The Silver Age Index may be down, but some comics are bucking the trend, while others are contributing to it. Let’s take a look at the Silver Age CPI to note some winners and losers over the past 90 days.
Winner – Amazing Spider-Man #50 – up 9.7%
While the MCU may not have the immediate effect it once had on comic prices, it does still impact values. Look no further than the first appearance of the Kingpin. Over the past three months, we’ve seen rising and rebounding values in all but the lowest grades. At this point, the Kingpin is one of the top MCU villains, solidifying this issue as a blue chip key.
Loser – Avengers #8 – down 7.2%
Take a villain away from the MCU, however, and values are sure to plummet. Kang’s first appearance – once of the mightiest of early Avengers issues becomes more pedestrian with each passing week. Overall, we’re seeing lower values in nearly every grade, particularly in the 8.5 and 8.0 grades where the average price has dropped 5.7% and 18.3% respectively.
Winner – Fantastic Four #49 – up 4.9%
The release of the first trailer for Fantastic Four: First Steps made this issue a big gainer over the past 90 days. The largest increases have come in the mid to low grades. Should the popularity of Galactus continue to rise, it should be interesting to see if this translates to the upper grades. For now, take your gains while you can and wait to see if the increases continue as we get closer to the July release of the film.
Loser – Strange Tales #110 – down 6.7%
There’s been no magic for the debut of Doctor Strange over the past few months. When sales have occurred, they’ve been for lower amounts than previously. It isn’t until we get down to the 4.0 grade and lower that we see any increase in prices. With little going on with the character in the comic books and nothing new to report in terms of the MCU, it’s not surprising that this oft-overlooked character is dropping in value now that he’s out of the limelight.
Winner – Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 – up 2.7%
Everyone loves a villain team-up, particularly when it’s six of Spidey’s foes. While the Sony-verse of films starring Spider-Man enemies is finally (thankfully) kaput, collectors still can’t get enough of the Sinister Six and their first appearance. Beware, though, much of the increase was driven by a nearly $1,000 increase in the average price paid for a 7.0 graded copy. I’d wait and see if other grades increase before declaring this one a bonafide winner.
Loser – Star Trek #1 – down 5.3%
A winner three months ago, the first appearance of the crew of the Starship Enterprise took a tumble over the past 90 days. Grades 8.5 through 6.0 all dropped in value, in some cases hundreds of dollars. No one grade was the big culprit; rather, the drops came across all the mid to higher grades.
Honorable Mention Winner – Tales to Astonish #44 – up 2.3%
Last time, Black Widow’s first appearance was an honorable mention in the winning column. This time, it’s the first appearance of the Wasp. Most of the rise came in the mid to lower grades.
Honorable Mention Loser – Tales to Astonish #13 – down 5.0%
Groot’s first appearance repeats as an honorable mention loser. The drop has been precipitous enough that it’s been passed on our Silver Age CPI by the first appearances of Supergirl, Braniac, and Mr. Freeze.
