Jumping on the Movie Bandwagon...

[SW3D]

...aka... Buying Comic Books as investments...

 

...or Selling Out

 

I must make a confession, one I am not too proud of. I am not a saavy investor. I don't have a stock portfolio. I don't own equity. Nor do I have a Wealth Manager on speed dial. All I own are my comics... and I don't know their economic worth... just the intrinsic value they hold for me. But that's not my confession. I'll get to that in a minute.

 

Comics are collectables and there's a market for it... obviously. They, like other forms of collectibles, are considered alternative assets... non-traditional assets that do not have liquidity like currency, stocks, bonds, and precious metals, but nontheless have economic value. Do they make for great investments? Well, that all depends who you ask. My opinion is... yes... however, don't trust me... after all, I'm an admitted non-savvy investor.

 

But I do collect comics for my genuine love and appreciation for them. I usually buy comics based on a particular (sometimes peculiar) interest: in a character, its mythology, its place in comics history, for the work of an artist or writer, because of some kind of nostalgic quality, or in rare instances... for a base and morbid curiosity... anyway... these are the reasons I'm compelled me to pull out my wallet and part with my hard-earned cash.

 

So here's my confession... my latest acquisition: Warlock Volume 1, No. 10, CGC graded 9.8, was an impulse purchase based on speculation stemming from movie rumors. I bought it believing it to be a value investment for these two reasons: Firstly... it features the Origin of Thanos: Marvel's answer to DC's Darkseid, created by Jim Starlin. Thanos, who made his first appearance in Iron Man Vol. 1, No. 55, is slated to be the main villain in the Avengers sequel, which is sending price valuations of early Thanos' appearances through the roof. Secondly... the comic features Adam Warlock, Marvel's Christ-like messiah, who may or may not make an appearance in the rumored Guardians of the Galaxy movie... he was, after all, a one-time member of GOTG.

 

Now don't get me wrong. I love this comic no matter what. Jim Starlin is one of my favorite artist and writer. And, I am also a big fan of Adam Warlock... in fact, not too long ago I bought his first appearance in Fantastic Four, Volume 1, No. 67 (known then as Him), and added it to my permanent collection (my precious). And there's also that aesthete side of me that loves the sheer beauty and look of this book: the cover alone is a masterpiece that has that classic 70's Marvel stamp all over it, with balls-to-the-walls action, and vaguely reminds me of a Frank Frazetta's painting where Conan the Barbarian is in the thick of battle standing on top a pile of bodies. But again, I must confess, I bought it simply as a value investment with the hopes of seeing it rise in the speculator market and to sell it at the height of its "inflated" value as we draw closer and closer to the Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers 2 release dates.

 

Am I sellout? Absolutely (it's funny how the word absolution has remnants of absolution embedded in it). I'm flawed, I'll admit... I confess... but who isn't? Has anyone out there also bought comics simply to make a buck? Of course! I'm not the only one.

 

So, to all you sellouts... and you know who you are... Are you riddled with guilt? Are you having sleepless nights... haunted by the faint whispers and murmurs of "sellout". Are you seeking absolution? Please share your story... with me... with everybody... with the world... confession is good for the soul... plus, I need to mine for my next investment (muh ha ha ha!) Share, share, share!

 

Happy Collecting and Investing!

 

See more journals by screenwriter3d

[Tnerb]

I'll answer this Journal with my next journal. There are some books I have always wanted and I don't know why. Avengers #57 was one of those. I accomplished that purchase. Another beauty I wanted was Iron Man #55. I don't know why but it was a book I craved. Alas, the book is sky rocketing and I am stuck still wanting it. My #57 is mid grade so I hope to sell and upgrade that book. Is that an investment or an ends to a means?

 

The book that you have is a beautiful book. I do love the cover and the vibrancy and now thanks to you I have to place it on my want list, not CGC of course. I could go on but the bell is about to toll and work beckons. Maybe if we ae dead I can play along with my phone. Once again marvelous book.

