Bronze AgeThe top three Bronze Age comics for last month are Venom focused with a little mean green machine thrown in. The Bronze Age lasted from 1970 through to the advent of the Secret Wars by Marvel in 1984. The Comics Code was toothless during this period and became less and less relevant as time went on. The loosening of standards allowed all kinds of interesting horror, detective, and fantasy comic books to flourish.

 

Marvel did horror especially well during this time period publishing: Tomb of Dracula, Werewolf by Night, etc. Not to be outdone DC Comics had the Wrightson's art behind their big horror push the Swamp Thing. All told the Bronze Age was sort of a Petri dish for what was to come in comic books. The top comics for the last month of the Bronze Age are mostly superheroes, though an argument could be made for Venom being horrific. What are the top comics for the Bronze Age last month? Which of these comic books has the best return over the last 60 days?

Top Bronze Age (1970- 1984)
Title Grade Last Sale CGC Census Return
1. Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars #8 9.8 $450 4406 +23.1%
2. She-Hulk #1 9.8 $499 2165 +15.2%
3. Amazing Spider-Man #252 9.8 $872 1561 +10.3%

 

Bronze AgeBronze Age CGC Census

All three of these books are big keys, all three have solid returns, and all have sold at least one copy in the month of August. However, only one has around 7,000 books slabbed per CGC Census, while the other two are in the 12,000 book range. In the chart above She-Hulk #1 throws a haymaker punch with solid returns and only 7,000 books outstanding. I am sure her slabbed copies will catch up, eventually. But for now, this gives more room to run and five thousand more copies to CGC before she joins the stratosphere with her two Bronze Age brothers.

One Disappoints

Of the three books outstanding only the third place book has shown declining prices in the last month, Amazing Spider-Man #252The mid-range has had declines of between -7% to as much as -29%. The lower and upper grades are showing price increases but I would stay away from ASM #252 for now.

Price Increases Span All Grades

The number one book Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars #8 has shown strong price increases in all grades with the 9.8 grade being the highest. In comparison, She-Hulk #1 has an even stronger price increase across all grades. If you have been reading my articles for any amount of time you know I consider this a key tell that this book will go higher and that it is a safe bet well into the future.

 

That all of these books are finally coming into their own is qualitatively shocking. For years Secret Wars and She-Hulk garnered very little interest for collectors, though folks purchased Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars #8 in relation to Venom, beyond that truly low prices. Then catalysts happen and presto, these books are popular and at the top of the Bronze Age for the last month.

*Technically Secret Wars #8 is in the Copper Age, but currently we are not tracking that age it is simply divided between the Modern and Bronze based on date.

Conclusion on Bronze Age Comics:

The Savage She-Hulk series was only moderately popular and did not last. I believe it had a long total of 30 issues. That said, the creation of a female Hulk got the ball rolling. It was really John Byrne's take on this green gargantuan that built her fan base. In fact, she was an early 4th-Wall breaker often speaking to the audience on covers in a tongue in cheek way. Don't get me wrong, all three of these books offer good investments. However, it is She-Hulk #1 that has the greatest upside. If the Disney TV series that she will be in is a hit; this jade beauty and the beast will explode with interest? In fact, it could usher in multiple movies and increase the total fanbase of Marvel substantially. The She-Hulk literally is a big green money machine.

 

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