Chillax23

I am more concerned about Bronze Age books like GSXM1 popping like they have versus X-Men 1 ........ just based on the abundance of Bronze Age graded books like GSXM1, but perhaps the demand is there and valid ..... who knows, it is quite interesting.

Good luck with the sale - and nice books!

This is very true - there are some really important DC Keys that are really overlooked and their relative scarcity make Marvel keys look abundant. Plus there are just some awesome books - in addition to those mentioned above like: Showcase 22, Green Lantern 7, Action 242 and 252, Superboy 68, Adventure Comics 247, Flash 105, MGA 80, Batman 121 and 181, Tec 359 - the list can go on and on. So while not rising as fast as Marvel keys - I also see their value as more secure given it is not speculation based and there is a much smaller supply (in most cases). I collect both DC (Superman and Batman) and Marvel (X-Men and Iron Man) - so Marvel keys going nuts right now, I am focusing on DC - not that I won't grab a great Marvel Key if a good opportunity presents itself

to the OP - the answer to your question will also depend on whether you are using disposable income that you do not need and whether you are buying books that you will be happy to own and not need to sell. If you are buying books for your personal collection with no view to a profit then the rising prices are less of a concern (especially if just with disposable income). That being said, if you are buying books for growth potential and/or short term holds (i.e., these will not be in your personal collection for several years) then it gets harder -a s the current market is crazy right now. I haven't seen price increases like these in terms of volume or in terms of reach (as it appears sports cards, comics and other collectibles) are experiencing rapid growth across the board. That is not to say it is a bubble or isn't sustainable - just that it is a bit uncharted. That being said - DC keys are not going as crazy right now and I have managed to squeak out fair deals on a low grade copies of BB28 and Action 242 (both books I have wanted to own for quite some time) from fellow boardies. So there are still opportunities for fair deals that aren't outdated price wise the next day

Is this first Gladiator as well? Weird it is not on the label. Congrats on the sales! Wish I had seen these in time

X-Men #1 was the first big Key I bought 8 years ago when I got back into collecting and discovered the whole CGC thing. It was a book I always dreamed of owning and was so happy when I did. I always wanted it much more than any other Silver Age Key and when I sold my entire collection a few years later for a house purchase it was the lone book I kept (don't feel bad I have rebuilt the collection since then ). I also don't think saying GSXM1 should be THE key for a 80's X-Men fan is correct - as I think that the GSXM1 team and those stories were largely shaped by Magneto, Cyclops, Jean, and Xavier (think of the run from 94 to 142 and how integral Jean and Cyclops and then all of the 90s stuff was Magento focused throughout). All that is to say, GSXM1 is a monster book but not as important as X-Men #1 (but Magneto is one of my favorite comic characters - so I admit my bias here )

Interesting - and I also grew up with the X-Men being the main draw (and am also 38). Why do you say that IH1 is and always will be the more important book - is it based on it being first and therefore having more impact on Marvel's history and evolution? Would you also put FF1 ahead of AF15 and Marvel Comics 1 ahead of Cap 1?

I understand your point - and I don't necessarily disagree with it - but I also don't agree with it either I think many would argue that AF15 is more important to Marvel than FF1 and even more important to Marvel's History - and I am guessing that group gives weight to FF1 being first, but it shouldn't be the deciding factor. IT is the same debate for Marvel Comics #1 vs Cap #1. I can see both sides of the argument - and not really sure where i land on it - but I wouldn't outright dismiss X-Men 1 being viewed as more important than Hulk 1.

It is a fair point - and I agree that certain books helped pave the way for Marvel early (FF1 etc.). That being said, while Hulk 1 is a big key, and a very recognizable character - for the last 30-40 years the X-Men have been far more popular to the average reader than the Hulk has. The bronze age set the X-Men on fire and their run/popularity has continued since then. So while the Hulk may be first and more popular in the 60s and 70s - for the majority of the life of Marvel the X-Men have been more significant IMO. So there is a strong argument that when characters are more popular and more integral to Marvel for say 2/3's of Marvel's existence that those characters are ultimately more important. Its the same argument as to why AF15 is more important than FF1 - sure FF1 started everything - but Spider-Man is by far the most important Marvel Character and has been for decades. That being said I am not sure where I land on a top 3 or top 5 etc. - but I wouldn't necessarily object to people saying X-Men 1 is the third most important Marvel book (AF15 -FF1 - XM1). However, Hulk 1 is a great book and I would LOVE to own one and I do expect it will have a run up soon based on its importance but also its relative scarcity.

