Overstreet top 50 bronze age comic books for 2018
A year has passed since I last wrote about the Overstreet’s top 50 books in 2017. I did that post mainly to
- extend the Overstreet table to 50 books instead of 10;
- remove the price variant books
- correct any data error
For 2018, the Overstreet bronze age list is now 25 but it is still shorter than my list and contains 6 price variants. I hope my list can still provide additional insights and values, especially when combined with Ebay recent sales and CGC census data.
| Rank | Issue | 2018 Overstreet Value (2017’s value) | Sep 18 Ebay Prices (Nov 17 prices) | No of 9.2 Graded Copies in 2018 (2017 numbers) |
| #1 | Incredible Hulk #181 | $4,200 ($3,500) | $7,000 ($4,100) | 651 (621) |
| #2 | Cerebus #1 | $2,900 ($2,800) | No data | 4 (4) |
| #3 | Green Lantern #76 | $2,700 ($2,700) | $2,300 ($2,300) | 79 (76) |
| #4 | Scooby Doo #1 | $2,500 ($2,000) | $2,300 ($2,000) | 6 (No record) |
| #5 | House of Secrets #92 | $2,400 ($1,800) | $4,000 ($2,600) | 57 (56) |
| #6 | Amazing Spider-Man #129 | $1,700 ($1,600) | $2,500 ($1,600) | 807 (426) |
| #7 | Giant-Size X-Men #1 | $1,700 ($1,500) | $2,300 ($2,100) | 456 (426) |
| #8 | Iron Man #55 | $1,500 ($1,400) | $1,700 ($1,700) | 254 (239) |
| #9 | X-Men #94 | $1,400 ($1,400) | $1,200 ($1,200) | 357 (338) |
| #10 | Werewolf By Night #32 | $1,350 ($1,250) | $2,100 ($2,100) | 201 (182) |
| #11 | DC 100 Page Spectacular 5 | $1,300 ($1,200) | No data | 3 (3) |
| #12 | Hero for Hire #1 | $1,300 ($1,200) | $1,400 ($2,100) | 122 (108) |
| #13 | Marvel Spotlight #5 | $1,250 ($1,150) | 9.0 – $1,350 (9.0 – $1,000) | 151 (148) |
| #13 | Batman #227 | $950 ($900) | $1,400 ($1,020) | 46 (46) |
| #14 | Batman #251 | $925 ($900) | $1,300 ($950) | 117 (104) |
| #15 | All Star Western #10 | $850 ($850) | No data | 31 (30) |
| #16 | Batman #232 | $850 ($800) | $1,000 ($950) | 158 (146) |
| #17 | Detective #411 | $825 ($800) | $1,500 (No data) | 32 (22) |
| #18 | Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 | $800 ($800) | $800 ($1,214) | 74 (64) |
| #19 | Marvel Preview #7 | $750 ($750) | $460 (9.0 – $500) | 24 (23) |
| #20 | Vampirella Special HC | $740 ($740) | No data | 23 (23) |
| #21 | Amazing Spider-Man #121 | $725 ($725) | $780 ($750) | 374 (359) |
| #22 | Incredible Hulk #180 | $725 ($675) | $950 ($700) | 263 (246) |
| #23 | Tomb of Dracula #10 | $700 ($625) | $1,100 ($900) | 196 (174) |
| #24 | Detective Comics #400 | $700 ($600) | $850 (No data) | 52 (48) |
| #25 | Amazing Spider-Man #101 | $700 ($575) | $1600 ($800) | 141 (131) |
| #26 | Marvel Premiere #15 | $600 ($600) | $400 ($400) | 286 (262) |
| #27 | Conan, the Barbarian #1 | $600 ($575) | $480 ($405) | 321 (306) |
| #28 | Amazing Spider-Man #122 | $575 ($575) | $480 ($500) | 322 (307) |
| #29 | Night Nurse #1 | $525 ($500) | 8.5 – $350 (8.5 – $300) | 16 (13) |
| #30 | Batman #234 | $500 ($500) | $540 ($500) | 69 (64) |
| #31 | Marvel Feature #1 | $485 ($475) | $425 ($400) | 127 (116) |
| #32 | Green Lantern #87 | $450 ($450) | $575 ($600) | 89 (78) |
| #33 | Vampirella Annual | $450 ($450) | $150 (No data) | 9 (No data) |
