When the founders of Wizard Magazine published their first issue in September 1991, they must've known they were onto something. Driven by literally millions of new investors who believed Modern Age comics like X-Men #1 would produce a substantial return on investment over the long term, these collectors also created a new market for pricing guides and other related content.
With its only competition at the time being the staid Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide, Wizard took the comic book collecting community by storm with its original art, glossy covers, and content that went beyond price guides.
Wizard #1 (September 1991)
Not surprisingly, Wizard #1 is the most valuable Wizard issue on the market. The first issue of Wizard clearly demonstrated how it set itself apart from Overstreet. It was published in a magazine format, had articles, and most importantly, it featured original artwork from the best comic book artists of that time. During an era of superstar artists, having Todd McFarlane, at the top of his game, grace Wizard's inaugural issue with his interpretation of Spider-Man in a wizard's robe, helped Wizard become an instant hit during a comic book collecting bubble.
According to the CGC Census, CGC has graded 287 Universal blue labels and 238 Signature Series yellow labels of this premiere issue. Although sales data regarding magazines is limited, a 9.6 blue label sold for $467.80 on January 11th, and another 9.6 $455 on February 25th.
Interested in 9.8 yellow label with McFarlane's signature? The one seen in the photograph above sold on April 5th for an astounding $7,995. Although there are only 14 of those on the CGC Census, four figures for a price guide seems like overkill to me.
Wizard #11 (July 1992)
Not surprisingly, the second most valuable Wizard issue, Wizard #11, features another original cover from Todd McFarlane. This time, the cover features Spawn, McFarlane's most famous original character. According to the CGC Census, CGC has graded only 28 Universal blue labels and 58 Signature Series yellow labels of this issue.
Although sales data is limited, a 9.8 yellow label sold for $530 on February 15th, and another 9.6 for $455 on February 25th. An 8.0 yellow label sold for $185 just two days earlier.
Wizard #3 (November 1991)
After these two issues, there's a significant drop in interest and value in other Wizard issues. Still, according to eBay, there are some recent sales for Wizard #3 which features Wolverine for the first time on a Wizard cover.
According to the CGC Census, CGC has graded only 12 Universal blue labels of this issue. A 9.6 -- the highest grade on the Census -- also seen in the photograph above, sold on January 18th for a solid $350. A 9.2 sold for only $43 also in January.
Do you collect Wizard issues or other magazines? Please let us know in the comments section below!
