The Silver Age, long the lynchpin of the collecting universe, is experiencing down times. Yet even in a market that’s trending in the wrong direction, some comics are bucking the trend. Of course, others are just exacerbating it. Let’s take a look at the Silver Age CPI to note some winners and losers over the past 90 days.
Criteria
Taking a look at the comics in our Silver Age CPI, I first determined which ones were showing general upward trends and which were trending downward over the past 90 days. I then looked at the trends per grade. If there were an overwhelming number of grades that matched the trend, that book made the list. Too many flat lines or a mixed bag across grades caused a book to not be included. It’s a simple but effective way to look at the comics in the CPI quickly and determine if the trend is being reflected across grades.
Winner – The Silver Surfer #1 – up 8.5%
With the notable exception of the 8.5 grade, most grades saw a lift in value. The recent downward trends in the lowest grades are reason for some marginal concern, but those are more than evened out by recent spikes in the mid grades.
Loser – Fantastic Four #4 – down 10.6%
The only bright spot is the 6.5 grade. Every other grade that had sales is down. That 5.0 trend line is frightening; this book has lost $1,000 in value in that grade in the past 90 days. Sub-Mariner’s Silver Age debut is sinking fast.
Winner – Batman #171 – up 4.5%
The upward trends in the higher grades are nice to see for the Riddler’s first Silver Age appearance. There is some softening in the mid to lower grades, but overall, the grade trends are what we like to see.
Loser – Aquaman #1 – down 9.0%
Clearly collectors are not enamored of Silver Age under sea heroes, as Aquaman’s first solo issue has been tumbling down into the briny deep. The 8.0 trend line is particularly ugly, representing more than $700 in lost value and something you don’t want to see in the higher grades.
Winner – Daredevil #7 – up 3.1%
The upper third of grades is performing well for the debut of Daredevil’s red costume. You have to particularly like the recovery shown in the 7.5 grade. There has been some softening in value of late, but most of that is coming in a couple of mid grades and the lower grades.
Loser – Captain America #117 – down 6.5%
The Falcon is swooping lower in most grades. Of note are the higher grades where we’re seeing some pretty steep drops. The 7.5 grade, in particular, has a trend line that is reflective of the overall direction of this book.
Winner – Fantastic Four #52 – up 2.6%
Black Panther’s debut has been on the over-correction hot list for a while now, and it appears that collectors are beginning to take notice. While there’s been a little softening in the 8.0 grade, the next four grades down show generally upward trends. Note the downward trends in the 5.0 to 4.0 grades, though.
Loser – Avengers #4 – down 4.2%
Other than the 7.5 grade, it’s an across the board drop for Captain America’s first appearance in the Silver Age. Overall, these are some disconcerting trendlines, especially in the mid grades.
Honorable Mention Winner – Showcase #17 – up 4.8%
While it doesn’t have enough sales to make it a winner, Adam Strange’s first appearance deserves a runner-up medal as it’s up in every grade that’s sold over the past 90 days. Sure, it’s only three grades but that’s a couple low grades and one high grade. Keep an eye on this book.
Honorable Mention Loser – Amazing Spider-Man #3 – down 1.6%
Yes, it’s not down by much, but some mention needs to be made of the fact that this book is down in every grade that sold in the past three months. That’s not good for a major Spidey villain’s debut.
