Need collecting advice

[A I Diva]

As a newbie reader/collector, I feel kind of dumb since I know next to nothing. But you all are nice so I know this is a good place to ask for advice. I believe you will be gentle.

Ok...so all I have known about the Avengers has been what I've seen in the movies. No comic book background at all. The Vision is completely new to me. Age of Ultron was an entertaining movie, but the BEST part to me was him! So I would really like to pick up copies of Avengers #57 and #58. (And/or anything else you might suggest).

But since the movie just came out and I'm sure there are many people now looking to buy those books, I am wondering....should I (a) buy now because the price will only go up from here on out? Or (b) wait because the excitement should die down some in the near future?

[Elveen]

As a newbie reader/collector, I feel kind of dumb since I know next to nothing. But you all are nice so I know this is a good place to ask for advice. I believe you will be gentle.

Ok...so all I have known about the Avengers has been what I've seen in the movies. No comic book background at all. The Vision is completely new to me. Age of Ultron was an entertaining movie, but the BEST part to me was him! So I would really like to pick up copies of Avengers #57 and #58. (And/or anything else you might suggest).

But since the movie just came out and I'm sure there are many people now looking to buy those books, I am wondering....should I (a) buy now because the price will only go up from here on out? Or (b) wait because the excitement should die down some in the near future?

Those books will be VERY expensive. they might go down a bit, but I think the high price is here to stay.
There are re-prints and TPBs you could read.

[A I Diva]

True. But I can always grab them on comiXology to read. I would like to collect decent copies to keep.

[Elveen]

True. But I can always grab them on comiXology to read. I would like to collect decent copies to keep.

Then big cash is needed.

[A I Diva]

Then big cash is needed.

Indeed. Which is why I am fretting over the game plan. Search now or wait.

[Elveen]

Then big cash is needed.

Indeed. Which is why I am fretting over the game plan. Search now or wait.

Maybe, let's say there are 10 books you want, then focus on something else now. Keep an eye on the Avengers books and see.
But I don't really see the price dropping that much.

[kjjohanson]

I think the price will come down a bit as we get further away from the Avengers movie, but it's never going to be cheap. Mostly the price drop will depend on whether people expect to see the Vision again before the next Avengers movie. I would say definitely wait until the movie is out of the theaters, maybe at least until the fall when people will be all over the Star Wars hype, and wait for an auction with a reasonably low minimum bid. That will be the best way to get a good price, because sellers that expect attention to move away from the book will leave any offers as a BIN on eBay.

[grendeljd]

I agree with kjj & Elveen - you're probably better off waiting until the immediate movie hype dies down a little. I also doubt the price will see any significant drop, (we're talking key silver age books here) but being patient & trying to snipe a lower priced eBay listing should help your chances of making a purchase you'll feel good about

Hard to say if the right period to look might be right before or well after the DVD/bluray is released... in the meantime, you might consider getting an Overstreet Priceguide to help arm yourself with more knowledge of prices & respective book condition.

And welcome to another fun, addictive side of the hobby!

[Elveen]

Pretty much any high grade silver/bronze 1st app is going to be big bucks.

A suggestion, look at 2nd apps and mid grade copies.

[Elveen]

...... Or try and get a high grade book now that might really skyrocket in the next few years and work out a trade for what you really want when your book explodes.

[kjjohanson]

It appears that Paul Bettany *will be* reprising his role for Captain America: Civil War.

[A I Diva]

Thank you to all who replied. I decided to chill and just watch for now. I downloaded digital copies the 1st and 2nd app's of The Vision and that helped calm me down some. I actually like the 2nd app better so if and when I decide to buy, I'll focus on that one. "Even an Android can cry!"

[greatbrandino11]

Thank you to all who replied. I decided to chill and just watch for now. I downloaded digital copies the 1st and 2nd app's of The Vision and that helped calm me down some. I actually like the 2nd app better so if and when I decide to buy, I'll focus on that one. "Even an Android can cry!"

