Comic InvestingIt’s back! Get your imaginary wallet ready, because Fantasy Comic Investing is ready for kickoff.

The rules are basically the same, but this time, you get a larger budget: $3,000 (you’re welcome). Think of it as imaginary stimulus money, so go ahead and splurge on those keys you’ve always wanted.

Just like before, we’ll be using GoCollect’s current fair market values for the individual comic and grade. If it doesn’t have an FMV calculated by GoCollect, then it doesn’t count. 

Last year, we did this by the month, but this time around, let’s play once a week. Drop your picks with the grades in the comments by Sunday at midnight, and we will spotlight the top-five. I’ll be sharing the logic behind my picks each week, and I encourage you to do the same. Let’s generate some dialogue.

ROUND ONE: FIGHT!

Comic InvestingINCREDIBLE HULK #180 (9.0)

CURRENT FMV: $1,800

Last year, Hulk #180 was my rock. Practically every month, it made modest gains that added up over the course of months. While it didn’t have those impressive numbers compared to, say, Ultimate Fallout #4, it consistently made money. With all the Wolverine talk about his arrival in the MCU, it is only going to keep up the pattern. This week, I put all my stock into Hulk #180, and I was glad to get anything in the near-mint range. 

CAPTAIN AMERICA #117 (6.5)

CURRENT FMV: $775

Now that Sam Wilson has ascended to Captain America status, the former sidekick has become the hottest character in the MCU, and that spells profits for Cap #117. It has already been setting record highs since the final episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and I am banking on that rise to continue. With the recent news that a fourth Captain America movie is on the way that will star Anthony Mackie, we have not even begun to see this key issue plateau.

X-MEN #129 (7.5)

CURRENT FMV: $240

Those Bronze Age X-Men comics are heating up quickly, and the first appearances of Emma Frost and Kitty Pryde are leading the pack. The writing is on the wall for both these characters having a major impact in the X-Men of the MCU.

Neither has been given her due time on the silver screen, and I fully expect Marvel Studios to feature one or both of them heavily in the upcoming movies (and probably a Disney+ show or two at some point). The sky is the limit for X-Men #129.

STRANGE TALES #159 (7.0)

CURRENT FMV: $170

I debated tossing this fish back into the pond, but it is hard to pass on the first appearance of Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The rumor mill is churning about her putting together either the Dark Avengers, the Thunderbolts, or both. Personally, I think she will take up the Madame Hydra moniker and continue down her path to becoming the evil Nick Fury. Either way, her debut comic (Strange Tales #159) is extremely hot, and I look to profit off that heat in the coming weeks.

TOTAL INVESTMENT: $2,985

Want to join the fun? Familiarize yourself with the rules and add your picks in the comments.

THE FANTASY COMIC INVESTING RULES

Like before, I aim to keep things relatively simple at FCI. Week to week, we may change or clarify things, so I am open to suggestions on the game. As it stands currently, here are the rules:

  1. This is only for graded comics and their averages based on current values calculated by GoCollect.
  2. You can only buy one grade per comic, so no buying $3k’s worth of one hot book.
  3. Once you post your picks, they are locked until the following Sunday at midnight.
  4. You can have as many or as few comics as you like, as long as you don’t exceed the $3k budget.
  5. Only comics with a current GoCollect Fair Market Value can be used.
  6. Universal grades only; no CGC Signature Series or qualified grades.
  7. At the end of each week, the winner is determined by the biggest profit margin over the initial $3k budget. That will also determine your next week’s budget.
  8. Make moves. You have to sell at least one of your comics each week.
  9. Spend it or lose it. If you still have money left in your budget, it doesn’t carry over to the next round.

Which book is your bet? Leave your answers in the comments! Welcome to Fantasy Comic Investing!

Comic Investing