To paraphrase Musashi in the Book of Five Rings, “timing is crucial, in art, carpentry, diplomacy, literature, and most especially war.” This ancient samurai had the right idea but little did he know he was actually talking about comic book speculation in the 21st Century. Learning to time purchases is the single most important attribute for becoming a good speculator. Each comic book age has a different set of timing factors. The modern comics are really based on the hype from movies and tv shows. Recent comics primarily spike based on the mass appeal of a new character, or inherent speculation of a possible movie. Silver and Bronze Age, move slowly without movies to push them up in value, time and rarity drive their value. The Golden Age is another matter, previous prices for similar issues can drive this comic age substantially higher and returns are enormous.
Let’s use the recent arrival of a certain green brick with claws. The lovable Incredible Hulk with Wolverines adamantium blades, also known as Weapon H. This character was created in Totally Awesome Hulk #22 written by Greg Pak with the interior art by Rober Gill. Current fair market value is $140 mint grade. Back in September, this book got up in the $200 range. I wasn’t sure if it would keep going so I did the absolute worst thing and chased it purchasing one for $200. This is an example of: bad timing. Realizing too late it would be years if ever for this to return a profit.
Totally Awesome Hulk #22 (second print)
Later on, I also purchased three raw copy second prints. Second prints, why do that? Reason: The Totally Awesome Hulk # 22 (second print) actually has pretty solid numbers on par with TAH #22. However, it was cheap by comparison not as expensive. I purchased some near mint raw copies. They were pristine and I had an epithany if these scored well at CGC people might pay a premium to own this book, even a second printing. I sent all three into CGC. Total cost TAH #22 (second print) $3.99. I hypothesized that people would pay for second print TAH #22 once the price had risen and solidified in the first print.
As luck would have it, the CGC company graded these books Totally Awesome Hulk #22 (second print) as mint condition (9.8)'s. I got three (9.8)’s at a total cost of $3.99 + $54 slab (3). The total cost was $57.99. I have already sold two for over $60. The third I will keep as a long-term buy and hold. This was a clear money maker, in fact, this example brought me into profitability across the board. The return for Totally Awesome Hulk #22 (second print) mint condition is (9.8) positive + 7.3%. Small as this return is it whooped, TAH #22 first print. The first print has a negative -25.3% ROI. Obviously, the second printing has its merits.
Look at Totally Awesome Hulk #22 (second print) as a viable alternative for the expensive first print. The second print looks exactly like the first print, except the second print has blue lettering not green. Many people have made the mistake of buying second prints and thinking they were first prints. Don't go Hulk on us if you have a second print, chances are you are still in the money as second prints are moving up with a positive return. Remember timing is crucial, don't just look at the obvious stuff; sometimes you have to turn over a few rocks, or in Hulks case boulders.