| #34 | Savage Tales #1 | $450 ($400) | 9.0 – $475 ($600) | 34 (33) |
| #35 | Marvel Spotlight #2 | $435 ($435) | $450 ($400) | 64 (60) |
| #36 | Ghost Rider #1 | $430 ($425) | $500 ($400) | 204 (192) |
| #37 | Amazing Adventures #11 | $425 ($425) | 9.0 – $240 ($235) | 65 (63) |
| #38 | Iron Fist #14 | $400 ($400) | $400 ($350) | 460 (426) |
| #39 | Batman #222 | $400 ($375) | 9.0 – $300 (9.0 – $300) | 28 (27) |
| #40 | Swamp Thing #1 | $395 ($385) | $400 ($320) | 220 (201) |
| #41 | Marvel Preview #4 | $385 ($385) | $400 ($400) | 75 (66) |
| #42 | Tomb of Dracula #1 | $360 ($360) | $250 ($240) | 152 (141) |
| #43 | Shazam #28 | $350 ($350) | $300 (9.4 – $400) | 41 (37) |
| #44 | Batman #237 | $340 ($340) | 9.0 – $250 (9.0 – $250) | 60 (58) |
| #45 | Avengers #93 | $340 ($340) | $420 ($330) | 58 (56) |
| #46 | Daredevil #131 | $340 ($340) | $310 ($500) | 247 (230) |
| #47 | Forever People #1 | $360 ($325) | $390 ($340) | 120 (104) |
| #48 | X-Men #101 | $375 ($325) | $650 ($430) | 393 (348) |
| #49 | Marvel Premiere #1 | $325 ($300) | $480 ($450) | 127 (114) |
| #50 | Superman #233 | $315 ($300) | $400 ($450) | 46 (45) |
The benefit of going through this exercise is the amount of data and insights you can get. Below are some of the key observations:
Biggest bronze age books gainers
The biggest gainers for this year, according to Overstreet value is Hulk #181, Scooby Doo #1, House of Secrets #92 and Amazing Spider Man #101. The Ebay values for these books showed the same conclusion as well.
If we look at only Ebay values, there were some books that increased significantly but were not captured in Overstreet. These include: Amazing Spider Man #129, Marvel Spotlight #5, Batman #227 and #251, Hulk #180 and Tomb of Dracula #10 and X-Men #101. Since Ebay values is more current, it is likely these books will show the biggest increase for next year’s Overstreet.
Biggest bronze age books losers
Overstreet is famous for not willing to reduce the value of books so it is little wonder that no books lose value according to the guide. However, if we look at Ebay values, some books have certainly dropped from their 2017 prices.
Notably, some of the Netflix related spec books are starting to lose steam such as Hero for Hire #1, Daredevil #131. GOTG books are also losing some steam with Marvel preview #7 showing some decline and #4 showing no growth.
With the failure of the Justice League movie, it seems interests in Darkseid has cooled off. Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #134 in particular has showed declines in Ebay values for this year.
Books that should be downgraded in Overstreet
These are books whose Ebay values have dropped below Overstreet consistently for the past 2 years. As I mentioned, Overstreet does not like to reduce the value of books in general, thus leading to a skewed view of what the market really is like. Here are the books that I think should have been downgraded in prices: Marvel Premiere #15, Conan the Barbarian #1, Marvel Feature #1, Amazing Adventures #11, Tomb of Dracula #1. Batman #222.
