May 2004 Marvel Market Report
As a life-long collector of Marvel comic books and, more recently, a dealer who has started an internet company devoted exclusively to consigning, buying and selling ultra high grade certified Marvels and magazines, I feel I have a unique perspective of the Silver and Bronze Age Marvel market from both a buyer’s and seller’s standpoint. Since Pedigree Comics only deals in Marvel comics and magazines from these eras, I will not comment on any other segment of the comic book market.2004 has already seen a great deal of activity in Marvel comics, with many record prices being paid. There undoubtedly has been an influx of new high grade collectors and/or investors looking to buy early Silver Age books, especially keys and first appearance issues, within the first five months of the year. Demand totally outweighs supply in this area of the market, probably more so than in any other section of our entire hobby. Indeed, there may be a far lesser supply of high grade Golden Age books from most, if not all, publishers (both certified and un-slabbed copies), but there is certainly more desire for these early Marvels. In these past five months alone, never before realized prices have been paid for an Amazing Fantasy 15 9.4; Tales To Astonish 27 9.4; Tales To Astonish 27 9.2; Journey Into Mystery 83 9.4; Tales of Suspense 39 9.4; X-Men 1 9.4; Incredible Hulk 1 8.5 and Fantastic Four 1 9.4.
In my opinion, three important factors have led to this Marvel bonanza. The first is the supply and demand issue, which drives most collectibles markets. There really aren’t as many ultra high grade copies of these early silver Age Marvels as we once thought and the craze to own these No. 1 and initial appearance issues is as strong as ever. The second factor is the anticipation for and the release of new major motion pictures depicting most of these Marvel characters. Never before have these four color heroes been portrayed in such a favorable light and brought to the forefront of media attention and nationwide consciousness, both through the movies themselves and the seemingly endless merchandising spin-offs and toys as a result. And lastly is the new collector awareness, knowledge and appreciation as a result of the CGC (Comics Guaranty Corporation) Registry and chat boards. This third factor can not be overlooked, as the CGC has created an unprecedented forum for collectors new and old to meet, trade comics, compare runs or just simply talk about our hobby. Make no mistake, this collector awareness has fueled the collecting passion in many of these Silver and Bronze fanboys, leading directly to increased sales and prices. I believe these factors will continue throughout the rest of 2004, resulting in a consistently strong Marvel back issue market.
The following sales and purchases are all from 2004, except the report on the Incredible Hulk 1 9.2, which was purchased in the Fall, 2003. (For the sake of avoiding confusion and duplicate sales listings, only unreported purchases of books from private collectors are listed herein):
Silver Age Sales:
Tales To Astonish 27 9.4 $28,000
Tales of Suspense 39 9.2 $17,000
Tales To Astonish 59 9.4 $1,400 (Northland)
Amazing Spider-Man 38 9.4 $1,000
Strange Tales 127 9.4 $900 (Mass. copy)
Fantastic Four 16 9.4 (Pacific Coast) $2,750 + Thor 126 9.4 in trade
Not Brand Ecch 1 9.4 $500.00 (Pacific Coast)
Silver Age Purchases:
Tales To Astonish 59 9.6 $2,500
Journey Into Mystery 89 9.4 $7,250
Journey Into Mystery 105 9.6 $2,400
Journey Into Mystery 111 9.6 $2,000
Amazing Spider-Man 38 $3,500 (Golden State)
Tales To Astonish 101 9.6 $500
Tales of Suspense 82 9.8 $1,400
Amazing Spider-Man 51 9.6 $3,150
Fantastic Four 16 9.6 $12,000
Fantastic Four 29 9.4 $3,000 (White Mountain)
Daredevil 4 9.6 $7,000
Tales of Suspense 39 9.4 $55,000 (White Mountain)
Incredible Hulk 1 9.2 $47,500 (Northland)
Not Brand Ecch 1 9.8 $1,250 (Curator)
Sgt. Fury 4 9.4 $1,700 (Western Penn)
Sgt. Fury 5 9.6 $2,000
Sgt. Fury 12 9.6 $400 (Western Penn)
Bronze Age sales:
Group of high grade Conans (1 9.8; 2 9.8; 3 9.6; 4 9.8; 5 9.8; 6 9.6; 7 9.8;
8 9.8; 9 9.8; 10 9.6; 12 9.6; 13 9.6; 14 9.6; 15 9.8; 16 9.6; 17 9.8; 18 9.4;
19 9.8; 20 9.6; 21 9.8; 22 9.6; 23 9.6; 24 9.6; 35 9.6; 36 9.6; 37 9.6; 41 9.8;
42 9.8; 52 9.6 and 62, 70, 75, 77, 80, 84, 95, 98, 100 and Giant Size 2 all 9.8): $15,000
Marvel Spotlight 5 9.6 $1,600
Marvel Spotlight 1 9.8 $500
Iron Fist 14 9.8 $1,500
Marvel Two in One 1 9.8 $1,100
Defenders 10 9.8 $900
Amazing Spider-Man 120 9.6 $375
Fantastic Four 152 9.6 $75
Hero For Hire 2 9.8 $400
Marvel Team-Up 1 9.6 $1,500
Marvel Team-Up Annual 1 9.8 $500
Marvel Feature 2 9..6 $600
Iron Man 55 9.8 $1,500
Bronze Age Purchases:
X-Men 94 9.8 $19,000 + $4,000 in trade
Avengers 99 9.8 $550
Amazing Spider-Man 111 9.8 $1,000
Marvel Spotlight 4 9.8 $1,000
Nick Fury 15 9.6 $450
Incredible Hulk 141 9.6 $650
Daredevil 168 9.8 $3,250
X-Men 121 9.8 $1,250
X-Men 111 9.8 $850
Marvel Premiere 20 9.8 and Warlock 5 9.8 $375 for pair
Giant Size X-Men 1 9.6 $2,300