World Devourer

Inevitable (Spoilers) Adam Warlock appears in the end credits scene of GOTG2. Knew it was coming and have the Warlock issues ready once speculation kicks in.

It did indeed. Even though it featured only the original Guardians, Marvel Super Heroes #18 now sells for a princely sum. Tales To Astonish #13 (1st Groot) is not cheap even in lower grades, with top grade being 9.2. The others are not worth it as they are too common in 9.8. So much for the Guardians.

You're the one who brought it up - Square even said what has this got to do with anything. "All over the place" is right. Should have said this outright.

Thanks. Very interesting. I'm also going do some research on the Whitman titles, as they were childhood favourites.

I agree that most super-hero stories now are light on content. Marvel is really struggling on this front. I've had no interest since the 1998 titles disappeared. Of the "modern" DC stories I have enjoyed the more serious storylines, such as Identity Crisis and the GL emotional spectrum arc. But that was pre-reboot, which I feel was a mistake. I think that one day in the not too distant future content will be via subscription and online only. It is inevitable: the demise of print, shifting demographics, changing world culture etc.

Now if Marvel are clever, Hela will reference the Convergence and that it weakened the portal between worlds and allowed her to pass into Asgard. And...her trump card might be freeing Surtur from Muspelheim, thinking he can be controlled. Thor and the Hulk then team up to defeat the demon. I can see a roaring Hulk leaping at a giant Surtur. That would be fun.

Hey, Love and Rockets! That brings back memories. And Madman. Strange but clever. And all those experimental Dark Horse Comics stories.

I occurred to me I did read Dreadstar. It was Epic and actually an off-shoot of Marvel but it was different. Then Elric. In the 90's it was Sandman, Preacher and the always excellent Lucifer.

Amen to that. Hence the rise of the independents.

Chuck, yes, the angst angle was an eventual winner for them. Lightning in a bottle again? I doubt it. For my money, the truly best stories are now all independent. By the by, your avatar has me curious. How comparable were sales for the Archie titles in the 60's?

Yes. There will never, ever, be another time like Marvel in the 60-70's.

Heh. Although I'd be concerned if Jay was needing therapy groups because he's fretting about the variants.

Tell me about it. There used to be a poster on the old boards who went after Jay everytime he so much as mentioned variants. The thread would go up and suddenly Tyler Durden appears.

Agreed. I have the old stalwarts such as IH #181 in 9.8 W, but want a few more varied investments. The DG #2 Ruby Red is a good example.

"Let me spell it out for you?" y, with respect, I don't think there's a need to be condescending. Square is a very agreeable and knowledgable poster. I also take his point. I don't see the correlation between ASM #119 and the variants being discussed (although on a side note there IS technically a variant version that has a double cover but that is really a printing error. You say the issue is hard to find in high grade (by the by, the spelling is "vein") and yet there are 2 9.8's currently listed for sale, and 54 graded at this level in total. I've yet to see this happen with some of these variants. I'm sure Jay will agree there won't be 2 ASM #667's in 9.8 for sale simultaneously, much less a total of 54 in 9.8. The variants are a different beast entirely. Like the Chromium Age, publishers are offering alternate versions of titles, but unlike said period, they are much, much scarcer (I think Jay's head would explode if someone produced an ASM #667 in 9.8 W with a metallic embossed hero on the Dell 'Otto cover).

Did I say I was surprised at the prices? I am referring more to the aesthetics. As to effort, that's subjective. But variant the cover to the Nth degree - irrespective of the quality of interior art and storytelling - and we're off to the races. It appears the Chromium Age was nothing more than a light precursor to this, the Variant Age.

Irrespective of what list it is on, I find it sterile and souless, and a symptom of the times. Big picture, folks.

I would expect more original on-line content in future. With both Dark Horse and Image now expecting creators to demonstrate both writing AND art, there is a case to just publish on-line and charge readers a small fee per issue. I already have an idea and written bible on hand - just require an artist.

Exactly. Kevin Feige of Marvel Studios talks about not alienating long-time Marvel fans and yet that is what the publishing arm continues to do.

I was just talking about this very thing on the Most valuable Modern variants thread.

The Vader Down variant is a good example.

I think it is both sad and disconcerting that the current Top Ten are composed of almost entirely of souless variants that I do not believe will hold their value. It reminds me entirely too much of the Chromium Age, which is now be considered to be ill-conceived and damaging to the hobby.

Ah, ASM #667. As rare as the Questing Beast...

Yes, now we look back to something as recent as 2010 with nostalgia. As much as I enjoy the Marvel films, they (and to a lesser degree Netflix) have shot the back issue market to hell.

I purchased a nice 9.6 in 2012 for $500, just months before the end credits scene of Avengers. I sold it late 2013 for $2,500. I think it is ridiculous it is now half the value of #1.