Not really a look back as is it that I just found the original article. Rather than keep it for myself allow me to share with you the past.
The following was originally published in 2014 via the website MoviePilot.
LEGEND: (1.0)F-Fair (3.0)G-Good (5.0)VG-Very Good (7.0)FN-Fine (9,0)VF- Very Fine (9.4)NM-Near (10)Mint M-Mint CPG- ComicsPriceGuide.com
Well it’s been an adventurous & exciting year in the world of comics and there were lots of great comic book related films that we were anticipating and now as the year has come to a close we are once again waiting in line for the Millennium Force ride that is the comic book based cinematic universe. Marvel dominated the big screens as usual but DC still stole the headlines with very little details and also debuted a strong presence on the small the screen. After the surprise hit of Guardians of the Galaxy anything was possible and the comic book trading landscape has become the wild wild west. At this point you have to be at least 3 to 5 steps head if you really to turn a profit and that is nearly impossible with everyone sniffing through your email.
Lets take a quick look back at some of the major winners of the year that I came across, review the best sales that I made, the biggest goofs, and also a look into the future for what 2015 has in store for the comic market.
2014 WINNERS
Amazing Spider Man 121 (1973 1st Series): Even a seasoned actor in Jamie Foxx or the nauseatingly cute chemistry of Andrew Garfield and real life girlfriend Emma Stone, Amazing Spider Man 2 was not surprisingly a let down. With the current leaks we can all see that our fears were well placed in that studio execs were more interested in making a hour long music video than putting together a decent script (#NOTANOTHERLOVESTORY). Luckily for us “comictakus” ASM 121 is now one of the most wanted issues in the series.
Guardians of the Galaxy #1 (2008 2nd Series): A keen collector would’ve purchased this when it was first announced that they were taking MCU to the stars, but most people didn’t move on this issue until it was too late. People held back cause they didn’t #TRUSTINMARVEL and now GotG is on the heels of passing Star Wars to take the fifty spot all time.
Action Comics #1 (June 1938): When you sell for $3.2 million dollars, people to notice. The biggest news in the comic world for 2014 made investors realized that comic collecting is alive and well and with the strength of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (and hopefully DC’s) one can feel confident in knowing comics are a sustainable investment.
The Incredible Hulk #1 (Volume 1 1962): HULK SMASH RECORDS!!!!!! In my opinion this is all thanks to wave created by Mark Ruffalo and his potrayal in combination with the San Diego Comic Con trailer as well as the impending sale of Action Comics #1. Either way great to see this comic getting love.
2014 LOSERS
Uncanny X-Men #141 (1963 Volume 1) Days of Future Past: Even though the movie was the best of the series it still had plenty of holes that left people feeling unsatisfied. This is a great story line, great art work, great cover so why hasn’t this comic broken $200+? The issue spiked but quickly ran it’s course and now a high grade is easily purchasable for $50+.
Captain America #1 & #6 (Volume 5) (First appearance of The Winter Soldier): With Captain America being a global smash, it would’ve made sense to see a spike in sales and pricing for the comic series that the film was based on and that had the first appearance of the metal armed assassin. But price rose at a crawl and are holding around $30 for a NM copy but there are still plenty available for way less that.
BEST TURN AROUND
Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos (1963 1st Series) #5 Purchased for $39.99 SOLD FOR $150.00
As soon as I left the theater after watching Captain America 2 I was online searching this issue. The end credits teaser appearance of Baron Strucker marked him as a main player in the Avengers sequel. Picked it up resold it and started a bonfire.
SOLD TOO EARLY MOMENT
Avengers (1963 1st Series) 54 6.0 $19
Avengers (1963 1st Series) 55 GD 2.0 $48.00
Avengers (1963 1st Series) 57 4.0 $36.10
TOTAL: 103.10
SOLD FOR US $250.00 PROFIT: $146.90
Yeah I doubled my money and then some but i miscalculated the popularity of Avengers #57. The cover art makes this one of the more coveted issues and the moment Vision was officially casted I realized I could have sold 57 alone for $250.
