VenomDuring any comic book hunt, you come across some books over and over again. One of these ubiquitous comics is Venom: Lethal Protector #1. Every time you turn around you can find a copy. In a world where rarity equals price, and price equals profit; this is not very reassuring for any comic book speculator. What about a variant copy? After all, the 1990s were known for overproduction over comic books; has the Venom: Lethal Protector #1 (Gold Edition) lost it's luster recently? There are three interesting Venom speculations the black cover printing error edition, the gold edition, and standard edition. Which of these are the best investment in the long run and best speculation in the short-term?

 

 

 

VenomVenom: Lethal Protector #1

The Venom Protector series was created by David Michelinie, Mark Bagley, and Al Milgrom in 1993. This was shortly after Image Comics came into being and started the Modern Age. I tend to think of this book as the father of the Modern Age. This comic book  Venom: Lethal Protector #1 is the first titled Venom series and the first of appearance of General Orwell Taylor. The interesting thing about this book is the variant copies which have a great deal of value. The last sale for the variant golden edition of Lethal Protector #1 was $499. That is not cheap for a Modern Age book. The truly stupefying numbers come from the black cover/printing error copy which sold in grade 9.8 for $3900! 

 

 

 

 

Title Grade Last Sale Short-Term Returns Long-Term Returns  
Venom: Lethal Protector #1 (Standard Edition) 9.8 $59

+42.4%

(4 months)

+30.3%  

Venom: Lethal Protector #1

(Black Cover/Printing Error)

9.8 $3,900

+46%

(6-Months)

+39.5%  

Venom: Lethal Protector #1

(Gold Edition)

9.8 $499

+.01%

(4-Months)

+14%  
           
           

 

VenomVenom: Lethal Protector #1

(Black Cover/Printing Error)

This copy was some kind of printing error. This error has set this book up as a true variant and launched it into the upper atmosphere of pricing. Currently, the CGC Census shows only 243 copies in inventory. This makes for some impressive numbers, with returns as high as +58% long-term. Further, only three copies have sold in 2020; which is why I had to use a 6-month barometer for short-term returns on this deadly predator. This rare book is a nice score if it is in your hoard of comics.

Venom: Lethal Protector #1

(Gold Edition)

This variant is expensive, and if you owned one from the beginning you have a great purchase. Currently, Venom: Lethal Protector #1 (Gold Edition) sits at a cost of roughly $500 with positive returns up and down the grades in the long-term. The short-term is not quite as strong but shows small incremental growth.

 

VenomVenom: Lethal Protector #1 (Standard Edition) 

This one shocked me, much like a Sam Rami horror flick. That being said, the standard edition is a solid performer now. Perhaps cabin fever has set in with Venomistas and got them clawing at their mobile device purchasing copies. Whatever the reason in the short-term (4-Months); this puppy pulls positive +42% growth and even the long-term shows us +30% returns! 

Conclusion

In honest disclosure I never liked this book; there are simply too many of them creeping around. For Venom: Lethal Protector #1, I owe the readers a "mea culpa!" I have disregarded it in my articles and occasionally snubbed my nose at it. The truth now seems to be it has solid performance and some great variants to scrap over. Investors love the gold edition here, and I must concur it is a good investment. Speculators should probably be selling their Venom: Lethal Protector #1 (Standard Edition) into strength. When fans are buying that is the time to raise the price and get more for your comic book. Everyone loves the hunt for comics, even Venom fans. They were attached like a symbiote to this book. It deserves a "Bravo Zulu" folks!

 

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