The Swamp Thing gets no love from Warner Bros., not these days. After one, exceptional episode and rave reviews they decide to, yep cancel the series. The shocking news hit fans like an olfactory assault by a Louisianna Bayou. Apparently, the showrunners producers, director, and actors were equally blown away that this happened after such a great season. There were plans on the drawing board for a three season arc and spinoffs galore. Even Justice League Dark was mentioned to possibly involve Swamp Thing. The "James Wan produced horror show, based on the DC comic book, has a 92% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes and #SaveSwampThing immediately began trending on Twitter after the series was canceled" (Source: Business Insider T. Clark). We are left with 10 episodes by the magnificent James Wan. What Swamp keys can you count on and which should you sell?
This story was created by Len Wein (writing) and Bernie Wrightson (pencil & ink) in 1974. It was the last Bernie Wrightson Swamp Thing series. Is collectible, even though it is not a major key. What can you expect from the trend return on this comic book?
- Grade 9.8 $550 FMV returns positive +173.7%
- Grade 9.6 $110 FMV returns positive +.05%
- Grade 9.2 $65 FMV returns positive +42.5%
- Grade 8.5 $50 FMV returns positive +22.1%
Will Bernie's books be able to withstand the pressure of a canceled series? My answer: yes. These books were collectible before Bernie died, now, hard to find as everyone hordes them. I believe the combo of a well-known artist, great writing and classic covers will keep Swamp Thing profitable well into this new century. This Bronze Age beauty has continued to go up since his death. It has a multi-generational draw in the Bronze Age and this character will get screen time again.
House of Secrets #92This is the biggest of the Swamp Thing keys created by Len Wein, Jack Kirby, Mark Evanier, Virgil North, and Dick Dillin. The art is primarily Bernie Wrightson as well as his ink. House of Secrets #92 is the first appearance of Swamp Thing by Bernie Wrightson. This character, this story and most especially this artist have captured the imagination of serious fans everywhere.
The art for HOS #92 is expensive. The first Swamp Thing design in ink by Bernie has an asking price of $17,500 on Comic Link. This is just a standard inked sketch. The last sale of House of Secrets #92 was back on 3/7/2018 for $44,999 it was a 9.8-grade CGC and the highest graded issue yet sold on Comic Link.
- Grade 9.8 $56,000 FMV returns positive +476.9%
- Grade 8.0 $2700 FMV returns positive +204.5%
- Grade 6.5 $1300 FMV returns positive +104.4%
This issue rules supreme over all Swamp Things. It is the most sought after. The retailers can't even keep a copy of it in the shop. After a long-term trend review (see above) it is obvious this book retains fantastic long-term viability and more importantly rarity. Yep, this book has a +104% return for grade 6.5, and it is not going to stop there despite a quirky cancelation.
Justice League Dark #1There was plenty of hype that if Swamp Thing worked; then each character in the Swamp might evolve into their own series or perhaps wind up with a series called Justice League Dark. This spinoff is a little hard to do with a cancelation around Swampy's neck. There is no draining this swamp, get out of Justice League Dark #1 why you can. This is one of those comics to short, for sure.
Short-Term Returns (1/2018 to 6/12/2019):
- Grade 9.8 $100 FMV returns negative -22.7%
- Grade 9.2 $40 FMV returns positive n/a
This issue is in freefall. However, once the news is out that Warner Bros. canceled the Swamp Thing prices will drop again. Now a Swamp Thing cancelation makes it unlikely that Justice League Dark will ever be created. Swamp Thing is here to stay, but JLD not so much. Short Justice League Dark #1 at your earliest convenience or feel like a Deadman walking.
Trivia Question: Why did I use Swamp Thing #10 as the featured image? Please respond on Facebook and I will share the answer.
