In a previous article about Swamp Thing, we examined a couple key books for the title character; to round out the collection, here we will look at the key first appearance books of a few of the supporting characters; specifically, the Blue Devil, Abby Arcane, and Jason Woodrue.

 

 

THE FURY OF FIRESTORM #24, VOL. 2 (1984)

The Blue Devil (aka Dan Cassidy) had his first appearance in The Fury of Firestorm #24. Dan Cassidy worked on movie sets in stunts and special effects. On one particular movie titled “Blue Devil,” Dan is approached by the director to play the title character. The suit that Dan makes for the role is so advanced that it brings about jealousy in James Jesse (aka the Trickster), who attempts to steal it. Dan is able to fight him off, but the battle leaves lasting damage.

Below is sales data for The Fury of Firestorm #24, graded in CGC 9.8 and 9.6, which represent the top 40.5% and 73.0%, respectively.

Sales prices for Fury of Firestorm #24 were on a steady decline over the four years of 2015 to the end of 2018. It would be difficult to argue that the massive spike in prices is attributed to anything other than the TV series. One has to wonder what will happen now that the series is cancelled. With the latest sales prices already off the peaks, a reversion to the prior negative trend could see sales prices returning the lows seen in 2017/18 by the end of next year. Keep that bottom in mind when you’re considering holding onto the book on the low chance that the TV series will both get renewed and feature the Blue Devil. The proverbial “bird in the hand” perfectly applies here.

 

SWAMP THING #3 (1973)

The medical nurse and psychically powered Abigail Arcane, who would later wed Swamp Thing, first appeared in Swamp Thing #3. In this issue, while Abby is busy working in a children’s clinic that is located in a village near her family castle, Swamp Thing is attempting to uncover what Abby’s uncle Anton Arcane is doing in the caste’s laboratory. The sales for Swamp Thing #3, graded in CGC 9.6 and 9.4 (the top 27.9% and 55.2%) are shown below.

Swamp Thing #3 saw slightly positive growth from 2014 to early 2018; it’s not the most attractive rate of growth when compared to the higher tier keys, but at least it’s steady and positive. As expected with the timeframe around the TV series, sales prices have been elevated, although not in as dramatic of a fashion as the book above. Since the TV series cancellation, it is surprising that there isn’t a decline in prices, and that there is a lower volume of sales. It would be necessary to see if a short term volatility appears in the next few months.

 

THE ATOM #1 (1962)

The villainous Jason Woodrue, known by many names such as Plant Master, Floronic Man, Seeder, first appeared in The Atom #1. In the issue, Woodrue had committed a series of successful robberies using plants when the Atom decided to step in. Due to the lower volume of sales, a larger spread of CGC grades 7.5/7.0/6.5 and 5.5/5.0/4.5 are shown in the charts below.

Compared with the price movements of the two book above, the market for The Atom #1 has been relatively flat. On top of that, the book also didn’t experience a similar increase in prices surrounding the influence of the TV series. With the minimal effect on the book’s sales prices by Jason Woodrue, any investment in The Atom #1 should be weighted less on Jason Woodrue’s 1st appearance and more for the Atom, which only has the significance of it being his first self-titled series.

 

THE BOTTOM LINE

  • The Fury of Firestorm #24, Vol. 2 (1984) – REDUCE
  • Swamp Thing #3 (1973) – HOLD
  • The Atom #1 (1962) - REDUCE

 

 

“I considered green... but "the green devil" just didn't have the right ring!” – Blue Devil