Scott Lang's Ant-Man was a huge hit in not one but three movies; Civil War, Ant-Man, and Ant-Man and the Wasp. Now it has been several years since Ant-Man first graced the MCU and it still seems very fresh and fun with lots of energy. Just take a look at the last movie: Ant-Man and the Wasp had very hip cast and writing. Has this small hero returned large profits, or has this key tumbled and fallen from earlier highs? Marvel Premiere #47 is the first appearance of Scott Lang as Ant-man and his origin story. The top grade (9.8) mint is going for $600 FMV and the last real sale was well above that at $948. This is a great sign as the FMV is below real value, possibly indicating growth. That current (9.8) has returned 21.3% over the last 107 sales with max tracking of up to 10,000 sales. Some notable mentions are grade (5.5) returns positive +28.3% and the (4.5) grade is showing a vibrant return of +61.6%. If Scott Lang is not really your thing, then try the uptight Hank Pym and his Pym particles. The first appearance of Hank Pym as the original Ant-Man would probably set you back a bit, but he is the first Ant-Man. Pym first appeared as Ant-Man in Tales to Astonish #35 in costume. This book last sold for $900 on 12/9/18 in grade (6.5) on the Heritage website. New, or old Ant-Man is here to stay, but which one do you bet on?
The CGC Census has 1690 issues logged for Marvel Premiere #47. This issue was created by David Michelinie (script) and Bob Layton with John Byrne (pencils). This comic book was made in 1979 and makes for a compelling very human Ant-Man overcoming his criminal past. But has the Ant-Man hype totally worn off and trending down or just getting started? Though the rates or trends of returns are not as brisk as a larger time frame. The current trends are positive overall, another good sign about this comic book. If we take it out one year the returns are: (9.8) at positive +12.9%, (8.5) -3.5%, and negative (7.0) negative -17.4%. If we collapse that further to only 3 months the returns are: (9.8) has returned positive +23.1% and (7.0) has dropped -9.8%. With the results being mixed this comic book is best purchased in the higher grade.
The real first appearance of Ant-Man in costume is (Hank Pym's version) in Tales to Astonish #35. This is the first Ant-Man in costume and the second overall Ant-Man appearance. Current FMV's are (6.0) at $875, (8.0) at $3300, and (9.2) at $26,000. The last grade (9.4) sold for $56,000 in December 2016. Much more resistant to recent changes the overall returns for (9.0) grade are positive+515.3%, (8.5) for +282.3%, and even (7.0) for positive plus +57.4%. The Hank Pym Ant-Man is one of many of Hank's alias but the most interesting. He has been Giant-Man, Goliath, and Yellowjacket. After the original Wasp was killed in Secret Invasion he even took up the Wasp mantle, which is an interesting twist.
Both Ant-Man comics are good investments, but nothing compares to the Silver Age original. That being said, it is costly to invest in Tales to Astonish #35, if you have the money fine; if not best to get behind the Lang version instead. If Ant-Man is your key of choice hop on an ant and fly with Marvel Premiere #47. It is cheaper and picking up the pace of return in the last three months by an average of more than +10%. Most importantly Paul Rudd makes Ant-Man fun and he could easily do ten more of these films. He is that good, bet on Scott Lang Ant-Man, got it "peanut?"
