People are Taking Notice
GoCollect articles are meant to educate the readers. It seems some of you are following the advice. On September 12 an undervalued article was published that covered Marvel Comics. One of the books mentioned was issue Amazing Spider-Man #33. This issue had a classic Ditko cover and was the 1st time the webhead displayed his Spidey strength. On October 7 Matt Tuck's hottest comic article (a must read every time) mentioned that this issue came out of nowhere to be the top mover and shaker for the 10 day period examined. Silver Age ASM are always good bets but this issue was one constantly ignored until we highlighted it. It was important but the sales prices were not indicating the significance of the issue.
The Hardest Segment to Predict
Independent comics' value are the hardest to predict. They experience volatility with a much smaller footprint. Even successful characters like TMNT and Spawn have a smaller fan base when compared to the big two. That does not mean this segment should be ignored. The key to finding undervalued books is to look for potential but minimize risk. Remember with independent comics, aiming small and missing small is the key.
The Nominees are...
Many independent comics could make this list because there are so many that are ignored by the masses. The problem is that GoCollect and my editor force me to go to conventions, stores and actually talk with collectors and investors to find out what is actually happening. Imagine talking with people who participate in the hobby to write reports. The books are not ranked in any order because each has their own strengths and weaknesses that may differ among readers. Now on to the lists!!!
I. Sex Sells
Sexy comics always have a following. A talented artist with a good character can make a book a hit. The more controversial the cover and the greater the return. Dave Stevens books were once under appreciated and thus undervalued. His books are now highly sought after by both collectors and investors. The same might hold true one day for Joseph Michael Linsner. Cry for Dawn #1 is the first appearance of Dawn. This book is very hard to find with less than 500 copies in the CGC census and yet again the prices are still affordable. A 9.6 right now has an FMV of only $575. The more controversial Cry for Dawn #5 has less than 175 graded copies in the census but a 9.8 FMV of only $450. That is just too low.
II. The King of the Pin Up Covers
Mention sexy covers and you cannot forget Frank Frazetta. Stories were worked around his art it was that good. That makes Tally Ho Comics #nn a truly special book. This book has the first comic book art of the legend himself. He worked partially on the cover and interior pages. The last sale of any substantial grade was a 4.0 on 9/11/22 for $1200. I was shocked to see a comic of that historical importance sell for that low a price at Heritage Auctions. That should change shortly. Three different grades are up for sale on 10/15/24 at Heritage. They should sell for a lot more than what their FMV is listed. This book will soon pop and then it will be too late to score a deal.
III. Tis the Season
Sometimes comics ignore famous media creations. Decades after his first appearance on film Chaos! Comics published Halloween #1. This is the first appearance of Michael Myers that this author could find in comics. The villain has appeared in multiple films and even on television in Robot Chicken sketches. Less that 350 copies exist, but a 9.8 has an FMV of $400. Marvel non key comics can sell for that much in the same grade. A great photo cover like this is a must have for many horror comic fans. Again keys like this should not sell this low in that grade, but a 9.6 for $180. That is a crime people!
IV. No Tricks, Only Treats
Sexy horror is a great combination. This next book was observed by this author once in the wild at a convention many years ago. It sat there for the taking and yet stupidly an Amazing Spider-Man #361 was purchased instead. The reason for that selection was because Black Cat Comics #14 was published by Harvey Comics. Harvey Comics featured Casper the Ghost and other childish characters so it was ignored by a true comic book fan. Good luck now finding a copy as only 27 exist graded.
Does that mean they do not exist. Nope! That means the search will be harder and one may have to look at raw books. This author thought then it must be a trick for an 8.5 to only have an FMV of $700. The roughly 6,000 copies of ASM #361 graded 9.8 can be found for half that price. What is undervalued when one is rarely found and the other even a non-powered Matt Murdock could see? A cool Halloween themed cover with a sexy character makes this book grossly undervalued.
V. He Can Kick Real High
Characters that have existed in comics since 1933 should have some value. Buck Rogers is a character that has had many incarnations. He even was portrayed by Daffy Duck on television. Most of the early editions are priced well beyond the means of collectors and investors because of being an early appearance or containing Frazetta artwork.
Buck Rogers in the 25th Century #1 is not has pricey. A 9.6 copy of Buck's first appearance in the Silver Age sold for only $1,495 on 4/19/21. The reason is because not too many younger fans know the character was played by Gil Gerard in the 80's television. Sadly even fewer knew that famed actor Buster Crabbe played the iconic character in the 30s movie serials. The issue is also undervalued because finding a high grade is very difficult with less than 100 total graded books. If a movie comes out though that effort will be worth it.
VI. Not a Riddle
Imagine a key book associated with the legendary Steve Ditko that could be said to be undervalued. That is the case with Blue Beetle #1. Many collectors may want this book because it is the first issue of a series. The true reason this book is undervalued is because it has the first appearance of the Question. This is a character that migrated from Charlton to DC Comics and has since appeared on the small screen. Less than 600 exist in the CGC census and yet a 9.4 book has an FMV of $1000. This is a small price to pay for a character that has been used in comics but has such great potential on the big screen. The only concern is to not get the Modern Comics edition. That issue has the Modern Comics logo in the upper left hand corner.
VII. White Gold
Investing in variants is a dangerous road to travel for most investors. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3 (variant) is not that type of variant. This variant was created by an error in the printing process that made the name of "LAIRD" next to the issue number appear white. Less than 225 copies exist in the CGC census and yet a 9.4 as an FMV of $1200. Over 3600 copies of the normal edition exist with the FMV of that grade costing around $270. TMNT are popular now and have been for a long period. A variant of an early issue that has only around 500 total copies in existence both raw and graded makes this book rare. Sadly the only thing keeping the cost down is collectors are unaware of it because it is so rare. Find it, buy it!!! The price is still too low for it's true value.
VIII. Pricey but...
Many hobbyists think that because a book costs a lot it cannot be considered undervalued. That is not the case, especially with our next book. Four Color #596 is a book many should own. The importance of the book is that it has the first appearance of Turok, Son of Stone. Turok and his people exist with Dinosaurs. Native American and dinosaurs. That is screaming put me on the silver screen. Bloodshot was a bad choice to start a movie universe, but not Turok. Even if never used on film, the character and this issue's cover make it a must own. This book has only 251 copies in the census and an 8.0 will cost around $1300. This is a good book to hunt down if you can find it becaue many collectors do not let it last too long at conventions and in LCS.
IX. Childish Humor
Archie Comics have a small but loyal following. Then there is the niche fans who love the classic "headlights" and juvenile humor covers. These books are highly desirable. The problem is that many of these books were not saved, but instead were read and thrown away in higher numbers than the cooler super hero books. Archie Comics #55 is one of those funny double meaning covers that fans seek out. A 6.5 will set you back around $350, but with only 27 copies in the total graded census that is a deal. Try to find this book raw and get an even better deal because many times key Archie books get tossed in with the non-keys in lot sales.
X. Final Whack
Pre-code horror. Everyone knows this niche is always hot. How about adding a story related to a previous so called "crime of the century". Crime Suspenstories #13 is a book that this author has seen languishing on shelves because other pre-code horror issues are more desirable. A cover that features Lizzie Borden should not be ignored. An 8.5 copy has an FMV of $775. Most pre-code horror exceeds that price regularly. Only 98 of the books exist in the CGC total census. An unsolved crime that was committed in 1892 should have more appeal but most comic book fans again lack the knowledge of why this book is important. A classic EC Comic with art by Craig, Severin, and Kamen should not be this cheap.