Thoughts on whether the Zack Snyder Justice League release in March may renew some interest in this undervalued key?

Magneto is easily my favourite appearance in the book - such a great character.

Here is my new copy - downgraded from a 4.0 to the 2.5 below and just got it back from reholdering (needed to get it into the new slab): Sorry for the bad pic - but it’s a good looking 2.5 in hand (the colours are quite nice - but it is the lighter green “variant” hahahahaha).

Agreed - and I feel like the best part of X-Men #1 is that you get the team and concept of the X-Men PLUS Magneto. I will admit my bias and state that Magneto is a top five comic character of all time for me - just a really complex villain turned anti-hero, turned villain, turned hero. #Magnetowasright I am also looking forward to the MCU version of the X-Men - I felt Fox really nailed it with First Class and Logan then it fell apart a bit - so excited to have the rights in the hands of Disney/MCU. I think this book still has room to grow - even though I downgraded my copy from a 4.0 to a 2.5 recently

Depends what you think a big key is ..... it will likely follow the lead of Cap 100 and Iron Man 1 - raise in price up to a movie appearance and then drop down. I think it will settle around where Cap 100 is and be cheaper than Iron Man 1 and certainly cheaper than Silver Surfer 1 (which will be the most expensive of the 1968 books IMO). Even if it settles to Cap 100 pricing it is still overpriced IMO (but I have zero interest in the character/book so perhaps I am being too harsh).

Bump

Hahahaha ....... my point was more Doom and Magneto are fairly equal in terms of popularity. The X-Men are far more popular than FF and in X-Men 1 you also get Magneto who is at least the #2 villain in the Marvel Universe. The only thing holding down pricing on X-Men 1 is its relative abundance but I would think demand far outweighs supply especially when they enter the MCU. So no reason it can’t be up there dollar wise with The big boys AF15, IH1 and FF1 - especially if you consider the X-Men are likely more popular than 2 of those 3.

But don't forget X-Men 1 also has the first appearance of Magneto - arguably a villain to rival Doom. So in X-Men #1 you get the original team and concept and a top two Marvel Villain (or maybe anti-hero if you believe "Magneto was Right" ). So to me X-Men #1 easily deserves to be in the same breath as the other top Marvel Silver Age keys (except AF15 which is a cut above) - but I am also a big X-Men fan, so likely bias

Finally joined this Club this month - after wanting a low grade copy for years - really happy to have a copy finally:

Been looking for awhile for a Reign of the Supermen page - please message me if you have one you are considering selling or if you have any leads.

Posted the GSXM1 awhile back but just recently added the XM94 in 7.0 so thought I would take a group pick with my Bronze Age collection ....... one of them needs an upgrade 🤔

MOS 18 has fallen in value - however, the 4th and 5th print variants still demand a healthy premium over the other printings especially in 9.8. In addition, the 4th and 5th are hard to price as they don’t sell/change hands a lot in 9.8 so pointing at one sale is tough.

I need to get a Superman 75 CGC 9.8 Platinum - I keep putting it off, but need one for the collection - they look so great in the new case as well .......

Shoot me a PM to discuss price/make an offer. Happy to chat.

Looking for a panel page featuring Omega Red and the X-Men, would love something with Wolverine and Omega Red. Something by Kubert would be great (as a Jim Lee page is likely too expensive) - but something from X-Men 18 for example would be perfect. But happy to take a look at anything that may fit Also looking for a panel page from the Reign of the Supermen - ideally something with Eradicator or Cyborg Superman - but will look at anything! PM me if you have something that may work. Happy to pay a fair price.

I have completed Prints 1-5 and Newsstand for MOS18 in CGC 9.8 (still think the 4th print is the best): Working on Superman 75 Prints 1-4 in CGC 9.8 - just need the 4th Print: