Damage Control for Comic Investors from Disney's MCU and Star Wars Blunder

Imagine a business titan that alienates their existing customer base while at the same time trying to attract a new customer base that really does not want your product. Who would be foolish enough to do such a thing? Coca-Cola did that in 1985 when they messed with their secret formula that stood the test of time for 99 years. Now Marvel Comics and the Star Wars universe have also lost their way. That is according to multiple sources as reported by Variety. The reason is they forgot many of the people who are reading this article, or maybe they just took you for granted. Disney got caught up in a perceived social upswell and got carried out to sea. They wanted to add these consumers who were new to their product who outsiders were saying were being ignored. The problem was they lost track of what was important to both fans and their shareholders.

In the film A Time to Kill, Samuel L. Jackson's character tells attorney Jake Brigance (Matthew McConaughey) that the reason he chose him was because in a racially charged case a white lawyer could identify with the all white jury and that would help him win the case. He was not looking to fight for a cause but rather to achieve a result. Maybe it would serve a greater purpose in the end, but winning was all that mattered. In order to succeed a business most know their consumers. Disney is a corporation. They are not in the business to make social justice. The company only exists to make money, but if they can make money and drive home some wisdom so be it. If they wanted to do that they should have really tried to understand their consumer.

Comic book and action movie fans loved Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow. She was a powerful player that was an equal on a team. She did not need to make Thor a joke or trivialize Iron Man's tech savvy by demonstrating how to create weapons on a thrift store budget. She was tough in a world of toughness. Disney has lost an understanding of their fanbase with many intellectual properties. Helena Shaw made Indy look weak in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Ant-Man watched his daughter achieve his skill level in record time in Quantamania without showing her failures. She-Hulk did the same in her TV show compared with the evolution of her cousin. Did anyone notice how little power Poe Dameron had as a general compared to others in the Star War's franchise.

Comic book fans once jumped at any key that became relevant in film or on TV. In May 2021 a 9.8 CGC Savage She-Hulk #1 sold for almost 7X what it sold for in May 2025 in present day dollars. Roughly in that same time frame Vengeance #1 (1st America Chavez) sold for almost that same 7X spread in present day dollars for a 9.8 CGC copy. Some of that can be contributed to COVID, but really it was more a case of consumer buy-in to the Disney cult-like belief that they could do no wrong, until they did...

Coca-Cola realized their mistake after a customer backlash. Disney has realized the same thing. They are now looking to not only fix their past bad mistakes with the MCU, but now fear there may be superhero fatigue at play. Insiders also take note that there has been no recent Star Wars releases but hope Pedro Pascal can revive that universe with The Mandalorian and Grogu. That is not always easy when you look at what happened with the FF. He is very good but even great mechanics could not fix the Titanic after it hit that iceberg. That has led Disney head honchos to also look at new properties to add to their libraries.

So what is a comic book buyer/seller/collector supposed to do? Where can they look for the next big possible thing? There are many smart places to put your money. Remember, Marvel and Star Wars were not new things that Disney had to build up from the ground floor. They were known commodities that only needed their Disney Magic. Here are a few books to possibly look at to bring you some of that same magic.

New Blood: Dragon Ball #1

Disney owns 20th Century Studios, which holds the developmental rights to DragonBall Z. It may be difficult to purchase Shueisha series outright to acquire additional properties but the groundwork is already there for this longstanding universe. The newsstand copies are selling for about the same as the direct editions. A 9.8 has an FMV of $925. Anime and K-Pop is hot. Comic and casual fans enjoy these properties. Why then are you ignoring that segment?

Change Horses: Macross #1

This is an issue I keep beating the drum to bring attention to its potential. Sony Pictures is reportedly moving forward with a planned film. If Disney cannot deliver a sustainable franchise directed to Gen Z ers then maybe Sony should be a studio for comic fans to mine. They have had success with Sonic so this might be another universe they can build up. A 9.6 CGC copy has an FMV of $140. That is a good deal!

Oldie but Goodie: Disney Pirates of the Caribbean #1

Not many copies available. Not many CGC books have been sold. GoCollect has the FMV for a 9.8 copy at $300. You know Johnny Depp's phone has been ringing off the hook. That is Disney asking him where to drop off the Brinks truck. This series has had a long legacy of film production and has a low entry price. Think of all the series that adults are buying now that were popular when they were younger. I was shocked to see this book in the GoCollect data being almost forgotten. A new chapter in the series could change that. P.S. how many of you knew this series existed or have even seen a copy of this issue? Let me know in the comment section.

Forgotten Gems: Incredible Hulk #181

He has been mined before by Sony and Disney for film and television. Do you think that will change? Comics are losing money across the board. The one year to 30 day average is down for this issue across the grading scales. Never thought we would see the day where an 8.5 CGC would drop below $5,000 and yet here we now sit with an FMV of $4900 for that copy. Even if not a hit in the MCU he is money, people. Everyone wants that bright shiny new toy. Maybe you are better off with some Bronze Age adamantium.

Different Viewpoints #1: Tomb of Dracula #10

Kevin Feige really dropped the ball on this one. Even if the MCU was suffering from superhero fatigue, Blade was a monster hunter. Horror pictures are now being put on the screen by several studios throughout the year rather than only near Halloween. They are also cheap to make. A 9.4 CGC has an FMV of $2800. Many dealers are looking to unload their inventory of this book so be a good person and buy them now!

Different Viewpoints #2: Marvel Spotlight #6

Viewpoint two is the 2nd appearance of Ghost Rider. Many fans do not realize that the Lone Ranger and Green Hornet are connected so they can watch each series independently. Those that do can allow that knowledge to enhance their experiences, much like comic fans watching the MCU. Why not have Blade meet the Ghost Rider as a kind of odd couple. The Rider's first appearance may be too expensive for most but a 2nd appearance 9.6 CGC has an FMV of $675, down from the one year average of $789.

Rambo Franchise: Marvel Spotlight #1

Echo was a flop in the MCU. Gone was her comic book powers of being able to copy a person's abilities and instead they gave her some magical power. Her first appearance in Daredevil #9 now tops out at a 95-dollar FMV for a CGC 9.8 copy. Instead of going in hardheartedly they should have bought in with Red Wolf. Picture a Rambo-esque vigilante type with a bit of magical assistance from a wolf. The best part of this character is that he does not have to appear in western themed stories. A 9.6 had a 90-day average of $288. A key over fifty years old with a Neal Adams cover for less than $300 is a steal.

Dexter Resurrected: Iron Man #194

Instead of traditional fare why not a franchise where the main character(s) is a villain that kills other villains. Marvel has a ton of villains that will never see the light of day so why not make them cannon fodder for their bottom line. Again, a character that can be part of the MCU but does not have to have a lot of ties to the universe. A movie or TV show featuring a villain that fans follow that kills other evil-doers. Scourge is a character crossing the line even the Punisher would not go near. A 9.8 CGC copy with an FMV of $90 is a good deal. This is a concept that is viable both in comics and on film. The best part... there are many Scourges so when one gets tired, off he goes to meet his maker while another character steps into his role.

Comic characters all have the ability to thrive if done correctly. The problem is that sometimes they are not put in the best situations to maximize their potential. Some of the books mentioned have keys that are flying under the radar right now. The key is the 'right now' part.

Rather than trying to hit on books that everyone is chasing, now may be the time to look where others are not. Shake things up because GoCollect readers know the comic book market. Maybe better than Disney. The Mouse lost their way but not GoCollect readers. You understand the comic book market because you are the target audience. That bit of knowledge can go a long way in helping you succeed.