'Tis the silly season and things can get insane with crazy shoppers, getting gifts, incoming relatives, traffic jams, and mega stress. But you wouldn't know it in the comic book speculation market. Everyone is the same, people are buying anything related to Venom and early symbiont appearances in the Bronze Age. The symbiotes rule November, lock, stock, and barrel. Two of the top three books are entirely about Spider-Man, the symbiote, and his black suit. This character has changed Spider-Man over the years. No generation before or since has re-aligned the spider quite like it. This trend will likely continue, as Venom is especially popular in the month of November. The top three Bronze Age books are The Eternals #1, Amazing Spider-Man #252, and Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars #8. The Eternals are in third place but have been on the uptick over the last few months. They are Earth's genetically seeded super-heroes. The Eternals really muddy up the Marvel Universe with their presence, in my opinion. In the top two spots are ASM #252 and Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars #8 the first appearance of Spider-Man suit in regular series and the first appearance of symbiotic costume ever. This last one has a special place for Venom fans. After all, it is the first appearance of what would become, Venom! Which of these is the best pick long-term and short-term?

The Eternals #1 

Jack Kirby created The Eternals #1 in 1976 providing both script and pencils to this rehash of the New Gods (Kirby's work at DC). This story tried to capture the beginnings of mutants and genetic anomalies kind of stealing from the Ancient Aliens pop theory. Fun but ultimately loses steam compared to Wolverine and the X-Men during BA. He tried to weave together the strands of storyline to flesh out the Marvel Universe. As with last month, I had confirmed in my blog two separate media sources stated a movie was in the works. Will it be successful? Probably not, but the catalyst is a great reason to speculate on this interesting slice of Marvel history.

The current fair market value for The Eternals #1 in the following grades are: (9.8) $950, (8.0) in $95 (an increase from last month), (6.5) at $55, and (4.0) at $20 (a drop in value from last month) FMV.  With a potential movie on the horizon, returns are popping like popcorn to string around the Xmas tree. No longer a bargain book the returns are nonstop : (9.8) has returned positive +114.4% (a drop in Nov) (8.0) a positive +67% (up in Nov), (6.0) with whopping +90.7% (flat) return and (5.5) sporting a significant drop of negative -4.2% ROI. This is a speculation to watch month by month and unload as soon as you have reached your profit goals.

Amazing Spider-Man #252

Ms. Marvel #1 got booted out of the top three with little fanfare in the month of November. The Amazing Spider-Man #252 is now sitting in second place, even after the second awesome Captain Marvel movie première dropped. So much for a hot blond with a mohawk lighting up the sky. Let's get down to "brass tacks" with the current price of ASM #252 at $675 FMV in grade (9.8). The last sales noted are $650 and $625 in December. The return on the top line of (9.8) is a respectable positive +78.4%. This homage cover to Amazing Fantasy #15 has plenty of value still in this price range, try to web one to the wall on the cheap.

Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars #8

Again in the top three and potentially unbeatable at least until the next Venom movie is Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars #8. "Why is this comic so popular? This book is the first appearance of the Spider-Man symbiotic black costume. It has Jim Shooter on the script and Michael Zeck as the artist. These two make a great team and helped give birth to Venom a whole new take on a very old character, Spidey" (source: Top Three Bronze Age Comics: October). In the month of November, this is the top comic for the Bronze Age. The current value in (9.8) is $240 FMV. The return on this monster key is positive +38.4% in grade (9.8), Ho-Ho-Ho!