500Club

Any one else shocked by the price tag on the Thief of Thieves comics. I don't know which number shocks me more the $300+ for the comicspro variant or the $30+ for the raw #1s. I knew there would be heat but I didn't imagine there would be this much heat. Apparently people are very confident that another Kirkman project at AMC will get made and suceed again. The comicspro variant went from $50 to $300 over night!

 

I saw a ton of Thief of Thieves #1s at C2E2, all priced at $10-15 each. They weren't selling.

 

ToT Comicspro variants for $75-100. They weren't selling either.

 

And Saga #1 RRPs priced between $150 and $200. They were still there Sunday at closing.

 

As you've been told repeatedly, single isolated sales don't make up a trend.

The regular ToT 1s have sold repeatedly on eBay in the $20-$35 range, so it's a trend there.

However, what you noted at C2E2 makes me wonder if the internet sales are inflated by hype, perhaps generated to an extent on this very board.

Wasnt impressed with Saga at all. Hope it gets better overtime. Which it will I am sure Vaughn doesnt disappoint. Enjoyed Secret much better this week.

I'd say the exact opposite. Really enjoyed Saga and Fiona Staples character art and design and the story has me gripped so far! Suppose you can't really compare the two. I think it would be better to compare Secret to Thief of Thieves of which I prefer the latter.

I'm enjoying Saga as well, although the story is just unfolding.

With today's decompressed/write-for-the-6issue-tpb writing, you almost have to read 6 issues to get a good feel for the books.

Thief of Thieves has gone from blah to blazing hot in about 6 hours (since the announcement of the potential AMC TV Show)

Fire, meet gasoline.

The vast majority of artists in the history of this hobby sold their pages at the 'market price' back in the day, and I'd bet the vast majority of them look back and think, "man, if only I would've held on to those pages and waited until I was ready to retire..."

What Tony is doing is smart. Instead of letting a bunch of people who had nothing to do with creating that page, make all the money from it, he's priced it at a point that HE'S happy with selling it at. That just makes sense.

I don't imagine he's unhappy that he has many of those pages in his possession still. Not at all.

Walking Dead is more popular now than ever. Cultural mainstream popular. In other words: more than just comic nerds seeking it out popular.

Really, he made a very smart business move that the majority of artists in this business didn't have the foresight to make back in the day.

Today's artists are catching up though. This hobby is FILLED with people who've made a pretty penny off the work of the creative talent in it for years, and now the artist's are charging more for their work to try to circumvent that. It's going to come back down to earth eventually. The creative talent is just making sure its not them who have to suffer. Can't fault them for that. It's their WORK.

Tony was just smart enough to take it a step further and look beyond even just the way the market was 7 1/2 years ago. Really, really smart when you consider how it's turned out.

This is really well put, Chuck.

I always wonder what the artists think when they see a significant page of their bronze/copper work sell for an eye popping price.

Am I the only one who finds this page positively pedestrian and not even remotely interesting? It's a drawing of a guy in a hospital bed. I understand the "significance" of the page, but that doesn't change the fact that it's not much to look at. And...I also think the market for Tony's OA is way overvalued as a result of the artificial scarcity that Tony has created over the years by overpricing all of his work. If you are going to spend 4k+ on a piece of OA, at least get something cool to look at! Hang this on the wall and get ready for the confused looks of those that visit.

Ever met a fellow named Mmehdy?

I just put in a request with one of my LCS to preorder 20 copies of each Walking Dead issue from #97 to #102 just because. We will see if these issues will have any value above cover or not.

Multiply what you did by across the country and across the number of like minded people and I think you'll have your answer before those books ever hit the stands.

That was my immediate thought, but then I look back at historical hot runs/books like DD 181 and X-Men 137, where orders jumped on hot issues and beyond, and STILL the books rose to above cover and stayed there.

I'm curious to see where we go, and am trying to decide whether to actually put a dog in the fight.

No doubt... and then that new Overstreet tells him WD 19 is a cover price book.

But seriously, being internet savvy is an integral part of the business now.

The Weeklies are awesome. I just bought a near complete set from a store yesterday for about $100, and the store owner was super happy to sell them to me. He thought he'd die with those things. I've filled in the gaps and I'm sure I can clear $300 for the set, pretty easy.

Exhibit A as to why LCSs are struggling. How can you run a business and not know the market value of your product?

