There is a very well known “secret” in the world of comic books. Comics from the Golden Age are the ones with the big value. There are some key Silver Age comic books with value too. But as you get from the 1990s to present day, comic book values are not so great because there are so many. Comic book collectors also know these have to be kept in perfect condition.

Then again, what if that is wrong? It turns out that there are some modern comic book releases that are quite valuable. The August 2021 Certified Modern Age Comics Showcase Auction by Heritage Auctions has some big ticket prices coming. It even has a tone of a collector rattling off the type and condition of a very specific prize that they have been searching for in all the comic shops.

Included in this Heritage Auction are many of the modern comics collectors need to know and memorize. These issues are both modern and most are competing for the highest graded spots. CGC graded issues of CGC 9.8 or 9.9 dominate the descriptions.

Collectors Dashboard evaluates high-end collectibles as an alternative asset class. The same capital that could have been invested into stocks or bonds is being used to buy high-end collectibles. Comic Book collectors have a passion to own certain issues for quite a long time. The investor class in collectibles is solely buying an asset to sell at a later date for a profit. This keeps collectors and investors in a constant battle for who can win in auctions.

Collectors have built this model of showcase by a vigilance for new issues being submitted early after the release of the comic. Here are some of the available opportunities for bidding and descriptions provided by Heritage Auctions. Current bids were as of mid-day pricing o August 18, 2021.

1. Edge of Spider-Verse #2 Variant Edition (Marvel, 2014) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages.

The current bid is $6,204.00 which comes to $7,444.80 with buyers premium. Features the first appearance of the new Spider-Woman (Gwen Stacy). The first printing of this issue sold a little over 60,000 copies worldwide, and this 1:25 retailer incentive variant is perhaps the most sought-after by collectors. Copies in NM/MT 9.8 condition currently sell for as much as $5,800. Cover by Greg Land. Overstreet 2021 NM- 9.2 value for regular edition = $10. CGC census 7/21: 283 in 9.8, 1 higher.

2. The Walking Dead #1 Black Label (Image, 2003) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages.

The current bid is $3,300.00 which comes to $3,960.00 with buyers premium. First appearances of Rick Grimes, Shane Walsh, and Morgan and Duane Jones. Tony Moore cover and art. Due in part to the popularity of the TV series, this has become one of the hottest and most valuable Modern Age books, and currently ranks #2 on Overstreet’s Top 20 Modern Age Comics list. Oh, and there are future Walking Dead movies picking up with the return of Rick Grimes to the big screen. Overstreet 2021 NM- 9.2 value = $1,225. CGC census 8/21: 929 in 9.8, 22 higher. According to Heritage Auctions a near identical CGC NM/MT 9.8 was sold by Heritage on April 4, 2021 for $3,120.00

3. Spawn #1 Color Error (Image, 1992) CGC Qualified NM/MT 9.8 White pages.

First appearance of Spawn. Includes pull-out poster. Todd McFarlane story, cover, and art. Spawn pin-up by George Perez. Pitt pin-up by Dale Keown. CGC notes, “Manufactured with uneven black ink on cover.” A rare book, copies of which have sold for as high as $6,700. Overstreet 2021 GD 2.0 value = $4; VG 4.0 value = $8; FN 6.0 value = $12; VF 8.0 value = $23; VF/NM 9.0 value = $37; NM- 9.2 value = $50. The Current bid is $3,100.00 or $3,720.00 with buyers premium added. Heritage Auctions sold a near identical CGC 9.8 sold on July 12, 2021 for $252.00

4. Wolverine #1 Signature Series: Frank Miller and Others (Marvel, 1982) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages.

Wolverine’s first solo series, limited to four issues. Yukio cameo. Frank Miller cover and art. CGC notes, “Signed and sketch by Joe Rubinstein on 12/13/16 and signed by Jim Shooter on 10/6/16, Chris Claremont and Louise Simonson on 10/8/16, Frank Miller on 10/9/16, John Romita on 11/11/16, Roy Thomas on 11/12/16, Stan Lee on 11/13/16 and Len Wein on 12/17/16.” Overstreet 2021 NM- 9.2 value = $100. CGC census 7/21 for Signature Series: 907 in 9.8, 1 higher; for Universal grades: 2,987 in 9.8, 30 higher.

