This one-shot story is the dramatic legend of the Silver Surfer. A story that spans the galaxy, vanquishes evil, saves lost love, unleashes a monster and traps a superhero. Yep, this story is that good. This one-shot Silver Surfer #1 was created by John Byrne. He was all the rage in the 80s in everything from the FF to She-Hulk. Obviously, he graced Silver Surfer as well and nowadays everything Surfer has been exploding.

So I was curious how does this one-shot wonder from the 80s hold up today? I know the raw copies are no big deal but the slabs might be a different thing altogether. Is this a good short-term speculation? Or is long-term the way to go with Byrne's version of a superhero like the Surfer? Follow me on this journey down the profit highway and let's try to avoid profit potholes along the way.

Silver Surfer #1

 

The Long-Term:

  • Grade 9.8 $100 FMV returns positive +19%
  • Grade 9.6 $65 FMV returns positive +19.9%
  • Grade 9.4 $48 FMV returns positive +80.2%
  • Grade 9.2 $36 FMV returns positive +41.8%
  • Grade 9.0 $26 FMV returns positive +44.5%

The Short-Term:

  • Grade 9.8 $100 FMV returns negative -29.9%
  • Grade 9.6 $65 FMV returns negative -2.2%
  • Grade 9.4 $48 FMV returns negative -71.7%
  • Grade 9.2 $36 FMV returns negative -47.3%
  • Grade 9.0 $26 FMV returns negative -14.6%

This journey got ugly quick, why such a stark contrast? Obviously, the big keys for this character's first appearance have done very well over the last year. Perhaps after a stagnant period where FF was kind of forgotten this Disney acquisition put the fire under the bigger keys. Perhaps this hurt some of the stalwart books that were popular in yesteryear? Whatever the reason this book does well long-term but short-term has little to offer but painful losses. Recommendation: hold

 

Fantastic Four #55

The FF had several run-ins with the Silver Surfer. Usually Ben Grimm a.k.a. the Thing took the brunt of most of those encounters. If the first and second appearance of Silver Surfer is still too expensive; what about the third cover appearance and fourth overall appearance of the Silver Surfer? Though not as cheap as the one-shot wonder above this fourth appearance Surfer is very reasonable to own in the higher grades. Currently, you would pay a little over $350 for a grade 8.5 of Fantastic Four #55. But is this book profitable over time and will it make a good speculation?

 

 

 

Long-Term

  • Grade 9.6 $3300 FMV returns negative -11.7%
  • Grade 9.2 $675 FMV returns positive +17.1%
  • Grade 8.0 $260 FMV returns positive +53.7%
  • Grade 6.5 $100 FMV returns positive +30%

You can tell this book has some solid long-term results. With some of the lower grades responding well to long-term returns. This is a great cheap long-term pick.

Short-Term

  • Grade 9.6 $3300 FMV returns positive n/a
  • Grade 9.2 $675 FMV returns positive +19.6%
  • Grade 8.0 $260 FMV returns negative -2.7%
  • Grade 6.5 $100 FMV returns positive +19.2%

The shot-term is equally satisfying, with around a positive +19% for the average return. Not cosmic in scope by any means, it still bodes well for short-term speculation. Fantastic Four #55 makes for a good long and short-term investment, or speculation. Perhaps in the craze over the Surfer mankind will eventually see the folly of its ways and stop being greedy. Nah. My recommendation on this book is to buy, after all, it is late Silver Age and the fourth appearance of the Silver Surfer. Both long-term and short-term have positive results for this issue, and the FF is hot right now and probably will be for at least the next two years. Why not take a ride on the wave of profit with the Surfer? Recommendation: buy