With all the attention on Jane Foster’s impending return to the silver screen as Thor, it’s important to not forget that Valkyrie is also returning. Notably missing from the events of Avengers: Infinity War, she should in theory get much more screen time in Thor: Love and Thunder. And with that, Valkyrie’s key comic books will also come back into focus.
Although the movie’s release date is still a few years away, here we get a jump start and examine the market for the key comic books of the mighty Asgardian warrior, Valkyrie.
Throughout the Marvel Comics history, Valkyrie has appeared in many forms, but the very first appearance of a character using the name “Valkyrie” was in Avengers #83. In this issue, Valkyrie forms an all-female team of superheroes called the Lady Liberators. After aiding the Avengers in a battle against the Masters of Evil, they turn the tables on the Avengers and fight them too. In a final twist, Valkyrie overpowers her own teammates and reveals herself to be the Enchantress.
Even though the first appearance of Valkyrie was really Enchantress in disguise, the market appears to have has embraced this book as the one to collect. Below is sales for this book graded in CGC 9.2 and 7.5/7.0, which represent the top 37.2% and 75.4/83.3%, respectively:
Since 2016, sales values have been flat for the above grades. 9.2 did see a spike in the summer of 2018, but it quickly returned to prior levels. Valkyrie has indeed confirmed to appear in the next Thor movie, Thor: Love and Thunder (2021), but the lack of any meaningful positive growth to accompany her appearance in Avengers: Endgame makes it difficult to be optimistic about one surrounding the release of Love and Thunder. With that in mind, Valkyrie should in theory be featured more in both marketing and actual screen time. On a side note, this issue is also the first appearance of the Lady Liberators. If Marvel ever makes decides to utilize that team-up, this issue would become a must get.
THE INCREDIBLE HULK #142 (1971)
Another key Valkyrie book is The Incredible Hulk #142, in which the Enchantress imbues an unwitting Samantha Parrington with the spirit of Valkyrie. This ultimately leads to a showdown between Valkyrie and the Hulk. Below is sales for the book in CGC 9.6 and 9.4, the top 22.7% and 53.9% of the census (9.6 is in orange, 9.4 is in blue).
Over the last 4 years, there hasn’t been enough sales for this book to determine a trend. Like Avengers #83 (graded 9.2) above, this book in 9.6 also spiked up in the summer of 2018, while 9.4 has remained flat. With a low volume of sales and too much price uncertainty, this book does not appear to be a good investment. Also worth noting is that Valkyrie also had other host bodies, including: Sian Bowen, Barbara Norris, and Annabelle Riggs.
An examination of Valkyrie’s key books would not be complete without including Defenders #4, which had the first appearance of Brunnhilde. While the moniker Valkyrie is often used, Brunnhilde is her real Asgardian name. In this issue, the Enchantress yet again transfers Valkyrie’s spirit into another host, Barbara Norris. Unfortunately for Barbara Norris, her consciousness gets trapped in in Brunnhilde’s body in Asgard. Below is sales for the book in CGC 9.4 and 9.2, which is the top 33.6% and 53.1% of census.
Compared with Avengers #83, the sales volume for Defenders #4 is much lower, but it has managed to have a more positive rate of growth in value. While this book isn’t the first “Valkyrie,” it has the most upside of the books examined here.
THE BOTTOM LINE
- Avengers #83 - HOLD
- Incredible Hulk #142 - REDUCE
- Defenders #4 - ADD
“I am the chooser of the slain. For countless centuries it has been my duty to carry brave and honorable soldiers to their reward in Valhalla. And I'm tired.” – Valkyrie
