World Devourer

Exactly. Hype. I still think of the poor fools who spent 14 + K on a WWBN #32 in 9.8, expecting it to take off...

Yes, at the start of the hype.

Iron Man #55 sells for $5,100 Just happened on Comic Link. I'm thinking it will peak at 7K next year, then decline. Thoughts?

You would think, but neither #69 or #70 have broken 2K. Even #71 - the first appearance of the Invaders - is in the doldrums.

Then try Giant-Size Defenders #4.

Bingo. This is easily the best SS story written to date (and features the first appearance of Nebulon the Celestial Man). Classic Marvel from the era of greatness.

That's them. Now check out Avengers #141 - Marvel confused the two teams again!

The Squadron Sinister make a cameo appearance in the final panel of Avengers #69. Although the Squadron Supreme do make a first appearance in Avengers #85, the cover incorrectly references the Squadron Sinister! It wouldn't be the last time the Marvel creative team made such an error.

Bronx, it was actually 5 years ago. RH, don't "hoard" for too long or those diamonds will turn to zircon!

The topic need not have gone any further than this...

Maybe the villains are lame but besides this and 107, that's about it for classic covers. 101 and 103 are good. 115 decent but Spidey's floating head is a distraction. 116 is pretty cool. Other than that it's a word balloon party. Later on 1 or 2 Steranko covers are classic like 153 167 I think the early run of Strange Tales has some of the best covers of the era: 101-105, 107, 108, 114-116, 118, 120 are all pretty solid efforts, with a few (107 and 108 for sure) that can be considered classics. Yes, "classic" is the operative word. Not masterpieces by any stretch of the imagination, but still fun to read.

Further to this, I purchased an IM #55 9.6 (with Cream pages no less) for $500 or so five years ago, and re-sold once the Mad Titan appeared for around $2,500. Simple cause and effect. I think that eventually that particular item will drop to around $1,200. Just a matter of time. That said, I still don't understand the feeding frenzy around WBN #32 when the character has yet to appear on film or even TV (ie. Agents of Shield). Fools and their money, I suppose.

That's exactly what it is. However, with these figures: 9.8 - 57 9.6 - 124 9.4 - 178 it really is a case of . Rare it ain't. As lou indicates, expect to see prices fall rapidly in the next 2-3 years.

The moral of the story is nothing is forever. As I said before, some of the classic covers/runs will remain collectible, but not as investment picks. A cynic might claim sites like Comixology remove the need for reading copies, but that's another story. The only X-Factor remaining is to determine if the in-demand variants hold their value - the original question here.

Modern variants aside, there are some pre-1980 issues with worth on account of the art. Captain America #110 - 111 + 113 have Steranko art and Avengers #93 the aforementioned Adams. Not many, but they are out there and known for their artwork. On the flipside, to judge by the Letters Pages, people once raved about George Perez' art on Avengers (#167 onwards) but they are now worth very little. Overall, comics worth $100-200 are simply curiosities for collectors - they do not represent serious investments.

This seems to be apples to the OP's oranges again... Well, it's the one way we'll know if these items are holding their value.

I suppose a good litmus test will be if the person who purchased the ASM#667 for $9K (from an admittedly greedy type) can recoup their layout.

There's no way that book has been sought after ever since it came out and extremely hard to come across in 9.8's. Yes it is easily and hands down the most sought after and expensive Batman variant in existence. For over a decade now. Fortunately for me I don't collect DC so I don't have to worry about that one.

Re: Batman - that's the die hard fans. Actually a good one to avoid as I could see people losing all perspective on that item.

Not necessarily. Example - if you are privy to the content of an upcoming superhero film and know a certain character appears as a surprise, you can quietly capitalise on this by buying first appearances. Right, someone always has the information first, but the dispersion of it is lightning fast. If you don't jump on something like that within the first few hours it's too late. Sometimes. Depends on how far off the release of the film is.

Not necessarily. Example - if you are privy to the content of an upcoming superhero film and know a certain character appears as a surprise, you can quietly capitalise on this by buying first appearances.

It does beg the question where the other 10 or so issues in 9.8 are located. It is highly likely that some owners are not board members and hence would be unaware of the latest sale. Also, as this was a private sale, the price was never recorded by GPA and so the current prices stand. Therefore it is also reasonable to assume that a potential seller would then offer up the item and what would be known to a minority to be a significantly reduced price. A Buy It Now option could see the item sell for far less than the private sale amount, thereby rendering the 9K figure artificial - and a price that may not be actualised until the next sale. This is the obstacle potential sellers face when dealing with Modern fiscal fictions as opposed to the surety of a Silver or Bronze Age gem. Spock explaining to a confused Kirk the perplexities involved in selling an Amazing Spider-Man #667.

That is basically what my plan is, it is very risky. I mean time will tell if these books will sustain in the future or slowly climb like other SA/BA books. Looking back at the Bats 608 thread, that book has held it's own for over a decade now, some ups and downs, but what stands out to me most about that and the ASM 667, is that they rarely come up for sale. Which I look at as demand; collectors don't want to let them go, which leaves the market thirsty when they do pop up. Now, I think the door swings the other way too, if too many copies come up for sale the prices don't hold up as well. Jerome Jerome, there may yet be a happy ending to this. Can you give me your address?

Charles, simply stating facts. Nothing emotional. Let's just move on.

Jay, I'm good. Though really he should have said nothing here - you never show your hand...