Early in 2022, when the comic book market began a two-year long correction after the biggest boom in its history, some collectors said we should "buy the dip." Unfortunately, buying the dip turned out to be more like "catching a falling knife."

After two years of falling values, many collectors have asked: when will we hit bottom?

This is a difficult question to answer even with a substantial amount of data at our fingerprints. One person who has answered this question in a data-driven way is Swagglehaus, a popular comic book Youtuber. Here's his latest video on the state of the comic book market. Swagglehaus' method includes creating an index -- a concept similar to the S&P500 or the Dow Jones except for key comic books -- for each "age" (i.e., Silver, Bronze, Copper). His data analysis generally confirms what we've all known; that the market peaked around June 2021; values for key issues from the Bronze and Copper Ages began a nearly three year long period of decline; the peak of the Silver Age lasted a bit longer, but it also entered a two-year period of decline in early 2022.

There is some evidence to suggest that the value of Amazing Fantasy #15 may have hit bottom.

Let's take a more granular look at the most important key issues of the Silver, Bronze, and Copper Ages: Amazing Fantasy #15, Incredible Hulk #181, and Amazing Spider-Man #300. Looking at the most common grade of Amazing Fantasy #15 on the CGC Census, a 3.0, we actually do see evidence that values have more or less flatlined since March of 2023. In other words, it looks plausible that we may have hit bottom at around $30,000 (after having peaked at $48,000 in early 2022). According to GoCollect, the 90 day average ($29,960) is actually a fraction higher than the one-year average of $29,482.

The 30 day "average" is lower, but that figure is based upon only one sale. Barring the unforeseen, it looks like you'd probably be doing pretty well if you can purchase a copy for around $26,000.

The value of Hulk #181 continues to decline.

On the other hand, GoCollect's data suggests that values are still falling for the king of the Bronze Age, Hulk #181. Looking at the most common grade of Hulk #181 on the CGC Census, a 7.5, we see no evidence of finding bottom. According to GoCollect, the one-year average ($4,654) is higher than the 90-day average ($4,192) which, in turn, is higher than the 30-day average of $3,980.

This data suggests that the value of Hulk #181 may still continue to decline. It might be a good idea to wait at least until the 90 day average is about the same as the one-year average.

We likely haven't yet found bottom for ASM #300.

Similarly, GoCollect's data suggests that we haven't hit bottom for Amazing Spider-Man #300. Looking at the most common grade of ASM #300 on the CGC Census, a 7.5, values are still declining although less rapidly in recent months. According to GoCollect, the one-year average ($709) is higher than the 90-day average ($644) which, in turn, is higher than the 30-day average of $629.

You can never be sure, but I think the data suggests that it might be a good idea to wait a bit more before buying until we see clearer evidence of finding bottom.

Have you seen any evidence that the comic market may have finally hit bottom? If so, please let our community know in the comments section below!