I’ll keep members updated on the latest news and my “comic books to watch.”

In this issue Wolverine meets Mariko and if you believe Shuler Donner the relationship will be a key part of the story.

If you see this issue you may want to pick it up. Keep you eyes open for the following cover.

X-men 118 (click for current prices)

Add his appearance in the teaser for the upcoming Wolverine movie and you can see why this book is on the move. Make sure you have this it on your watchlist.

Below you’ll find some sales to get you started.

There are several places to check out upcoming issues, but what this site has going for it is the ability to gauge reader interest in various issues. Another great place is the CGC Modern Comics Forums. Again, a great place to get a feel for what might be popular.

Also, don’t forget to read and heed the new comic buying advice in the “Retail is for Suckers” article.

Make sure to click here to get new comic books at up to 75% off guide, and not flush your cash down the drain.

Deadpool is back in the Marvel Comics Release – Read on for my buying opinions:

The Merc with a Mouth is back and ready to kick butt in his brand new on-going series! Join the Crimson Nutcase, DEADPOOL, for action and wisecracks in Deadpool #1! As the Skrulls continue their attack on Earth, the world is being torn upside down and only one person can save us in this new ongoing series, spinning out of Secret Invasion! He’s Deadpool and he’s crazier and deadlier than ever before! Don’t miss the explosive debut of this new series by writer Daniel Way (Wolverine Origins, Ghost Rider, Bullseye: Greatest Hits) and fan-favorite artist Paco Medina (New Warriors, New X-Men)! Plus, an eye popping, variant cover, featuring artwork from the legendary Rob Liefeld!

After Daniel Way’s Deadpool arc in Wolverine: Origins, the fans and critics agree that he was born to write this series!

“Deadpool’s characterization is really fascinating. Daniel Way explores our favorite Merc-with-a-Mouth’s delusions of grandeur and self-image… This is wonderful character exploration.” – Steven M. Bari of ComicBulletin.com

“I generally like what Daniel Way is doing with this book….It’s good stuff, and it makes me crave the ongoing Deadpool book all the more.” – Jesse Schedeen of IGN.com

Marvel urges retailers to check their orders on Secret Invasion and all tie-in issues, as they continue to sell out quickly at Diamond!

Deadpool gets swept up the chaos of Secret Invasion! Will he step up to the plate and save the human race? His madness is his method and you’re not going to want to miss it in Deadpool #1!

DEADPOOL #1 (JUL082316)
DEADPOOL #1 VARIANT (JUL082317)
Written by DANIEL WAY
Penciled by PACO MEDINA
Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
Variant Cover by ROB LIEFELD
Parental Advisory …$3.99
FOC—8/14/08, On-Sale—9/3/08

What Does This Mean to You?

Marvel keeps bringing this character back. I don’t recommend this particular book for any increased value in the future, but it could spark some interest in back issues. Deadpool has also appeared on many future movie lists, so who knows what’s in store for him. Right now the back issues are reasonably priced so it could be worth some speculative buying. You have to make your own decision based on your tolerance. The issue I would be looking at is Deadpool’s first appearance in New Mutants 98, focusing on high grade copies of course. Add it to your watchlist.

To get a little perspective on the situation, let’s look at the past sales history of this book.

A CGC 9.8 copy of this book hit it’s high in April of 2004 (the release month for the movie). It sold for about $470. It dropped all the way to the $100 to $150 range for most of 2006-2007. That’s some drop. Starting in early 2008 the book has consistently sold for over $200, making a nice rebound. If you want to learn more about these type of comic book movie connection take a look at the information here.

If you want to continue to track the behavior of this book, take a look at the auctions below. If you are going to purchase any of the books great, but if not, still track the final values in a spreadsheet or by some other method.

In a previous post I talked about “making money on the way in.” This can be done in several ways including buying at a discount, smart auction bidding, or a successful speculation on the future value of a book. But any purchase must have the selling process in mind. This includes the timing of the sale and the method of selling (E-bay, convention, store, website, etc.)  If you are purely a reader you don’t need my picks, you buy what you like.  Collectors who ask me for picks telegraph their intentions, they want to sell in the future and make a profit.

If you are a convention dealer or own a store you have an easy way to sell your new comic books at the “going rate.” But if you are a collector this can be a little more difficult. In order to prove this point I did some research on “hot” comics in the current issue of Wizard and Comics Buyer’s Guide. I actually picked these books completely at random. Here is what I found.

First pick: Thor #1

CBG (Apr 2008) says this book is selling for $7 versus a cover price of $2.99. It was difficult to find any price on E-bay for these books since almost all the completed auctions didn’t receive bids. I’m talking $0.99 auctions with $3.50 shipping folks! I did see a couple auctions with both covers (two books) sell for $5.50 plus $3.50 shipping. CGC 9.8 Coipel covers are going for $15.00 plus shipping. $15.00 doesn’t make back the money, time, trouble or grading risk of submitting!

Next Pick

X-men Messiah Complex one-shot Silvestri cover. Wizard March 2008 Value – $5.00

The results from E-bay? One bidder did buy this for $5.00 plus shipping, but another bought it for $2.25 plus $4.00 shipping. Maybe okay for the buyer, but not okay for the seller at $2.25. You could have a copy in CGC 9.6 for under $20 shipped.  There were several 99 cent auctions that did not sell.

How about another? Let’s try Halo: Uprising #1 (Wizard March 2008 Value $8)

I did see a copy sell for 99 cents plus $4 shipping on E-bay, but it was better for the sellers to go with a #1 and #2 bundle. The bundles were selling for around $7.77 + $3.95 shipping. I’ll call it a wash. With the proper packaging you could have made some money on these. Still, a lot of effort for a couple of bucks.

What is the Lesson Here?

1. If you are going to dabble in new comic books and don’t sell at conventions or have a store, you must have a plan. It is difficult to find an outlet to sell your new comic picks for a profit. You better not pay retail! Order in bulk from someone like mailordercomics.com, they offer up to 75% off new comics.  A 75% discount allows you to sell for cover and still make a profit.
2. A lot of the price guides, especially for new comics, are hype machines. They’re great to get you to pay the “value” at stores and conventions, but good luck to the collector to ever get that money out of them. Also, within a few months good luck to stores to even get that price (other than maybe once every six months).
3. Don’t buy into the hype and you must have a sales plan! Plan your escape before you even enter the game.
4. If you are a reader only, E-bay can be a great place for deals!

Until Next Time,

Buy and Sell Smart!!!

Should you still pick up some JLA comic book picks?

That depends on your timeline. If you don’t mind waiting an unknown amount of time before you sell, this could be a good time to get the books. If you want a solid plan and date, then wait. The speculation risk of this play has increased. Once the delays begin, you never know when the will end if ever. Decide what is right for your situation.

Is this a new comic book pick for collector/investors?

Yes and no.

Yes, if you were able to pick some up at a discount before the story broke.  Like many of the traumas Marvel has decided to put the heroes through (Captain America anyone?), there will be a significant number of people looking for this issue, and more than likely the price will rise.  Now here is where the no enters the scene.

If you think this will have any lasting value, I suggest you think again.  The track record for these sensational events is poor over the long run.  Death of Superman, Death of Phoenix, etc. all come to mind. Like most new comics my strategy remains the same.

Sell ‘em while you can!

The orders for #34 are probably massive, and it will most likely get press attention.  If there is an important link from issue #33, new fans will be looking for this book, so it has a good chance of going for well over cover.  Only time will tell.  We’ll have a better idea when it is on the stand.  Feel free to post your buying comments  now or once it is out.