Which VEI Comic Will Start Going For Over Cover First?

[StarBrand]

As far as I can tell no VEI regular non-variant (including extra printings) issue is selling for over cover price on a consistent basis yet. Any thoughts on which might be the first to do so?
I'm going to say Quantum & Woody 1 and 2 both have a shot at being first, along with Harbinger 1 and 2 and X-O Manowar 1. Those are my top 5 picks to break out so far.

[greg]

If you include shipping costs, every Valiant that sells individually on Ebay sells over cover.

[tchalla8]

Actually the 2nd printing of X-O #1 has always gone for over cover since its initial release.

[StarBrand]

Actually the 2nd printing of X-O #1 has always gone for over cover since its initial release.

Not including variants or extra printings.

[Elveen]

I've sold a bunch of valiants for over cover at the shows I set up at.
At the Stockton show I sold an A&A 1-3 for well over cover.

[betterthanezra]

I've sold a bunch of valiants for over cover at the shows I set up at.
At the Stockton show I sold an A&A 1-3 for well over cover.

He really wanted to just read them also...BIG local Valiant fan...

-Brian

[Elveen]

Great, I'm glad I could add to his reading experience.
Also, I did give him a great deal on the #4 &#5

[CallMeBloodshot]

The way I understand it comic prices never increase significantly anymore. The most expensive modern book is like Invincible #1, and that's a rarity, and its not even that crazy expensive. But I guess Valiant could experience what Image did with Walking Dead and Invincible. But it's going to take a movie to drive the popularity far beyond what it could be with just comics. Hold onto your Shadowman and Bloodshot issues I guess.

[tchalla8]

It happens still. Hawkeye #1 is going for $25-$30 consistently on ebay.

[kevinbastos]

I am going to pick Quantum & Woody. The demand seems to be increasing, combined with lower prints for the first issue.

I think it could very easily be the highest selling comic in the universe - by issue six.

[nycjadie]

Did any Acclaim #1's really take off?

[Elveen]

The way I understand it comic prices never increase significantly anymore. The most expensive modern book is like Invincible #1, and that's a rarity, and its not even that crazy expensive. But I guess Valiant could experience what Image did with Walking Dead and Invincible. But it's going to take a movie to drive the popularity far beyond what it could be with just comics. Hold onto your Shadowman and Bloodshot issues I guess.

Honestly, this is far from true.
There are thousands of modern books that go above cover. Multiple multiple thousands.
Heck there are like 50 (if not more) Spawn books that sell for over cover, easy.

[BugsySig]

I think A&A #1 and Q&W #1. They have had the smallest print runs of the more mainstream hits. XO #1 did have about 45k copies, whereas those two had about half that.

[betterthanezra]

The way I understand it comic prices never increase significantly anymore. The most expensive modern book is like Invincible #1, and that's a rarity, and its not even that crazy expensive. But I guess Valiant could experience what Image did with Walking Dead and Invincible. But it's going to take a movie to drive the popularity far beyond what it could be with just comics. Hold onto your Shadowman and Bloodshot issues I guess.

Honestly, this is far from true.
There are thousands of modern books that go above cover. Multiple multiple thousands.
Heck there are like 50 (if not more) Spawn books that sell for over cover, easy.

+1 Elveen and I wouldn't set up at shows if this were the case..

-Brian

[kjjohanson]

The way I understand it comic prices never increase significantly anymore. The most expensive modern book is like Invincible #1, and that's a rarity, and its not even that crazy expensive. But I guess Valiant could experience what Image did with Walking Dead and Invincible. But it's going to take a movie to drive the popularity far beyond what it could be with just comics. Hold onto your Shadowman and Bloodshot issues I guess.

What are considering "modern"? Walking Dead #1 (same year as Invincible #1) goes for far more than anything else in the last 20 years.

It all comes down to supply and demand. Lower-printed books are going to fetch more when the book catches on with more readers/collectors. I don't think X-O #1 will increase as much as some others, especially since estimates suggest it's by far the (non-incentive) Valiant book with the largest print run (ignoring promo giveaways).

I'm noticing an apparent upswing in the industry recently, based on what I'm seeing at the comic shop. (My regular shop is the Midtown Comics in Times Square, so I think it's a pretty good indicator.) Plenty of times recently I've seen posted buying limits on new books (East of West, Über, Batman Incorporated 8, some other Image books). A bunch of Image books seem to be selling out quickly and/or going for a premium on eBay (check recent sales on East of West or Nowhere Men).

However, if the question is being asked with the intention of speculating, I'd say forget it. Buy what you enjoy, and if it goes up in price and you're not adamant about owning a physical copy, sell it and it's a bonus. Trying to make modern comics an investment vehicle is a losing proposition. Most of them won't go up in value, and for those that do, the increase in price probably won't be enough to offset the time you put into selling and shipping them. If you're looking for an investment with a potentially big payoff I'd look into volatile small cap stocks. They're a much more liquid asset and you don't have to buy big boxes to store them. I've made far more by big swings in INO recently that I ever would have hoped for if I was speculating on comics.

