So much of comic book collecting and investing nowadays is dominated by modern books.  With the endless variants, store exclusives, and first appearances of ultimately insignificant characters, many investors, especially those who prefer older books, often feel ignored and left out of the conversation.  Fortunately, we here at GoCollect are here to help!  Every week, I am going to provide speculation recommendations for silver, bronze, and copper age books for a chosen topic. This week, we are going to talk about some iconic Indies!

Silver Age

Star Trek #1

For over 60 years, Star Trek has, in some form or another, provided millions of people with an engrossing sci-fi adventure that provided thoughtful commentary on its world and ours.  This commitment to the story has earned Star Trek legions of devoted fans, who have helped sustain the franchise when the powers that be were ready to toss it away.  And it is because of that devotion that there is SOOOO much demand for this book.  Star Trek has long been a merchandising behemoth and comics were no exception.

Graded Analysis: This book is up close to or over 100% in every single grade with multiple sales.  That is absolutely nuts!!  Furthermore, the book seems to have surrendered almost none of its covid-era gains.  Prices have been dipping a bit lately (presumably due to inflationary concerns), but that just means now could be an excellent time to strike.

This is a major grail for many a Trekkie and has been able to post gains no matter the economic climate.  This is what a great comic book investment looks like.

Bronze Age

Cerebus The Aardvark #1

There are few names in comics more heavily lauded than Cerebus the Aardvark.  Alan Moore once commented that "Cerebus, as if I need to say so, is still to comic books what Hydrogen is to the Periodic Table."  That is high praise indeed.  Cerebus was a revelation for small and self-published comic books, as it reached a level of success, notoriety, and acclaim that few, if any, small-time books had ever achieved previously.

Though the series ended a few years ago, the first appearance of the titular character remains highly prized amongst fans of indie comics.

Graded Analysis: Okay, so this is a weird one.  First off, of the 430 comics in the CGC census, no comic has ever reached a 9.8 grade and only one has reached 9.6.  Second of all, there has never been a recorded sale for a 9.6, 9.2, 9.0, 3.5, or 3.0.  Despite these oddities, however, the book has enjoyed phenomenal value growth.

Grade 8.0, which is the plurality of the census, is up 643% all time when adjusting for inflation.  Many other grades have enjoyed comparable growth as well.  When a book is able to still gain value without any real buzz, it is generally a sign of a strong long-term investment.

Copper Age

Caliber Presents #1

Calibur Comics #1 features the very first appearance of The Crow.  The Crow is one of the best-selling independent comics of all time and the star of several different popular media adaptations.  With a movie reboot on the horizon, there is a very real chance this book could soon see a big spike in value as marketing begins to ramp up and buzz develops.

Graded Analysis: This book is up all time in every single grade with multiple sales.  In the higher grades, prices have been dipping of late, which could create a solid buying opportunity.  As for the other grades, the trend lines have been, overall clearly ascendant.  Buy with confidence.

Fun Fact: At a comic book convention, Donny Cates once said during a panel that he had pitched a comic crossover between RoboCop and the Crow called "Crow-BoCop".  That idea has been stuck in my head ever.

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