The provenance of this issue with the signatures makes it unique to others sold however recently.  The current bid is $3,200.00 or $3,840.00 with buyer’s premium.

5. Blip #1 (Marvel, 1983) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages.

First comic book appearances of Mario and Donkey Kong. Matthew Laborteaux photo cover. Bob Camp art. Overstreet 2021 NM- 9.2 value = $55. CGC census 8/21: 16 in 9.8, none higher. The current bid is $975.00 or $1,170.00 with buyers premium.

Collectors Dashboard Honorable mentions should get some notice by some collectors in the Modern Age Showcase Auction. These also already have oor may develop high bidding prices in the coming days:

NYX #3 Signature Series: Joshua Middleton (Marvel, 2004) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages.

First appearance of X-23 (Laura Kinney). One of the most valuable comic books released in the 2000s. Joshua Middleton cover and art. CGC notes, “Signed by Joshua Middleton on 11/22/20.” Overstreet 2021 NM- 9.2 value = $375. CGC census 7/21 for Signature Series: 201 in 9.8, none higher; for Universal grades: 1939 in 9.8, 5 higher. Current Bid $2,300.00 or $2,760.00 with Buyers Premium.

Invincible #1 (Image, 2003) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages.

First full appearance of Invincible, whose animated TV series is now streaming. Cory Walker and Bill Crabtree cover and art. Pin-up by Tony Moore. Currently ranked #6 on Overstreet’s Top 20 Modern Age Comics list. Overstreet 2021 NM- 9.2 value = $600. CGC census 8/21: 294 in 9.8, none higher. Current Bid $2,200.00 or $2,640.00 with Buyer’s Premium. https://comics.ha.com/itm/modern-age-1980-present-/invincible-1-image-2003-cgc-nm-mt-98-white-pages/a/40176-82213.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515

Daredevil #168 (Marvel, 1981) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages.

Origin and first appearance of Elektra (misspelled on cover). Frank Miller’s first issue as scripter of the title. Miller cover and art. Overstreet 2021 NM- 9.2 value = $265. CGC census 8/21: 204 in 9.8, none higher. Current Bid $2,200.00 or $2,640.00 with Buyer’s Premium. https://comics.ha.com/itm/modern-age-1980-present-/daredevil-168-marvel-1981-cgc-nm-mt-98-white-pages/a/40176-82132.s?ic4=GalleryView-ShortDescription-071515

Ultimate Fallout #4 (Marvel, 2011) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages.

First appearance of Miles Morales as Spider-Man. Mark Bagley and Andy Lanning cover. Overstreet 2021 NM- 9.2 value = $350. CGC census 8/21: 2697 in 9.8, none higher. Current Bid $2,100.00 or $2,520.00 with Buyers Premium. https://comics.ha.com/itm/modern-age-1980-present-/ultimate-fallout-4-marvel-2011-cgc-nm-mt-98-white-pages/a/40176-82411.s?ic4=GalleryView-Thumbnail-071515

Star Wars: The Clone Wars #1 (Dark Horse, 2008) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages.

Based on the Cartoon Network series. First appearance of Ahsoka Tano in comics. Dave Filoni cover. It is currently #4 on Overstreet’s list of Top 20 Modern Age Comics, and 9.8 copies have sold for as much as $3,325 in recent weeks. Overstreet 2021 NM- 9.2 value = $700. CGC census 8/21: 289 in 9.8, none higher. Current Bid $2,100.00 or $2,520.00 with Buyers Premium. https://comics.ha.com/itm/modern-age-1980-present-/star-wars-the-clone-wars-1-dark-horse-2008-cgc-nm-mt-98-white-pages/a/40176-82350.s?ic4=GalleryView-Thumbnail-071515

A Modern Age Comics Showcase is at the very least an opportunity for collectors to learn trends in new comic books. True comic book collectors know most of the Golden Age issues by heart. This new generation of comic books up for grabs is an opportunity to understand what could be hot next. Or know what is already hot in the new issues selling. From comics like Star Wars to The Walking Dead, happy bidding.