Many Sci-Fi fans love the movie Predator and have their favorite Arnold quotes from the 80s. Mine happens to be, "If it bleeds, we can kill it!" The ultimate existential statement of man vs. monster. Predator #1 was the first appearance of this creature in Dark Horse Comics (1989), a gritty publication that catered more to young adults. But can this 1980s movie based issue make for good speculation? Further, are comic book movies a loadstone for profit; or merely ballast sending our bank accounts straight to the bottom of Lake Mead?

Predator #1

This is the first appearance of the Predator in comics. It is a Dark Horse publication written by Mark Verheiden, with art from Chris Warner and Sam de la Rosa. The story takes place in New York City a veritable "concrete jungle." The perfect place for a hunter with superhuman strength and superior alien technology to hide. The Predator #1 is on the rare side, with only 500 copies in the CGC Census. If you can find it, this issue should be purchased at nothing less than grade near mint minus or better. To lock in gains it may need to be grade 9.4 or better. Or to paraphrase Billy from Predator the movie, "There's something out there waiting for us, and it ain't no man" it's profit!

These books are not easy to find, the character is very popular and sci-fi creatures are always a hit. You might feel as if you are tracking the elusive Predator itself when trying to find a copy. I stumbled across mine by accident during one of my weekend comic shop hunts.

Long-Term Returns

  • Grade 9.8 $350 FMV returns positive +4%
  • Grade 9.6 $90 FMV returns positive +22.8%
  • Grade 9.4 $70 FMV returns positive +29.1%
  • Grade 9.2 $32 FMV returns negative -22%

These long-term gains represent almost 200 sales over the last twenty years. Though grade 8.0 has some uptick as well, it is simply too cheap at this point to get a good read on. The numbers are solid and show consistency with enough sales to not skew the results too much. Does this consistency hold up short-term? Please "stick around" there is more good news for this movie based comic book.

Short-Term Returns (6-months)

  • Grade 9.8 $350 FMV returns negative -12.2%
  • Grade 9.6 $90 FMV returns positive +2.7%
  • Grade 9.4 $70 FMV returns positive +4.1%
  • Grade 9.2 $32 FMV returns negative +57.7%

Predator #1 Recommendation: Buy and Hold

"You're one ugly mo-fo" Arnold might have been referring to the returns on grade 9.8, but don't be stymied by these results. In my opinion, it is skew and not a true interpretation of the higher grade returns. The consistency of this Modern Age book is impressive and lies somewhere in the +4% to +20% range. Though far from the best book to own, or the largest returns, it is profitable and stakes out a time of moviemaking that will create nostalgia. Especially as more of the 20th Century fades into the past. I plan to purchase many of the old 80s comic based movie books. Stay with the higher end stuff only, leave lower grades in the speculative jungle.

Is Predator #1 is too rich for your blood; then try Predator #1 (2nd Printing)? The second printing looks the same as the first printing on cover. It is important to verify which printing use this hint: "The 1st and 2nd printing covers are identical. The only way to tell is by the indicia on the inside front cover" (GoCollect).

Short-Term Returns (17 months)

  • Grade 9.8 $80 FMV returns negative -78.9%
  • Grade 9.6 $70 FMV returns positive +23.9%
  • Grade 9.4 $55 FMV returns negative -45.2%
  • Grade 9.0 $26 FMV returns negative -33.3%

Obviously, the returns from Predator #1 (2nd Printing) are dismal in the short-term. Bad enough to want to yell, "Get to the Choppaaaa!" Before you run for it, remember this is an iconic movie monster that has survived over thirty years. In the movie business, the domination of content is key for media companies, and Disney is the King. Yep, Disney owns the rights to Predator, and I have a feeling we will see this grim hunter yet again on the big screen.

Note 2018 movie The Predator:

This movie was not anything close to the original, it was simply awful and probably had some speculators selling once it came out causing some short-term declines in price. Forget recent movie The Predator it was beyond bad, in a nutshell, the director allowed the space-doggie to steal the show. Ruff! Ruff! Therefore, that movie should have no place in your decision on this comic speculation.