Especially a derivative of the hottest product available...

This is just poor, poor management.

I said this before and I will say it again this phenomenon transcends anything I have seen in comics ever in over 30+ years of reading comics..

 

Yep. It's got 80's GIJoe beat. It's got Valiant beat. It's got 1989 Batman movie fever beat.

 

goddamit, I was gonna quote that piece and add +1 but I wasn't logged in!

We agree on that AND Peter Crouch.

I said this before and I will say it again this phenomenon transcends anything I have seen in comics ever in over 30+ years of reading comics..

Yep. It's got 80's GIJoe beat. It's got Valiant beat. It's got 1989 Batman movie fever beat.

Been offered a full run of Walking Dead in mint shape for $2000. With the current jumps on the singles is it worth getting at that price?

Probably - #1 will be a $900 book, $2 around $400, #19 around $300 -- leaving the rest of the run for $400.

Beware of sellers who call books 'mint', though. You may be dealing with someone who doesn't know how to grade. Experienced collectors use 'near mint' as the top tier grade designation.

So you guys are not going to stop and look at this from a business sense, just going to defend away?

Both sides can be right.

Business wise, it probably would be more lucrative to be creating hard copy art and selling it post-production. I don't think anyone is arguing against this point.

I think what is being defended is the creator's right to disregard the business aspect and create how she likes.

But, to further muddy the waters, maybe this IS somewhat a business decision. Maybe FS needs to create digitally to maintain a monthly book pace. Maybe her revenue drops off if she creates on paper due to being slower. Also, maybe she is more skilled creating digitally... to the point her paper art is not commercially viable.

Humor fail...

By the way, I really enjoyed Saga.

 

Then enjoy it. I applaud her devotion to the title being a higher priority than milking it for every $ she can. I really enjoy buying Chew OA and I was one of many trying to find Saga OA initially. At the end of the day I enjoy the start of the book and that's the most important.

 

So I will now for all the graded copies I'm about to sell. Blame Krighton. He influenced me to do it.

 

What if Rob went only digital?

Rob Granito?

The point is that many titles havent had enough issues to designate them a hit.

My personal preference lately is for MP, Thief of Thieves, No Place like Home, and Supurbia. None of these books have done more then 2 issues so no one knows yet. I like the creativity I am seeing some of these titles. This is one of the best year for moderns in awhile.

Completely agree. The good books will stay good and generate a following, the flashes in the pan will fade.

My preferences are ToT, Fatale, and MP so far. Saga has really only scratched the surface at this point, but I'm intrigued.

Look for the titles mentioned above. They all enjoyed the instant success you are now seeing with the titles you mentioned. My comment was directed towards the titles mentioned above but since you asked what do you consider a success?

Yep. 27, Skullkickers, Viking... cautionary tales all.

Ultimately, for the books to be lasting hot, they have to filter their way into collections, and out of the hands of speculators with multiples.

Only image titles?

 

Go on....

I understand that Image Comics titles America’s Got Powers #1, Danger Club #1, Secret #1, Hell Yeah #2, Bloodstrike #26, Supreme #63, Darkness #101, Saga #2, Thief Of Thieves #3 and Manhattan Projects #2 have all sold out before publication, and will see second prints running through April and May.

 

They join other recently announced sell outs and second and third prints for the likes of Invincible #89, Fatale #3, Peter Panzerfaust #2, Prophet #23, Glory #24, Thief Of Thieves #2, Hell Yeah #1, Rebel Blood #1, The Manhattan Projects #1 and Saga #1 – the latter two have gone to third print, with Saga #1 second print being significantly allocated as a result if increasing demand

 

any word on the hottness of Skullkickers #1?

27

128 cgc 9.8 trend setter right here you are all welcome...

Gee, thanks...

Just so this thread isnt about WD all the time a couple of books that are already on fire and one is really starting to break out.

 

X-men 128 - Cant keep the book in stock. Sells like wildfire in high grade and its a pain in to find in high grade due to black cover. This book will really blow up if Phantomex gets a series which he will probably get in the future. X23 all over again this time with a better character.

 

New Mutants 98 - Sold a NM- copy in under a day I think.

What are you selling the 128s at?

Well ...... mabye just mabye our hobby is not on its last legs after all.

 

 

 

 

 

The guys who bought 50 copies of Superman 75, saying they were going to put their kids through college when they sell them, look like the keepers of the flame at this point.

