Avoid These Key Comics On A Dip

Many articles will tell collectors and investors that the best time to buy is on a dip. The dip is when the price on a book or investment drops in value. The logic behind this advice is that what goes down will eventually go back up. That may be true for some books, but that is not always the case. Sometimes that dip may last for long cycles. Here are a few books that might look like they are priced at a bargain but buyers should be cautious.

Ultimate Fallout #4 1st Miles Morales

Key data reviewed.

Roughly a year ago on July 23 a 9.8 received 33 bids and sold for $1,175. The 30 day average for this book on July 9, 2025 is $873 from 15 sales at the time this article is written.

Negative factors

9,373 books in the CGC census are either 9.8 or 9.6. That is more than half of the 17,305 universal copies in existence. The 30 day average indicates that there was less than a sale a day of this key.

Iron pyrite (Fools Gold) reasoning

Sellers are hesitant to ask for the FMV because of perceived value of the book. Much like a real estate owner who believes their land is going to be worth a lot more based upon it's prime location to a future developer, sellers think that once Miles Morales appears in the MCU his first appearance will be worth a lot. He will also be the Spider-Man for a younger generation. Under that thinking the variant edition should be worth at least the same as an Amazing Spider-Man #1 is based upon the rarity of this significant key. This is faulty logic.

Price adjusted based upon attitude

The ascension of Miles Morales as THE Spider-Man has not occurred like Hal did with Alan Scott or Barry did with Jay Garrick. The better comparison may be Bart Allen. A modern version that kids could relate to that once was on everyone's "can't miss" lists and now is a key that is stuck in the mud. Unlike Bart, dealers are still holding out hope that Miles will be a hit in the MCU and this book will take off. Then there will be a glut of books hitting the market. For that reason, this may not be a dip but the true FMV for this book for a long period of time. Do not be misled by the 9.9 hype. Prices may go up but a 9.9 is rare based upon the condition alone compared to the 9.8s out there.

Wolverine Limited Series #1

Key data reviewed

The 30 day average is approximately $80 less than the 1 year average at a $475 FMV. This is derived from 19 sales. Currently there are 4,436 total 9.8 copies in the census. Data also reveals there were 2,357 sales in that grade.

Negative factors

Incredible Hulk #180, #181 and Giant Size X-Men #1 are the top targets of fans. Wolverine fans also are targeting X-Men #94 (FMV $41000). Even Incredible Hulk #182 with a brief cameo of Wolverine is prized more than this book with a 9.8 having an FMV of $4400. The fact that this book in high grade with an FMV within the reach of most hobbyists had only 19 sales in a month is not a good sign.

Iron pyrite (Fools Gold) reasoning

This is the first solo title of one of the most popular character in all of comics. It also has an iconic cover by Frank Miller and some great storytelling Chris Claremont. This is a key comic that is known by every comic book collector and investor young and old. A comic of this pedigree is a key no matter how you slice it so fans believe that buying this book and holding it is a safe bet.

Price adjusted based upon key demographic

Wolverine may be Da' Man in the MCU but that has not translated to demand for this book in the degree people would expect. Demand is important even for an important character's key books. As the comic book community gets older they want higher end books. That means they do not want to settle anymore. After settling for hamburger, even a very good one, they now want the filet mignon. Collectors and investors want the early appearances and are looking to swap out this book for those mega keys. Couple that with less younger fans and you get a book that is on a dip for a reason.

Young Avengers #1 1st Appearance of Young Avengers

Key data reviewed

The FMV of $170 for a 9.8 CGC copy with 2,506 in this grade (6,068 total Universal copies). One year average of $225 with a 30 day average of $166 with 9 (yes nine!) total sales.

Negative Factors

The Thunderbolts' asterisk changed many people's view on the future of the Avengers in the MCU. In addition the introduction of the younger generation of Marvel characters has been less than smashing to the public and hobbyists alike.

Iron pyrite (Fools Gold) reasoning

This book has so many key first appearances. There is the team but there is also Kate Bishop, Iron Lad, Hulkling and Asgardian. That is a lot of bang for the buck. Then there is the fact that this book once sold for over a thousand dollars during the 2021 boom. We may not get the Avengers as we know it but the MCU has to give us this series based upon little clips in projects. This book is on a dip but it has potential. What was once up and then goes down must come up again, right?

Price adjusted based upon apathy

Slapping an MCU project on this book can not save it. People loved the original Avengers. Then the MCU gave us the Thunderbolts. Some of the best actors out there bringing it to the screen and their box office was the second lowest for a Marvel film according to Forbes. That film only beat The Marvels! People do not want an Avenger's clone with unknown actors no matter how talented they may actually be in the film. Another Hawkeye show yes, but not a feature film. If that is the case dealers already know the writing is on the wall with this book. It may be a nice LONG term hold, but there are better options available even for this type of lottery ticket pick.

Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #1 Basis for Supergirl Film

Key data reviewed

A $150 FMV for a 9.8 with 9 sales. The 90 day average witnessed a slight increase from the one year average. Less than 500 copies in the entire CGC census. In the wild buyers are telling this reporter that the buzz has kind of waned from the announcement so there is time still to get in on the ground floor and make a profit. They have heard from YouTube channels that this will be a hot book so now is the time to buy. Reliable sources also say that many LCS have these books and are not factoring in the film buzz in their pricing.

Negative factors

The entire buzz on this book is that reportedly James Gunn will base the Supergirl project on this series. Otherwise this book is not on the radar of many hobbyists.

Iron pyrite (Fools Gold) reasoning

Positive buzz on the new Superman film opening and the importance that Gunn is placing on source material makes people believe this is a a lottery ticket type of book. The perception in the buying community is that if the film takes off so too will the significance of this key. Fans are actually at shows and LCS looking for this issue raw so that they can get them graded and then sold. They also believe that they are the only ones with this "insider" knowledge. The selling point for them is Gunn's past successes, the very low FMV or raw sales price tag, coupled with the low CGC population. The belief is if they buy and grade it now people will want it in the future...um huh?

Dip or true FMV

This book is in a stagnant state right now because no real sales exist recently for graded copies to report. Interviews with consumers are always enlightening because one gets a sense of what is behind the numbers or trends. Here people believe Marvel is played out after the new Captain America and Thunderbolts films. That market is not moving on after an initial surge but there is a sense that FOMO is starting to build for DC Comic properties. People think this book is at an initial dip because of lack of sales but get ready for the surge. Better swimmers should just stay out of the water. The spike period was small and the dip will be large. There may never be a rise as it is a mirage built by a few hoping to manipulate the market once again with FOMO induced paranoia.

Sandman #1 1st Morpheus (Master of Dreams)

Key data reviewed

An FMV of $375 for a 9.8 CGC copy. A slight increase from the 90 day average to the current 30 day average. The FMV of $375 is still down from the 1 year average of $456.

Negative factors

The Netflix series the Sandman was cancelled prior to the season 2 launch because of allegation against Neil Gaiman. These again are mere allegations but Netflix still chose to cancel the show despite positive reviews.

Iron pyrite (Fools Gold) reasoning

This attorney knows that allegations are not proven facts. There is also a belief that this book was always a Copper Age key and will remain so despite what happens with Gaiman. The work should be judged separately than the man and the slight bump from the 90 day to 30 day averages shows that consumers are willing to ignore things...right now.

Price adjustment on the court that matters for comics

A small segment of the market will ignore what happens with the court case. The bigger problem will be in the court of public opinion. Sandman is not a comic normally entrenched in the DC Comics universe. There may be minor incursions but for the most part it is a separate entity. In addition, how many quality writers and artists will now want to be associated with Gaiman? In the court of public opinion there will always be a few that will believe something existed even if he wins in court, and that is the best option. Worst case is that the allegations are proven correct. Volatility should be avoided and this book has now had that variable attached to it. Avoid buying it at all costs looking to make a profit. The dip may turn into an abyss for this once trustworthy key.

Key data Reviewed

Darth Vader #3 and the first appearance of Doctor Aphra has a 9.8 FMV down roughly 10% from its one year value for a 9.8 copy. Star Wars #17 contains the first appearance of Quinlan Vos. A 9.8 has an FMV of $150 with the one year average coming in at only $68. Star Wars #7 was the first appearance of Crimson Jack (Jod Na Nawood). A 9.8 CGC has a FMV of $140 that is down almost $50 from its one year average.

Negative Factors

The importance of a character is very hard to determine. In an informal survey of comic book fans, when asked to name Star Wars characters the usual icons of the franchise were named. Very few mentioned supporting characters. Even Ahsoka Tano received very few mentions despite her appearances in comics, cartoons, and live television projects. Her first appearance is down as well.

Iron pyrite (Fools Gold) reasoning

The Boba Fett factor. This character was but a blip in the movies and yet fans loved him. He went from background supporting character to franchise gold. He may only be surpassed by Darth Vader as number one film bad guy even though his screen time was dwarfed by Count Dooku, Emperor Palpatine, Darth Maul, and others.

Dip Drop

Many of the issues mentioned and other Star Wars first appearances are not dipping. Their price reflects now their true value. Diversifying a comic book investment portfolio is always good, but that does not mean going in heavy on Star Wars key issues. Disney is cutting production to one live action television project a year to focus on quality over quantity. That translates to fewer characters being featured in significant roles. Fans though seemed to believe that while the MCU was not producing hit comic investments that Disney still had the magic when it came to the Star Wars franchise. Safer bets are out there if you look when comparing to this new Star Wars crap shoot. Use the force and ignore emotions. These are not the type of books you are looking for.