The Bronze Marvel Discussion Part One - Captain America

[Jeffro.]

As my collecting preferences change, I find myself more and more interested in building a reading library of comics, instead of collecting high grade.

 

With that in mind, can anyone speak to the quality, or lack thereof, of bronze age Caps?

 

Other than the Kirby issues starting with 193 and the later Zeck issues, I never payed much attention to bronze Caps. How are they? Worth picking up on the cheap as readers?

 

 

[Crimebuster]

The Englehart era is very good. I'd say overall, 137-183 ranges from solid to excellent. The 50's Cap story in #153-156 and the Secret Empire saga and the Nomad issues that follow (#170-183) are some of the best Cap stories ever. The other issues in this era don't quite rise to that level, but they're all solid anyway.

 

Before and after this run aren't as good though.

[joe_collector]

137-183 ranges from solid to excellent.

 

That run has probably all the major BA Cap stories in it. This also starts off with a bang - the Spidey-Cap-Falcon 2-issue team-up.

[Silver Surfer]

Cap #248-#256 are must reads. Hyde and Cobra, Dragon man and of course the epic Baron Blood arc. Also, there are some very enjoyable stories and art in the 220's.

[joe_collector]

Definitely the BA Byrne Caps are great for and art and story, it's just that not a lot of important or memorable stuff goes on. Cap kinda drifts after Kirby takes over and it's kind of a muddle until Byrne and then Zeck.

[Jeffro.]

Forgot about the Byrne issues

[Jeffro.]

Thanks for the input fellas. Next up, Fantastic Four

[MisterX]

The latest Marvel Masterworks: Captain America V7 just came out. Reprints 149-159, about $52 from Amazon.

 

I picked it up because some of those issues aren't even cheap as beaters anymore.

[vaillant]

I definitely second all Crimebuster's suggestions! (thumbs u

 

I also like a lot the brief Steve Gerber tenure, with the introduction of the corporation, and with Dr. Faustus and Animus.

[OveraboundingMint]

The latest Marvel Masterworks: Captain America V7 just came out. Reprints 149-159, about $52 from Amazon.

 

I picked it up because some of those issues aren't even cheap as beaters anymore.

 

 

Good choice on this run. But rather than wasting money at close to retail prices, you should wait a little longer after the hc release for hoarders to start selling off their pristine issues from this run. A trend for most such releases, and you may be surprised about the continual influx of high grade issues after announcements of tpbs have been made.

 

Truth be told, many of the non BA keys in such situations tend to sell below guide/market value despite the progressions of time by value.