For this article, instead of looking at several different books, we are going to look at several variants of the same book, specifically Young Avengers #1. There are 4 different versions of the book (the main cover and three variants), each of which has a different buy-in cost and path for growth. This article will examine each of those books in order to help investors understand their different options and determine which one is best for them. Before that though, here are a few fast facts about Young Avengers #1:
- Young Avengers #1 has three variants: a Directors Cut, a Marvel Legends edition that was only sold with action figures, and a exclusive variant for Wizard World Los Angeles 2005
- The book contains the first appearance of Wiccan (initially named Asgardian), Hulkling, Kate Bishop, Eli Bradley's Patriot, Iron Lad, and a team named Young Avengers
Now, with that information out of the way, lets dive on into the books themselves:
Main Cover
- Total Graded Copies: 5,115
- Breakdown By Type:
- Universal - 5,018
- Signature - 77
- Restored - 4
- Qualified - 16
- Print Run: 87,991
Graded Analysis: The main cover has experienced consistent growth over time in nearly every single grade. In many cases, values have risen by over 300% since the first data point tracked in the GoCollect price guide. Final sales prices have largely been declining after setting record highs in the summer of 2021. That being said, prices have begun to rise again recently, which may suggest the end of a recent market correction. Such a correction was inevitable after inflation began to wipe away much of the market's unprecedented gains during Covid-19.
Of the four editions, the main cover has by far the largest print run and number of CGC submissions. In fact, there are more 9.8 copies of the main cover than submissions for all other versions combined. These factors definitely hamper the book's growth potential, though certainly not eliminating it completely. Graded copies of the main cover are usually the third most valuable of the four versions.
Director's Cut
- Total Graded Copies: 983
- Breakdown By Type:
- Universal - 937
- Signature - 45
- Qualified - 1
- Print Run: 18,550
Graded Analysis: Out of the four different versions of Young Avengers #1, the Director's Cut variant is usually the least expensive. Consequently, it represents a great way for people to invest in the Young Avengers without breaking the bank. The directors cut has been declining in price of late, though nowhere near as precipitously as other versions. There is a lot less risk with this book, but there is also a lot less reward.
Marvel Legends
- Total Graded Copies: 87, all Universal
Graded Analysis: The Marvel Legends edition of Young Avengers #1 was never individually sold in stores, but rather came packaged with Marvel Legends Young Avengers Box Set. As a result, determining a print run is vastly more difficult. This book has a higher FMV than the main cover and the director's cut in almost every grade, but that comes with a fairly significant asterisk.
The Marvel Legends edition has a drastically lower census and sales count, which may be an indicator that far fewer people are interested in this specific version. This dearth of data also makes comparisons significantly more difficult, as outliers can have a much greater impact. Of the four versions, this is clearly the one with the most uncertainty around it. That uncertainty could absolutely lead to big gains, but there is also a tremendous amount of risk with it as well.
Wizard World Variant
- Total Graded Copies: 896
- Breakdown By Type:
- Universal - 726
- Signature - 154
- Qualified - 16
Graded Analysis: Of the four versions of Young Avengers #1, the Wizard World variant is by far the most valuable. In certain grades, its FMV is close to and even exceeds the combined FMV of the other versions in the same grade. This is due to the book's low print run and the difficulty to obtain it, as it could originally only be purchased by those who attended Wizard World Los Angeles in 2005.
Like nearly all comics, this book is going through an inflation-induced correction after unprecedented gains during COVID-19 lockdowns. That being said, the overall growth rate is still incredibly strong. From October 2013 to today, the FMV of a 9.8 copy of this book has increased by over 1200%!!! Now, that kind of growth will probably not continue in perpetuity, but it is still a pretty eye-catching number that speaks to investment potential.
