While comics from other eras decline, Golden Age books are increasing in value. Yet even in an up market, some comics will fall while others continue to rise. Let’s take a look at the Golden Age CPI to note some winners and losers over the past 90 days.
Criteria
Golden Age comics are a little tougher to analyze for trends as sales aren’t as common. While we still try to avoid flat lines – a sign that there haven’t been many sales – when assessing Golden Age comics in the CPI, we can’t be concerned with individual grades, and instead must assess across grades to determine trends.
Winner – Superman #14 – up 3.0%
With its classic Fred Ray cover, this issue has always been in demand, and collectors have driven the price up over the past year. After taking a hit with the sale of a 6.0 graded copy the week prior to June 23 for $11,300 – down $700 from the previous sale – the 90-day CPI has risen based on sales in the 5.0, 1.5, and 1.0 grades that were serious increases over previous sales.
Loser – Detective Comics #225 – down 0.3%
The first appearance of Martian Manhunter has always been somewhat underrated. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that the character is a notch below the big DC characters; or maybe it’s because he doesn’t appear on the cover. In any event, it’s hard to call this book a loser when it’s down a marginal 0.3%. It’s a well-known comic, one that long-time collectors are well aware of.
The downward trend is driven primarily by a slight drop in the 4.0 selling price from $3,426.67 to $3,381.33, before rising back up to $3,438, and the $320 drop in the selling price in the 3.5 grade. It wasn’t all bad, however, as the value in the 5.5 grade increased $20. Still, with the Golden Age market being up as it is, any key issue that drops in value is noteworthy.
Winner – Shock SuspenStories #6 – up 5.1%
Perhaps one of the most sought-after EC comics, this issue – with its famous Wally Wood cover – continues to rise in value and in the eyes of collectors. The past 90 days were no exception. After an uneventful June and July, the action began to heat up with sales beginning the week prior to August 4 and have been rising dramatically since. Big sales in the 8.0 and 7.0 grades are the primary drivers, but we also saw a 1.5 sell for 7.2% more than the previous sale.
Loser – Captain Marvel Adventures #18 – down 0.9%
Again, another one that’s down less than one percent, but still notable for its trends. After no sales from mid-July through nearly the end of August, the drops were seen in the 5.0 grade (down $100) and 3.0 grade (down a significant $374). While the first appearance of Mary Marvel continues to be a quality Golden Age comic, the slight drop in value bears watching.
Winner – Four Color #386 – up 1.6%, up 2.5% in past month
The first Uncle Scrooge cover – by the Duckmaster Carl Barks, no less – has been on a bit of a roller coaster but still shows an increase over the past 90 days. Sales are up in the 7.0, 4.0, and 3.0 grades, while they’re down in the 5.0 and 4.5 grades, thus the aforementioned roller coaster. If you’re a Barks collector or an Uncle Scrooge fan, this comic – which is essentially Uncle Scrooge #1 – remains a fairly affordable Golden Age key.
Final Analysis
We’re seeing less volatility overall in the Golden Age market than we’re seeing in the Silver Age market when comparing the trends over the past 90 days. Even the books that are down haven’t dropped as markedly as those in the Silver Age CPI, showing that the Golden Age is currently the safer comic market in which to invest.