[Savant]

The way I understand it comic prices never increase significantly anymore. The most expensive modern book is like Invincible #1, and that's a rarity, and its not even that crazy expensive. But I guess Valiant could experience what Image did with Walking Dead and Invincible. But it's going to take a movie to drive the popularity far beyond what it could be with just comics. Hold onto your Shadowman and Bloodshot issues I guess.

Like the others have said, it still happens. It's just not as cut & dry as some believe it to be......Think 90s comic book boom/bust prospectors who went with the fallacy that #1 issues would all become super-valuable. It's similar to people who thought Star Wars: The Phantom Menace action figures would become gold mines.

Nowadays, it's comics which become unexpectedly popular which rise in value. In part because of the original print runs being lower, so there's a bit of a scarcity factor. Aside from earlier Walking Dead issues and Invincible #1, very recent comics such as Saga, Manhattan Projects, and East Of West are going for ridiculously high prices.

I didn't think DC's New52 line would become valuable. Those had huge print runs, and seemed to be a gimmick ala the Heroes Reborn stuff by Marvel back around the late 90s.........Yet some of the titles (Especially Snyder's Batman) sell for quite a bit.

Another unexpectedly high selling comic is Birds Of Prey #8, which was released back around 1999. It likely had a low print run, due to it being released during the comic bust, but it's of interest to collectors because it showcases Dick Grayson & Barbara Gordon's past with one another......This issue sells for around $150-$200, I believe.

Of course, there are loads and loads of comics from the past 10-15 years you'd be lucky to sell at half, or even 25% of, cover price. Many comics from the comic boom (late 80s/early 90s) are practically worthless.

As for the current Valiant titles, they don't seem to be rising in price all that much. Most seem to sell for around cover price. Some less, some more. If the company becomes more popular, over time, then the comics may justifiably rise in value. It makes no difference to me, though. I collect comics to enjoy the stories & art. I predominantly only sell comics, which become valuable, if I didn't like the issue(s).

However, if the question is being asked with the intention of speculating, I'd say forget it. Buy what you enjoy, and if it goes up in price and you're not adamant about owning a physical copy, sell it and it's a bonus. Trying to make modern comics an investment vehicle is a losing proposition. Most of them won't go up in value, and for those that do, the increase in price probably won't be enough to offset the time you put into selling and shipping them. If you're looking for an investment with a potentially big payoff I'd look into volatile small cap stocks. They're a much more liquid asset and you don't have to buy big boxes to store them. I've made far more by big swings in INO recently that I ever would have hoped for if I was speculating on comics.

Agreed. Unless you have extraordinary luck with your speculating skills (Bought multiple early issues of Saga, Walking Dead, and Manhattan Projects), you'll lose money in the long run and become disgruntled because you'll have bought too many titles which don't become investments at all, which offsets titles which do become valuable.

It's really more based on luck than "speculation"......It's far too difficult to gauge, and there are more worthwhile types of investments to go for.

Just thinking about this reminds me of people who would buy cases (Yes, cases, as in something like 15-40 sealed boxes) of football cards and such back in the early to mid-90s. I can't imagine having wasted money on all that and having them be practically worthless 20+ years later.

[CallMeBloodshot]

It happens still. Hawkeye #1 is going for $25-$30 consistently on ebay.

Yeah, are people really buying it for that? I see people on eBay sell and buy everything way overpriced sometimes. Also I could be wrong, but it seems there's always an early scuffle like this among collectors as they think a comic (in this case Hawkeye) will have this massive price jump, but no one else is going to want it in 20 years. Why would the demand grow for a Hawkeye issue? He's like the most made fun of character from Avengers.

I see your point, I guess I just think its silly.

[CallMeBloodshot]

The way I understand it comic prices never increase significantly anymore. The most expensive modern book is like Invincible #1, and that's a rarity, and its not even that crazy expensive. But I guess Valiant could experience what Image did with Walking Dead and Invincible. But it's going to take a movie to drive the popularity far beyond what it could be with just comics. Hold onto your Shadowman and Bloodshot issues I guess.

Like the others have said, it still happens. It's just not as cut & dry as some believe it to be......Think 90s comic book boom/bust prospectors who went with the fallacy that #1 issues would all become super-valuable. It's similar to people who thought Star Wars: The Phantom Menace action figures would become gold mines.

Nowadays, it's comics which become unexpectedly popular which rise in value. In part because of the original print runs being lower, so there's a bit of a scarcity factor. Aside from earlier Walking Dead issues and Invincible #1, very recent comics such as Saga, Manhattan Projects, and East Of West are going for ridiculously high prices.

