The Overstreet Guide holds many hidden treasures, but one of the most interesting is the Top 25 Bronze Age Comics. It is listed on page 193 of the 2020-2021 hardcover print. This year is no different. I review this each year for solid data on the state of comics as tradeable investments. What is up? What is down? But most importantly, what has earned the highest rate of increase? The title for the top increase over one year for Bronze Age books is Marvel Spotlight #5. This comic book roars to number seven in the rankings for the Bronze Age.

This first appearance of the Ghost Rider is a quad key. Further, Ghost Rider is one of the coolest superheroes to ever jump over the Grand Canyon of the Bronze Age. What kind of return have we seen in the Overstreet Guide for Marvel Spotlight #5? Does GoCollect.com confirm this rate of increase and is it a good investment from the Bronze Age?

 

Marvel Spotlight #5

The Ghost Rider was created in 1972 by Gary Friedrich and Roy Thomas. Mike Ploog was the artist with pencils and inks. What did they create? Well, simply the coolest, and weirdest superhero to that point. Put simply, a demon of vengeance that preys on evildoers. It is the first appearance of Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze, Zarathos, Crash Simpson, and Roxanne Simpson. Like I said a quad key with a knack for roaring ahead of the pack.

 

 

 

Title Grade Last Sale Return (1-year)
Marvel Spotlight #5

Overstreet Guide  2020-21

 9.2 $2,800 average price +40%
GoCollect.com 9.2 $4,400 the last price paid -0.7%

Overstreet Guide Comparison

The beauty of the Overstreet Guide is the substantive returns and cut and dry process of a date stamped result. Essentially, it might not be the most recent number of sales data but it is stamped in book format. Of course, GoCollect.com provides an up to date price and approximate appreciation. With the Overstreet Guide, you see the high end and objective analysis of the top books for that age. What does this mean for Marvel Spotlight #5? Ultimately, this is a big book and a very popular character. They have done movies and the new version of Ghost Rider has appeared on Agents of Shield. I liked the new Ghost Rider but my favorite rider was Nick Cage (Please don't throw rotten fruit at me!)

Conclusion

Ghost Rider is a solid Bronze Age key. It is the top Bronze Age key by the rate of increase at positive +40% in the Overstreet Guide. GoCollect.com has  Marvel Spotlight #5 at the number 60th most popular book in the Bronze Age. Ultimately whichever data you use the fact is this book is a top ten key by return for the Bronze Age. It might not hit the top one or two rankings like ASM #300 but it is incredibly expensive now in higher grades.

It appears it will just keep growing in value over time.  Do you think you can keep up with the rider? Just make sure your chaps are made out of asbestos; especially if you hitch a ride with the first appearance of the Ghost Rider speculating with Marvel Spotlight #5. After all, the rider is one fiery Bronze Age personality.