Saga #1 (2012, Image Comics): CGC 9.8 between $800 and $1,200, first print modest run.
Saga #2: CGC 9.8 around $200 to $300 (undervalued compared to #1).
Saga #4 (1st Appearance of The Will): CGC 9.8 around $150 to $250.
Saga is the most valuable independent series of the 2010 decade - adaptation potential still untapped.
Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples is the publishing phenomenon that redefined the independent comics market. Launched in 2012 at Image Comics, the series combines a limited initial print run, unanimously acclaimed artistic quality and a passionate fan base. The result: first prints whose value has multiplied twenty-fold in a decade.
The Saga market is representative of a growing segment: the creator-owned Image Comics of the 2010s. For collectors who missed Silver Age Marvel, these series offer similar opportunities—limited-run debuts whose value grows with cultural recognition.
Panorama of the Saga market
Saga embodies the success of the Image Comics model: independent creators, no license that can be used without their agreement, and an initial print run calibrated on pre-orders. The first issue had around 37,000 copies printed — a pittance compared to Marvel or DC releases of the same era. This relative scarcity is the main driver of valuation.
The indie Image market from the 2010s (Saga, The Walking Dead, Invincible) forms a coherent collecting ecosystem. Collectors specializing in this segment constitute an active and informed community that supports prices.
CGC Key Numbers and Ratings
Saga #1 (March 2012) — 1st issue
The holy grail of the modern indie market. CGC 9.8: $800 to $1,200. CGC 9.6: $350 to $500. The census has around 4,000 graded copies, 65% of which are graded 9.8 — typical of well-preserved modern comics. Be careful with second prints (different cover, value divided by ten).
Saga #2 (April 2012)
Even more limited edition than #1 (orders having been placed before the buzz). CGC 9.8: $200 to $300. Often considered undervalued by market analysts because the absolute rarity is higher than the first number.
Saga #4 (June 2012)
First appearance of The Will, one of the most popular characters in the series. CGC 9.8: $150 to $250. A number that could jump in the event of an adaptation with a star casting for this character.
Saga #7 (November 2012)
First appearance of The Brand and controversial cover which earned the series massive media coverage. CGC 9.8: $80 to $150. Accessible entry point with an interesting story behind the number.
Saga #12 (August 2013)
First appearance of Prince Robot IV on the cover. CGC 9.8: $60 to $100. Completes well a run of the first 12 issues which forms the basis of a serious Saga collection.
Price evolution over 10 years
Saga #1 in CGC 9.8 was worth around $100 when it was released in 2012. Critical recognition and the Eisner Awards pushed the price to $300 in 2015. The announcement of the series' hiatus (2018) created a peak at $600. The return of the series in 2022 boosted prices above $1,000, before stabilizing around $800-1,000.
Investment potential
Saga is an investment based on scarcity and potential for adaptation. Brian K. Vaughan has long refused any TV/film adaptation, but this refusal will not last forever. The announcement of an audiovisual project could multiply prices by two or three instantly – as we saw with Invincible (Amazon) and The Walking Dead (AMC) for other Image series.
Factors influencing value
For modern Image comics, the first print / reprint distinction is crucial. Only first prints have significant collectible value. The quality of Image's matte paper makes 9.8s harder to obtain than you might think — corners and binding are the usual weak points. Variant covers (especially the exclusive SDCC of #1) command significant premiums.
Strategy by budget
Limited budget (less than $200):Saga #4, #7 or #12 in CGC 9.8. Putting together a complete run of the first 12 issues in raw NM is also a smart strategy (total budget ~$300-400).
Intermediate budget ($500-1,500):Saga #1 in CGC 9.8 — the flagship issue that will benefit the most from a possible adaptation. Saga #2 in CGC 9.8 is the undervalued alternative for contrarians.
Premium budget (over $2,000):Saga #1 CGC 9.8 Signature Series (signed by Vaughan and/or Staples) or the SDCC variant. These pieces combine rarity, prestige and maximum appreciation potential.
Also discover our analysis ofhigh value independent comicsand our guide tokey issues Image Comics.
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