When it comes to the world of comic books, few have withstood the test of time. Those would be Marvel and DC, and due to their exceptionally long runs, it is no wonder that both comic labels have had to reach far into the depths of creativity to come up with new comic characters over the years. While some of those creative characters have certainly been successful, others have been deemed downright odd. Generally, the oddest ones have met their end when writers determined that readers found them just too bizarre, but some have managed to stick around for years. If you are a comic reader, then chances are, you have seen a few of these characters. Here are some of the oddest comic characters ever created in the Marvel Universe.

Swarm/Fritz von Meyer

While the idea of a super villain-cum-swarm of bees does not necessarily sound that bizarre at first glance, there is much more than meets the eye with this character. Invented in 1977, the villain is essentially a swarm of bees that take on the form of a man. According to Marvel, when the swarm killed a scientist named Fritz von Meyer, his psyche was translated over to them. Yet, this is no ordinary swarm of bees; this is a swarm of bees with the thought processes and soul of a Nazi scientist.

Maggot

In keeping with the bug theme, Maggot may take the cake in the ‘most disgusting’ category. As it turns out, Maggot has slugs living in his stomach that digest food and provide him with nourishment. As far as superpowers, this means he can eat just about anything. Additionally, he has super energy and strength. Maggot was introduced in 1997, and thankfully, he did not stick around very long.

The Asbestos Lady/Victoria Murdock

Now, we all know how dangerous asbestos can be, and that it causes numerous cancers. However, this is only a recent dicovery. Hence, when Marvel created this character in 1947, the asbestos was simply an afterthought. “The Asbestos Lady” wears a fireproof outfit that just happens to be lined in asbestos, and also throws balls of fire. Ironically, she eventually passed away from cancer in 1990, after wearing that asbestos for many years.

Lockjaw

The truly bizarre part of this character has little to do with his superpowers. Lockjaw is a bulldog that has jaws of steel. Once he bites down on an enemy, he does not let go. He also has the ability to teleport. So far, a teleporting bulldog does not seem that odd, but in the comic book world, there is always an origin story. There is always a history behind each character’s powers. Yet, there is no such reason behind Lockjaw. In fact, he has no origin story at all. What’s more, no one really knows where he came from and why he was there in the first place.

Ego

Just what was Ego? It is a little hard to pinpoint. Possibly, he was a living, thinking evil planet. He may have been an evil force living among the plants. Marvel never attempted to explain his origins or his reason for being, probably since he does very little except suck energy from stars and plot. Not very impressive for a comic book super villain. Ego was mysteriously introduced in 1966, and just like many other bizarre characters, he did not last very long.

There have been numerous odd and unique characters throughout comic book history. Many of them have been long forgotten, probably a good thing considering just how odd many of them actually are.

Some of the most collectable issues are extremely valuable. Rare and hard to come bay, most of these compics are only available at auctions. If you find one of these in your attic, you’re sitting on a gold mine!

10. Amazing Fantasy #15: $280,000*

Although this comic was not very popular, it introduced a character who’s gone on to much greater things. Upon its publication in 1962, this issue introduced Spider-Man or Peter Parker, the ordinary teenage superhero to which adolescent readers could relate to. After this issue became one of Marvel Comics’ bestsellers, Peter Parker was commissioned his very own series, The Amazing Spider-Man, which has been running since 1963 until today.

9. Flash Comics #1: $289,000

Running for 104 issues between January 1940 and February 1949, the All-American Flash Comics introduced two new characters that would soon become quite popular. Aside from Shiera Sanders as Hawkgirl, Black Canary and Johnny Thunder, DC Comics’ two most popular heroes from this series are Hawkman and The Flash who went on to star in his own comic book series.

8. More Fun Comics #52: $316,000

Originally called New Fun: The Big Comics Magazine, this is the first publication by the company that would come to be known as DC Comics. A relatively short-lived series that lasted from 1935 to 1947, this issue introduced The Spectre.

7. Batman #1: $359,000

Although Batman was first introduced in Detective Comics #27 (see no.2 on this list), this 1940 edition of Batman #1 was his first namesake. This is also the first issue that introduced the sidekick character of Robin. Batman is one of the most iconic comicbook superheroes of all time, his popularity continuing today in the form of even more comics, cartoons, television and movies.

6. Marvel Comics #1: $367,000

Originally published under Timely Comics in October 1939, The Human Torch and Namor the Sub-Mariner appear in this rare first issue. Marvel Comics has since become an icon, with such superheroes as Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, the X-Men, the Hulk, and Captain America amongst many others. Marvel Entertainment was acquired by the Walt Disney Company in 2009 for $4.24 billion dollars.

5. Detective Comics #1: $405,000

The very first 1937 issue of the series that would go on to introduce Batman in #27. Detective Comics began as a simple detective genre reminiscent and is the longest contuously published comic book in the U.S., with new issues still released every month.

4. All American Comics #16: $430,000

This valuable issue, published in July 1940, introduces the Green Lantern. An ongoing series, the Green Lantern would go one to feature in this own title, in Comic Cavalcade with The Flash and Wonder Woman, and as a founding member of the Justice Society of America.

3. Superman #1: $671,000

The character of Superman originally debuted in Action Comics #1 (see no.1 on this list), but was given his own title due to his immense popularity, a first for any superhero. Since its publication in June 1939, over 700 issues of the Superman comic have been pubilshed to date.

2. Detective Comics #27: $1.3 million

This is the issue that introduced Batman back in 1939. Sold at an initial face value of 10 cents, talk about getting bang for your buck!

1. Action Comics #1: $1.5 million

The single most valuable comic book that introduced Superman to the world in June 1938. The first issue had a print run of 200,000 copies, finding one of these in your attic could be the smartest purchase ever!

*current value at date of blog post