 

I was thinking the same thing.

 

I admit, I got out of WD too early by the looks of it when I thought I was probably getting out of it at its peak. If I still had the collection now then I would be quids in.

 

You win some, you lose some.

 

 

The only things worse than getting out too early are getting in too late and getting OUT too late.

 

In the grand scheme of things your pain is incredibly less so than the other two groups will be.

+1 A few years back, I attended an investment seminar. On thing stuck with me. The guy drew a curve on the white board and drew a line near the top and the bottom. He said you don't have to try to be in the the first 10% to get in or the last 10% to get out of a rising stock, but anywhere in the middle you will make money. If you bought WD #1 for $50 and sold for $300, you still made an amazing return. The real trick is knowing where those 10%'s lie but if you give yourself a little room for flexibility, you will take some of the pressure off yourself.

Bulls make money.

Bears make money.

Pigs get slaughtered.

The other thing I foresee that argues against WD being nothing more than a bubble is this: When someone asks, 20 years from now, 'what are the best comic runs ever?', I have to think WD will be mentioned.

 

I know I'll be rereading my WD run every 10-15 years. (thumbs u

 

Serious question: Is it a good read?

 

Yes, it is. There's a reason it's generated a 950+ page thread in modern.

 

As good as Preacher? I'd say Preacher is slightly better, but I'm a huge Ennis fan. YMMV.

 

But the argument about a bubble is separate from whether or not it is a good read.

The above was a response to Andy's question only. Some of the previous nested quotes were cut off for brevity.

Go back and read my post about parabolic stock price moves.

The other thing I foresee that argues against WD being nothing more than a bubble is this: When someone asks, 20 years from now, 'what are the best comic runs ever?', I have to think WD will be mentioned.

 

I know I'll be rereading my WD run every 10-15 years. (thumbs u

 

Serious question: Is it a good read?

Yes, it is. There's a reason it's generated a 950+ page thread in modern.

As good as Preacher? I'd say Preacher is slightly better, but I'm a huge Ennis fan. YMMV.

1980's GIJoe is the best analogy, IMHO.

 

After the 'bubble' bursts, there will still be a ton of people who enjoy WD for what it is. GIJoe still has plenty of fans, and if the hobby hadn't shrunk, leaving a relatively large print run extant, I think you'd see more value still left in the GIJoe run.

 

Using a stock market analogy, the rise in WD prices is more like a parabolic run up. These ultimately correct, but if the underlying stock/company has value, it usually will retain its previous trend line.

 

Yeah, that's a fairly good analogy. Although the appeal of WD is broader among age groups. Joe was damned hot for a year or two there in the 80s. Issue 2 was the key of the run due to its scarcity, going for $100 or so iirc. Still, there are issues of Joe that command some good money (1, 21, 155, Special Edition 1) in HG some 20-30 years later. So while the heat cooled overall, several issues did retain their value or increased.

The other thing I foresee that argues against WD being nothing more than a bubble is this: When someone asks, 20 years from now, 'what are the best comic runs ever?', I have to think WD will be mentioned.

I know I'll be rereading my WD run every 10-15 years. (thumbs u

Had a guy walk into local comic shop looking for WD1 Weekly yesterday wanted to read the story. Never was into comics but he said he loves the show. I pointed him to the trades. That never happened with Valiants.

 

Exactly!

 

+1 (2?)

 

I think we've moved beyond the Valiant comparisons. This has become something else altogether with its multi-media presence and popularity. That's why it's more like the TMNT phenomenon than the Valiant craze at this point. How long before they announce a Walking Dead movie to expand the audience even further? The prices will stabilize and correct themselves from their highs. But I wouldn't expect a steep drop. Heck, 1 may climb up to $3-4k before peaking and correcting itself. Which means today's prices may become the average for 9.8 down the line post-frenzy. Again, I just say, don't simply dismiss this as just another bubble.

1980's GIJoe is the best analogy, IMHO.

After the 'bubble' bursts, there will still be a ton of people who enjoy WD for what it is. GIJoe still has plenty of fans, and if the hobby hadn't shrunk, leaving a relatively large print run extant, I think you'd see more value still left in the GIJoe run.

Using a stock market analogy, the rise in WD prices is more like a parabolic run up. These ultimately correct, but if the underlying stock/company has value, it usually will retain its previous trend line.