I. Bronze Age Book on the Move (Gold Medal)
Battlestar Galactica #1 (+79)
A. Key Features Of The Book
This is the first issue of the saga that many fans grew up watching. Fans grew to know this as the television version of Star Wars. Six different television shows and several comic book stories told the tale of a group of refugees looking for a safe haven from their enemies. The characters may change from the source material, but this is the first issue of the comic series that generated those versions.
B. External Factors Driving This Book
The long-planned reboot of the series may be getting back on track. The pandemic delayed the retelling of this version of the story, but that does not mean it is not coming. News of the reboot is stoking investors' and collectors' interest in this book.
Another factor that should not be ignored is the nostalgia component of the issue. Star Wars, Godzilla, Rom, and other television, movie, and toy tie-ins once popular among children are now being sought out by collectors and regularly appear on the Top 100 Bronze Age comics list. Investors are looking to get a jump on these properties when they are priced right. This issue has always been reasonably priced but that may not be the case for long.
C. Reviewing The Key Sales Data
There are over 1,400 copies in the census. The majority of those issues are 8.0 and above. I reviewed the numbers, and most grades were up when comparing the 90-day averages to the 30-day totals. The only exception was the 7.5 grade, which stayed the same.
9.6 grades that could be purchased for around $70 on April 4 now were hitting approximately $120. The hype is there and with reasonably priced high-grade issues, people are jumping on this comic.
D. Future Outlook
This is a property that seems to be constantly rebooted in one form or another. This story is a classic that can be interpreted in many different ways. The characteristic of this book that makes its future very bright, in my opinion, is the low buy-in.
I had a high-grade copy of this book but sold it during my college years. I wish I had not. This book has good short and long term investment potential. The only negative to this book is that there are a lot of raw copies that exist in the wild. If these books ever come to market, it could impair the long-term viability of the book.
I. Bronze Age Book on the Move (Silver Medal)
Doctor Strange #1 (+50)
A. Key Features Of The Book
This is the first issue of the second series that contains the first appearance of Agamotto. The cover features artwork by Frank Brunner. Skull covers are in vogue now, so this may get some cross-appeal among those collectors.
B. External Factors Driving This Book
The latest Dr. Strange film installment will be hitting the box office soon. In addition, Spider-Man: No Way Home was recently released on home media. Dr. Strange had a significant role in that film that tracks nicely with this new film.
The MCU is a major influencer in the comic book marketplace and this book has it all for the budget-minded Dr. Strange fan. Most early Dr. Strange keys are beyond the reach of the average collector and investor, but this issue is a nice alternative.
C. Reviewing The Key Sales Data 
This book has some interesting numbers to review. 9.8 to 9.4 graded copies all saw an increase in value when you compared the 90 to 30-day averages.
When you drop down to the 9.2 to 8.5 grades, you saw a decrease of value in the 90 to 30-day averages.
I believe that this data shows two different market segments at play here. If you can afford to drop around $500 or above, you wanted the best copy you could afford and are willing to pay for it. The budget-minded consumer seemed to want a deal in the 9.2 to 8.5 grades.
Collectors on a budget versus investors looking at an "undervalued" book to invest to benefit from the film? Watch the numbers and see if they change or stay the same. If so, you have your answer.
D. Future Outlook
I always hate that the second volume of a first issue is not a major key. This issue is one that I wonder about seeing an increase in value because of the movie, but dropping like a lead balloon shortly thereafter. I would be very wary of this book if I was investing in it. Look for a great deal. Collectors may want to wait until the price drops and buy on the dip. If you need to add this book, now is not the time to buy it on the cheap.
I. Bronze Age Book on the Move (Bronze Medal)
Masters of the Universe #1 (+50)
A. Key Features Of The Book
This is the first issue of the series. He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is based upon the Filmation cartoon and the Mattel toy line.
B. External Factors Driving This Book
One external factor that might be driving interest in this issue is the Netflix series. In addition, film rumors about a possible movie always swirl around these characters.
C. Reviewing The Key Sales Data 
Sometimes a book may be moving up in the charts, but not for a good reason. This is one of those books.
The 1-year, 90-day, and 30-day averages show a general drop in the average for books across the grades. The 9.4 grade actually has a higher 30-day average than the 9.6 grade because of an abnormal sale, but in general, all grades are down.
D. Future Outlook
This is a book that I really cannot get behind, based on the numbers. The numbers do not reveal a good outlook for this book even with a relatively low census of 1,366 books that have been graded. The character may be around for a long time and buying on the dip is a great strategy, but there are better choices out there compared to this book. This book was a big mover but it lost out on the silver medal based upon style points because it appeared lower in the rankings than the Marvel title. Honestly, I was shocked to see it that high.
I. Bronze Age Book with Potential
G.I. Joe, A Real American Hero #1 (Newsstand Edition) - (#90 Top Bronze Age Movers)
A. Key Features Of The Book
This is the first issue of the comic based upon the Hasbro toy line and animated series. Are you starting to see a theme in the movers in the Bronze Age?
B. External Factors Driving This Book
This is a newsstand edition of the same comic that appears at #20 in the Top 100 Bronze Age comics. Newsstand editions are becoming the new bullseyes for those that formerly-chased cover variants. The reason is that these issues were purchased by diehard readers, sometimes off spin racks. These racks would damage the issues, making high-grade copies hard to find. Copies that were sent to bookstores were read many times by fans. Those copies that were not sold were returned to the distributor, further depleting the number of high-grade copies available now.
C. Reviewing The Key Sales Data
There is no census data to review. I like that, because it means that there are probably very few copies of this book available. I had to look at a different number in the GoCollect data to prove my last statement. This assumption is supported by the difference in sales totals between the direct edition and newsstand variant during the same time span (1808 vs. 200). Either there are fewer copies available or people are holding on to their copies and not selling. Demand with fewer books coming to market means a premium on those that do.
The FMV is very close in value between those two versions, but the newsstand collectors and investors have only recently taken notice of certain issues. This may be one reason for the slight premium given to newsstand editions. More and more collectors and investors are taking notice of newsstand copies, so even if the FMV is only slightly higher the potential is there for this book.
D. Future Outlook
G.I. Joe is a strong franchise. Consumers love comics based on toys, cartoons, and films. Collectors have started to target toys from their childhood and this franchise is one of those targets. The direct edition is a normal member of the Top 100 Bronze Age books, but the newsstand copy does not receive the credit it is due. If you see one, buy it. The price might not be that different than the direct edition but the potential for a better return on investment is there for you to realize. Target the highest grade possible.
Are you investing your dollars in Bronze Age comics? Let us know in the comments!
