A simple principle for finding valuable comics, and not spending a fortune to own them, is to buy before they rise in value. Using that principle as my heuristic device, in this post I take a look at four comics you can find today for $20.00 or less that may, in time, be worth a lot more…
Another way to understand this strategy is to label it for what it is: ‘sheer speculation’. Of course the obvious question to ask is, ‘What if the books listed below don’t become sought after books with rising values?’
Well, right now these books are so affordable, with most of them also being good reads, your initial investment will have been minimal. But, and this is the important ‘but’, some of these books may actually take off in value.
When that happens, you’ll be in an enviable position.
So, like all good speculation, I base my choices here on information and not sheer guess work. In order to prove it, I’ll also explain why I think the following books are currently undervalued.
Impulse #28 (August 1997) – First Appearance of Arrowette II (New Earth Arrowette)
The first Arrowette, Bonnie King, originally appeared in World's Finest #113 (1960). She was an Olympic athlete inspired to fight crime by Oliver Queen/the Green Arrow. That’s not the undervalued comic I’m talking about, although it’s probably undervalued, still there’s no way you’ll get a decent copy for under $20.00. I direct you instead to the second Arrowette, aka Suzanne "Cissie" King-Jones. Cissie is the daughter of Bonnie and a member of Young Justice. She first appears in Impulse #28 and that is my recommendation for my first of four undervalued comics. Arrowette II has appeared in the DC Universe animated series 'Young Justice' this year. She’s a female superhero and she’s been around for a while but is now starting to be used across multiple media. Her first appearance can be found for a few bucks and so her debut in Impulse #28 is my first pick for undervalued comic to buy right now.
Amazing Spider-Man #172 (Sept. 1977) – First Appearance of the Rocket Racer
Compare this Bronze Age Spider-man comic to ASM #138 (first appearance of the Mindworm) or ASM #139 (first appearance of the Grizzly). Notice anything? Yup, those two issues are worth a heck of a lot more. Yet all three feature the first appearances of colorful yet underwhelming villains. This one just happens to feature a villain that didn’t make even as big of a splash as the above named two foes were able to do….at least not yet. Don't worry, I don’t think the Rocket Racer will become Spidey’s most popular foe anytime soon, but objectively speaking this is an undervalued key in the Bronze Age Spider-man run. You can get a high grade copy for around $20.00 and I think it will appreciate in the future. There’s also a 0.35 cent variant. Keep your eyes open for that.
Teen Titans #20 (July 2018) – First Appearance of Crush (Lobo’s Daughter)
In case you haven’t noticed, Lobo is heating up. His first appearance can be found in Omega Men #3, but good luck finding even a low grade copy of that for under $20.00. Instead, why not scoop up some copies of the first appearance of Lobo’s daughter. This comic is already a year old, but unlike Naomi it didn’t get out of control price-wise due to hype. Its initial price rise, in fact, sunk fairly quickly into very affordable territory making right now an excellent time to scoop up some Crush goodness.
Avengers #679 (February 2018) - First appearance of the Challenger
Finally, what’s the hottest comic that Marvel currently produces? If you answered Immortal Hulk, you’d be right. Although everyone is grabbing up Avengers #684, for its connection to that title, there are other books from the ‘No Surrender’ story line that may become just as valuable. My pick is Avengers #679. It’s the first appearance of the Challenger (Grandmaster’s foe) and in the story he is the one who revives the Hulk. In Avengers #679, we see the Challenger apparently use his powers to awaken a player who “understands the purpose of rage”. We now know that this was the Hulk, even if the New Mexico locale and light-bathed panel of green should have given it away at the time.
