Silver Surfer #3The devil has many names Beelzebub, Mephistopheles, Satan. Marvel has coined their own name for the devil: Mephisto. Mephisto has a long and sordid career in Marvel. He has challenged almost every one of the original teams: Avengers, the Defenders, even the FF. Mephisto has even appeared in the pages of a Daredevil comic. Does this epitome of evil offer speculation guidance to the pit of profit? The first time Mephisto is seen is in Silver Surfer #3. The Surfer battles Mephisto who torments him with the essence of his long-distance lover from a previous life as Norin Radd. Silver Surfer gave up everything to save the planet from Galactus and now Mephisto uses her as bait. The drama is intense but what stands out is the bravery and unsung nobility of our hero. Can this Faustian amalgams first appearance still corrupt your speculation soul with riches?

 

 

 

 

Silver Surfer #3

The first appearance of Mephisto is a big event in Marvel. In Silver Surfer #3, one of Marvel's most powerful superheroes faces off against manipulative Mephisto. The comic was created by Stan Lee (script) and John Buscema (pencils) in 1968. Despite Mephisto temptations, our hero, the Surfer, resists and fights his way free of Hell. In doing so, proving a theme among Stan Lee's Marvel stories; nobility even in the face of great evil like Mephisto.

Silver Surfer #3Long-Term

  • Grade 9.6 $2,400 last sale 3-8-18 returns negative -4.2%
  • Grade 9.2 $1,450 11-30-19 returns positive +133.1%
  • Grade 8.0 $490 12-16-19 returns positive +88%
  • Grade 6.5 $240 12-12-19 returns positive +42%

The powers of Mephisto are beyond compare as he is the embodiment of evil. He has superhuman physical abilities, immortality, and magic. Now the magic can take many forms, teleportation, telepathy and knowing what his enemies desire. As a speculation, Silver Surfer #3 long-term returns are desirable. They show broad appeal with grades 9.4 to 6.5 in a positive range. Further, the negative for grade 9.6 is potentially skewed by early speculation once it became clear the Silver Surfer had returned home to Marvel. Does this tempting speculation hold up in short-term returns as well?

Short-Term

  • Grade 9.2 $1,450 11-30-19 returns negative -2.7% 
  • Grade 8.0 $490 12-16-19 returns positive +3.3%
  • Grade 6.5 $240 12-12-19 returns negative -13.7% 

 

Silver Surfer #3Like I said early on, "The Devil is in the details." The obvious decline in return for this comic over the last 90-days is simply sinister. Speculators shorting this comic after the initial hype has worn off. Also, some info has come out regarding possible future villains, and the hints did not lead one to believe we are going to smell fire and brimstone anytime soon.  Recently, we have a possible Kevin Feige hint for the next Dr. Strange several "new MCU characters" (Dec 30th Press Junket).  One blogger in the speculation-sphere posited Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Madness might possibly have Mephisto as the "perfect candidate" for a villain. Finally, Mephisto is ranked #48 on IGN's list of Greatest Comic Book Villains of All Time.

Conclusion:

In addition to solid long-term returns, this book is the first appearance of arguably one of Marvel's greatest villains. He has reappeared in the Marvel Comics over the decades. Interestingly, John Romita Jr. redesigned the character in Daredevil #266 as a bloated, nude creature with frog legs and a demon head, certainly not cinematic. Finally, let's not forget the catalyst from Feige's own lips mentioning several characters will debut in the Multiverse of Madness. Personally, I am a huge Dr. Strange fan and look forward to another movie with him regardless of the villain.

Buying the comic book Silver Surfer #3 as speculation or long-term investment is a no-brainer. Given all likelihood, this character will be used multiple times in the MCU going forward. After all, who would make a better villain than this ultimate archetype? I think it makes sense to buy Silver Surfer #3 as a long-term hold. If the numbers prove out as above you won't have to sell your soul to Mephisto to make a buck.

 

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