned to stone by Adam Warlock. This issue is often overlooked by beginning collectors, but experts consider it a foundational key issue for understanding the complete Thanos mythology. Grade values remain reasonable for mid-grade copies.
CGC 9.8: $2,500–$4,000 · CGC 8.0: $100–$200 · CGC 6.0: $40–$80The Infinity Gauntlet #1 (1991)
This is THE miniseries that defined Thanos for a generation — and for Marvel Studios two decades later. Written by Jim Starlin with art by George Pérez and Ron Lim, Infinity Gauntlet sees Thanos assemble the six Infinity Stones on the Gauntlet, wipe out half the universe to please Death, and confront all Marvel heroes at once. The story is masterful. Issue #1 is the most sought-after of the series, closely followed by #6 (epic conclusion). Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame are directly adapted from this miniseries.
CGC 9.8: $400–$700 · CGC 9.6: $200–$350 · CGC 9.4: $120–$200Build your complete Thanos wishlist
Track which issues you already own, which you're hunting for, and the total value of your Thanos collection. My Comics Collection handles all of it for you.
Create my wishlist for free →Free · Unlimited catalogue · Real-time values
Thanos Quest #1 and #2 (1990)
Before the Infinity Gauntlet, there was Thanos Quest: the two-issue miniseries where Thanos collects the six Soul Gems one by one. This story — a direct prequel to Infinity Gauntlet — is essential for understanding how Thanos assembled his power. Jim Starlin delivers one of the best characterizations of Thanos here: methodical, intelligent, inexorable. Both issues are accessible in CGC 9.8, making them quality additions at a reasonable budget.
CGC 9.8: $150–$300 each · CGC 9.6: $80–$150 eachInfinity War #1 (1992)
The direct sequel to Infinity Gauntlet, where Thanos becomes… a hero, forced to ally with the Avengers against the Magus (an evil version of Adam Warlock) and the Chaos Gems. Infinity War #1 is an important key issue for collectors of Starlin's cosmic trilogy. Its value is more accessible than Infinity Gauntlet #1, making it a good complement. The title obviously benefited from the MCU effect with Avengers: Infinity War, even though the film is more directly adapted from the first Infinity Gauntlet.
CGC 9.8: $150–$280 · CGC 9.6: $80–$130Thanos Rising #1 (2013)
Published in the wake of the announcement that Infinity War would be adapted for film, Thanos Rising is a 5-issue miniseries retracing the Mad Titan's origins on Titan. Written by Jason Aaron with gorgeous art by Simone Bianchi, it reveals Thanos's obsessive relationship with the personified Death and his path to cosmic devastation. Issue #1 was immediately recognized as a modern key issue and saw its grade progress significantly. It's one of the best Thanos comics of the modern era.
CGC 9.8: $60–$120 · CGC 9.6: $30–$60Thanos #13 (2017)
This issue introduces Cosmic Ghost Rider: one of Marvel's wildest and most popular creations of recent years. The Cosmic Ghost Rider is actually Frank Castle (the Punisher), turned Ghost Rider and then herald of Galactus in an apocalyptic future ruled by Thanos. Created by Donny Cates, this character became a phenomenon: a solo series, appearances in multiple titles, and persistent MCU adaptation rumors. Thanos #13 is one of the most sought-after and volatile modern key issues in terms of value.
CGC 9.8: $200–$400 · CGC 9.6: $100–$180 · Raw (uncertified): $40–$80Avengers: No Road Home #1 (2019)
To round out this list with a more recent and accessible title, Avengers: No Road Home #1 marks Thanos's return in a post-Endgame context and offers one of the best cosmic Marvel stories of the decade. Written by Mark Waid, Al Ewing and Jim Zub, it's an accessible event for new collectors. Its value remains modest, but it's an excellent entry point for building a Thanos collection beyond the four- and five-figure key issues.
CGC 9.8: $40–$80 · Raw copy: $10–$25The MCU effect on grades — detailed analysis
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has transformed the key-issue market like no other factor ever has. For Thanos specifically, it's possible to draw a clear line between "before" and "after" the films. Here's how the grades evolved for the most important issues:
Iron Man #55 — the exemplary trajectory
In 2008, before Iron Man in theaters, an Iron Man #55 in CGC 8.0 sold for around $200 to $400. In 2012, after Thanos's appearance in the Avengers post-credits scene, the same copies reached $1,000 to $2,000. In 2018, with Infinity War, CGC 8.0 copies exceeded $5,000. The progression has been near-uninterrupted over fifteen years, with peaks at every Marvel announcement or release involving Thanos.
Strange Tales #180 — the Gamora rise
The first Gamora followed a similar trajectory, with a peak at the Guardians of the Galaxy release in 2014. High-grade copies saw their value quadruple within 18 months between 2013 and 2015. The grade then stabilized at high levels — without returning to pre-MCU levels.
The lesson to remember
MCU key issues don't "return" to pre-film levels. Once a character is introduced in the MCU, their first-appearance comic reaches a new floor value. Post-peak corrections are real (10–30% drop after a film release), but the baseline remains structurally higher. That's why acquiring key issues before an adaptation announcement remains the optimal strategy — even though it requires good knowledge of the Marvel universe and projects in development.
Pro tip: Marvel Studios announcements at San Diego Comic-Con and D23 are historically the moments when key issue grades rise fastest. Having a wishlist set up before these events lets you react faster than the market.
How to build your Thanos collection — strategy by budget
Budget: €500 to €1,000
At this level, focus on modern key issues and mid grades. Infinity Gauntlet #1 in CGC 9.4, Thanos Rising #1 in CGC 9.8, Thanos #13 in CGC 9.6 — you can build a solid foundation for under €600. Complement with well-preserved raw copies of Strange Tales #179 and #180 to add a Bronze Age touch to your collection.
Budget: €2,000 to €5,000
This budget lets you enter the certified Bronze Age key-issue market. An Iron Man #55 in CGC 5.0 to 6.0 is reachable in this range. Add a certified Strange Tales #180, both Thanos Quest issues in CGC 9.8, and you have a solid, valuable Thanos collection.
Budget: €10,000 and above
At this level, Iron Man #55 in CGC 7.0 or 8.0 becomes accessible, with all the visual quality that implies. It's the budget that lets you build a reference Thanos collection, including Bronze Age key issues, adjacent Silver Age, and modern issues in top grades.
FAQ
Track your Thanos grades in real time
Catalogue your Thanos collection, add your CGC grades, build your wishlist, and track the evolution of your key issues' value. All in one place.
Start for free →No credit card · 2 minutes to import your collection