If I had a nickel for every time I wrote about Beta Ray Bill, I'd have like 3 nickels. Comic collecting and speculation is supposed to be fun, right? We are talking about thin paper with drawings on them, let's not get too serious. However, every once in a while, speculation can be a bit of a game, or a challenge, or at minimum crazy enough to keep you interested. Recently, Beta Ray Bill has gone through enough speculation to make you think...are we talking about the actual possibility of a character appearance, or are we just really hoping?
Beta Ray Bill has seen a frenzy of speculation since the end of Phase IV and the introduction of the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) offerings. Most of the rumors, or links, are tied to Thor pursuing his travels with the (As)Guardians of the Galaxy. Or even the inclusion of Beta in Thor: Love and Thunder (same director who added Beta to the arena champions head's as an easter egg). However, I have been wondering if there could be a different way to introduce the character outside of Thor and then have some sort of crossing paths. In the comics, Beta Ray Bill is from the planet Korbin and is a genetically enhanced member of his race. As Marvel's Phase V begins, I feel like they are planning to take a step back to set up the next step forward. Black Widow is in the past, and the Eternals should harken back to the beginning of the Marvel Universe and set events in motion that will affect their future or today's present.
Prices for Thor #337 have been on quite the roller coaster ride the past 18 months. Market prices a few years ago, for a 9.8 graded copy, sat around the $200-$300 range and was stable. The cameo of the character in Ragnarok saw prices begin to spike into the $400 range. The past year has seen prices both jump above the $500 range and settle right around $400. I am always a buyer on this book. Even though it's loaded on the census, it is always collectible and desired on the market. If Beta Ray Bill does make an MCU appearance, you can expect this book to hit the $800 range in an instant. This comic has shown its potential and is just waiting to break through to a higher price-point.
I am known to be a fan of Canadian Price Variants, and Thor #337 does offer a CPV for collectors. 9.8 graded copies of the CPV version have been selling in the $800-$900 range and some copies have topped out at $1000 prior to more stock being available and prices going down with each market iteration. If you see a CPV available in this book, do not pass it up, because the next time you see one it will have a giant premium on it and if Beta Ray Bill does join the MCU in any capacity, the rarity of the CPV will pay off in the long term.
Are you excited about the prospect of Beta Ray Bill in the MCU? Are there any other characters you want to appear in the upcoming Thor movie? Drop your comments and join the speculation!
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