Co-Written Blog by MrktSmart & Slider2333
In recent months, the collectibles world has been energized by record-breaking sales of landmark issues like Action Comics #1 (sold for $15 Million) and Superman #1 (sold for $9.12 Million)
These moments do more than set financial benchmarks. They remind us that comic books aren't just paper & ink, but cultural artifacts connected to something profoundly human. More than 80 years after their creation, comics continue to resonate because they tap into a storytelling tradition that stretches back thousands of years.
It certainly makes my 30-40 year collecting era seem like a small panel in a big graphic novel, but then again, I'm one of just so many people throughout history who shared a love of an asset type, no matter its form or function...an awesome thought!!
A COLLABORATIVE BLOG FOR YOUR READING FUN!
I'm excited to share some great perspectives from a fellow collector & art enthusiast SLIDER2333 on why comics matter, and appreciate the opportunity to repurpose his thoughts for you below:
TIME FOR SOME TIME TRAVEL
To understand why comic books still matter, let's grab our DeLorean keys & a willingness to go back in time to help the connect the dots between collectors across eras...
First Stop: Ancient Greece
Long before capes and secret identities, the Greeks told epic stories of heroes who embodied their fears, ideals, and contradictions. Achilles, immortal by reputation yet tragically human in fate, chose glory over a long life, a decision that made his story endure.
His name lives on today through the term “Achilles’ heel,” a reminder that even the mightiest heroes have vulnerabilities. The Greeks honoured figures like Achilles and Hercules with statues, poems, and art, tangible expressions of admiration that parallel how we celebrate superheroes today.
Now, Back to the 12th-Century Britain Future
In villages and courts alike, stories of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table captivated audiences. Children replayed legendary battles in the streets. Traveling performers staged tales of Merlin and the quest for the Holy Grail. Merchants sold wooden replicas of Excalibur and carvings of knights, early forms of character merchandise.
Books and illuminated manuscripts preserved these legends, while artwork celebrated Arthur’s struggle to balance power, loyalty, and love. These stories became cultural touchstones, passed down because they spoke to timeless ideals of justice and sacrifice.
88 MPH-Forward to Our Present Day
We land in New York City during Comic Con week. Artists unveil new interpretations of beloved characters. Collectors proudly display graded issues, rare variants and now, digital assets with A/R features right on their mobile phones.
Fans connect with one another over shared passions. The centuries between ancient Greece, medieval Britain, and modern comic conventions are vast, yet the emotional through-line is unmistakable.
People are drawn to stories that frame human challenges through larger-than-life figures, and they seek physical objects that anchor those stories in their own lives.
Modern Superheroes Carry Forth the Same Moral Weight as their Mythic Predecessors
Spider-Man reminds us that with great power comes great responsibility. Doctor Strange shows how even noble intentions can be corrupted when power is left unchecked. Superman stands as a symbol of hope and restraint, while his earliest appearances now serve as cornerstones of collecting history.
These characters endure because they teach lessons that transcend generations.
This is Why Comics & Related Collectibles Continue to Thrive
They're not fleeting trends but expressions of our collective consciousness. Each era creates its own heroes, then preserves them through art, books, and objects of reverence. When collectors chase historic issues or contemporary keys, they are not merely investing. They're participating in a tradition as old as storytelling itself.
The Recent Resurgence in the Collectibles Market is not an Anomaly
It's a reminder that as long as we seek meaning, inspiration, and connection through stories, comics will remain relevant. They are our modern myths, and the artifacts we collect today may one day be viewed with the same reverence as ancient statues or medieval manuscripts.
As Our industry advances, driven by passion as much as by prices, one truth remains clear:
Heroes may evolve, formats may change from print to digital to...who knows, but the human desire to collect & connect through stories of courage, flaw, and hope will never truly fade.
With blockchains now securing digital asset content & images in immutable digital ledgers (known as Real World Tokenization of Physical Assets), we are also seeing the development of new safeguarding & archiving processes that will further protect many masterpieces for future generations to enjoy.
Thanks for Reading!
Original Writing Inspiration: Slider Art @Slider_Nft_Art - please visit & follow him on Twitter / X
If you'd like to give LICENSED digital comics & collectibles a try, Download VeVe Using My Link & Get $10 USD FREE to Start! http://veve.sjv.io/vevecollecting
