The names X-Men and Fantastic Four are synonymous with Marvel Comics. Currently, value-wise, the first appearance of Fantastic Four appears to have more value than X-Men, but do we think that will hold going forward? Let's analyze.

Fantastic Four

Labeled as the First Family, the Fantastic Four was created in 1961 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The team consists of four superheroes, each with unique abilities. The leader, Reed Richard, also known as Mister Fantastic. He is a brilliant scientist and inventor that has the ability to mold himself into any form and has superhuman durability. Susan (Sue) Storm, is known as the Invisible Woman. This is due to her ability to be unseen and can create psionic force fields. Johnny Storm, also known as the Human Torch, has the ability to engulf his entire body into flames of plasma. The last member is Benjamin Grimm, also known as The Thing. He has very noticeable "rock-like" skin that gives him superhuman strength, stamina, and durability.

X-Men

Interestingly enough, the X-Men team was also created by the team of Lee and Kirby. The team has many iterations over time, but the original cast is what fans and collectors remember the most. The team is formed by Professor Charles Xavier, known as Professor X who had the ability of telepathy and telekinesis. Cyclops, also known as Scott Summers, has the ability to project powerful beams from his eyes. Jean Grey had the ability of telepathy, telekinesis, and psychic siphoning. Warren Worthington II is also known as Angel, has the ability of winged flight. Hank Mccoy, also known as Beast, had a cat-like physical physique that gave him superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, durability, reflexes, and senses. Lastly, Iceman, otherwise called Robert Drake, had the ability of cryokinesis, thermokinesis, and hydrokinesis.

Fantastic Four #1 vs X-Men #1

Fantastic Four #1 is such an iconic issue for comic book fans in general. It depicts the first appearance and origin of the Fantastic Four. In addition, it is also the first appearance of one of their villains, Mole Man. The value of this issue, in any grade, is not easy to obtain for collectors. Currently, there are no sales for graded copies of 9.4-9.8. The last sale of the highest-graded copy is for 9.2 on 08/01/2013 for $191,200.00.

X-Men #1 is also a book that is in the same category as the Fantastic Four. It is a very hard book to obtain in any grade and very expensive. The highest graded copy sold is 9.4 on 03/23/2018 for $153,134.00.  As of March 20,2019, Marvel officially bought back the marvel properties from Fox and this includes the X-Men and Fantastic Four. I will use this timeline and analyze how are things been looking since then.

The Timeline

Chronologically, the Fantastic Four does precede the X-Men in the comics. I mean, in when the issues were released in publication. One thing that is clear is there is a positive gain for each graded copy. Overall, a total of 124 graded copies of FF #1 were sold during this time. I would believe that the scarcity in sales is due to many factors. I am not sure about the print run, but there is the belief it is much less than the X-Men. Currently, the value of FF #1 is still valued higher than the X-Men #1, so money is also a factor.

A graded 2.5 issue sold about 20 copies during this timeframe. It accounts as the highest amongst any graded copies. From 2019 to 2020, this grade's value fluctuated around $ 6,000-7,000 and even hitting as high as $13,000. In the end, the last couple of sales are settling around $9,000, with an overall positive gain of 18% during this timespan.

It is good to note even high-grade copies such as 7.0 still are pumping out sales. It had a total of 9 sales and produced an overall positive correlation of 65.8%. This grade settled around the $25,000 to $35,00 range for the majority of the timeframe until the last couple of sales have been spiking at $56,000 and $75,000 respectively. It is a luxury for collectors to obtain this issue due to the high price tag. If anything, the trend is proving that there is no price tag with the belief that positive gains will continue to occur going forward.

Grade 2.5  $3,500 last sale 01-09-21 returns positive (+) 18%. FMV is $9,250 (20 sales)

Grade 7.0 $56,000 last sale 12-17-20 returns positive (+) 65.8%. FMV is $58,000  (9 sales)

A close race with X-Men #1

The next issue to discuss is X-Men #1.  Since 2019, each graded copy has produced a positive correlation due to the Fox news. The lowest graded copy, 0.5 is also the cheapest and most purchased issue during this time. Of course, a 9.2 graded copies account with the least amount of sales and limited positive gain due to the hefty price tag.

Overall, there is a total of 321 graded copies sold during this current timeframe. Some graded copies such as 6.5 and 7.5 resulted in over 50% positive correlation in the value of the issue. For example, in 2019, a 7.5 graded copy was averaging around $15,000, and one year later, the issue is now selling for double the price!

Lastly, the trend in a 0.5 graded copy is ridiculous as well. In March 2019, it was selling at $1,700 and now, as of this month, the issue just sold for $3,500. The feeling is that the price increases every time this issue is put up for sale. I think the question is, does it have the legs to catch up to Fantastic Four #1 and overtake it in overall value and sales? Only time will tell until we start seeing these characters in the Marvel character and shows.

Grade 0.5  $3,500 last sale 02-17-21 returns positive (+) -67.1%. FMV is $2,700 (33 sales)

Grade 6.5 $17,499.99 last sale 11-29-20 returns positive (+) -51.5%. FMV is $19,000  (9 sales)

Grade 7.5 $30,000 last sale 12-07-20 returns positive  (+) 54.4% FMV is $32,000 (6 sales)

Come visit GoCollect's concert poster price guide and find the money hanging from your walls!