 

Tnerb

[SW3D]

Ah, yes... the Vision's first apperance. I also remember having an opportunity to buy it when it was once affordable. God... there are a ton of Silver and Bronze age books that come to mind.

 

I'm actually trying to save up for what I consider the holy grail: Fantastic Four No. 48... the Silver Surfer's first appearance. But alas, with the prices it currently commands, it may take several years if not longer for that dream to come into fruition.

 

Thank you for your appreciation.

 

Enjoy the rest of your evening.

 

screenwriter3d

[Tnerb]

I want that book so bad. I tried saving up for it but the best I could do was a copy of issue #49, a very well read copy... In fact I think I might bring that to work to grade tonight.

[biggblaster]

All I do now is buying for resale. Although I have always done that to some extent, I would always collect at the same time. The problem with that is you always keep the best stuff. Over the years I have had many key books. Hulk 181, Amazing 129, Avengers 57, just to name a few. This past year I must have bought and sold 15 copies of Bane 1. All 9.6 and 9.8's. ranging between 100.00 to 400. Somebody recently bought a Marvel Magazine from me (I can't remember the number) after about 15 people put it into their watch list. It was strange to me because the book had sat for a few months with no interest and then all of a sudden 15 people are watching it in one week. It ended up being Starlord’s first app.

[cpannell]

But again, I must confess, I bought it simply as a value investment with the hopes of seeing it rise in the speculator market and to sell it at the height of its "inflated" value as we draw closer and closer to the Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers 2 release dates. Am I sellout? Absolutely. It's funny how the word absolution has remnants of absolution embedded in it). I'm flawed, I'll admit... I confess... but who isn't? Has anyone out there also bought comics simply to make a buck? Of course! I'm not the only one. So, to all you sellouts... and you know who you are... Are you riddled with guilt? Are you having sleepless nights... haunted by the faint whispers and murmurs of sellout. Are you seeking absolution?

 

I don't quite understand why you would feel guilty (or anything resembling guilt) over flipping a comic book. Why do you call people who do this sellouts? There's no betrayal of anything in selling a comic book, which to my mind, is the truest meaning of the word "sellout." But It doesn't really sound like you will be flipping this book anyway. I think you love it too much. Buying an investment is easy. Selling it at the right time -- that is, when it's value is at a place where you will be satisfied with your $$ return -- is much, much harder. Good luck with the timing of your sale!

 

 

 

[SW3D]

Dear cpannell,

 

You see right through me. It may be that I may never sell the book regardless of its valuation. It's just so friggin' hard to let go... which is why I'm guilt ridden. A part of me wants to flip books... but the other part say's... hey... that's not true to the hobby... not true to the cause. Flipping leaves a distaste in my mouth like when I saw all those real estate investors who bought property during the real estate boom (pre-2008), with no intention of living in them, fixed them up and sold them at inflated values to make a quick buck. But another part sayeth... what's wrong with making a buck? It's capitalism... it's the American Way. And then I think further back to the time of the great comic crash... that bleak period of the 90's when people who had no business buying comics, but flocked to stores in drove to buy "The Death of Superman". It's the same sh*t. People who aren't real collectors trying to make a quick buck eventually screw it for the faithful. So I close my eyes and I ask myself... What would Adam Warlock do? Probably suck my into the Soul Gem to live a meaningless existence in the pocket universe never to read comics again! All hail the Magus!

[SW3D]

Holy Mother of Mercy Batman... 15 copies of Bane! What are you trying to do? Corner the market?

 

Yeah... can you believe?... Star-Lord is SPOONING hot (self-censorship... use your imagination). I was never a fan of the Guardians of the Galaxy, let alone Star-Lord... but if I'm lucky to come across a high grade raw copy of his first appearance at a cheap price... I'm snatching it up.

 

Speaking of first appearances... I wonder how much the Winter Soldier's selling for? Or the cosmic cube in Tales of Suspense 79? Will Thor 344 (first appearance of Malekith) suddenly burn like a nova blast? Speaking of Nova... ah, never mind.

