Undervalued Gems

[grendeljd]

You're right Tony. My bad. X-Files is the longest running sci-fi tv show in the country where comics are the most popular!

Sorry to point this out, but it isn't the longest running sci-fi show in the US either - Stargate Sg-1 is! Even counting the 2 movies & the recent short run of 6 episodes as a 10th season of X-Files, SG-1 also ran for 10 seasons plus had a couple additional specials after its 10th, and has a higher total episode count (Way more if you also include its spin-off shows).

Regardless, X-Files remains a really high profile show in pop culture!

[StarBrand]

I got my info via Google. I won't disputed you on this.

[GGSAE]

So I managed to recover my Overstreet from 1991, and here's a telling sign...

Iron Man #1 and Sub Mariner #1 both saw moderate gains over the years. I used the middle value of "Fine" as a gauge, both books looks like they've gone up about 150-200% over the 25 year period - the lower being Sub Mariner #1. That value actually represents a small percentage increase compared to many other books of that era....

Iron Man and Sub Mariner #1 on the other hand, has a percentage increase less than the rate of inflation.
1991 F book value = $30.
2015 F book value = $45.

There's certainly an argument to be made that that book should be worth more considering it predates the other two issues. And lastly, by comparison FF # 4 first app. of SM in the Silver Age has a book value of $225 in F, but 2015 has a value of $1080.

Keep in mind these are book values which tend to undervalue big keys, which is probably why dealers like using overstreet as a buying guide. I think the example above the FF if graded by CGC would be closer to around $1500-1600 range.

[GGSAE]

Oh ya 1991 guide value of Detective 27 in Fine was $15k. Anyone around that time remember sales of the book?

[GGSAE]

Last one....

DD #1 a book I've had on my radar for awhile now was listed at $225 in Fine in 1991. Last year's book value was 963, and with the hit of the show the value has gone up a lot more since then. $1k will probably only buy you a VG/VG+ book.

[IMJ]

So I managed to recover my Overstreet from 1991, and here's a telling sign...

Iron Man #1 and Sub Mariner #1 both saw moderate gains over the years. I used the middle value of "Fine" as a gauge, both books looks like they've gone up about 150-200% over the 25 year period - the lower being Sub Mariner #1. That value actually represents a small percentage increase compared to many other books of that era....

Iron Man and Sub Mariner #1 on the other hand, has a percentage increase less than the rate of inflation.
1991 F book value = $30.
2015 F book value = $45.

There's certainly an argument to be made that that book should be worth more considering it predates the other two issues. And lastly, by comparison FF # 4 first app. of SM in the Silver Age has a book value of $225 in F, but 2015 has a value of $1080.

Keep in mind these are book values which tend to undervalue big keys, which is probably why dealers like using overstreet as a buying guide. I think the example above the FF if graded by CGC would be closer to around $1500-1600 range.

Very cool analysis on this!

I don't know that this issue pre-dating the volumized #1's truly has much to do with this book as an undervalued gem, especially given comics current publishing model of a regular number 1 issue (you older guys remember when that was a special thing?).

However, this is actually an important book because it's a rare, rare example of a Silver Age one-shot - a publishing style that didn't truly become prolific until the 90's. Also, this isn't a throwaway book - the story is an absolutely direct continuity bridge linking the contents of Tales of Suspense #99 to Iron Man v1, #1. It is basically a necessary addition to Marvel's original, best and longest running continuity. The Iron Man / Sub-Mariner #1 Silver Age one shot is definitely an undervalued gem.

DD #1 a book I've had on my radar for awhile now was listed at $225 in Fine in 1991. Last year's book value was 963, and with the hit of the show the value has gone up a lot more since then. $1k will probably only buy you a VG/VG+ book.

Not to mention that it's also one of the last Marvel Silver Age Keys that includes a top tier character first appearance which is still relatively affordable across the entire graded spectrum.

[GGSAE]

So I managed to recover my Overstreet from 1991, and here's a telling sign...

Iron Man #1 and Sub Mariner #1 both saw moderate gains over the years. I used the middle value of "Fine" as a gauge, both books looks like they've gone up about 150-200% over the 25 year period - the lower being Sub Mariner #1. That value actually represents a small percentage increase compared to many other books of that era....

Iron Man and Sub Mariner #1 on the other hand, has a percentage increase less than the rate of inflation.
1991 F book value = $30.
2015 F book value = $45.

There's certainly an argument to be made that that book should be worth more considering it predates the other two issues. And lastly, by comparison FF # 4 first app. of SM in the Silver Age has a book value of $225 in F, but 2015 has a value of $1080.

Keep in mind these are book values which tend to undervalue big keys, which is probably why dealers like using overstreet as a buying guide. I think the example above the FF if graded by CGC would be closer to around $1500-1600 range.

Very cool analysis on this!

I don't know that this issue pre-dating the volumized #1's truly has much to do with this book as an undervalued gem, especially given comics current publishing model of a regular number 1 issue (you older guys remember when that was a special thing?).

