The Mosh Pit of Speculation: Modern vs. Bronze Age

The Modern Age of comics started with the advent of Image Comics. This commercial concern was the first viable alternative to Marvel or DC in the 90s. It's predecessor, my beloved Bronze Age was about change and upheaval leftover from the 60s; it was ushered in by Amazing Spider-Man #121 and Green Lantern #76. Both of these ages have endured huge changes to the industry and fanbase. Further, both were at the dawn of the computer age. Computers for most of us back in the day started with the simple video game Pong. That phenomenon has grown until the entire industry is now rarely using paper for their art. The Digital Age had begun and life would never be the same.

These two comic book ages represent the intersection of vast technological changes to society. The merging of the Modern and Bronze created a hybrid age not quite Modern and not quite a sword and sandals throwback. Instead, a hyper-aware comic book community centered around value-driven investments. But the nostalgia-driven collecting and intense speculation of comic books survived.

Both the Modern and Bronze Age are coming into their own. With rising prices, disposable income and time on their hands, all three generations: Boomers, Gen-X, and Millenials are in the mosh pit of speculation fighting for as many copies as they can grab. Trend returns are the best criteria for deciding the king of the comic book moshpit. Which of these ages Modern vs. Bronze actually produces better returns YTD?

Top Modern Age Minnows:

Ultimate Fallout #4

This is the first appearance of Miles Morales. The next iteration of Spider-Man. As Moderns go a very successful comic book. Created by Bendis and Crain with a host of others in 2011.

Amazing Spider-Man #361

This is the first appearance of Venom villain Carnage. Played so ably by Woody Harrelson in fusa lipstick and Ronald McDonald hairdo (Yikes!) in the first Venom movie. This creature is a spawn of Venom and was created by Mark Bagley and David Michelinie. Carnage first appeared in 1992 at the beginning of the Modern Age.

Spawn #1

Spawn is the brainchild of Todd McFarlane and apparently has a movie (eventually) coming out. It is the first appearance of Spawn, Wanda Blake, Malebolgia, Sam and Twitch. Todd McFarlane did the script, with the team of McFarlane, Keown, and Perez doing the ink and pencils in 1992.

Bronze Age Contenders:

Marvel Super-heroes Secret Wars #8

This has the origin of the alien symbiote that eventually becomes the creature Venom. The script was from Jim Shooter with the magnificent pencils of Michael Zeck. This event-driven storyline would help usher in a new age and start early in 1984.

Amazing Spider-Man #252

The first black Spider-Man suit in the regular series created in 1984.  Roger Stern and Tom DeFalco wrote the script with the able pencil of Ron Frenz. The cover also contains an homage to Amazing Fantasy #15.

Eternals #1

The Eternals seem, well, eternal, I can't review the Bronze Age without stumbling across their work. The first appearance is probably the best copy to own after all the script and pencils are 100% Jack Kirby.

Conclusion

Miles Morales might be pretty cool and escalating in price, Carnage might be deadly, and Spawn has some outright sick interiors but none of them have surpassed their counterparts in the Bronze Age. It should also be noted that the Spawn CGC Census is an extremely high CGC Census number of books. From an issue availability standpoint, long-term Eternals takes the cake. But the overall best performer last seven months is Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars #8. It has a rock-solid positive +48% trend and a price of almost $500 last sale; what is not to like about this origin story?

The bottom line is both, or either has good overall returns. Personally, I stick mainly with the Bronze Age, but also have a lot of fun investing, collecting, and speculating with the Modern Age. If you can, try to learn and enjoy both ages of comic books. Mosh pit or not; this speculation frenzy that is our 21st Century comic book environment is just going to grow from here.

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