Incredible Hulk #181 - is it *that* red-hot? 17 17

[lou_fine]

On 5/4/2020 at 2:33 PM, Shoomanfoo said:

The average collector can only afford a lower grade and people are willing to pay 800.00 for a low grade just to have a copy.

Its weird but certain books do that.

Same goes for ASM 129 punisher.

Low grades selling for 500-600 for like 3.0 it’s crazy

Definitely not weird and crazy as it's simply a sign that books such as Hulk 181 and AAM 129 are becoming true vintage collectible comic books which has value for all grades across the entire condition spectrum.  

In sharp contrast to most recent and readily available books which sells for record nosebleed prices in CGC 9.8 graded condition, but yet have no rreal value for anything in CGC 9.4 or lower.  Definitely not a true vintage collectible comic book here as these are what I call CGC label collectors paying for the label since the underlying book itself doesn't have any real true value.  

If you take a look at some of the expensive GA near keys like 'Tec 31 which can sell for $40K+ in CGC 1.0 fraded condition or Action 13 which can sell for $15K in CGC 0.5 graded condition, collectors are more than willing to pay for these entry level copies because they are still affordable, whereas the higher graded copies have already gone way beyond their price range to be able to obtain a copy.  

 

[WolverineX]

On 5/3/2020 at 5:13 PM, Shoomanfoo said:

I’m resurrecting this topic as I am considering buying a midgrade copy and have been shopping around.

Thing is nobody is willing to let there copies go for gpa.

I mean I’ve seen a fe completed sales that got a fair deal but most all available copies are over and I can see why.

I was debating over ASM 129, GSX 1, or IH 181

I have found by a fluke...a raw missing the value stand that looks to be a solid 5.0 for 1000.00 even

does this sound like a smart buy?

 

Whats gpa for a mid grade

[Hollywood1892]

On 1/19/2018 at 2:33 PM, Getoutandstayout said:

I was considering trying to get a lower grade copy of Hulk #181 at this summer's big Comic Con, but upon browsing eBay I saw that copies at just 3.5 are going for $900.00?! Are you kidding? I'd have to drop a Grand just to get a 4.0 copy - if that? I know Wolverine was in the movies, helping to drive up prices, but is he really this popular? Or are speculators driving up the price into a nice price bubble that's going to bust soon? It can't keep going up like it is. Reminds me of the dot.com bubble of the late 90s in a way. I'm suspicious of these outrageous prices. I may just find a good Marvel Mystery Comics issue (my Golden Age favorite) that's under $1,000. I *know* those are in demand and will go up every year.

If book value is based on movies then Hulk 181 is valued accurately. Up until recently Wolverine had appeared in more movies then any other superhero, they actually go out of their way to find how to put Wolverine in a movie 

"So we are just about finished with Spiderman 652,l 'Death of dude on top of apartment in AF15 I'm wondering if somehow we can put Logan coming out of a variety store with a bag of doritos as Spidey flies by!"

The only character/person who appears more then Wolverine is Stan Lee (RIP Champ)

But tbf Wolverine is probably ranked in the top ten superheroes of all time

That book you wanted has gone up $400 in 2 years, which is more interest then a GIC (canadian bond)

Edited May 24, 2020 by Hollywood1892

[Off Panel]

Looks like a 9.8 copy with white pages (and no CVA) just sold for $49,200 in the latest Heritage auction. (Price includes buyer’s premium.)

[rogue14]

Haven’t been on for a bit so I might be late, but did something happen that the prices are increasing again? I’ve been watching a few on eBay and the prices are about libel to triple the initial.

[Howling Mad]

6 hours ago, rogue14 said:

Haven’t been on for a bit so I might be late, but did something happen that the prices are increasing again? I’ve been watching a few on eBay and the prices are about libel to triple the initial.

It seems like prices on all collectibles are rocketing. The cold reality? Some have done extremely well this year, while others have suffered greatly. It seems to be playing out with collectibles of all sorts.

[rogue14]

14 hours ago, Howling Mad said:

It seems like prices on all collectibles are rocketing. The cold reality? Some have done extremely well this year, while others have suffered greatly. It seems to be playing out with collectibles of all sorts.

Got it. Thanks! Thought I missed some release news of some sort. This makes the search a bit more difficult. Guess I shouldn’t have waited. O’well.

[Howling Mad]

1 hour ago, rogue14 said:

Got it. Thanks! Thought I missed some release news of some sort. This makes the search a bit more difficult. Guess I shouldn’t have waited. O’well.

Totally! I spoke to my sister and brother in-law about those, both of whom collect things outside comics. Prices within their respective hobbies are going bonkers as well.

You can see this with cars, comics, sports cards, watches, etc. Things are just on fire. Great for sellers; bad time for buyers.

