Bernie Wrightson was one of the defining artistic voices of the Bronze Age, blending Gothic horror, expressive linework, and a uniquely eerie sensibility that reshaped the era’s visual identity. Although his influence spans dozens of titles from DC, Marvel, Warren Publishing, and various independent projects, a select group of covers stand out as the most valuable—driven by iconic imagery, historical importance, and strong collector demand.
First Published Work
Bernie Wrightson’s first published professional comics work appeared in House of Mystery #179 (May 1969), where he illustrated the story “The Man Who Murdered Himself.” Even with a $200 raw 9.4 price tag, this early assignment remains undervalued considering Wrightson’s eventual impact on Bronze Age horror art.
First Paid Cover
Wrightson’s earliest paid cover assignment is widely attributed to Web of Horror #3 (1970), published by Major Publications. Printed in low numbers and rarely found in high grade, it represents the true beginning of Wrightson’s professional cover career. CGC has graded just 52 copies, with zero 9.8s and zero 9.6s, so any high-grade copy should be slabbed immediately.
Below are the Top 25 Bernie Wrightson cover comics, ranked by desirability and current market value. Only covers fully penciled by Wrightson are included—no inks-only jobs or partial contributions.
Top 25 Most Valuable Wrightson Cover Comics
#1 — House of Secrets #92 (1971)
Value (CGC 9.4): $14,000+
Wrightson’s masterpiece and the debut of Swamp Thing. One of the most important Bronze Age comics—horror, first appearance, and iconic cover art. This issue sits at the very top of both Wrightson’s legacy and Bronze Age collecting.
#2 — Web of Horror #3 (1970)
Value (CGC 9.4): $1,500+
Wrightson’s first paid cover assignment; extremely scarce, fragile, and highly prized. With six graded 9.4s and none higher, scarcity catapults this issue into elite territory for Wrightson collectors.
#3 — House of Mystery #214 (1973)
Value (CGC 9.4): $925
Stylish, elegant Wrightson horror imagery—one of his strongest anthology pieces. The skull-and-bone voodoo styling on the wrinkled old man gives this cover unforgettable personality.
#4 — House of Secrets #103 (1972)
Value (CGC 9.4): $840
A haunting, atmospheric gem that has rapidly appreciated in recent years. The bold image of a single face, rendered with hypnotic detail, is mesmerizing.
#5 — House of Secrets #94 (1971)
Value (CGC 9.4): $800+
Part of Wrightson’s remarkable 1971 run; eerie texture and moody composition make it a standout. The contrast between the bright, spotlighted woman and the creature shrouded in shadow amplifies the tension.
#6 — Secrets of Haunted House #5 (1975)
Value (CGC 9.4): $790
A creature crawling from a jack-o’-lantern twists a simple childhood ritual into something sinister. Now one of the strongest mid-1970s Wrightson values.
#7 — House of Mystery #236 (1975)
Value (CGC 9.4): $675
One of Wrightson’s creepiest and most sinister compositions, with a skull emerging from the depths. A chilling mid-Bronze Age highlight.
#8 — House of Mystery #207 (1972)
Value (CGC 9.4): $650+
A bold and shadow-heavy Wrightson cover featuring an elderly woman clawing at the chest of a man revealing a partial skeleton. Classic Bronze Age horror.
#9 — House of Mystery #204 (1972)
Value (CGC 9.4): $650
Classic Wrightson tone elevates this issue. The awkward yet believable pose of the woman in the red dress draws you into the unfolding terror.
#10 — House of Mystery #217 (1973)
Value (CGC 9.4): $650
A refined and visually striking cover from Wrightson’s peak DC horror era. Roots reaching toward a young girl add an element of creeping dread.
#11 — House of Secrets #93 (1971)
Value (CGC 9.4): $600+
A dreamlike, Gothic composition that continues to rise in value. You may not know exactly what’s occurring, but you know enough to be frightened.
#12 — House of Mystery #193 (1971)
Value (CGC 9.4): $550+
A quintessential early Bronze Age horror cover—macabre, cinematic, and deeply textured. A shackled man is carried toward a mausoleum as one lone figure hides behind a tombstone.
#13 — Swamp Thing #1 (1972)
Value (CGC 9.4): $500+
The launch of the Wrightson/Wein classic. Surprisingly, this is the only issue from the Swamp Thing run to crack the top 25—suggesting a buying opportunity for collectors.
#14 — Weird Mystery Tales #21 (1975)
Value (CGC 9.4): $450
Classic Wrightson atmosphere with a strange beauty: a man pinned against a tree while three wolf-creatures close in on him.
#15 — House of Mystery #213 (1973)
Value (CGC 9.4): $450
One of Wrightson’s best anthology covers. Strange rooftop monsters conjure instant unease.
#16 — House of Mystery #195 (1971)
Value (CGC 9.4): $400+
A beautifully atmospheric horror cover gaining steady momentum. Action, ambiance, and classic Wrightson mood make it a standout.
#17 — House of Secrets #106 (1973)
Value (CGC 9.4): $400
Overflowing with Wrightson’s signature atmosphere—swirling ghouls, heavy shadows, and an imminent attack.
#18 — House of Secrets #139 (1976)
Value (CGC 9.4): $350+
Wrightson worked wonders with pumpkins, and this eerie composition is no exception—moody, seasonal, and wonderfully unsettling.
#19 — House of Secrets #100 (1972)
Value (CGC 9.4): $325
A memorable anniversary cover. The ghouls have escaped, but the pale figure on the bed never will.
#20 — House of Secrets #96 (1972)
Value (CGC 9.4): $325
An underrated Gothic horror cover that haunted the dreams of many young readers.
#21 — House of Mystery #194 (1971)
Value (CGC 9.4): $300
A dramatic horror scene where the mundane—reading alone at night—becomes anything but normal under Wrightson’s touch.
#22 — House of Mystery #209 (1972)
Value (CGC 9.4): $300
A clever use of perspective. From inside a grave we see both the man who dug it and the skeleton ready to drag him down forever.
#23 — House of Mystery #211 (1973)
Value (CGC 9.4): $260
A shadowy showdown involving a vampire and a clawed creature rising from a grave. Classic Wrightson storytelling.
#24 — House of Secrets #107 (1973)
Value (CGC 9.4): $240
A dramatic confrontation with Abel, the longtime host of House of Secrets. A solid, affordable Wrightson entry.
#25 — Detective Comics #425 (1972)
Value (CGC 9.4): $225+
A beloved non-horror Wrightson cover—moody, atmospheric, and unlike anything else in Batman’s Bronze Age run. As both a Wrightson and Batman fan, I’d personally place this one higher.
Conclusion
Bernie Wrightson’s cover work in the Bronze Age represents some of the finest horror and fantasy art in comic book history. Powered by the success of House of Secrets #92, his groundbreaking Swamp Thing work, and a string of unforgettable DC horror covers, these issues continue to climb in value as collectors deepen their appreciation for Wrightson’s genius.
Whether you’re building a Wrightson collection or exploring Bronze Age classics, these 25 covers are the ones to watch. The best deals for Wrightson covers can be found in the few issues he created at Marvel. Look at Chamber of Darkness 7 and 8 as well as Tower of Shadows 8 and 9 for the most inexpensive Wrightson covers.
by Ron Cloer