WORSE BUYS
SHELTERED #1 $22.99 -The Ed Brisson written Pre-Apocalyptic tale was rumored have been in talks for a Walking Dead produced feature film so naturally i jumped on a few copies. With the Walking Dead spin off on AMC a go and Outcast in development for HBO Im not really sure there is enough room for another end of days show/movie. The jury is still out but in today’s world as long as it stays quiet it goes cold. SELL
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #19 $2.99- Amazing Spider Man 2 saw a nice spike in the first appearance of Electro as well as a HUGE jump in the Death of Gwen Stacy issue (Spoiler Alert). When word came out that the evil Spider Slayer creator Alistair Smythe would be featured I had hoped this issue would see a spike. But nothing. Not even the sweet Mary Jane pulling a Superman with Spider-Man costume underneath cover could entice the public. Just goes to show that not every character that appears in the Cinematic Universe get a value bump. SELL
BEST EBAY BUYS
THIEF OF THIEVES #1 FIRST PRINT CGC SS 9.6 $139.00 CURRENT CPG GRADED VALUE: 9.6 (NEAR MINT+) $252
BATMAN ADVENTURES MAD LOVE NM- $39.95 LAST SOLD Dec-15 21:40 on Ebay: $110.00
Journey into Mystery #103 VG $45.00 CURRENT CPG VALUE: 4.0 (VERY GOOD) $162
Strange Tales #126 GD $8.50 LAST SOLD Dec-09 18:43 on Ebay: GD 2.0 $85.00
Marvel Super-Heroes #13 VF $35.79 LAST SOLD Oct-29 22:20 on Ebay: 7.0 F/VF $375.00
CAPTAIN AMERICA #217 VF- 7.5 $7.27 CURRENT CPG Value: 7.5 – $30
Notable Auction Buys
Silver Surfer (1968 1st Series) #3
X-Factor (1986 1st Series) #6
Thor (1962-1996 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) #97
Thor (1962-1996 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) #103
Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) #52
Marvel Premiere (1972) #1
Thor (1962-1996 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) #146
Saga #1 (2012)
Outlast #1 (2014)
Sex Criminals #1 (2014)
LOOKING TOWARD 2015
AGENTS of Shield: Start with Fantastic Four #45 & Secret War #2 and follow the Inhumans bread crumb trail…($99+ & $15+)
Avengers Age of Ultron: Avengers #55 & #57 will still be strong and if AoU turns out to be as good as it expected to be it could lead to an explosion of new comic fans that will invade the market and cause a huge spike. get it now if you can afford it. ($140-$550+)
Ant Man: Get Marvel Premiere #47 & Avengers #181 (Vol. 1). You can already hear the speculation growing and fear of the unknown. If the Sony leaks show more than anything it’s that Hollywood is out of ideas. Though these stories have been around for decades this is the first time we are going to get to experience these films in a quality cinematic fashion. Marvel is a Shinkansen right now. Have you ever been on a Shinkansen? It’s effing amazing. I took it from Yokohama to Osaka. Changes your life bro. ($45+ & $21+)
Star Wars the Force Awakens: Marvel is gearing up for a massive relaunch of the title so there’s plenty to look out for. The latest volume’s premier issue looks to have over 50+ variant covers =| and there Bronze age series is seeing a slight right in demand as well as the Dark Horse issues.
Art by J. Scott Campbell (NOT FINAL ART)
Doctor Strange: Doctor Strange #169 1968 (aka Strange Tales #169). Unless youre a high roller, forget ST #110, youre looking at $1k+ for that. Instead go for this issue that marked the start of Dr. Strange solo series. This issue also was part of a few titles marked the end of the Silver Age.
Black Panther: Fantastic Four #52 & Black Panther #1. First appearance of Black Panther and first solo title. There is still a lot of time for the film but don’t wait till the trailer comes out get this. Nice copies are already cracking $200+. ($200+ & $55+)
DC CINEMATIC UNIVERSE: What do you want me to tell you? Get first Flash, get first Arrow? Go and get the first Batman or first Commissioner Gordon? The Frank Miller Dark Knight Returns was already juiced when Nolan did Rises, but we are supposed to be lead into think this will be a more genuine representation. Sure. Look go ahead and get yourself some Golden Age DC try and get into that if you can and if not you can always look to their Silver & Bronze age reincarnations which are gaining steam I guess. You want me to tell you how it is? Harley Quin is the only real comic character moving the mid level market. Anything she appears in her original costume or animated series design is gold. Personally I’m investing into the comic series based on the original animated series and solid New 52 covers.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Avengers (1963 1st Series) #181 FN 6.0 Purchased for $14.95 SOLD FOR $24.99
The Amazing Spider Man 606 Long Beach Comic Con Variant Purchased for $27.95 SOLD FOR $45.00
The Walking Dead #53 (2008) – Anything Walking Dead is a good buy especially a first appearance
Sincerely,
-Who
Data Research and Analysis by TedWho & Ted appear in Friends in Square Places Written By Studio Mogura
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