Everyone loves Harley Quinn, unfortunately, that makes her first appearance expensive. Are there alternatives for Harley fans to invest in? As this is a popular character you have to assume all the recent issues were overproduced. Therefore, stay with the older comic books from her early appearance in the series Batman Adventures. It was right after she debuted on TV in Batman: The Animated Series. If you can't afford the first appearance try her origin story in The Batman Adventures: Mad Love #1. Bruce Trimm adds his outstanding cartoon style to this issue. He also worked on the script with Paul Dini. This comic was sold in stores on February 10, 1994. It is the second appearance of Harley Quinn and her origin story in comics.
The Batman Adventures: Mad Love #1
If you like straight talk, speculative investments are ground zero. For instance, Harley over the last two years has been avoided like she has the clap. This book has been a horrible investment during that time period, ever since Suicide Squad premiered. It literally has red declines across the board from 2016 to 2018. The returns for two years 2016-2018:
The Batman Adventures: Mad Love #1
- Grade 9.8 $350 FMV returned a negative -4.6%
- Grade 9.4 $140 FMV returned a negative -27.2%
- Grade 8.0 $55 FMV returned a negative -12.5%
- Grade 7.0 $42 FMV returned a negative -20%
Why such a negative response to this hot villainess? She was all the rage in 2015 and part of 2016. However, Harley has been forgotten in recent years. In favor of the Infinity Saga that is playing out later this month. After the movie premieres the price drops as no one buys her keys until the next event. Then speculators rush to the next big movie Avengers: Endgame. Hence, interest wains significantly. The result? Severe decreases in the value of comic book keys during the interim; you might say they fall back to the mean after the movie comes out. Perhaps this reduced mean is the price for losing the Hollywood media effect.
The good news: the trend is changing and the returns are improving. Why? Lately, we have had snippets of news about Harley Quinn's new movie. In addition, Iwan McGregor is playing the Black Mask; and Obi-Wan can bring it. With positive news from Margot Robbie about Harley Quinn and Iwan McGregor as the Black Mask; Harley's pheromones are in the air. Perhaps this is why the book The Batman Adventures: Mad Love #1 has started to turn around over the first half of 2019. You might want to get your "Mad Love" on. The recent return trends have been very positive, from 12/1/2018 thru 4/4/2019:
- Grade 9.6 $350 FMV returned a positive +3.3%
- Grade 9.4 $140 FMV returned a positive +25.2%
- Grade 9.2 $55 FMV returned a positive +1.1%
- Grade 9.0 $42 FMV returned a positive +39%
The Batman Adventures: Mad Love #1 (2nd Printing)
Another option as usual with modern books is to buy the second print. Which actually has decent returns long-term. Further, the CGC Census on this second print is only 72 books outstanding. The returns are encouraging over the long-term with grade 9.6 returning a positive +117% and grade 9.4 has returned +32.2%. This cover compliments Harley and her boyfriend Joker in a fun way, better than the first print.
Apparently, they are going to "emancipate" Harley in this upcoming movie Birds of Prey. Whatever that nonsense means. All these Batman Adventure books were not overprinted and represent great value for the collector. But with a new movie on the horizon, this is a great speculative play as well. Get in on the "Mad Love" for Harley while you can.
