Is the comic book market set for self correction?

Just a thought, not a hope, and I hope I am wrong. Are there signs that indicate a fall out of record high comic book prices?

If one were to look at the record breaking auctions of the last year, then "no" is the simple answer. However the average collector is not making those purchases (Action Comics #1, Tec 27 etc). Non-comic based investors are buying much of the super high priced inventory as economic fears overshadow hope in other markets. The super rich have taken to any and all collectibles as a way to hedge inflation and insure their portfolios against another probable economic downturn.

This in itself is good for the industry, but may not fair so well for the average collector. It is sending a mixed signal about comic book sales that can be misinterpreted. The signal reads "Collectible Comic Book sales at all time high!", or "Comic book history being made yet again!".

As a collector myself, who will probably never own an Action Comic #1, I know damn well that too often we are giving in to this hoopla. I feel that just because the very few ultra rare comics are making headlines, it shouldn't mean diddly squat to a non-key bronze aged X-Men comic that grades 9.8.

In the newly released Overstreet Guide (just a guide, I know) we have seen for the first time in over 5 years where average price increases are 2-3 percent for NM copies of key issues. Some copies even dropped for a first time. I know at the many shows I attend (NY, Columbus, Detroit, Maryland, wherever) I am inundated with copies of Hulk 181, X Men 94's, Giant Sized X-men 1 etc. Even the "Guide" whose advisory board primarily consists of the dealers whose interests obviously lie in rising prices is showing for the first time weakness in the market. There is too much inventory!!!

I am only sharing concerns with my comic collecting brethren, as I love the hobby and have been at it for 20 plus years, but let's see the signs as they are apparent.

There are non-key bronze aged books asking (and basically getting) 1000.00 or more because they are 1 of only 12 graded at a 9.8. In a situation of a golden age utlra rare comic one could be rest assured that in 10 years it will remain 1 of only 12, but for a book that was published in 1982, and knowing that it is abundantly available in Raw form, the odds of it staying 1 of 12 in ten years are slim to none.

The record high sales of ultra rare books, teamed with a plethora of superhero movies, and the fact that CGC has now gone mainstream are all good things, but I believe are contributing to the artificial inflation of comic prices.

For the record, I am a collector, not a dealer. I do not sell my books and they are not for sale. Resale is not something I have to worry about when purchasing, but like any other collector, I try to not pay any more than I have to! A high market positively affects the value of my collection and that is a good thing, but an artificial market when discoered, will royally screw the value of my collection making it worthless. This only comes in to play when and if I wish to sell/trade in my collection, not if I am sitting on it, but I am reminded of a similair situation what was it? Oh yes, the housing bubble that popped in '06 and still hasn't recovered.

My friends, we do not need a repeat of that in our hobby. If a self correction is imminent, and I think it is, much better for the market to deflate over time than pop.

My 2 cents......enjoy collecting,

The Angry Spider

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