The key appearances of the tyrannical ruler of the planet Apokolips were all the rage during the build up to the DCEU ‘Justice League’ film last year. We all know how that went. After less than stellar reviews and a mixed audience reception, Darkseid ended up a no-show (with a bad CGI Steppenwolf taking his place). Subsequently, the hype seemed like so much hot air and the Darkseid key books were deemed ‘over-valued’ in the minds of some collectors.
However, it’s quite possible that right now is the perfect time to pick up many of the Darkseid keys.
In other words, the disillusionment that accompanied the no-show of Darkseid in the ‘Justice League’ movie shouldn’t be taken as definitive proof that these keys are over-valued just yet.
If you closely watch the patterns of rise and decline in value effecting key comics long enough, you should eventually notice that nothing having a large fan base is ever permanently down (or seems to stay permanently up – even if, in the comic market, there are some books [Action Comics #1, Amazing Fantasy #15, etc.] that are as close to a ‘sure thing’ as possible).
In the case of Darkseid, there’s little doubt that his key appearances have showed mixed returns since 2017.
I think this can be taken as a sign that, while some people – i.e. those who bought the books for high prices last year - are opting to sell at slightly less than 2017 and early 2018 prices; others are holding onto their books in the hope that values will rebound. Let’s take a look at the data.
Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #134 (December 1970) - First (Cameo) appearance of Darkseid
Kirby does Superman and the result is a Jimmy Olsen comic that collectors can aspire to own. This comic was building and building in value as the rumors of a Darkseid appearance swelled. March 2017 saw the release of the first trailer for the JL film. Shortly thereafter, Jimmy Olsen #134 was selling for just over $380.00 in certified 8.0 grade. Just before the release of the 'Justice League' film, in November 2017, an 8.0 copy sold for $389.99 on eBay (09/05/2017). Currently this comic has a FMV of $375.00 in 8.0, which seems to speak to the fact that people are holding onto their copies perhaps expecting a future spike. A 9.2 copy currently sells for $700.00.
Forever People #1 (February 1971) – First full appearance of Darkseid
Why is Hulk #180 worth so much less than Hulk #181 but Jimmy Olsen #134 is worth so much more than this book? No idea. In fact, going by CGC census data, both Forever People #1 and JO #134 are almost equally represented, yet Forever People #1 sells for less. That may be a sign that this book is under-valued since this comic, of course, features the first actual full appearance of Darkseid. Jimmy Olsen #135, moreover, has another Darkseid cameo, but this is the book to buy if you want to complement your Jimmy Olsen #134. In certified 9.8 condition it will cost you $2, 600.00. That’s almost half the price of JO #134 in the same 9.8 grade (FMV = $4, 600.00). Returns are equally mixed with this comic but higher grades have shown very strong roi (9.8 is up positive +93%).
New Gods #1 (February 1971) – First Appearance of Darkseid’s Son Orion
Released simultaneously with Forever People #1, this comic is as much a Darkseid key as the former, but the relationship of New Gods #1 to Forever People #1 is almost exactly analogous to that holding between Forever People #1 and Jimmy Olsen #134. New Gods #1 is just as well represented on the CGC census but with a FMV in certified 9.8 grade of $1, 400.00, far cheaper [again, almost half as much] to own. Why should we consider this as important a Darkseid key? Well, let’s look at what it offers: the first appearances of Apokolips and New Genesis, the first Orion, son of Darkseid, the first appearance of Highfather, leader of New Genesis, the first Kalibak, the first Metron, and the list goes on. In 8.0 certified grade this comic can be purchased for around $130.00 and a 9.2 certified copy currently sells for $250.00. In my opinion a highly undervalued Darkseid key.
