Hidden Gems

Comic Book collecting has become a big industry.  Comic book publishers cater to collectors using comic books with  variant covers, special events, crossovers, annuals, mini and maxi-series and so forth.

Often these books have the phrase; “Collector’s Edition” emblazoned on their covers.

Here’s a tip: if it says it’s a collector’s item-it ain’t!

More than likely its print run is more than a regular issue making it anything but rare.

The truth is comic book companies, like any businesses, are in business to make money-by whatever means necessary.

Don’t buy into the hype.

A true collector item as far as comic books go is determined by rarity, a genuine first appearance, how old a comic book is, condition and long-term viability-no flash in the pan.

Often collectors overlook what I refer to as “Hidden Gems’. These are comic books that go under the radar of most collectors, feature first appearances or pivotal occurrences, had relatively small print runs and were printed several decades ago making them more likely to have fewer issues.

For example:

Marvel Team-Up #55 featured the return of Adam Warlock to the Marvel Universe after being dispersed into space.  He also teamed up with Spider-Man.  Did I mention the Stranger and the Gardener also appeared in this issue?

With the huge interest in the Marvel Space/Cosmic Epic generated by the recent Avengers and Guardian Of The Universe movies people are clamoring for early issues featuring cosmic characters-Adam Warlock for instance.

Look for his other early appearances to spike in value and collectibility.

Speaking of Spider-Man, he also teamed up with Captain Britain (his first American comic book appearance) in Marvel Team-Up #65.

In that same issue the hit man Arcade was also introduced.

The next issue (#66) featured the first full appeared of Arcade. He would go on to be one of the X-Men’s most deadly foes.

Key issues such as those mentioned are sprinkled throughout older comic books.  Major key issues are fine but these unappreciated gems could very well become ‘must-have’ issues in the future.

Look at the first appearances of Cable, Deadpool and X-23, for example.  All were relatively cheap when they first came out.  Now each demands hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, to purchase.

Be proactive.  Buy smart, do your homework and you may reap the reward.