Which bronze age books are scare in 9.2
The most interesting data from doing this list in the second year is to see the changes in the CGC census for 9.2 books. This across time comparison allows us to see which books are resistant to big increases in census, i.e. not many additional copies are showing up. Below are books which show less than 5 additional copies in 9.2
DC
- Green Lantern #76 – 3 additional copies
- House of Secrets #92 – 1 additional copy
- DC 100 Page Spectacular 5 – 0 additional copy
- Batman #227 – 0 additional copy
- All Star Western #10 – 1 additional copy
- Detective Comics #400 – 4 additional copies
- Batman #234 – 5 additional copies
- Batman #222 – 1 additional copy
- Batman #237 – 2 additional copies
- Shazam #28 – 4 additional copies
- Superman #233 – 1 additional copy
Marvel
- Marvel Spotlight #5 – 3 additional copies
- Marvel Preview #7 – 1 additional copy
- Night Nurse #1 – 3 additional copies
- Savage Tales #1 – 1 additional copy
- Marvel Spotlight #2 – 4 additional copies
- Amazing Adventures #11 – 2 additional copies
- Avengers #93 – 2 additional copies
Looking at the above, it is clear that DC comics are always more scare in high grades. If demand for them were to increase, their prices will surely sky rockets. Unfortunately, their movies have been doing them no favors and a lot of speculators/investors are not touching DC stuff for a while.
Marvel keys, on the other hands always have more supply except for 1970-71 as well as magazine sized books. Fortunately, demand for Marvel characters are so high that they can overcome the supply issue and cause prices to hike for even common books like Hulk #181. That being said, holding a scare book like Savage Tales #1 always have a higher chance of getting sky rocketing prices if there are news about the character.
Which books have room to grow in 2019?
Combing current prices, year on year growth, scarcity and potential news, I would say the following books have the most room for growth
- Shazam #28: It is not an easy book to have in 9.2 and above, and is very key akin to Fantastic Four #4 or Avengers #4. With Black Adam coming in 2020, 2019 might see some news that will sparkle interest in this book. Prices are also reasonable at current range of $300+.
- Marvel Spotlight #5: If you have not bought this book when I recommend buying Marvel Spotlight #5 in 2015, then buying this book now is a bet that it will be a top 5 Bronze age book within the next 3 years. Prices are already high and they need to be much higher for you to make some respectable gains. I think it is possible. Why? (1) Historically significant (2) Scare in 9.2 and above and (3) No major news yet from the movie side. This book is currently trailing behind Werewolf By Night #32, which is a good predictor of where this book can go.
- Marvel Premiere #1: This book continues to go up in both Overstreet and Ebay values year on year. The catalyst that will spark interest in this book is GOTG #3, which is coming in 2020. When Adam Warlock appears on screen, and collectors scramble for this book, they will find that a NM- copy will be more difficult to obtain than they thought! The black cover makes it that much harder to find a 9.2 copy, although 13 additional 9.2 copies were added to the census this year. The only downside is that there are 2 competing books in Fantastic Four #67 and Thor #165 that might diffuse demand and keep the prices of this book in check.
- Tomb of Dracula #10: This book had a good year but the ceiling is still pretty high up. With some rumors of Blade projects being considered, it has a higher chance of receiving good exposure in 2019. Currently, 8.0 to 9.0 are still in the below $1k mark so 50% returns is definitely doable.
Conclusion
As stated in the previous list, investing in these type of classic books will not yield you 10 or even 5X returns, although, it is possible to do 1-3X with the right books. On average, I would say 25-50% returns is very realistic and is still considered a good return is any market. However, the good thing is that the floor is pretty high so you wouldn’t lose much money betting on them.
Like the in depth article Aaron. Some great insight. I didn’t buy an Overstreet this year and probably won’t buy one until #50. So I was at least a little interested to see what books continue to rise in the guide and which ones they thought didn’t deserve a change in value even though I constantly use Ebay sold listings or Go Collect to see current market values. I always check out your G+ group on a weekly basis to see what members are talking about as well.
Thanks Nathan. Glad you enjoyed it.
Hi
Posted on here a couple of times… Just again thought I would/should say how great your page is
Keep up the good work. Learnt a lot from you over the past few years
Thanks Matt for the kind words
I have to agree with Matt and say thank you for doing what you do, I much appreciate it and I’m sure many others do as well but a simple message of thank you is more run over due.
Thanks!
What’s your take on New teen titans #2? Do you think there’s any potential value in speculating on Deathstroke? Or has the popularity of his Marvel analog Deadpool and his previous appearances in the Arrowverse plateaued his value?
Will be a safe but slow burner. The run up has happen once so unless there is a second run up, it will see too much for a spike