However, this is actually an important book because it's a rare, rare example of a Silver Age one-shot - a publishing style that didn't truly become prolific until the 90's. Also, this isn't a throwaway book - the story is an absolutely direct continuity bridge linking the contents of Tales of Suspense #99 to Iron Man v1, #1. It is basically a necessary addition to Marvel's original, best and longest running continuity. The Iron Man / Sub-Mariner #1 Silver Age one shot is definitely an undervalued gem.

DD #1 a book I've had on my radar for awhile now was listed at $225 in Fine in 1991. Last year's book value was 963, and with the hit of the show the value has gone up a lot more since then. $1k will probably only buy you a VG/VG+ book.

Not to mention that it's also one of the last Marvel Silver Age Keys that includes a top tier character first appearance which is still relatively affordable across the entire graded spectrum.

Thanks for the analysis, I know there's significance to that book but couldn't exactly connect the dots. I'm sure Marvel will start to do something more with Sub Mariner, if that ever happens this book will explode!


I think daredevil keys are cheap overall though, you can still find 131 in the $50-100 range for solid looking copies. I was kicking myself a few months back for not buying a low grade but with good eye-appeal DD1 for $450 CAD.

[hulk181man]

Avengers Ultron Forever one-shot might be a book to watch.

First Danielle Cage as Captain America - and with the way Marvel's transitioning their classic characters....

[StarBrand]

Nice.

[depluto]

While everybody is looking the other way I got these undervalued gems.




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[StarBrand]

You're probably right about those being undervalued.

[hulk181man]

While everybody is looking the other way I got these undervalued gems.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice haul! I always grab all the keys when I find 'em cheap....

[StarBrand]

Just got confirmation from CGC they will notate Dark Diminion as JG Jones' first pro work.

[Cyberstrike]

Have they made a Planet of the Apes movie lately?

Yes they have 2 in fact (Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Dawn of the of the Planet of the Apes) and third one War For the Planet of the Apes is coming out this year.

[grendeljd]

While everybody is looking the other way I got these undervalued gems.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Nice haul! I always grab all the keys when I find 'em cheap....

Is the price dipping a little lately, or did you just pull a sniper trigger on a good deal? I still need a copy of that Solar #3.

[StarBrand]

Have they made a Planet of the Apes movie lately?

Yes they have 2 in fact (Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Dawn of the of the Planet of the Apes) and third one War For the Planet of the Apes is coming out this year.

Thanks.

[JCP]

Just got confirmation from CGC they will notate Dark Diminion as JG Jones' first pro work.

Atomic Avenue has copies of issue #7 in NM for $0.75--$1.50 plus shipping if you don't find one in the wild. Issue #7 is his first work, right?

[StarBrand]

Yes, Dark Dominion 7 is JG Jones' first pro work. That's a great opportunity to pick that book up cheap in my opinion. Not much risk and defiantly some good upside.

[greg]

It was originally a mistake/correction/adjustment that there was a "gray Hulk" in Hulk #1 (1962) and a "green Hulk" in Hulk #2 (1962), but the storyline has separated the two types of Hulk (and other colors) for decades.

As a result, the first Hulk is definitely Hulk #1 and the value is really high (though it could still be undervalued), but I think Hulk #2 - first "green Hulk" - is the book that is definitely undervalued.

Both books are Marvel before Spider-man... early stuff.

[hulk181man]

It was originally a mistake/correction/adjustment that there was a "gray Hulk" in Hulk #1 (1962) and a "green Hulk" in Hulk #2 (1962), but the storyline has separated the two types of Hulk (and other colors) for decades.

As a result, the first Hulk is definitely Hulk #1 and the value is really high (though it could still be undervalued), but I think Hulk #2 - first "green Hulk" - is the book that is definitely undervalued.

Both books are Marvel before Spider-man... early stuff.

Great advice, and I love those first 6 Hulk issues!

[Elveen]

It was originally a mistake/correction/adjustment that there was a "gray Hulk" in Hulk #1 (1962) and a "green Hulk" in Hulk #2 (1962), but the storyline has separated the two types of Hulk (and other colors) for decades.

As a result, the first Hulk is definitely Hulk #1 and the value is really high (though it could still be undervalued), but I think Hulk #2 - first "green Hulk" - is the book that is definitely undervalued.

Both books are Marvel before Spider-man... early stuff.

By collectors that can pay, the early Hulk books are WAY in demand

[greg]

It was originally a mistake/correction/adjustment that there was a "gray Hulk" in Hulk #1 (1962) and a "green Hulk" in Hulk #2 (1962), but the storyline has separated the two types of Hulk (and other colors) for decades.

As a result, the first Hulk is definitely Hulk #1 and the value is really high (though it could still be undervalued), but I think Hulk #2 - first "green Hulk" - is the book that is definitely undervalued.

Both books are Marvel before Spider-man... early stuff.

By collectors that can pay, the early Hulk books are WAY in demand

If you don't mind me asking...
How often do you have $1,000+ books in your inventory?
When you have $1,000+ books, what ages are they? (Golden, Silver, Modern variants?)

