The importance of owning big keys cannot be overstated. I consider these keys an investment rather than speculation. There are some basic rules for purchasing these giant keys that all new speculators and investors should follow. First, try to stay in the Bronze, Silver or Golden Age. Why? These keys have a track record you can use as data points, historical averages, etc. Second, pick a character or team that has broad appeal and continues to be reinvented with each generation and each age. These are a few of my favorites for Marvel: Punisher, Wolverine, Black Panther, Avengers, Fantastic Four, X-Men, Iron Man, and The Incredible Hulk. Who are we leaving out? Why is my Spidey-Sense tingling? Oh, but of course, the headliner for all of Marvel: Spider-Man. If you are a DC fan: Batman by Neal Adams, Superman, Wonder Woman, Swamp Thing by Wrightson, and even the Ryan Reynolds favorite, Green Lantern.
For the purpose of this article, I will focus on everyone's favorite Webhead from the pages of Amazing Spider-Man #1. This is a triple key: the first appearance of Spidey in his own comic book, his second appearance overall and the first appearance of J. Jonah Jameson (the best publicist a superhero could have). What are some simple rules to follow to buy the correct type of key book? After all, the purchase of this book will cost thousands, but the returns can be astronomical as well.
Three Simple Rules:
Before you purchase ask yourself three questions:
1) What is the average historical long-term return for your big key?
(Do you have data?)
2) Is the character still popular and well known? Does anyone still follow him, her, them or it?
(Do an honest appraisal here, Rom the Spaceknight might be cool; but who follows him?)
3) Finally, what is the 1-3 year catalyst that might keep this key increasing in the short-term?
(Is there a positive catalyst?)
Most of the big keys are created by legends in the industry. Therefore, by owning something these legends created, you own a little of their magic. Yes, the magic of creation. In the case of Amazing Spider-Man #1, Stan Lee did the script and editing. Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko were on the stick (pencils and inks). These are arguably two of the largest artists in Marvel, like I said, "legends." Spidey first appeared in Amazing Fantasy #15 but if you can afford that, you probably already own it. I prefer a big key that a larger market trades in and out of, Amazing Spider-Man #1 for instance.
So, now we have our pick, but what do we do with data, grades, and purchasing? What is the best grade to own this mega key in?
Long-Term (Punching Power)
- Grade 9.6 $262,900 last sale 11-17-16 returns positive +125%
- Grade 9.2 $95,600 last sale 5-18-17 returns positive +87%
- Grade 8.0 $44,400 last sale 8-1-19 returns positive +92.1%
- Grade 3.0 $5,520 last sale 11-24-19 returns positive +83.8%
Using the Three Simple Rules lets see if Amazing Spider-Man #1 is a good key to purchase?
1) What is the average historical long-term return for your big key?
It appears the average long-term return of this mega key is around +80%.
(Do you have data?)
Yes, long-term data above all garnered from GoCollect.com.
2) Is the character still popular and well known? Does anyone still follow him, her, them or it?
(Do an honest appraisal here, Rom might be cool but who follows him?)
Yep, Spidey is still popular in elementary school with the newest generation (anecdotal evidence).
3) Finally, what is the 1-3 year catalyst that might keep this key increasing in the short-term?
(Is there a positive catalyst?)
There have been two successful Tom Holland Spidey movies, and another on the way. The public can't get enough of the latest Spider-Man. There have been several "new" Spideys. He appeals to all generations and each generation remakes Spidey in their own image of what a hero should be. Finally, the near term catalyst for Amazing Spider-Man #1 is quite simply Tom Holland and the additional movies with him to come.
Holland is a young man with physical skills that are impressive. He has already played the character more than any other, including Toby McGuire. Consequently, he is beloved. Also, he is just more fun than any of the others. Therefore, with a popular actor and movies to follow we can definitively state: a catalyst exists.
Conclusion and a few more tips:
Obviously, if Amazing Spider-Man #1 is your key; we have met the three criteria.
But here are some great tips for not making a serious mistake with $1,000's of Quatloo. How to choose the grade? In this particular example, I like grade 3.0 because there have been 118 total sales that have returned on average +83.8%. You simply pick the lower to mid-grade with the most sales in your price range.
Who can help me determine the average price? This should be obvious but if not, start learning GoCollect.com. They offer the most data crunching for pennies. You can verify prices (actual and confirmed) as well as trends, and pick the correct book with their wonderful cover picture inventory.
Where to buy a book? For the first-timers don't try to "pick up pennies in front of a steamroller." Just go with the bigger auction houses and companies like GoCollect.com. This is safe and you should purchase at a roughly average market or slightly above market prices. That way you have some guarantee it is the genuine article and not a doctored copy online. Sure, eBay has great inventory, but for new investors stick with the big auction houses until you learn the ropes.
Big keys are a great way to lock in profit. Why not spin your speculative web for consistent investment returns that just get better (and more expensive) with age? Spurious speculators and alternative investors remember the old 1990's saying, "go-big-or-go-home!"
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