Strange Tales Annuals
Marvel only published two Strange Tales annuals. Both are worthy of attention for very different reasons. Strange Tales Annual #1 was Marvel’s first annual published, garnering a place in history but the only one published in the Silver Age that was focused solely on their pre-superhero monsters.
Strange Tales Annual #2 featured the Human Torch, as he had taken over the starring role in the regular series. This annual would feature the first team-up of the Human Torch and Spider-Man.
- Strange Tales Annual #1
- Publication Date: 1961
- Why to Purchase: First Marvel annual
- Why Not to Purchase: All reprints
- # of Graded Copies: 253
- Most Common Grade & 90-day Average: 5.5, $288
- 9.2 Value & Last Sale Date: $3,600, 4/10/22
- (note: no copies above 9.4; one 9.4 exists but has never sold)
- Strange Tales Annual #2
- Publication Date: 1962
- Why to purchase: First team-up of Spider-Man and the Human Torch
- Why not to purchase: No reason not to purchase
- # of graded copies: 816
- Most common grade & 30-day average: 5.0, $394
- 9.6 Value & Last Sale Date: $16,800, 1/17/21
- (note: one 9.8 exists but it has never sold)
Fantastic Four Annuals
As Marvel’s premier comic book in the early Silver Age, the Fantastic Four annuals really did offer something special, at least with the first few issues. Weddings, births, first appearances, and origins can all be found in the pages of the Fantastic Four annuals in the 1960s.
- Fantastic Four Annual #1
- Publication Date: 1962
- Why to purchase: First appearance of Lady Dorma in the Silver Age, first appearance of Warlord Krang, first Fantastic Four Annual
- Why not to purchase: No reason not to purchase
- # of graded copies: 1,273
- Most common grade & 90-day average: 4.0, $340
- 9.6 Value & Last Sale Date: $40,800, 11/21/21
- (note: three 9.8 copies exist but there are no recorded sales)
- Fantastic Four Annual #2
- Publication Date: 1963
- Why to purchase: Origin of Dr. Doom
- Why not to purchase: No reason not to purchase
- # of graded copies: 1,284
- Most common grade & 30-day average: 4.0, $244
- 9.6 Value & Last Sale Date: $36,000, 11/21/21
- (note: the lone 9.8 hasn’t sold since 2013)
- Fantastic Four Annual #3
- Publication Date: 1964
- Why to purchase: Wedding of Reed Richards and Susan Storm, guest-stars galore
- Why not to purchase: Despite a lower census count, values drop quite a bit for this issue
- # of graded copies: 540
- Most common grade & 90-day average: 7.0, $528
- 9.4 Value & Last Sale Date: $1,140, 9/26/22
- (note: four 9.8 copies – no recorded sales, no sales of 9.6 copies since 2018)
- Fantastic Four Annual #4
- Publication Date: 1966
- Why to purchase: First Silver Age appearance of original Human Torch, first appearance of Quasimodo
- Why not to purchase: Quasimodo is one of the more lackluster Lee/Kirby creations
- # of graded copies: 371
- Most common grade & one-year average: 8.5, $193
- 9.8 Value & Last Sale Date: $3,840, 4/4/21
- Fantastic Four Annual #5
- Publication Date: 1967
- Why to purchase: First appearance of Psycho-Man, first solo Silver Surfer story
- Why not to purchase: Psycho-Man is another uninspired Lee/Kirby creation
- # of graded copies: 958
- Most common grade & 90-day average: 8.0, $144
- 9.8 Value & Last Sale Date: $3,499, 4/29/23
- Fantastic Four Annual #6
- Publication Date: 1968
- Why to purchase: Birth of Franklin Richards, first appearance of Annihilus
- Why not to purchase: No reason not to purchase
- # of graded copies: 2,779
- Most common grade & 30-day average: 6.5, $322
- 9.8 Value & Last Sale Date: $33,600, 4/10/22
Avengers Annuals
Despite the prominence of the Avengers as a team, Marvel only published two Avengers annuals in the Silver Age. Both offer some version of new vs. old Avengers.
- Avengers Annual #1
- Publication Date: 1967
- Why to purchase: Team-up of the current Avengers with the founding members
- Why not to purchase: For a first annual, it’s fairly lackluster
- # of graded copies: 638
- Most common grade & 30-day average: 8.5, $225
- 9.8 Value & Last Sale Date: $3,800, 2/29/20
- Avengers Annual #2
- Publication Date: 1968
- Why to purchase: First appearance of Scarlet Centurion, great John Buscema cover
- Why not to purchase: Better than the first annual, but nothing exceptional
- # of graded copies: 391
- Most common grade & 30-day average: 9.0, $178
- 9.8 Value & Last Sale Date: $2,400, 1/27/19
Takeaways
Beginning in 1969, and for a number of years thereafter, Marvel annuals became reprint only, reducing the appeal of these issues as collectibles. It wouldn’t be until the mid-1970s that Marvel once again began producing annuals with original stories. That makes the Silver Age annuals even more appealing. As important, the square-bound format used in these annuals often makes it difficult to find them in high grade, increasing the value of the few that do exist. However, annuals are overlooked by some collectors as not being part of a regular series and not as important as a standard issue from that series. That’s a mistake you should try to capitalize on.
Of the ones listed in this blog, Strange Tales Annual #2, Fantastic Four Annual #1, Fantastic Four Annual #2, and Fantastic Four Annual #6 should be top targets, while Fantastic Four Annual #3 and Avengers Annual #2 should be secondary targets.
We’ll be back in part two with the rest of Marvel’s Silver Age annuals.
Do you collect Marvel Silver Age Annuals? What are some of your favorites? Let us know below!
*Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not represent advice on behalf of GoCollect.
