The endgame is the most difficult part of any chess match. The extraneous pieces are removed from the board, the middle game has already dictated the outcome but even the slightest slip up can cost you the match. Marvel has another type of endgame we should be concerned about this week, specifically Avengers: Endgame arrives at a theater near you. This is the premiere week for the last Avengers movie of the Infinity Saga. After 12 years and well over 20 movies; it all ties into one massive movie Avengers: Endgame. This is the big finale for our original Avengers and perhaps the start of a brand new team of minor league Avengers. How are the Avengers keys affected by this beginning of phase 2 for the MCU?

Avengers #1

The original Avengers were Ant-Man, Thor, Wasp, Iron Man, and the Incredible Hulk. These characters have been the Avengers for generations growing up during this movie saga. Originally, they appeared in the comic book Avengers #1 the origin and the first appearance of the Avengers created by Stan Lee (script) and Jack Kirby (pencils) back in 1963. There are 3837 in CGC Census which is just about right for that era. This is a big Silver Age key, is well-known and expensive. Will it hold its value after these originals give way to the second-string Avengers?

 

Long-Term the results are encouraging for this comic book:

  • Grade 9.6 $260,000 negative return of -25.6%
  • Grade 9.2 $45,000 negative return of -6.2%
  • Grade 8.0 $15,000 positive return of +63.4%
  • Grade 6.5 $6750 positive return of +67.8%
  • Grade 4.0 $2400 positive return of  +28.9%

Obviously, the top line has taken a beating, but take note this is only represented by 5 sales in grades 9.6 and 9.2. all other grades and especially the lower grades have contributed returns that make you want to shout, "Avengers Assemble!" It makes sense the higher grades could have trouble with consistently high returns. Put simply, there just are not enough buyers at that level to create the kind of consistent returns achieved at the sub $20,000 market price.

Short-Term results for Avengers #1 over the last six months:

  • Grade 9.6 $260,000 return N/A
  • Grade 9.2 $45,000 return N/A
  • Grade 8.5 $15,000 positive return +33.3%
  • Grade 6.5 $6750 positive return +4.3%
  • Grade 4.0 $2400 negative return -6.5%

Again, most of the lower grades showed positive returns but not all. Perhaps this last Avengers: Endgame will send Avengers #1 on a downward price spiral for a while. Only time will tell, still, the long-term trends are comforting and will probably win out over time.

Avengers #4

The first appearance of Captain America in the Silver Age was in the comic book Avengers #4. It is also the official revival of Captain America and the first Silver Age appearance of Bucky. Stan Lee and Jack Kirby worked their magic and created an even better team than the original. With the premiere of Avengers: Endgame this week, several powerful actors are about to exit stage left from the franchise; it could cause even the investors among us to grit their teeth, and hold their comics for dear life. Nobody likes a possible price drop. What is the fate of this comic book Avengers #4 in the short-term?

Short-Term results for Avengers #4 (6-months):

  • Grade 9.4 $15,000 return positive +7.7%
  • Grade 9.2 $10,500 returns positive +24%
  • Grade 8.0 $3,800 returns negative -27.2%
  • Grade 6.5 $1950 returns positive +3.1%

I would love to see a real short-term price drop. This allows a buying opportunity for those of us not even alive when these comic books were created. Unfortunately, the short-term trends merely pause and then continue to climb toward greater profit. On the whole, this Silver Age key continues to rise in value. I predict Avengers #4 will continue price increases undaunted by the storyline and character disposal in Avengers: Endgame.