One of my favorite all-age covers is Captain America Annual #8. When I saw the art by Mike Zeck; I couldn't wait to read it and see who wins in a battle between the ultimate superhero (Cap) and the greatest anti-hero (Wolvie). Captain America as corny as this might sound was written in such a way to be the best America had to offer. Almost a Superman for the Marvel Universe, super-ethics that represent the values of truth, justice, and the American way. I think these two characters and especially Wolverine have had some of the best films of all the superheroes except maybe Iron Man. Chris Evans looks beyond awesome in action. The shield throws in the movies rock the house. Then there is Wolvie played by the incomparable Hugh Jackman, both extraordinary actors representing very well. Many comic book annuals have great stories and even better covers but yet amount to nada as an investment. Does this Cap annual pay, or pray for profits?
The issue of Captain America Annual #8 was written by Mike Gruenwald and art by Mike Zeck. Zeck is one of the coolest artists around. If you get a chance to meet him at a comic book-con walk up and say hello. He is friendly and in my opinion one of the best of the 80's artists. This comic book has sold for $162.50 with mint condition (9.8). The grade of (8.0) has sold for $15 last August. These are not bad prices to jump into this classic comic. In addition to the first Zeck cover with Wolverine and Captain America going at it. You also have two new first appearances Tess-One and Overrider. Who knows if these two will ever show up in a movie but at least this is a minor key as well. This one comic book annual among the many has been a solid investment.
The strength of the return on this book has been good, not great, over the last twenty years. Captain America Annual #8 has returned positive +40.1% for a grade (7.5), and positive +11.6% in mint condition (9.8). The consistency of positive returns almost across the board is a sign of a healthy comic book investment. Now as a speculation, I dunno know. This book is not busting any barriers and has just kind of sputtered along. Returning good returns and a nice collectible cover piece. Furthermore, with a total of 1180 CGC Census, this book has not been over purchased or even CGC'd to a great extent. Cap Annual #8 is certainly safe to invest in CGC for this comic. Currently, there are only 165 (9.8) mint condition issues outstanding per CGC.
However, our title is "The Annual Money Pit," so let's see how other annuals stand up to Cap Annual #8. Looking at Cap Annuals most have little value; Captain America Annual #7 is one of the money pit denizens. With only one sale in (9.4) for $36.99 over three years ago in 2015. This doesn't exactly make you want to fly the "Stars and Stripes." Let's try the Avengers since Cap is a member, say Avengers Annual #15 the most recent sale back five months ago was for $46 in mint (9.8) with a return of negative -11.7%. If we are talking West Coast Avengers forget it, those are even worse. In my experience, the annuals are great for reading but terrible investments. There are a few keys. But annuals are the one thing I find a ton of in the fifty cent bins. Why are they there? You know why; they are a money pit!
