Shadowy Villain Shows His Face
One of Doctor Strange’s greatest foes and the first that he would face in comics is Nightmare. While Nightmare made his first appearance along with Doctor Strange in Strange Tales #110, he was always shown as a shadowy figure. It wouldn’t be until a year later that fans would see his face for the first time in Strange Tales #122.
Compared to other issues of Strange Tales, this is an undervalued and overlooked comic book.
There are 257 graded copies of Strange Tales #122 in the CGC census, nearly a third less than the next issue: Strange Tales #123 with 372 graded copies. True, Strange Tales #123 contains the first appearance of the Beetle. However, taken in context, it’s hard to argue that the Beetle is more important than Nightmare in terms of Marvel villainy. The last sale of a 9.6 graded copy was in the January 15 Heritage auction when it went for $4,320. While an appreciable number, it’s barely budged in terms of real dollar value from the 2018 sale for $3,346 (present dollar value $4,108).
The most recent sale was a 7.0 going for $125 in an August 28 eBay auction, down from its peak of a slashed $200 on April 25. A book that has been relatively flat over a five-year span yet also has a key first full appearance is definitely one worth considering for your collection.
A President Meets Superman – After His Death
Sometimes comic books run smack into history and that’s certainly the case with Action Comics #309. This particular issue hit the newsstands around Christmas of 1963 but contains an appearance by President John F. Kennedy roughly one month after his assassination on November 22, 1963.
With printing processes being what they were at the time, DC wasn’t able to recall the issue and it received full distribution, comparable to other issues of the series at the time. In the issue, Kennedy actually disguises himself as Clark Kent to help Superman preserve his secret identity.
Despite its historical importance, there are only 84 graded copies of Action Comics #309 in the CGC census. While it’s somewhat more than the issues around it and high mid-grade prices in general are higher than those issues, it’s still a relatively forgotten piece of comic book history.
The highest sale this year was a 9.2 graded copy selling for $700 in a June 14 eBay sale. The only other CGC-graded copy to sell this year was a 5.5 going for just $79 on April 7. If you’re looking for a piece of history to include in your collection, this is definitely one to consider.
The Greatest Western Show Receives Its Own Comic Series
Even in the early Silver Age western comics were still very much a big deal. That’s due in part to the incredible popularity of Western TV shows, and no show was more popular than Gunsmoke. In fact, until The Simpsons beat it out, Gunsmoke was the longest-running prime-time show in television history. As was their wont at the time, Dell Comics often debuted new series in the pages of Four Color Comics. After five appearances in those pages, Gunsmoke received its own title beginning with Gunsmoke #6, published in 1957. Talk about an overlooked comic!
There is one graded copy of Gunsmoke #6 in the CGC census. That’s right – just one. Now, I know westerns aren’t the most popular genre in the comic collecting hobby, but that’s still remarkably low. It’s a 9.4 graded copy that has sold twice – once in 2021 for $780 and once in 2022 for $576. Obviously, you’re going to have to look for raw copies of this one; there are likely still a few copies floating around out there in the wild. And if you have a raw copy, definitely consider sending it in for grading.
Do you think Strange Tales #122, Action Comics #309, and Gunsmoke #6 are undervalued, overlooked, or both? Let us know below!
