We’re seeing some serious declines in the Fantastic Four CPI, so it’s a good time to take a look and see which issues are most affected by the downturn in the index.
3-Month Overview
The Fantastic Four CPI dropped 0.74% between February 16 and May 11. As you can see from the above graph, most of the downward movement occurred beginning March 30. To put this in perspective, between December 9, 2024 and March 30, 2025, the index only lost 0.12% of its value. This was partly due to the release of the first trailer for Fantastic Four: First Steps, which helped to lift some issues and counteract the downward momentum of the index. Despite the release of a second well-received trailer, we’re no longer seeing that counteracting force. Here are just a few of the issues that are suffering.
Losses at the Top of the Index
The first appearances of the Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom took a tumble, falling 1.1% and 0.9% respectively. In the case of Fantastic Four #1, the drop is due primarily to the sale of a 7.5 for $78,000 in an April 6 Heritage auction, the same price paid in January, but $6,000 less than the average price paid for a 7.5 in the latter half of 2022 (there were no sales affecting the index in 2023). There were also lower values in the 6.5, 6.0, 5.5, 4.0, and 3.5 grades, with the latter two dropping down to prices we haven’t seen since 2019 and 2017 respectively.
The drop for Fantastic Four #5 was due to the $18,000 sale of an 8.0 in the April 6 Heritage auction, a price last seen in 2020. The 7.5 grade fared a little better in the same auction, going for the same $18,000 price tag, although still down from 2022 sales. However, we did see some promise in the lower grades, with 3.5, 3.0, and 0.5 grades showing slight upticks.
Falling Galactus & Silver Surfer Keys
The go-to Galactus issue, Fantastic Four #49, has fallen 0.7% since March 30. In the 8.5 grade, the sale for $2,280 in the April 29 Heritage auction was 13.2% lower than the average across the previous four sales, although a May 14 fixed price eBay sale (not yet reflected in the index) is 5% higher than that average. The 7.5 grade is down as well, although many lower grades are slightly up. Sales volume continues to be decent if not spectacular. Should the film perform well, there could still be some upside for this book.
That’s less the case for Fantastic Four #48, which dropped 2.0%. The sale of a 9.6 in the April 6 Heritage auction for $22,800 was 24% less than the average of the previous four sales. We’re also seeing declines across more grades than I care to list. This is a simple economic lesson in supply outstripping demand. Additionally, the changing tastes among collectors due to an increasing emphasis on covers also helps to explain the waning interest in the Silver Surfer’s first appearance.
A Few Bright Spots
Fantastic Four #3 continues to show surprising resiliency. While it’s only up 0.1%, that’s a better performance than other early keys in the series. The sale of a 7.0 in a May 10 fixed price eBay sale for $5,999 was 21% higher than the previous four sales and is a fine example of the ability of this issue to continue outpacing the index. This book has a lot going for it – first appearance of the team in costume, first appearance of the Baxter Building, first appearance of the Fantasti-Car, etc. – even if the villain in the issue is a non-factor historically.
We’re seeing renewed interest in Fantastic Four #51. It’s up 9.1% since March 30. The sale of a 9.4 in the April 6 Heritage auction for $4,320 was a record in the grade and the highest price paid in any grade since 2020. The Thing as shown in the Fantastic Four: First Steps trailer is the closest to comics accurate we’ve yet seen, and that could be benefiting this issue. It also doesn’t hurt that the first appearance of the Negative Zone is in this book.
The big surprise, though, is the tremendous jump in value for Fantastic Four Annual #3. It’s up 72.8%! I’m reasonably certain that jump isn’t due to the first appearance of Hedy Wolfe in the Silver Age. This issue features the wedding of Reed and Sue, and the clear emphasis on their relationship that’s been shown in the film trailers has driven collectors to this previously undervalued issue. It's also worth noting that every Silver Age Marvel character created prior to 1965 makes an appearance in the issue.
One of only five copies in the 9.8 grade set a record when it sold in the April 6 Heritage auction for $4,440. A 9.6 sold in a fixed price eBay sale on March 14 for $2,750, the third highest price ever paid. Sales volume is up considerably as well: 27 copies have sold so far in 2025, more than the 21 that sold in all of 2024. Collectors are clearly focused on this issue. Of the six Silver Age Fantastic Four Annuals, only Fantastic Four Annual #4 has a lower census count, so lack of supply may also be a factor. Don’t be surprised if we see a jump in the number of graded copies if sales volume and prices continue as they have the past few months.
