The Silver Age lasted from 1956-1970 and reinvigorated interest in superheroes like Flash and the Fantastic Four. Last month the top three books for the Silver Age were all Marvel. Marvel has continued to dominate this space. One unhappy speculator summed up the lack of DC interest during that era, "every third issue has a monkey on the cover, a darned monkey! No wonder nobody is buying up the mid-to-late Silver Age Superman and or Adventure Comics." His exclamation might explain why Marvel currently dominates the top Silver Age. All Marvel titles, and not a monkey in the bunch. Essentially two series are in the top three: Fantastic Four and Amazing Spider-Man. Which of these is the best bet from last month?

 

 

 

 

 

Amazing Spider-Man #50

This blazing red cover and John Romita classic are hard to find in mid-to-high grade, due primarily to the red coloring not aging well. Amazing Spider-Man #50 is the first appearance of one of Spider-Man and Daredevil's biggest enemies (literally), yep the King Pin of Crime. This book was created in 1967 by Stan Lee (script) and John Romita (pencils). It is currently ranked number three of the top Silver Age comics from last month. Can the King Pin of crime save a little "cheddar" for the speculator crowd?

 

 

Short-Term (1-year)

  • Grade 9.8 $30,000 Last sale 12/23/14 returns positive  N/A
  • Grade 9.4 $8,995 Last sale 6/22/19 returns positive +19.9%
  • Grade 9.0 $3,750 Last sale 8/2/19 returns positive +38.5%
  • Grade 8.0 $1,550 Last sale 10/7/19 returns positive +7.6%
  • Grade 7.0 $576 Last sale 10/27/19 returns negative -6.6%
  • Grade 6.5 $456 Last sale 11/3/19 returns negative -10.3%

 

 

 

Long-Term

  • Grade 9.8 $30,000 Last sale 12/23/114 returns negative -13.4%
  • Grade 9.4 $8,995 Last sale 6/22/19 returns positive +10.7%
  • Grade 9.0 $3,750 Last sale 8/2/19 returns positive +73.9%
  • Grade 8.0 $1,550 Last sale 10/7/19 returns positive +53.8%
  • Grade 7.0 $576 Last sale 10/27/19 returns +45.1%
  • Grade 6.5 $456 Last sale 11/3/19 returns +24.3%

The long-term results for Amazing Spider-Man #50  are solid, with grade 9.0 earning +73.9% returns. Also, the lower grades are participating with grade 6.5 returning a solid +24.3%. In addition, the short-term results between grades 8.0 to 9.4 range from +7.6% to as high as +38.5% these are great one-year short-term returns and bode well for this book going forward. There has been news of Daredevil returning to the MCU. If so, he brings both King Pin and Bullseye along with him for the ride, perhaps the most uncomfortable ride-sharing imaginable.

 

Fantastic Four #52

T'Challa rocks the world of superheroes with a new look and one of the most successful superhero movies ever. There are a ton of fans for this character to be sure. He appeals to all generations and due to his start in the pages of the FF, it is a major key even today. The Black Panther first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 written by Stan Lee with Jack Kirby on pencils. Since then this character has stared in comics, animation, and even his own movie. The fan base for Black Panther is just starting to develop. Given time he will probably become more popular than Iron Man and Captain America combined. Does this book contain purrrr...fect returns?

 

 

 

Long-Term

  • Grade 9.0 $7,000 Last sale returns positive +206.9%
  • Grade 6.5  $715 Last sale returns positive +5.7%
  • Grade 4.5 $470 Last sale returns positive +15.4%

Black Panther's run is just getting started; going forward you can expect to see several movies at least two more before Hollywood gets bored with Black Panther. These kinds of returns are like magical catnip for speculators everywhere, they will never get enough.

 

Fantastic Four #48

This is my least favorite of all the FF covers. Why? Who wants to own a cover with a giant Gerber baby on it? Sad to say, this is also the first appearance of the Silver Surfer. One of my all-time favorite superheroes, and let's not forget Galactus as well. Fantastic Four #48 was created by the team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and what they created was so good it will outlast them by at least a century. Gerber baby or not, this book is fantastically profitable. It is currently the top Silver Age seller for last month. Does this virtuoso comic book have stellar returns as well?

Long-Term

  • Grade 9.8 $31,833 Last sale returns positive +133.4%
  • Grade 9.0 $6,101 Last sale returns positive +202.3%
  • Grade 5.0 $990 Last sale returns positive +75.5%

 

 

Conclusion:

The Silver Surfer has vanquished many foes with The Power Cosmic. Can the Surfer's first appearance conjure up the Power Cosmic to charge up returns for Fantastic Four #48? No need, this book already dominates the first place among the Silver Age and is king of the returns for the three books reviewed here. Speculators everywhere can count on the Fantastic Four #48 to breech the upper atmosphere of profit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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