[seanfingh]

This is how Adam Warlock's end shall come:

 

[biggblaster]

About the Banes, they are actually and easy find. I usually only buy large collections now for cheap and many of the stuff comes from the 90's boom and bust time. That being said there is almost always multiples of the Bane book in any of these collections, as well as new mutants 98 and amazing Spiderman 300. It goes with the territory. People selling these collections are thinking it is just junk from the 90's, and not superman or batman 1, and are just wanting to get rid of it. But because of the comic surge and the movies, and CGC, they are becoming sought after.

[Park]

This is how Adam Warlock's end shall come:

 

 

That is amazing. Who did that one?

[seanfingh]

 

Anthony Castrillo

[Park]

Wow. Awesome.

[mzhammer]

I actually got into collecting comic books as an investment option over the stock market. 2 years ago I was debating on whether or not to buy more stocks or do something different. I'd never really collected before... my dad and my brother did in the 80's / 90's and I had a small hand full of comics from going to the local shop with them, but considering the rollercoaster ride of the stock market in the past decade I felt like I wanted to do something different.

 

The first rule of thumb I read, as an investor, was to never become emotionally attached to any of the books. You get emotional; you're bound to lose money... Well, it only took a few months and I became emotionally invested. DAMN!!!! But as it is now, I feel as though I do a good job at both. I've got "collector's blood" running threw my veins anyways, so it was probably a mistake to begin with.

 

The more time passes, the harder some books are to sell, the more comics I want for me and there lies the problem... But then I think... F#@#% it!!!! This is a truly wonderful experience. It's rejuvenated my love of reading, my love of art, the excitement of auctions, the conversations & friends I made along the way...

 

I’ve made some good sales, a few lucky ones out there have made some great deals on my loses, my tastes have flown all over the board, but it truly is an exciting hobby!

 

I don’t typically worry about the term “sellout” any longer… Back when I was 20, my idealism was a lot stronger… A supporter of socialism, I thought music & art would change the world, but now that I’m older I understand the “values” of being realistic, retirement is something that crosses my mind on a daily basis, supporting my wife, etc…. Values change with time.

But there’s still a part of me that will always value the lessons learned from a stand-up comic named Bill Hicks & to anyone out there that has not listened to his routines, the time is now….

 

[Logan510]

This is how Adam Warlock's end shall come:

 

 

That is amazing. Who did that one?

 

 

John Byrne lite

 

 

Beautiful book.

[biggblaster]

That’s right hammer, you can't get attached. When I first started selling my first real batch of CGC books back in June of this year I almost put a few of the high grade books aside. But then thought better of it because once I started the collecting flood gates would be opened. I had multiples of 9.8 key 90's stuff like new mutants 98 and bane 1. Since then I have done so well it has become a full time job but if I had started to pick and choose what I sell I really wouldn't have been able to make it a career. One thing that I have not done is regret anything I have sold. There is always something else out there and you can't take any of it with you.

[SW3D]

Dear Hammership,

 

Awesome insights.... damn good!

 

I really dig your POV... and you're right!

 

I never got emotionally attached to stocks when I dabbled in the market so many years ago... probably because they were clunkers and I took a heavy loss.

 

But with comics its a whole different story... and selling them... it's like selling a piece of me... my soul.

 

I'm now in my early 40's... collecting since I was 9, so it's never been easy to let go. Comics have always been a part of my life. The collection has gone with me everywhere I've lived. They are like family members... and vital components of my happiest memories. But at the end of the day... when it comes to making choices, and we're tasked to make a vital decision that's ultimately for the better... to enrich your life and financial footing... it's here's where one needs to take a deep breath and separate the emotion... and do the right thing.

 

The hobby is exciting! Damn Exciting! And it's members like you and a host of others that make this community an awesome place.

 

Thanks for your comments and support. It's greatly appreciated.

 

Happy Collecting!