I didn't think DC's New52 line would become valuable. Those had huge print runs, and seemed to be a gimmick ala the Heroes Reborn stuff by Marvel back around the late 90s.........Yet some of the titles (Especially Snyder's Batman) sell for quite a bit.

Another unexpectedly high selling comic is Birds Of Prey #8, which was released back around 1999. It likely had a low print run, due to it being released during the comic bust, but it's of interest to collectors because it showcases Dick Grayson & Barbara Gordon's past with one another......This issue sells for around $150-$200, I believe.

Of course, there are loads and loads of comics from the past 10-15 years you'd be lucky to sell at half, or even 25% of, cover price. Many comics from the comic boom (late 80s/early 90s) are practically worthless.

As for the current Valiant titles, they don't seem to be rising in price all that much. Most seem to sell for around cover price. Some less, some more. If the company becomes more popular, over time, then the comics may justifiably rise in value. It makes no difference to me, though. I collect comics to enjoy the stories & art. I predominantly only sell comics, which become valuable, if I didn't like the issue(s).

However, if the question is being asked with the intention of speculating, I'd say forget it. Buy what you enjoy, and if it goes up in price and you're not adamant about owning a physical copy, sell it and it's a bonus. Trying to make modern comics an investment vehicle is a losing proposition. Most of them won't go up in value, and for those that do, the increase in price probably won't be enough to offset the time you put into selling and shipping them. If you're looking for an investment with a potentially big payoff I'd look into volatile small cap stocks. They're a much more liquid asset and you don't have to buy big boxes to store them. I've made far more by big swings in INO recently that I ever would have hoped for if I was speculating on comics.

Agreed. Unless you have extraordinary luck with your speculating skills (Bought multiple early issues of Saga, Walking Dead, and Manhattan Projects), you'll lose money in the long run and become disgruntled because you'll have bought too many titles which don't become investments at all, which offsets titles which do become valuable.

It's really more based on luck than "speculation"......It's far too difficult to gauge, and there are more worthwhile types of investments to go for.

Just thinking about this reminds me of people who would buy cases (Yes, cases, as in something like 15-40 sealed boxes) of football cards and such back in the early to mid-90s. I can't imagine having wasted money on all that and having them be practically worthless 20+ years later.

True but I'd argue these cases of getting an issue over cover at this stage is so rare, you lose in the end with all the variants and other gimmicks you buy into. So what if X-O #1 even reached 100. People spent how much on all those other comics that are now worth less than thy were. Also, I think Batman Snyder issues is ridiculous. That thing had a huge print run. I just maintain that it's a small percentage of people selling them and conversely believing thy should buy then for such high prices. But I guess if some people are willing to buy them for it Ican see your point. It's just so rare. Everyone is always buying up Image #1s now because they want to e on oars for the next Walking Dead type situation. But no one could have foreseen that. That comic had such a small run and to predict it would have become a hit TV show would have been impossible. Basically all the stars had to align for that to happen.

[StarBrand]

This question was asked because I thought it would make an interesting topic. In any event, one needs only to read this thread to see if modern comics still actually sell for above cover price.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=28655" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[StarBrand]

The way I understand it comic prices never increase significantly anymore.

That's an incredibly inaccurate statement. Take ten minutes to read through this thread, for just a sampling of proof.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=28655&start=2600" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[CallMeBloodshot]

The way I understand it comic prices never increase significantly anymore.

That's an incredibly inaccurate statement. Take ten minutes to read through this thread, for just a sampling of proof.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=28655&start=2600" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

True but I also went on to clarify this a bit. My point is its extremely rare. How many comics since the 90s have had a significant jump in price?

[StarBrand]

The way I understand it comic prices never increase significantly anymore.

That's an incredibly inaccurate statement. Take ten minutes to read through this thread, for just a sampling of proof.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=28655&start=2600" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

True but I also went on to clarify this a bit. My point is its extremely rare. How many comics since the 90s have had a significant jump in price?

Yeah, I think you are right in that it's not overly common on a percentage basis.

[chriskay99]

Mile High is selling the X-O #1 standard Ribic cover (NM) for $31.00. Everybody sell, sell, sell! Cash in!

[FormerReader]

Mile High is selling the X-O #1 standard Ribic cover (NM) for $31.00. Everybody sell, sell, sell! Cash in!

[betterthanezra]

It happens still. Hawkeye #1 is going for $25-$30 consistently on ebay.

Yeah, are people really buying it for that? I see people on eBay sell and buy everything way overpriced sometimes. Also I could be wrong, but it seems there's always an early scuffle like this among collectors as they think a comic (in this case Hawkeye) will have this massive price jump, but no one else is going to want it in 20 years. Why would the demand grow for a Hawkeye issue? He's like the most made fun of character from Avengers.

I see your point, I guess I just think its silly.

Yes they are I just sold a First Print #1 at a show in Sacramento a few months ago for $40

Hawkeye is hot as a title

-Brian