Multiverse of MadnessDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness has finally arrived in theaters.  Were there any big surprises?  Did rumors prove true or false?  And how did the market react?  WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW!

The Illuminati

Multiverse of MadnessWith the leak of footage from Multiverse of Madness showing the Illuminati appearing on Twitter less than a week before it appeared in theaters (as we reported here), prices had already begun rising for one key issue in particular:  Fantastic Four #46, the first appearance of Black Bolt.

Fantastic Four #46

Key sales since the leak included an 8.5 graded copy selling on May 1 for $1,799, missing the record in that grade by $1, and a 9.2 copy that sold on May 2 for a slashed $3,800, likely just falling short of the record set in February with a $3,720 sale.  The volume of sales was remarkably high for a silver age book, with 26 graded copies selling on eBay over the course of a week.

In most grades, sales were well above FMV and equal to or above the 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year averages.  If you’ve seen the film, then you know that it’s hard to say whether or not we’ll see Black Bolt in an MCU film again.  So, it will be interesting to see if this book retains its value in the long term.

Fantastic Four #1

Multiverse of MadnessBesides Black Bolt, fans also got their first look at Reed Richards in the MCU, as played by John Krasinski.  It isn’t every day that a graded copy of Fantastic Four #1 sells on eBay.  May 4, the day prior to the film’s debut, was one of those days.

A 1.5 copy sold for $12,689.  While not a record in that grade, it did reconfirm that this is a book that can’t be found in even the lowest grade at a price below five figures.

There’s even an NG graded coverless copy currently for sale on eBay for $10K and a graded single page being offered for $3,753.  In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find a low-grade raw copy below $10K anywhere.

Expect prices to continue to slowly rise as anticipation builds for the eventual debut of the full team in the MCU.

Doctor Strange’s Future Wife

One character who was rumored to appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness waited until the mid-credits scene to make her appearance.  Fans cheered when Charlize Theron made her MCU debut as Clea.

Strange Tales #126

Needless to say, there were a fair number of sales of Strange Tales #126, her first comic book appearance.  The highest grade sold over the course of the first three days after the film’s premiere was a 6.5, which sold for a record $1,100 on May 5, 22% higher than a slashed $1,000 sale on March 4.

The remainder of the sales were in the 3.5 to 5.5 grades, with nearly all sales above FMV and all three averages.  There is no doubt in investors’ minds that Clea is here to stay in the MCU.

If you were hoping to get this book, you’ve likely missed your chance to find it on the cheap.  However, keep an eye out for the eventual dip in a month or two.  This is definitely not a book you want to purchase when it’s at its peak as it is now.

Dark Scarlet Witch

A handful of Avengers books featuring a Scarlet Witch gone bad have caught the attention of fans, each of them, interestingly enough, with artwork by John Byrne.  Avengers #185, #186, #187, and Avengers West Coast #56 are all issues with a possessed or evil Scarlet Witch.

Avengers #186 and #187 are the two to continue watching but not for the reasons you think.  A 9.6 graded copy of #186 sold for $311 on May 8 but that’s well below its peak price of $553 which it fetched a year ago.  A 9.6 graded copy of #187 sold for $178, down 75% from its last sale on March 1, and down considerably from its peak of $599 a year ago.

Should prices on these books continue to decline, there could be buying opportunities for what are very good issues in an excellent Bronze Age Avengers run.

The Strange Case of Strange Tales #110

And now we come to the first appearance of the good doctor himself in Strange Tales #110.  A 6.5 graded copy sold on May 6 for a slashed $10,600, just four days after a copy in the same grade sold for $10,000.

What is fascinating, though, is that both sales are below the high sale of this book in a 6.0 grade - $11,400.  And two days later, on May 8, a 5.0 graded copy sold for $6,601; that's down 12% from its peak sale of $7,500 in February.

This is a book that has been undervalued by collectors for years, primarily due to the lack of Doctor Strange on the cover.

There are definitely buying opportunities out there for collectors if you’re careful and patient.

Read more on MoM!

MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS REACTION: [SPOILER] HAS ARRIVED
DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS LEAK
CAPTAIN CARTER THROWS HER MIGHTY SHIELD…AT THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS

Are you buying, selling, or holding Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness keys?  Let us know below.

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