Field Research: Hot Books Buyers Want and Convention News

People's tastes and wants are the hardest variables in predicting the future of comic books and collectibles. Field research is needed to better analyze this variable. Recently GoCollect went to the Motor City Comic Con ("MC3") to see what was on the mind of collectors, vendors, and attendees. Here are a few revelations from that event as well as some tips to make a visit to your local comic con more enjoyable.

The hottest of the hot

The hottest comic book out in the market right now was not published by DC Comics or Marvel. An Invincible book is what was on everyone's want list. Sealed Battle Beast: The Blind Bag Variant copies were the number one seller at the show. Each sealed book was like buying a lottery ticket with the opportunity to get different levels of variant books in each package. Keith Daggett is an experienced dealer who has a good track record of picking hot new comics. His money is on the line with each advance purchase. Daggetts Comics were selling them by the box load at his booth. He bought a lot of copies of this book before they were hot because he saw just how popular this universe is right now. The novel idea of the blind bag was a bonus.

Rare invincible books

Back issues of Invincible were also on the minds of buyers. Buyers were seeking the rare Invincible #1 but many said they would balk if the prices were too high. If they could not find it they were willing to settle for other early issues (keys and non-keys). Sadly most attendees and non-GoCollect readers will miss out on true rare copies of Invincible books that they do not know exists. Shelby Ferguson at HotKey Comics is the authority on foreign comics. He gets foreign Invincible copies that most people will never ever see. They are very very rare. When foreign Invincible books come in people buy them so they never reach his booth. Maybe you can get on that list, but if not for GoCollect's visit in the field people would not even know they are out there.

Cold books sell?

Bryan Smith and the team at Mid Michigan Comics always bring a good selection of books for sale. They have their pulse on the comic book buying community. When they brought up buyer interest and sales in Avengers #8 and Kang one would think it was a trip back in time. Why would anyone seek out this book with all the booth's keys and pre-code horror available. The reason was internet rumors and convention talk among guests expressing a novel fan theory making the rounds. The belief is Dr. Doom would take out Kang in a new MCU film to end Kang's bad odor left on the MCU. Someone was buying low and possibly hoping internet rumors would drive interest up in this book. Either that or they bought this book for a long term hold. Early Avengers books at reduced prices=smart buys. People may be moving on from these books but their loss is another's gain even if few believe the Kang/Dr. Doom rumor and it never comes to pass.

Bringing the thunder

Fans loved The Thunderbolts* film. After so many misses with the mainstream MCU this film did not leave a bad taste in their mouths. Fans were on the hunt for The Sentry #1, Avengers #43, and Inhumans #5. Fans were not looking for Taskmaster, Winter Soldier, or Ghost keys, nor the Thunderbolt series. Most fans know the upside down parabola price model where the keys start to rise when the trailer drops and then peak around the release of the film only to drop down in price after the film's release. Buyers for these keys were betting on the drop, but they also believe that these characters will still be in vogue with later film plans. The lower prices were now attractive to these buyers. Fans still loved the Winter Soldier but Captain America #6 or other keys were not on their lists. No reason for this was provided but it was a common refrain among buyers.

Another universe is out there

Scan booths and one would see video game inspired comics. Not one specific title but all things video games. Keith Daggett and others stated the same mantra; there are millions of gamers and if even a small percentage are interested in comics you have sales. Guess what... gamers were looking for comics of their favorite characters. Sonic the Hedgehog, Tomb Raider, Super Mario and others were on their lists, but as always there was one book that topped the lists.

He is in everything, except this book

Fans of The Last of Us were out in force. The new season is attracting some fans but the gamers were already aware of the deeper universe from game play. A few said they were seeking out the Last of Us: American Dreams #1, but would settle on any issue they could find. Some had price limits while two were willing to pay larger fees for a really high grade copy. They saw this as the next Walking Dead type franchise. There are more universes than DC and Marvel, and hobbyists should again realize this fact.

A new king

While any horror comic was in demand, a new horror adjacent comic book was on people's want list. While again not a true horror character, Godzilla and related Japanese properties were being sought out by quite a few collectors. The current television series and movie franchise are creating a new generation of diehard fans. They are seeking out more current stuff, but that does not mean they are not seeking out books like Godzilla #1. That book has been a long time Bronze Age staple, but more should look into it because of low FMV (CGC 9.8= $400). Fans are willing to buy this book for that FMV but dealers know how truly undervalued the book is so good luck finding it for that price. If you do, buy it!!!

Star in almost every major media franchise

Motor City Comic Con ("MC3") has been stepping up their game when it comes to celebrities. Jeremy Renner was the person on most fans list but MC3 delivered a good variety of guests as well. All celeb-fan interactions were great, but there were a few standouts that should be mentioned as "Must Sees" if they come to a comic book convention near you. Carrie-Anne Moss has appeared in main roles in the MCU, Star Wars, and Matrix universes. One would expect her not to provide such one on one time with fans. The opposite was true. She is very giving and fans came away feeling great after meeting her. One fan said she was very interested in their thoughts and opinions and spent a long time with them. Then there was this...

Fans were in the show

Imagine you are hoping to see your favorite celebs and two come in character and basically make you feel like you are actually on the set of the show. Thomas Lennon and Cedric Yarbrough appeared in full costume as Officers Lt. Dangle and Deputy Jones from Reno 911!. Lennon even wore those famous white cowboy boots that he was so proud of in the series. Imagine being photobombed by Jonesy as Dangle is held up off the ground by a group of fans as he kicks real high. At MC3 fans got to experience that regularly. The Motor City must have reminded them of Reno because they were patrolling their booths like real cops...well Reno's not so finest. These guys are a must see at any show they are attending so do not miss them.

Props from the show

Thomas Lennon provided insight that all the scene used props from the show are still in storage at the studio in the event the show is brought back for another run. Fans hoped that the show would be brought back again, but still wanted to get one of the bicycles or costumes from the show to add to their collections. Lennon did indicate that sometimes props are sold for charity fundraising so if you are a fan click on his instagram page for updates. You could score some nice collectibles and help a charity at the same time. Also look for when he is coming near you because any fan of the show will not be disappointed.