As soon as Disney began talks to buy Fox, practically any and all the FF’s early run experienced bulging fair market values. Now, those Stan Lee/Jack Kirby FF issues have become well out of reach for most collectors.
If you think the only FF keys worth having are from the 1960s, think again. Certainly, those are the most famous, and that is why their prices inflated the fastest. However, the FF were still going strong into the ‘70s and ‘80s, and there are plenty of characters and storylines from the Bronze Age ripe for the MCU. Here are four that you will want to put on your shopping lists before the coming flood.
FANTASTIC FOUR #112
The Silver Age may have the first battles between the Hulk and The Thing, but their rivalry extended well past the ‘60s. In 1971, John Buscema drew one of the most famous covers depicting a legendary clash of the titans, and it has been a fan favorite for 50 years. When Hulk and Thing finally meet in the MCU, it will up the ante for all their keys, including this one.
On August 8, a 9.2 hit a major milestone after selling for $1,800 at Heritage Auctions. Don’t be perturbed. During the same auction, a 7.5 sold for a much more reasonable $375.
FANTASTIC FOUR #185
Even before the first episode of WandaVision aired, astute fans saw the clues pointing to Agatha Harkness appearing in the show. By the time she was fully revealed as a powerful witch and the main antagonist of the streaming series, her debut comic skyrocketed. Agatha may have been defeated, but she is still alive in the MCU, which is what keeps FF #94 popular. Still, there is an alternative to those inflated values: FF #185.
This issue featured the introduction of Nicholas Scratch, Agatha’s son. He is a powerful warlock in his own right, and it is conceivable that Marvel Studios will have him avenge his mother and challenge Scarlet Witch. That will make this a key to own for the future. He could even join forces with the Witches of New Salem or Salem’s Seven, who debuted in the next issue.
At the moment, FF #185 is flying under the radar. Even at a 9.8, the last sale was for $372 at the end of June. In February, a 9.0 brought just $38, so finding a grade that fits your budget should not be a challenge.
FANTASTIC FOUR #206
Here is a very good prospect for the MCU future: the Skrull Empress R’Kill. She was the ruler of Tarnax IV, the Skrulls’ home planet that was devoured by Galactus. This could be a factor that comes into play either in the Disney+ Secret Invasion or the FF movie, considering the Skrulls blamed Reed Richards for the destruction of their world. In either event, the Skrull empress is a likely candidate to lead the shapeshifters in the MCU.
Not much has been happening on the FF #206 front, and that is good for buyers. A 9.8 sold for $75 in April, and a 9.6 earned $60 in July.
FANTASTIC FOUR #245
At the tail end of the Bronze Age, superstar writer/artist John Byrne reinvigorated the FF with fresh storylines. One of his most important creations could be Avatar, who first appeared in FF #245. With time travel, alternate realities, variants, and the Multiverse, he has become a hot topic for MCU speculation. In the comics, Avatar is an adult Franklin Richards from an alternate future, and he could be introduced once the FF debut in the MCU.
Other collectors have taken notice of FF #245, but values are still low. June saw a 9.8 reach a record $103, which is not a bad price for an issue with the potential as this one.
FUTURE INVESTMENTS
Now is the time to grab those Bronze Age Fantastic Four keys before the rumor mill starts churning. When we know details about the FF movie plot, that will inevitably spark interest in the related comics. It could be that Marvel Studios mines those overshadowed ‘70s issues.
