Last month's top Modern Age comics have one thing in common; they were nowhere five years ago. Now they are the most popular comics over the last 60 days or so. Some are usual suspects, like Amazing Spider-Man #361 and some not as common as Ultimate Fallout #4. Are these Modern keys profitable books and which have the best opportunity to increase in value in the future?
The Modern Age started in 1992 with the debut of Image Comics. That debut shook up the 90s comic artist world to be sure. Ever since the Modern Age has been expanding. It is only a matter of time before these "Moderns" are reclassified under several different ages. With such a vast time frame the Modern Age encompasses about the same amount of time as the Golden Age (28 years). This is an immense number of comics, due to mass production in modern times.
| Top Modern Age (1992-Present) | ||||
| Title | Grade | Last Sale | CGC Census | Return |
| Amazing Spider-Man #361 | 9.6 | $230 | 4266 | -6.5 |
| Spawn #1 | 9.8 | $125 | 8204 | +4.5% (9.6 has seen a decline -17.1%) |
| Ultimate Fallout #4 | 9.8 | $1099 | 2051 | +3.5% (All other grades have declined slightly) |
Modern Age Broad Price Declines
All three of these Modern Age comics have seen broad declines across most grades. The one bit of good news is Spawn #1 and Ultimate Fallout #4 has shown slight upticks in price. I believe this is due to the near mint-mint phenomena of being 9.8's and not exactly a dime a dozen. That said, these comics have a real need for assistance and some price increases. It looks to me as if all three are being oversold, hence the 60-day price decline in most grades except 9.8.
CGC Census
CGC Census is a no brainer and Ultimate Fallout #4 would have the least "fallout" from price declines and overhype. At a total outstanding of 6,443 slabbed books with the CGC Census, UF#4 has the best numbers overall. Now I know some of you are groaning right now, but the other two books are in the 15,000 outstanding copies range.
Conclusion
The ugly truth here is that these books have run up and now they are pulling back. This should not give you pause if you own any. They are good picks to hold for the next five to ten years, in my humble opinion. However, that also doesn't mean you need to pile into them. Wait, hold, and as soon as any additional movie news hits these books will move higher. It should be noted that Miles Morales has just started his run-up here. Yes, he will pull back but these comics are sought after by everyone going forward.
Does this slight pullback represent a buying opportunity in the future? Perhaps. At this point, with the COVID-19 situation improving from an economic perspective, people slowly getting back to work, that movies are somewhere on the horizon? Don't worry if you bought Ultimate Fallout #4 at the peak no one is judging. You won't need Miles Morales's chameleon powers to hide the embarrassment. This book is a buy and holds, kind of like Apple stock.
*Note to readers: Additionally, I want to end this article on a somber note; anyone that has suffered in this pandemic my heart and prayers go out to you and your family. Please stay safe in these troubled times.
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