First General Zod
Zod’s back! He makes an appearance in the new trailer for The Flash as one of the big bads of the film. He made his first appearance in Adventure Comics #283, an undervalued and overlooked Silver Age key.
Published by DC in 1961, there are 397 graded copies in the CGC census. That’s definitely a low number compared to some of its Marvel contemporaries.
While you do see sales of this comic, it’s typically only two or three graded copies selling each month. On the high end, it can be a pricy comic. However, even in the mid-grades that price drops considerably. A 7.0 sold in December for $595, below its 2020 peak of $800 and even a notch below the top selling price in 2013: $600.
It’s a key book with an important villain and, considering its age and importance, it’s somewhat undervalued and often overlooked.
First Classic Hulk Logo
While logos may seem unimportant in the world of comics, there are some that have become so vital to the look of a book that you can’t help but envision the logo itself anytime someone mentions the title. Think of the iconic Superman logo that has graced so many of his covers. Or the X-Men logo created by Jim Steranko for X-Men #50, which would be the de facto logo in use for many years.
Then there’s the Hulk logo first used on the cover of Incredible Hulk #109. First off, what a great cover by Herb Trimpe and John Severin! Of particular note is the Hulk logo as part of the background landscape. It's so striking that Marvel would use this logo for Incredible Hulk for decades thereafter.
There are 443 graded copies of Incredible Hulk #109 in the CGC census. Recent sales include a 9.0 going for $104 in an eBay auction on February 17. That’s below the 90-day average of $184 and the 1-year average of $153. Most comics have taken a hit over the past six months or so.
While buying opportunities abound, important comics like this that helped set decades-long trends are an important part of any collection. Besides, how can you resist that cover?
Here's a Weird One
In 1964, American Comics Group was on its last legs. Most of its titles had been canceled and they were left with the trio of Adventures Into the Unknown, Forbidden Worlds, and Unknown Worlds. Superheroes were back in vogue, and they had, unfortunately, nothing to offer. So, they swung for the fences with Magicman in Forbidden Worlds #125.
Of course, it was a colossal swing and a miss. The two-hundred-year-old son of sorcerer Cagliostro, Magicman lacked the appeal of other comic magicians like Dr. Strange or the recently created Zatanna.
There are only 10 graded copies of Forbidden Worlds #125 in the CGC census. Not one of those copies has sold for more than $100. If you’re a collector looking for something strange and offbeat from the Silver Age that wasn’t published by Marvel or DC and doesn’t cost a fortune, the vastly overlooked Forbidden Worlds #125 is just the book for you.
Do you think Adventure Comics #283, Incredible Hulk #109, and Forbidden Worlds #125 are undervalued, overlooked, or both? Let us know below.
