Inside the Guide: Aquaman #35

One of Aquaman’s greatest and most persistent foes over the years has been Black Manta, who first appeared in Aquaman #35 (September 1967). The character has had multiple origins, including being kidnapped and forced to work on a ship, while in another, he was an orphan that was experimented on in Arkham Asylum. Regardless of how his origin has been edited and adjusted, one thing remains true: he really hates Aquaman.

Black Manta is a normal human who uses a powered wetsuit that allows him to shoot rays out of the large eyes; he also has a manta-inspired submarine. His suit is adapted to the harsh ocean as well, which allows him to face off on seemingly even ground against Aquaman. He uses this special gear in his dogged pursuit of killing Aquaman and seeking power for himself.

When Black Manta debuted in Aquaman #35, the book carried a cover price of 12¢. Three years later, Robert M. Overstreet priced a Near Mint copy at 45¢ in 1970’s Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide #1. Ten years later, it swam to $1.80 in the Guide #10, and the book took a nice jump to $10 in 1990’s Guide #20.

The first Black Manta tripled in value for the Guide #30, landing at $30. It nearly tripled again for the Guide #40 in 2010, when it rose to $85. The Aquaman villain started gaining serious traction with the Guide #45, by growing to $500. That momentum continued into the Guide’s milestone 50th edition, priced at $1,700. It tacked on another $100 per year since then, with a Near Mint copy of Black Manta’s first appearance valued at $2,000 in the Guide #53 in 2023.