The roar of a Harley is a very distinct sound. You feel like it is inside the vehicle with you as one passes by during a traffic jam. Its power is inherent and obvious to all around. Harley has become a brand name that owning one hint at something about your character. The ultimate anti-hero Ghost Rider also rips around town on a Harley. His ride is a custom Panhead Chopper usually on fire; meanwhile, The Rider is giving the finger to the local authorities (Movie Ghost Rider 2007).

The first appearance of Ghost Rider is a quad-key, Marvel Spotlight #5. It has not only the Ghost Rider in all his fiery skull bone glory but also the first Johnny Blaze, first Zaranthos, first Crash Simpson and first Roxanne Simpson. It was created in 1972 by Gary Friedrich and Roy Thomas (script). Mike Ploog is the artist and he nails it. This quad key is worth more than a Harley (current Harley model CVO Limited is priced over $43K); the last price for grade 9.8  Marvel Spotlight #5 sold for $56,000 on Heritage and that was in August 2013. The price appreciation on this iconic super-hero feels like a Penance Stare into your soul for those of us that do not own one. Can we still make a profit off The Rider?

Long-Term Trend:

  • Grade 9.6 11,500 FMV returns positive +104.8%
  • Grade 9.2 $3700 FMV returns positive +181.7%
  • Grade 8.5 $1600 FMV returns positive +145.4%
  • Grade 6.5 $625 FMV returns positive +77.7%

Long-term trends are important, but we need to look at the short-term as well to determine if the comic is continuing its upward profit surge or current events have changed the status. With the first appearance of Ghost Rider, I don't think we will need to worry about short-term. There is limited info except for talk of a spinoff TV series with Disney. This is a good catalyst but we have seen what happens to good series over the years.

 

 

Short-Term Trend:

  • Grade 9.2 $3700 FMV returns positive +22.2%
  • Grade 8.5 $1250 FMV returns positive +22.4%
  • Grade 6.5 $625 FMV returns positive +12.2%
  • Grade 1.8 $190 FMV returns positive +13.5%

The short-term and long-term trends have this book getting more expensive every six months to the tune 20% or more. The stability of both long/short term trends is a huge plus for fans of The Rider. Personally, I thought Nick Cage nailed it in the 2007 movie version. The catalyst? In May 2019 it was "announced that a television series based on Robbie Reye's incarnation of Ghost Rider will premiere on Hulu in 2020, with Luna reprising his role." Recently, the Robbie Reyes incarnation of the Ghost Rider was portrayed by actor Gabriel Luna. He appeared in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (season 4).  The Rider like many other anti-heroes of the 1970s is here to stay. No need to subject yourself to the Penance Stare; simply ask; do you see any downside to owning the first appearance of Ghost Rider Marvel Spotlight #5?

 

Investments vs. Speculation (Warning):

Speculations are long shots, and usually, do not pay off. Often folks make and lose money speculating on markets. Speculation is not an investment, I know we use these terms interchangeably but Investing is defined as "the act of committing money or capital to an endeavor with the expectation of obtaining an additional income or profit" (Source: Investopedia). Speculation is "the assumption of unusual business risk in hopes of obtaining commensurate gains" (Source: Merriam-Websters Dictionary). Speculation is an assumption nothing more; think of many of the recent comics that are mass-produced and heavily marketed and you turn around two years later and they are worth $20 if that. "Be careful my friends..."