Insidious Six - Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1During the Spider-Man animation series that ran on TV back in 1995, the Sinister Six lost the "Sinister" in their title. Not from the power of Spidey, but by a haymaker from the network that demanded changes. Back then, the censors refused to let the Spider-Man animation series use a loaded term like "Sinister." Censorship can be diabolical, don't you think? People in the 90s actually cared about what type of adjective described these clownish villains. Instead, they chose the name "Insidious Six" for this stellar villain team on the Spider-Man animation show.

Initially, the Sinister Six was founded by Kingpin and the members were: Doc Ock, Mysterio, Rhino, Chameleon, Shocker, and the Scorpion. Other than the animation series, this group first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1. It is a very expensive book nowadays with a beat-up copy in fair condition going for as high as $300. Can these "Insidious" Six make a valuable investment for speculators? Also, what other books might be positively impacted by the Sinister Six showing up in a movie or TV series?

 

 

 

Insidious Six - The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1

This first appearance of the Sinister Six was created by Stan Lee (script) with Steve Ditko (art and inks). The book brings all of Spidey's top foes together to fight him as a team. That is about the only way some of these guys could win in the first place. It shows the potency of Peter Parker as Spider-Man and how his combo of powers is just simply unbeatable by normal villains. Warning: this 72-page Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 usually has damage along the spine. Remember, above all else, condition matters. What is the long-term return on this comic book?

 

Insidious Six - The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1Long-Term

  • Grade 8.5 $5,040 last sale 11-23-19 returned positive +1.3%
  • Grade 6.5 $1,740 last sale 11-10-19 returned positive +30%
  • Grade 4.5 $715 last sale 10-29-19 returned positive +7.6%
  • Grade 1.5 $599 last sale 7-17-19 returned positive +203.8%!!!

 

Obviously, this solid Silver Age key has good returns. It may someday turn the corner toward great returns; it needs a potential movie to percolate. Even without a catalyst, these long-term numbers are profound. What is truly shocking here is the lower grade which returned over +200%! This may be an anomaly so don't look to repeat that. The averages though don't lie, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 has been profitable to own. Spin your speculative webs on this book and snatch it away while it is still available.

 

Insidious Six - The Amazing Spider-Man #20Amazing Spider-Man #20

The first appearance of the Scorpion is a big deal in the Spidey canon. He first appeared in Amazing Spider-Man #20 created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko in 1965. The Scorpion has superhuman strength, speed, agility, durability and reaction time. He has a precognitive sense, armor, and his cyber-tail shoots projectiles. Mac Gargan was the first Scorpion. He has appeared in the first Spider-Man: Homecoming movie as a thug locked up in prison. Since then he has not been heard from, and it is "pretty quiet on the Western Front." Is Scorpion's first appearance profitable over the last two years?

Short-Term (1-Year)

  • Grade 9.2 $3,050 last sale 8-29-19 returns positive +10.7%
  • Grade 6.5 $855 last sale 8-19-19 returns positive +13.2%
  • Grade 2.0 $135 last sale 10-14-19 returns negative -20.8%

 

 

Some grades are pure predatory perfection, with grades 9.2 and 6.5 both showing average positive returns over the last year. However, some have felt the Scorpion's poison sting with losses as high as negative -20% in lower grades (2.0) and the like. Over the long-term, this first appearance will do fine. After all, its average long-term return for grade 2.0 has been positive +33.9%.

Insidious SixConclusion:

Both of these comics are good long-term picks. However, they can be used as short-term speculations for the next Spider-Man movie with Tom Holland. I would encourage you to retain one of these in your collection, regardless, as they simply show stronger returns with each passing year. Like the Sinister Six, these assets become more powerful (profitable) over time. They would only become "insidious" if you missed out on the great investments they both offer.

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