[dikran]

Holy moly! This can't be real... 12k for a 9.4?

https://www.comiclink.com/auctions/item.asp?back=%2FAUCTIONS%2FSEARCH.ASP%3FFocusedOnly%3D1%26where%3Dauctions%26title%3DHULK%2B181%26ItemType%3DCB%23Item_1428803&id=1428803&itemType=0

[mattn792]

1 hour ago, dikran1 said:

Holy moly! This can't be real... 12k for a 9.4?

https://www.comiclink.com/auctions/item.asp?back=%2FAUCTIONS%2FSEARCH.ASP%3FFocusedOnly%3D1%26where%3Dauctions%26title%3DHULK%2B181%26ItemType%3DCB%23Item_1428803&id=1428803&itemType=0

It's ComicLink, not eBay, so yes, it is most likely a real sale.

[dikran]

18 minutes ago, mattn792 said:

It's ComicLink, not eBay, so yes, it is most likely a real sale.

I guess that Hulk label added about 3k worth of value then

[mattn792]

4 minutes ago, dikran1 said:

I guess that Hulk label added about 3k worth of value then

It was also the highest graded copy in that particular auction, plus the 8.0 and 8.5 copies went for about $500 above their recent averages.  181 had a huge upswing from 2016-2018 (I think, I might be off by a year), this could be the start of another.  Or its just an outlier.  We'll see.

[dikran]

56 minutes ago, mattn792 said:

It was also the highest graded copy in that particular auction, plus the 8.0 and 8.5 copies went for about $500 above their recent averages.  181 had a huge upswing from 2016-2018 (I think, I might be off by a year), this could be the start of another.  Or its just an outlier.  We'll see.

Anyway you slice it, it's a huge jump vs other recent sales.

[lou_fine]

Wow, I guess the answer to the question posed in the title of this thread here is that it must be pretty cold since it's been almost 3 whole long months since the last post in this thread.  

Nevertheless, any thoughts on this sale of Hulk 181 for $47,500 in Wednesday's CC auction:  

https://www.comicconnect.com/item/897304

Personally, I thought it was a pretty strong price for a CGC 9.8 graded copy, especially considering the rather clearly visible off-center white line at the spine which is kind of a visible eye sore to me.    

[aardvark88]

48 minutes ago, lou_fine said:

any thoughts on this sale of Hulk 181 for $47,500 in Wednesday's CC auction:  

https://www.comicconnect.com/item/897304

Personally, I thought it was a pretty strong price for a CGC 9.8 graded copy, especially considering the rather clearly visible off-center white line at the spine which is kind of a visible eye sore to me.    

Nice investment of $35 or whatever CC is charging for their Official QES sticker of visual approval.

[mattn792]

2 minutes ago, aardvark88 said:

Nice investment of $35 or whatever CC is charging for their Official QES sticker of visual approval.

Proof positive that QES is defined as Quietly Exploiting Suckers.  That spine cut isn't the worst I've ever seen, but on a 9.8 it should certainly disqualify that particular book from being held up as an example of top of the heap eye appeal.

[lou_fine]

2 hours ago, aardvark88 said:

Nice investment of $35 or whatever CC is charging for their Official QES sticker of visual approval.

Well, the one advantage of the QES sticker over the CVA Exceptional sticker is that it specifies the exact criteria that made the book qualified for the sticker in the first place.  It's almost like getting the CGC grading notes for free when you see a slabbed book certified by CGC.  

Based upon this one here, I would most definitely disagree with their assessment as to the "beautiful spine" as I see it more as a fugly spine from my own point of view.  To each their own, I would imagine, but to me this one here is more like:    

Whereas the CVA Exceptional sticker is just a generic sticker, at least the QES sticker gives you a list of the criteria met and hence always good to go for the ones with the deep colors and perfect edging from my own point of view.  Especially since these books that meet certain of the QES criteria might just be the best candidate for a potential upgrade.    

 

[lou_fine]

2 hours ago, mattn792 said:

Proof positive that QES is defined as Quietly Exploiting Suckers.  That spine cut isn't the worst I've ever seen, but on a 9.8 it should certainly disqualify that particular book from being held up as an example of top of the heap eye appeal.

I am sure that these QES and CVA Exceptional stickers are really targeted towards the CGC label collectors who have overdosed themselves on the CGC Kool-Aid and are more than ecstatic to pay multiples more for a CGC 9.8 graded copy of a book, as opposed to a CGC 9.6 graded copy of the exact same book.    

Especially since the overwhelming majority of them couldn't tell the difference between the 2 books without the label, even if their lives depended upon it.  

[mattn792]

1 minute ago, lou_fine said:

I am sure that these QES and CVA Exceptional stickers are really targeted towards the CGC label collectors who have overdosed themselves on the CGC Kool-Aid and are more than ecstatic to pay multiples more for a CGC 9.8 graded copy of a book, as opposed to a CGC 9.6 graded copy of the exact same book.    

Especially since the overwhelming majority of them couldn't tell the difference between the 2 books without the label, even if their lives depended upon it.  

Oh absolutely, and in all honestly, I have no idea why I expect either company to pretend they're operating with integrity.  Pay money, get smiley face is what it comes down to with both of them.

[Randall Dowling]

QES or not, it just seems like a lot of money for Wolverine's second appearance.