Inflation remains stubborn. Banks are failing. The bottom has fallen out from the comic book market. But remember the adage to "buy low and sell high." The current market could present a buying opportunity. Of course, we should be wary about catching falling knives, but we also don't want to miss out on great deals either that could pay off in the long term. One opportunity to consider is a CGC 8.5 copy of Marvel Special Edition #15, which contains the first full appearance of Shang-Chi.

Before the comic boom, this book's ROI was 4.8% annually.

In order to get a sense of if this book has over-corrected, let's review its historical performance prior to the pandemic. Let's take a look at a CGC 8.5 which is the most common grade on the CGC Census. For a thirteen-year period, a CGC 8.5 copy of Marvel Special Edition #15 climbed incrementally in value. Specifically, back in 2006, a CGC 8.5 copy sold for $84.63. Thirteen years later, in mid-2018, another 8.5 sold for $154.97. This sale occurred roughly a year before speculation took off that Shang-Chi would receive his own film in the MCU.

During that time, this book's value increased by roughly 4.8% annually over that thirteen-year period. While that isn't a terrible ROI, you would've done better if you had invested in the S&P500 over that same period of time.

A CGC 8.5 Marvel Special Edition #5 sold for $415 on February 19th, a 66% loss in value.

This book jumped in price when Kevin Feige announced Shang-Chi would receive his own movie in July 2019. Shortly after that announcement, an 8.5 sold for $626.34 in September of 2019.

Then, of course, the comic boom happened. At the height of the comic boom, a CGC 8.5 copy of this book sold for $1,220.77, roughly twice its value two years earlier. Since reaching that peak, this book has plummeted in value.

Just two months ago, this book sold for $415 during an auction on eBay, an approximate 66% drop from its all-time high. Not only had it lost all of the value that it had gained during the 2021 comic boom, but it's now selling for less than it did back in 2019. If this book's value had continued to increase by 4.8% annually, it should be worth around $656 today.  You could make the case that this book has over-corrected.

In addition, Shang-Chi's film was generally well-received by most viewers and we'll see a sequel, Shang-Chi and the Wreckage of Time, in 2024. At the same time, this book underperformed the S&P500 for most of its history which is another factor to consider.

Do you think Shang-Chi's first full appearance has over-corrected? Let us know what you think in the comments section below!

*Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not represent advice on behalf of GoCollect.