We've all been there before; maybe we've sold comic books too soon or passed on them shortly before they exploded in value. These are the moments that just make you shake your damn head or put your face into your hands. Here are my top three facepalm moments in 2021 related to comic book collecting.

1. Not Investing in Echo in February 2021

Seven months ago, I wrote a blog about comic books about the upcoming Hawkeye Disney+ show including the first two appearances of Echo in Here Comes Daredevil #9 (November 1999) and her first cover appearance in Here Comes Daredevil #10 (February 2000). Back then, CGC 9.8 copies of Daredevil #9 were selling for around $269.00 and raw high-grade copies were selling for $100.00 or less on eBay. Raw, high-grade copies of Daredevil #10 were selling for around $25 on eBay.

On August 13, 2021, a CGC 9.8 copy sold for $536, approximately a 100% increase in just seven months. High-grade, raw copies of Daredevil #10 are now selling for around $50 on eBay, also a 100% increase in value.

I wish I had followed my own advice! After writing that blog, I remember looking for copies of these books on eBay, but ended up thinking that Hawkeye wouldn't be out until the end of the year, and I could take my time. Man, do I regret that decision.

2. Not Investing in Iron Man #282 in January 2021

Nearly nine months ago, I wrote a blog about a comic book about the upcoming Armor Wars Disney+ show including a discussion about the early appearances of James Rhodes and the first full appearance of the War Machine armor in Iron Man #282.

Back in January, CGC 9.8 copies of this book were selling for just under $300 on eBay. Just eight months later on July 20th, a CGC 9.8 sold for $800, or a whopping 265% increase in value.

Again, I wish I had followed my own advice! After writing that blog, I did buy a copy of Iron Man #118 (the first appearance of Rhodey) for around $20 (which now sells for around $60); however, I clearly missed the money book, Iron Man #282, and now that book is out of my price range. D'oh!

3. Selling He Who Remains Before He Appeared in the MCU

There is one time when I followed my own advice from about three months ago and purchased four copies of Thor #245 for less than $40. As everyone knows now, Thor #245 contains the first appearance of He Who Remains, the creator of the Time-Keepers and, in the MCU, a Kang variant.

In that blog, I predicted that if "He Who Remains does appear in Loki, I could see raw copies selling for $20 to $30, or a 400% increase in FMV." While I guessed right that He Who Remains would appear in Loki, I guessed wrong about their ceiling.

Once these books reached the $25 range, I regrettably sold all four copies. After He Who Remains appeared in the final episode of Loki, this book appeared on multiple lists and hit $70 for raw books. Double d'oh!

Lessons I've Learned

We all make mistakes collecting; the most important thing is learning from previous mistakes and making sure that we don't repeat them. Here are a few lessons learned for me. First, profit is profit. While I didn't make as much profit as I could've with He Who Remains, I still made money on those books. Second, I need to be more patient. To paraphrase Warren Buffett, investing in comic books is a device to transfer money from the impatient to the patient. Lastly, collecting comics is supposed to be fun and put those mistakes behind you as quickly as possible!

What are some of your biggest comic book collecting facepalm moments? Please list them in the comments section below!

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