I purchased a CGC 9.2 Avengers 57 a couple of years ago. It is my all-time favorite cover so it was something I planned on obtaining for a while in a high grade and knew I had to strike before he made an appearance in the films. I was very fortunate. I purchased it for more than half of the going rate now. The highest sold copy I have seen recently is $1900 for a 9.2. I don't think the price will come down for a while. It may not hit the $2000 plateau but I would expect anywhere from $1500 to $1850 for the next several years, possibly more. It was an undervalued key issue for a long time. The movie(s) are now bringing it the much needed attention.

My advice to anyone looking to pick up first appearances of any Avenger-related hero or villain not in the films is to act now. For example, major characters like Kang and Wonder Man will see big price increases if they are ever used, and since Avengers 8 (Kang) and Avengers 9 (Wonder Man) are already considered key Silver Age issues, the prices will stay high for a long time. I have always liked Kang and he has been on my radar for a while. I will probably look to move on it sooner than later.

[Intrepidxc]

Here is my advice. Make sure you really want to collect these expensive books before you start chasing them. Really think through your motivation. I originally started collecting key SA/BA books. After a while I really thought about what I was collecting and why. While I appreciate characters such as FF, Wolverine, etc they have no meaning to me. I grew up reading Image and Valiant books so I ultimately decided to sell all my SA/BA stuff to buy the moderns that held a personal meaning to me.

Obviously that was Valiant, but also TWD, Chew, and other modern series I really enjoy. While some of these books are still expensive they hold a personal meaning and value to me which means even if the comic market crashes these books still mean something to me.

For example I am close to picking up a Saga RRP in CGC 9.8. This is an expensive book, but I love Saga and therefore the Saga series holds some meaning to me and will bring back memories of this time in my life at a later date. Hulk 181 held no personal meaning for me other than the 1st 2nd appearance (that's for you Slym) of Wolverine. When I looked at my Hulk 181 I literally felt nothing.

Luckily I was able to sell all of my SA/BA purchases for more than I paid for them, but you never know what will happen.

[kjjohanson]

Here is my advice. Make sure you really want to collect these expensive books before you start chasing them. Really think through your motivation. I originally started collecting key SA/BA books. After a while I really thought about what I was collecting and why. While I appreciate characters such as FF, Wolverine, etc they have no meaning to me. I grew up reading Image and Valiant books so I ultimately decided to sell all my SA/BA stuff to buy the moderns that held a personal meaning to me.

Obviously that was Valiant, but also TWD, Chew, and other modern series I really enjoy. While some of these books are still expensive they hold a personal meaning and value to me which means even if the comic market crashes these books still mean something to me.

For example I am close to picking up a Saga RRP in CGC 9.8. This is an expensive book, but I love Saga and therefore the Saga series holds some meaning to me and will bring back memories of this time in my life at a later date. Hulk 181 held no personal meaning for me other than the 1st 2nd appearance (that's for you Slym) of Wolverine. When I looked at my Hulk 181 I literally felt nothing.

Luckily I was able to sell all of my SA/BA purchases for more than I paid for them, but you never know what will happen.

That's the thing that's going to make it easier to sell my New Mutants 98 CGC 9.8 when the trailers start hitting; when I look at the book I don't think about fond memories for the book. I think "this is worth a lot of money." (Well, that, and the fact that I have 5 in 9.8 and some under copies.)

[jmatt]

I was fortunate in that I picked up my Avengers run back in the late nineties before the movies. But I still buy SA Marvel on Ebay and know that as long as you're not looking for absolutely pristine books, you can usually get Fine copies at reasonable prices.

My wife was recently reading stuff about the new movie and Ultron and I whipped out my copy of Avengers 58 so I could show her baby Ultron. "Da-da da-da!"

[lorddunlow]

Glad that I picked up ASM #50 a few years ago as the Netflix Daredevil has made that book jump in price a bit due to the first appearance of Kingpin.