When will Man-Thing finally get his spotlight? He was mentioned in an episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and had his face on the Grandmaster’s tower in Thor: Ragnarok. Just when it looked like Man-Thing’s arrival was imminent, the trail ran cold.
Logically, that should bring down prices, right? With no news of him coming to the MCU, that should affect demand. On the contrary, his keys are actually hotter now than they have been in two years. Take a closer look at the latest numbers.
SAVAGE TALES MAGAZINE #1
Marvel’s very own Swamp Thing made his debut in 1971’s Savage Tales Magazine #1. Although the cover was adorned with Conan the Barbarian, who had made his comic premiere a year prior, Man-Thing was given his due in 11 black-and-white pages. This remains by far the biggest of Man-Thing's keys with prices to prove it.
Despite the lack of MCU news for Man-Thing, this issue has been on the move. Over the past 90 days, it has accumulated an $1,800 fair market value for a 9.6. Only a year ago, that grade was selling for $1,373 on average.
Those gains are not limited to just the high grades. Only the 7.5 has lost money compared to 2019’s figures while the rest are well above last year’s FMVs. The 8.5 has been particularly impressive. In 2019, it sold seven times for a $338 average. In the last three months, it has an FMV over $800.
Values are rising all around. The lowest grade sold this year has been the 3.5, and even it is now a $250 comic.
ASTONISHING TALES #12
Man-Thing would make his next appearance in an origin story featured in Astonishing Tales #12. This is not one of Man-Thing's more popular key issues, and that makes it much easier on the wallet.
The highest grade sold this year has been the 8.5, which brought $70 in March. If you are looking to save even more, check out the 6.5. A copy at that grade sold for just $18 in February.
ADVENTURE INTO FEAR #10
In the modern age of collecting, the first cover appearance reigns supreme. Man-Thing is featured in all his swampy glory on the cover of Adventure Into Fear #10, and it is one of the more coveted of his key issues. Not only do you get Man-Thing’s first cover art, but it also happens to be his first solo feature story.
There have not been too many sales of this issue as of late. The 9.4 stands as the highest grade sold since 2018, and it happened to earn $185. The better bargain is the 8.5, which sold for $100 in October. Of course, it was cheaper in 2018 when it was about a $50 comic.
MARVEL PREMIERE #28
If you are going to collect those Man-Thing keys, you should track down a copy of Marvel Premiere #28. In that issue, Marvel unveiled its horror-oriented team, the Legion of Monsters.
Much has been said about many of the members of this Bronze Age lineup, consisting of Ghost Rider, Morbius, Werewolf by Night, and Man-Thing. All four characters have been heavily rumored for bigger roles in the MCU/Spider-verse, and it would pay to add this to your collection. Who knows? We may see some version of the Legion of Monsters play out on the big or small screen.
Judging by recent prices, I am not the only one who sees this as a good investment. The 9.8 recently sold for $2k in October, tying the record high from 2017. There have been an even dozen grades sold this year, and the 9.4 has led the way with 18 copies trading owners. Need one of your own? It is averaging $303, which is nearly an $80 increase from a year ago.
One of the better deals is the mid-grade 7.0. That particular grade has averaged $104 in the past 90 days.
HIS DAY WILL COME
Marvel doesn’t plant the seeds in such a big way just to forget about Man-Thing. With the rumors of more macabre characters entering the MCU, it could be time for him to make his debut.
