It’s time once more for Undervalued and Overlooked Comics! This time we’ll be looking at the Silver Age. Take a look at the comics that are flying under most collectors’ radar.

Gorilla on the Cover

One of the most iconic villains in the Flash’s Rogues Gallery is Gorilla Grodd. The telepathic simian made his first appearance in Flash #106, which is definitely not an undervalued or overlooked comic. However, Grodd wouldn’t make his first cover appearance until Flash #127.

There are only 127 graded copies in the CGC census, and the upper mid-grades are the most common. Taking a look at the 7.0 grade, we see that the most recent sale was a fixed-price eBay sale in March 2021 for $130, down (yes, down in 2021) from a high of $202 set in a June 2017 eBay auction. It’s rare to find a key book like this selling for below 2017 values.

Like many Silver Age DC comics, Flash #127 looks like quite a bargain at current prices. This is definitely a comic worth considering for your collection.

Meeting of Two Marvel Leaders

Reed Richards, leader of the Fantastic Four, and Sgt. Nick Fury, commander of the Howling Commandos, met for the first time in the pages of Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #3.

There are 158 graded copies of this comic in the CGC census, the low number a reflection of the generally overlooked nature of most issues of Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos. The most common grade is 8.0.

The latest sale in that grade occurred on May 28 when it sold in a fixed-price eBay sale for $599, setting a record for the grade.

It may seem odd that anyone would consider a book setting a record in its grade is undervalued. However, there is again the issue of most issues of Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos being overlooked and undervalued. There is also the MCU factor to consider.

Reed Richards and Nick Fury could very well be two of the most important figures in the upcoming Phase 6 of the MCU. As such, their first meeting in the comics is one with great potential for upticks in value, particularly as the census number is low.

The Avengers Fight Racism

In what is traditionally considered a run filler issue of the series, the Avengers take on the Sons of the Serpent for the first time in Avengers #32. The Sons of the Serpent are an outfit with racist overtones that could easily slide as villains into future Captain America films or other ventures in the MCU, particularly as Marvel becomes more focused on diversity in their offerings.

This issue also marks the first appearance of Bill Foster, who would later go on to become Black Goliath.

There are 512 graded copies in the CGC census, with 9.2 being the most common grade. The latest sale was in the December 13 Heritage auction for $198, down 20% from its all-time 9.2 high – a slashed $275 set on August 6. When we’re looking at overlooked and undervalued comics, one of the first things to consider is potential. Avengers #32 contains the first appearances of both a hero and a team of villains.

While Bill Foster has appeared in the MCU, it was definitely a bit part. The Sons of the Serpent have never appeared in the MCU, nor are they currently rumored to do so. At this point, however, even characters rumored to show up in the MCU are running up prices on books. Wouldn’t you rather invest in a book that no one is looking at? Zig when they zag.

Next Week: Copper Age Undervalued & Overlooked

Well, that’s all we have time for this week.  Join us next week as we take a look at some undervalued and overlooked Copper Age comics.

Do you think later Flash #127, Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos #3, and Avengers #32 are undervalued, overlooked, or both?  Let us know below.

*Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not represent advice on behalf of GoCollect.