House of Secrets #92 Value & Price Guide (2026)

In the summer of 1971, writer Len Wein and artist Bernie Wrightson created an eight-page story for DC Comics' horror anthology series House of Secrets. The story, titled "Swamp Thing," told of a scientist named Alex Olsen who was murdered by his colleague and transformed into a monstrous plant creature in the Louisiana bayou. Those eight pages launched one of DC's most enduring characters and turned issue #92 into one of the most valuable Bronze Age comics in existence.

Quick Value Summary

The Story

Len Wein was 23 years old when he wrote the original Swamp Thing story. He'd been pitching the concept around DC for months. The basic premise pulled from classic horror: a good man is betrayed, killed, and reborn as something not quite human. Bernie Wrightson, just 22 at the time, provided the artwork. His grey-tone wash technique gave the story a moody, cinematic quality that stood apart from everything else on the newsstand.

The version of Swamp Thing in House of Secrets #92 is actually different from the character who later starred in his own series. Alex Olsen, the scientist in this issue, was a period piece set in the early 1900s. When DC greenlit a Swamp Thing ongoing series in 1972, Wein and Wrightson reimagined the character as Alec Holland, a contemporary scientist working in the bayou. But the DNA of the character, the body horror, the tragedy, the swamp, all started here.

The character reached another creative peak in 1984 when Alan Moore took over the series with issue #21. Moore's run deconstructed and rebuilt Swamp Thing from the ground up, producing some of the most critically acclaimed comic book writing of the 1980s. That run, combined with multiple TV adaptations and a feature film, kept the character in the public eye and sustained collector demand for this first appearance.

How to Identify It

House of Secrets #92 has one of the most recognizable covers in comic book history:

• Cover art by Bernie Wrightson: A woman in white runs toward the viewer while Swamp Thing looms behind her in the darkness

• DC Comics logo in the upper left corner with the classic 1970s design

• "House of Secrets" masthead across the top

• Cover price: 25 cents (original)

• Published June-July 1971

Key interior details:

• The Swamp Thing story is titled "Swamp Thing" and runs 8 pages

• Grey-tone artwork throughout the Swamp Thing story (not standard four-color)

• Additional stories in the anthology format typical of DC horror titles

Common confusions: Don't confuse this with Swamp Thing #1 (1972), which features the Alec Holland version. House of Secrets #92 is the true first appearance and commands significantly higher prices.

Value by Condition

Good (2.0): $200 - $350

A Good condition copy shows heavy wear. Expect creasing, spine stress, some color loss, and possible small tears. The cover and interior are complete but well-read. These copies regularly appear on eBay and at conventions in this price range.

Fine (6.0): $450 - $700

Fine copies show moderate wear with minor creases and slight spine stress. Colors remain bright. A CGC 6.0 sold for approximately $480 in recent market activity. This grade represents a solid balance of affordability and presentation.

Very Fine (8.0): $1,500 - $2,500

Very Fine copies show only slight wear at the corners and along the spine. The cover is clean with bright colors. These are attractive display copies. The Overstreet Comic Price Guide lists the 2019 value at $3,200, which aligns with the upper range for well-presented copies.

Near Mint (9.4): $6,000 - $10,000

Near Mint copies are scarce. The book is over 50 years old, printed on newsprint that yellows and becomes brittle. A CGC 9.4 represents a copy with minimal handling and excellent color retention. These appear at major auction houses like Heritage Auctions several times per year.

Near Mint/Mint (9.8): $14,000+

CGC 9.8 copies are extremely scarce for a 1971 newsprint comic. A CGC 9.8 with off-white to white pages sold for $14,000 at Heritage Auctions in 2015. The CGC census shows only a handful of copies at this grade, making each sale an event.

Overstreet ranks this issue #4 on its Top 25 Bronze Age Comics list.

Known Variations

House of Secrets #92 doesn't have significant print variations like some Silver Age keys. However, collectors should note:

• Mark Jewelers insert: Some copies distributed to military bases contained a Mark Jewelers advertising insert. These are identified by the insert bound into the center of the comic. Mark Jewelers variants are less common but don't typically command a premium for this issue.

• UK price variant: British distribution copies may show a different cover price in pence. These are scarcer but the market premium is modest.

Authentication & Fakes

Counterfeit copies of House of Secrets #92 do exist, particularly as values have climbed. Watch for:

• Paper quality: Original copies are printed on standard 1971 newsprint. Fakes often use paper that's too white or too thick.

• Color registration: Original printing shows slight registration variations typical of 1970s printing technology. Perfect registration can indicate a reprint.

• Interior ads: Check that advertisements match other DC comics from June-July 1971.

• Staple quality: Original staples show age-appropriate rust or patina.

For any copy valued above $500, CGC certification is strongly recommended. CGC grading fees for comics in this value range run $40-$85 depending on service tier. The investment is justified given the price difference between raw and certified copies.

Where to Sell

• Heritage Auctions: The premier venue for high-grade copies (CGC 8.0 and above). Heritage charges a 20% buyer's premium, meaning your realized price reflects the full hammer price. Consignment fees vary but typically run 10-15%.

• ComicConnect and ComicLink: Strong alternatives for certified copies with dedicated collector audiences.

• eBay: Works well for all grades. Expect 13% in combined fees. For copies valued over $1,000, use eBay's authentication service.

• Local comic shops: Will buy lower-grade copies but expect 40-60% of market value.

For raw copies, grading before selling makes financial sense for any copy you estimate at Fine (6.0) or better. The difference between a raw copy and a CGC-certified copy at the same grade can be 30-50% in realized price.

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