Fans were treated to all things Venom in 2018, but the values of ASM #300 have taken a downward turn since October thanks in part to a mixed reception of the Venom movie.
This has been the year of Venom. First, Eddie Brock regained the symbiote in the comics. Next, Marvel's superstar writer Donny Cates and artist Ryan Stegman took the reigns and gave us our first legitimately good Venom series in, well, ever. As part of that, we were introduced to a fascinating new villain and Venom's new archnemesis, Knull, God of the Symbiotes. To cap it off, Venom's first solo film premiered in October.
Things have since cooled for the man in black. Critics jeered the film, while fan opinions have been divisive. That split on the movie has impacted Amazing Spider-Man #300. In these past three months, eight of the grades sold have received a boost in fair market value while the other half has either dropped or shown no change.
THE BAD NEWS
"Bad" is a subjective term in this instance. Certainly falling values are bad for sellers, but if you're a buyer, that's great news.
The higher grades have experienced the most downfall. Every grade from a 7.0 to a 9.6 - minus the 8.5 and 9.0 - have dropped in the 90-day FMVs compared to the 12-month averages. Keep in mind it's still up from 2016 and 2017, but as we approach the new year, we'll see if this is the trend. Three of the four most popular grades among collectors - the 9.2, 9.4, and 9.6 - all lost value after October.
The 9.6, which sold 72 copies in that span, has averaged $749 in the past 12 months. It was at its peak in early September when it was selling for as much as $1,000 and routinely bringing $800-$900. Since the movie's release, prices have gradually dropped. This month, it's still commanding an impressive price tag, but it's sold for below $700 five out of the last eight sales, with the most recent being $680.
From mid-August to the end of September, the 9.4 seldom sold for less than $500 and occasionally surpassed the $600 mark. On October 1, one was purchased for $615. Since then, prices have steadily fallen. Throughout October and into December, the 9.4 has mostly sold below $500, and it's recently started dipping below the $400 threshold.
We're seeing this same pattern in the 7.0, the 7.5, and the 8.0. That leaves just three of the nine highest grades losing money since Venom premiered. While there are no dramatic falls in values, it is definitely a sign of fans' attitude toward the film carrying over to the character's key issues.
THE GOOD NEWS
Whereas the upper grades are taking a hiatus, the mid grades are on the rise. From a 6.5 down to a 4.0, they are all enjoying a slight increase, albeit except for the 6.0, which has remained steady at a $247 average. For those mid-grades on the way up, they are all averaging over $200. The 4.0 has been doing particularly well as of late. Although it has not reached the $250 record high sale from August, one was purchased for $236 in late November.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The ASM #300 market is still strong. It remains a huge seller each month - 187 copies have been sold in the past month - and it has been the best-selling comic of 2018. Love or hate the movie, there's no denying that, despite ASM #300's popularity, the film has overall hurt the comic's value. If you were looking to cash in on the Venom tide, that wave has already crested.
