In case you missed my first article on this comic book, you can catch it here. That was for a raw copy, what I am about to talk about was for a graded CGC certified copy. You must admit, the auctions that end at monumental prices are the ones that always catch our eyes. This was one of those sales...again! It happened on ComicLink and was a legitimate auction type sale with multiple bids. A ghost book as collectors call it and the end price will leave you tongue-tied.
THE ONE
Albedo #2 (1984) CGC 9.0 – I said it before and I'll say it again, this is one of those grail comic books you just never see for sale; either online or in-person. I have not seen this at any Comic-Con and I’ve been to my fair share of Comic-Cons. Published by Thoughts and Images in November 1984, it is the first publication to include an Usagi Yojimbo story. It also features the 1st appearance of Usagi Yojimbo (Yojimbo is Japanese for bodyguard). Copies of this issue are extremely rare and even rarer in high condition with its dark black cover and borders. Who would have thought that a talking samurai rabbit would catch on?
Arguably the most sought-after Copper Age comic book in existence along with TMNT #1, ASM300, and Wolverine LTD Series to name a few. When a copy, raw or graded, pops up for sale, collectors are bustling to the action so they can get their bids in. There are only 237 copies graded on the CGC census from a mere print run of a couple of thousand copies. With the additional buzz surrounding the upcoming Netflix animated series announced back in July 2020 and you got yourself a winner. Netflix is teaming with Gaumont on a CGI animated series titled “Samurai Rabbit: The Usagi Chronicles,” which is based on the 35-year-old comic book series by Stan Sakai. Now find one if you can!
SOLD!
Now back to the sale. There was a sale that ended a week or so ago for a graded CGC 9.0 Albedo #2 and the final sales price will stun you. It was on the ComicLink platform and it sold for $7,000. Can you say what the @*&%#! If you look at the pictures, it looks a little better than a 9.0 and it has white pages which is a plus for many collectors.
The unprecedented 51 total bids placed on this auction clearly exhibits the strong interest in the title. According to GoCollect, the Fair Market Value (FMV) for a graded CGC 9.0 is $5,250. The last CGC 9.0 copy sold in 2/2020 for $4,399, which is the only sale so far in 2020 in this grade. Go figure? At the time of this writing, there are zero raw copies listed on eBay and there are no graded copies listed for sale either. Good luck finding one!
Conclusion
That’s a wrap. Just one of those comic book sales that make you go hmmm. Don’t get me wrong, an amazing sale for both buyer and seller, but 2k over the last known sale in the same grade? What the @*&%# indeed. If anything, this should tell you that a hardcore buyer will do anything to get the comic book they want. No telling what will happen when the Netflix series is released, for all we know this could have been a steal of a price. Sky’s the limit for this character as the excitement for the animated series grows. Only time will tell. Stay tuned for the next installment of the “What the #$%*&:
Those Amazing Comic Sales #4? as I delve into the crazy sales that are happening all over our hobby. Until next time you comic book junkies………….
Please share your thoughts and comments you have on this amazing sale. An astounding 3k over the last known sale in 2/2020, do you believe that? Are you a fan of Miyamoto Usagi – the samurai rabbit? What are some of those rare comic books on your watch list that you are waiting to pop up for auction? Are you a proud owner of Albedo #2?
