In the wake of Chadwick Boseman’s untimely death, collectors have been scrambling for the first appearance of Black Panther. That begs the question, how much did prices inflate?

MOURNING THE KING

The comic community and MCU fans across the world are still in shock. After a private battle with cancer for four years, Boseman passed away on August 28. The news was a gut punch for his fans, and it has left a hole in the heart of the MCU that may never be filled. 

When a celebrity dies, especially when that death is unexpected, eBay fills with that person’s memorabilia. In Boseman’s case, any and all things Black Panther are suddenly hot items. 

At the top of the list is Fantastic Four #52, which happens to be the historic debut of the first African superhero, T’Challa.

THE MARKET

It is no surprise that F.F. #52 has taken off, and it is not like this was a cheap comic that ballooned overnight. It has been one of the most popular Silver Age comics for some time. Just this year, it has sold more than 500 graded comics, and it is second only to the first appearance of the Silver Surfer and Galactus in Fantastic Four #48. With the mad rush to buy all things Black Panther since Boseman’s death, it is likely to pass #48 for the top Silver Age spot by the end of the year.

Again, this was already a vastly popular comic. Speculators have stayed on top of F.F. #52 since Black Panther’s MCU casting was first announced. In the weeks following the actor’s passing, the figures are going through the proverbial roof. Take a look at some of the top-selling grades.

BEST SELLERS

For the past year, the most popular grade has been the 6.5. Fittingly, that particular grade has sold 52 times. A dozen of those sales have come in the last 90 days, but the fair market value is particularly impressive. The three-month FMV stands at $1,027, which is $138 past its 2019 average. That inflated FMV is not slowing, either. Since August 28, it has not sold for less than $1k, and the most recent sale was for $1,688. 

With prices spiking, it is no wonder that speculators are staying with the mid-grades. Next to the 6.5, the second-most popular grade is the 4.5. So far, it has sold 48 times since last September with a 90-day FMV of $584. On September 6, the grade reached a new record high when a copy sold for $870.

Black PantherTHE LOW GRADES TELL THE STORY 

When it comes to major keys from the 1960s, I keep an eye on the lower grades. It’s in these "reader copies" that we get our full picture of a comic’s popularity, and F.F. #52 does not disappoint. The lowest grade sold in the past month was a 0.5 that is missing the centerfold. Even with the missing page, it still managed to sell for $248. There also was a complete 1.5 that sold for $315 on August 28 before reaching $335 the next day. 

THE FUTURE

These inflated prices won’t hold forever. Eventually, the balloon will deflate. However, if the role of T’Challa is recast, then expect a second spike.