I imagined your convention booth as mainly bargain bins with a few boxes of $10 to $50 books and perhaps a small $100 to $250 selection of modern variants and some Silver/Golden age non-keys.
Then I picture you having Walking Dead #1, Batman Adventures #12, New Mutants #98, Nyx #3, and maybe 10 or fewer of the other $500+ moderns.

I don't picture you having Amazing Fantasy #15, Hulk #1, etc., but maybe I'm wrong... what's the biggest key you've had (or what was the largest sale, and was it a pre-1970 book)?

Feel free to ignore any or all of these questions.

So that you don't feel too much of a spotlight, my largest sale was a $6,500 Golden Age book in 2010... which paid for home improvements.
That book is now worth $10,000 but home improvements don't wait for the comic market to go up. I think I broke even on that one.
Otherwise, I rarely sell, and have never run a comic booth... so my interesting info probably stops at that one book.

[GGSAE]

It was originally a mistake/correction/adjustment that there was a "gray Hulk" in Hulk #1 (1962) and a "green Hulk" in Hulk #2 (1962), but the storyline has separated the two types of Hulk (and other colors) for decades.

As a result, the first Hulk is definitely Hulk #1 and the value is really high (though it could still be undervalued), but I think Hulk #2 - first "green Hulk" - is the book that is definitely undervalued.

Both books are Marvel before Spider-man... early stuff.

By collectors that can pay, the early Hulk books are WAY in demand

If you don't mind me asking...
How often do you have $1,000+ books in your inventory?
When you have $1,000+ books, what ages are they? (Golden, Silver, Modern variants?)

I imagined your convention booth as mainly bargain bins with a few boxes of $10 to $50 books and perhaps a small $100 to $250 selection of modern variants and some Silver/Golden age non-keys.
Then I picture you having Walking Dead #1, Batman Adventures #12, New Mutants #98, Nyx #3, and maybe 10 or fewer of the other $500+ moderns.

I don't picture you having Amazing Fantasy #15, Hulk #1, etc., but maybe I'm wrong... what's the biggest key you've had (or what was the largest sale, and was it a pre-1970 book)?

Feel free to ignore any or all of these questions.

So that you don't feel too much of a spotlight, my largest sale was a $6,500 Golden Age book in 2010... which paid for home improvements.
That book is now worth $10,000 but home improvements don't wait for the comic market to go up. I think I broke even on that one.
Otherwise, I rarely sell, and have never run a comic booth... so my interesting info probably stops at that one book.

The funny thing about dealers are, some are borderline hoarders with a good selection of key books, but a massive quantity (in the thousands) of drek/junk.
Out of the three big ones that setup locally, one of them fits that mold. The other two have a pretty large pile of keys, and one in particular has a ton of big books (like 6 copies of Iron Man 1). I've been to his house and held a mid grade copy of Detective 38 in my hands. I can only imagine what the retail value of some of these collections would be worth, it would be one hell of an estate sale!

[StarBrand]

He probably has keys in a safe deposit box too.

[nycjadie]

It was originally a mistake/correction/adjustment that there was a "gray Hulk" in Hulk #1 (1962) and a "green Hulk" in Hulk #2 (1962), but the storyline has separated the two types of Hulk (and other colors) for decades.

As a result, the first Hulk is definitely Hulk #1 and the value is really high (though it could still be undervalued), but I think Hulk #2 - first "green Hulk" - is the book that is definitely undervalued.

Both books are Marvel before Spider-man... early stuff.

By collectors that can pay, the early Hulk books are WAY in demand

If you don't mind me asking...
How often do you have $1,000+ books in your inventory?
When you have $1,000+ books, what ages are they? (Golden, Silver, Modern variants?)

I imagined your convention booth as mainly bargain bins with a few boxes of $10 to $50 books and perhaps a small $100 to $250 selection of modern variants and some Silver/Golden age non-keys.
Then I picture you having Walking Dead #1, Batman Adventures #12, New Mutants #98, Nyx #3, and maybe 10 or fewer of the other $500+ moderns.

I don't picture you having Amazing Fantasy #15, Hulk #1, etc., but maybe I'm wrong... what's the biggest key you've had (or what was the largest sale, and was it a pre-1970 book)?

Feel free to ignore any or all of these questions.

So that you don't feel too much of a spotlight, my largest sale was a $6,500 Golden Age book in 2010... which paid for home improvements.
That book is now worth $10,000 but home improvements don't wait for the comic market to go up. I think I broke even on that one.
Otherwise, I rarely sell, and have never run a comic booth... so my interesting info probably stops at that one book.

Oh, man. I have similar stories about house improvements and down payments!

I talked about this to a local dealer recently. He said big books don't sell. They sit. For a long time. Once in awhile, someone comes in. However, he doesn't do shows any longer.

I will say, he had some amazing 9.6 9.8 early X-Men, but they were faded beyond belief. I mean, the color was gone. I asked him if they were encapsulated like that, and he said CGC doesn't care about fading. I call *SQUEE*. I think the slabs sat in open light near a window, and are now worthless as anything but crisp readers.