The most affordable key book

[JazzMan]

I was contemplating the other day which book would fall in the category of the most affordable key book. I don't mean a semi key, but a true key book. To me, the least expensive of the Marvel keys is Daredevil 1.

 

Not sure about DC. What would you think?

 

Criteria for being considered a key:

 

A character who has continuous staying power (and more likely, their own book). I see how ASM 14 could be considered key, but that's because of the Green Goblin. I'd consider that one a semi-key because it didn't spawn a title of its own (or part of a team with its own title) and only appears on and off. Because of that, I'd consider most first appearances of villains to be semi-keys.

[roulette44]

In the marvel universe only, Iron Man 1 might be a cheaper book considered a key....guess it really depends on where you draw the line!

 

Silver age only versus other periods?

marvel only versus others

Key as in truly a mega book, or just a first appearance

 

i guess i'm gonna answer your questoin with 3 questions ..... spoken like a true consultant!

Joey

[chromium]

Strange Tales #110 ?

Tales to Astonish #35 ?

[Crimebuster]

I think Strange Tales #110 is still cheaper than Daredevil #1 at the moment. Though maybe not for much longer.

[comicsnyc22]

Daredevil?

[JazzMan]

Strange Tales 110 is going for more than DD #1. Just glancing at GPA @ 9.0 ST 110-$6,200 vs. DD 1 - $4,700

 

Not a lot of high grade TT 35 so not much data to compare.

 

What about DC?

[gadzukes]

DD 1 in 4.0 is averaging $550 over the last year.

ST 110 in 4.0 is averaging $490 over the last year.

TTA 35 in 4.0 is averaging $340 over the last year.

Sgt Fury 1 (has no sales in 4.0) in 4.5 is averaging $610 over the last year.

 

 

In my mind these are the bottom four of the Marvel mega keys. I chose 4.0 grades because that is a pretty good jumping in point for collectors wanting a key issue.

 

I think TTA 35 wins as the most affordable mega key (right now)

 

What surprises me most with the list of 4 I just made is how well Sgt Fury is doing.

[Columbia Comics]

DD 1 for the moment is relatively affordable, but that's changing quickly. ST 110 is also gaining a lot of traction as well.

 

TTA 35 in HG is pretty pricey. Even in mid grade its breaking the 4 figure mark.

 

Ones definition of a key is all relative. Is ASM 14 a key? Most would say yes..others no.

 

Curious as to the OP's definition of a key?

[trmoore54]

I was gonna throw the Sgt. Fury 1 hat in the ring...

[Maccai3]

how key are we talking?

 

Swamp Thing #1 is cheap but it's not his first appearance so not a BIG key, Green Lantern 76 is pretty affordable in some grades, same with Batman 232

[JazzMan]

I guess a key is a relative term, but generally I mean a character who has continuous staying power (and more likely, their own book). I see how ASM 14 could be considered key, but that's because of the Green Goblin. I'd consider that one a semi-key because it didn't spawn a title of its own (or part of a team with its own title) and only appears on and off. Because of that, I'd consider most first appearances of villains to be semi-keys.

[Wally's Comics]

 

"the books that are in my current sales thread???"

 

plug>

 

 

 

 

 

[Crimebuster]

Figuring out what is a key is harder for DC than Marvel in my opinion. What with all their "first Silver Age appearance" and stuff. I feel like they have a ton of semi-keys but only a few real mega keys, and none of those are cheap. Especially since "Mega Key" for DC means something different than for Marvel (i.e. Action Comics #1).

 

In terms of Silver Age stuff, though, like Strange Tales #110 and Sgt. Fury #1, I have been looking for a solid, affordable lower grade Action #252 for awhile and prices seem to be moving up faster than I can make money to get one. That's the first one that comes to mind for a DC Mega Key that is still maybe cheaper than it should be.

 

Maybe Detective #359? How key it is depends on your point of view I think.

[spidrvacc]

Tales to Astonish #35 in my opinion

[Crimebuster]

I guess a key is a relative term, but generally I mean a character who has continuous staying power (and more likely, their own book). I see how ASM 14 could be considered key, but that's because of the Green Goblin. I'd consider that one a semi-key because it didn't spawn a title of its own (or part of a team with its own title) and only appears on and off. Because of that, I'd consider most first appearances of villains to be semi-keys.

 

Zatanna's first appearance in Hawkman #4 is still pretty damn cheap. If she were on the cover, I'd bet the book would be worth 3x as much. I'm on the fence whether it's a key or semi-key, but it's basically the DC version of Strange Tales #110 in that the cover is holding it back from reaching its potential. ST #110 is finally breaking out of that, but Hawkman #4 hasn't.

[JazzMan]

Figuring out what is a key is harder for DC than Marvel in my opinion. What with all their "first Silver Age appearance" and stuff. I feel like they have a ton of semi-keys but only a few real mega keys, and none of those are cheap. Especially since "Mega Key" for DC means something different than for Marvel (i.e. Action Comics #1).

 

In terms of Silver Age stuff, though, like Strange Tales #110 and Sgt. Fury #1, I have been looking for a solid, affordable lower grade Action #252 for awhile and prices seem to be moving up faster than I can make money to get one. That's the first one that comes to mind for a DC Mega Key that is still maybe cheaper than it should be.

 

Maybe Detective #359? How key it is depends on your point of view I think.

 

If I use the criteria that I presented, then I'd consider Detective 359, Action 252 key books since both new characters had recurring solo runs in their own title and in Detective Comics and Adventure comics, respectively.

[fantastic_four]

I guess a key is a relative term, but generally I mean a character who has continuous staying power (and more likely, their own book). I see how ASM 14 could be considered key, but that's because of the Green Goblin. I'd consider that one a semi-key because it didn't spawn a title of its own (or part of a team with its own title) and only appears on and off. Because of that, I'd consider most first appearances of villains to be semi-keys.

 

You should also pick an age cutoff unless you're fine with Walking Dead #1 CGC 10.0 recommendations.

[JazzMan]

I guess a key is a relative term, but generally I mean a character who has continuous staying power (and more likely, their own book). I see how ASM 14 could be considered key, but that's because of the Green Goblin. I'd consider that one a semi-key because it didn't spawn a title of its own (or part of a team with its own title) and only appears on and off. Because of that, I'd consider most first appearances of villains to be semi-keys.

 

You should also pick an age cutoff unless you're fine with Walking Dead #1 CGC 10.0 recommendations.

 

How about we do it like this:

 

The most affordable GA key:

The most affordable SA key:

The most affordable BA key:

The most affordable modern key:

[Dr. Balls]

I guess a key is a relative term, but generally I mean a character who has continuous staying power (and more likely, their own book). I see how ASM 14 could be considered key, but that's because of the Green Goblin. I'd consider that one a semi-key because it didn't spawn a title of its own (or part of a team with its own title) and only appears on and off. Because of that, I'd consider most first appearances of villains to be semi-keys.

 

You should also pick an age cutoff unless you're fine with Walking Dead #1 CGC 10.0 recommendations.

 

How about we do it like this:

 

The most affordable GA key:

The most affordable SA key:

The most affordable BA key:

The most affordable modern key:

 

What? No Copper Age?

[Bosco685]

Batman 232

 

That was going to be my recommendation.