More Fun Comics #73 (1941): First Aquaman and First Green Arrow
More Fun Comics #73, published in November 1941, is one of the most historically significant issues in DC/All-American Comics history. In a single issue, two characters who would become major DC heroes over the following decades received their first appearances: Aquaman and Green Arrow.
The double first-appearance status of this book makes it one of the most collected Golden Age DC keys, and its values reflect the significance of two A-list DC characters making their debut in the same issue.
The Two First Appearances
Aquaman: Arthur Curry, the King of Atlantis and protector of the seas. Aquaman has been a major DC character since 1941, appearing in the Super Friends animated series, the Justice League, and ultimately in Jason Momoa's portrayal in the DC Extended Universe films starting with Justice League (2017) and the solo Aquaman film (2018) and its sequel. The MCU comparison underscores how significant this character's media presence has become.
Green Arrow: Oliver Queen, the emerald archer. Green Arrow has been a major DC character since this debut, appearing in animated series and achieving significant live-action prominence in the Arrow TV series (2012-2020) on The CW, which was a major commercial and cultural success and spawned the Arrowverse.
Historical Context
Both characters debuted in the issue that coincided with the eve of American entry into World War II (Pearl Harbor was attacked in December 1941). All-American Comics, the DC Comics predecessor that published More Fun Comics, was at the height of the Golden Age superhero creation boom that had begun with Superman in 1938.
Key Issue Details
Published: November 1941
Publisher: All-American Comics (DC Comics predecessor)
Cover price: 10 cents
Key appearances: First Aquaman, First Green Arrow
Condition Grades and Value
| Grade | CGC Label | Approximate Value |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0+ | Very Fine/NM+ | $100,000-300,000+ |
| 8.0 | Very Fine | $50,000-100,000 |
| 7.0 | Fine/Very Fine | $25,000-50,000 |
| 6.0 | Fine | $12,000-25,000 |
| 5.0 | Very Good/Fine | $7,000-14,000 |
| 4.0 | Very Good | $4,000-8,000 |
| 3.0 | Very Good- | $2,500-5,000 |
| 2.0 | Good | $1,500-3,000 |
A 9.0 or above is extraordinarily rare for a 1941 Golden Age comic. Most collectors realistically pursue the 3.0-6.0 range for this book.
Golden Age Condition Realities
Collecting Golden Age comics requires adjusting expectations about condition:
Paper quality: 1941 comics used newsprint-quality paper that ages significantly. Browning, brittleness, and oxidation affect virtually all surviving copies.
Spine and staples: Original staples from 1941 are typically rusted. This is expected and does not in itself affect grade significantly. What matters is that the original staples remain (rather than being replaced) and that rust bleeding is minimal.
Trimming: Many Golden Age comics were trimmed by previous owners trying to "improve" their appearance or fit them in albums. Trimmed copies are identified and treated as altered by grading services.
Restoration: Professional and amateur restoration is extremely common in Golden Age comics. Grading services identify and distinguish restored from unrestored copies, and unrestored examples of key Golden Age books command enormous premiums.
Aquaman MCU Factor
The Aquaman film franchise demonstrated that the character has major mainstream appeal. DC's ongoing films continue to potentially involve the character. For Aquaman's first appearance in a comic book, the MCU connection is one of the strongest available in Golden Age collecting.
Green Arrow Factor
The Arrow series ran for eight seasons and spawned multiple spinoffs. Oliver Queen's long television run created sustained collector interest in Green Arrow keys that extends beyond any specific media moment.
Investment Summary
More Fun Comics #73 is a first-tier Golden Age DC key with not one but two major character introductions and strong, ongoing media relevance for both. In any condition above Poor, it represents one of the most historically significant DC comic books available to collectors.
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