Once considered an after-thought title by some readers, Sub-Mariner is perhaps one of the hottest comic book titles currently according to Pedigree Comics, Inc.'s CEO Doug Schmell. He has reported unprecedented sales of the late Silver Age and early Bronze Age title. Pedigree Comics listed a near-full run of Sub-Mariner issues on their website that started on Friday, June 6, 2008. There were over 80 issues in total with doubles and triples of some issues from two separate consignments and the listing lasted till the following Monday, June 9, 2008. Every book with the exception of two were in CGC certified 9.4 or higher with many being the highest graded examples.
The results, according to Mr. Schmell, have been mind-boggling. Almost every comic sold within minutes of its respective listing, and only five books remain unsold as of this article. All of the 9.8 and 9.6 copies were snatched up immediately by waiting collectors and buyers, as did all the pedigree issues included in the run which were mostly Oakland’s, and Don Rosa copies, with a single Winnipeg and a single Pacific Coast pedigree copy. Almost every sale has been a record price according with unreal multiples of being paid. Mr. Schmell is still not sure what created such a Subby frenzy but he thinks the incredible quality of the books coupled with their relatively low values made collectors realize such a great opportunity to own ultra high-grade books from the late 1960s and early 1970s without spending a fortune. Compared to many of the other Marvel Comics titles that also launched in early 1968 he sees Sub-Mariner as being very undervalued and great books with excellent stories and covers.
Highlights of the issues sold included:
Sub-Mariner #7 CGC 9.6 $350
Sub-Mariner #8 CGC 9.6 $1,600
Sub-Mariner #8 CGC 9.4 $525
Sub-Mariner #9 CGC 9.6 $365
Sub-Mariner #10 CGC 9.6 $350
Sub-Mariner #12 CGC 9.6 $300
Sub-Mariner #13 CGC 9.6 $375 Pacific Coast Pedigree
Sub-Mariner #15 CGC 9.8 $750
Sub-Mariner #24 CGC 9.6 $250 Oakland Pedigree
Sub-Mariner #25 CGC 9.6 $275 Don Rosa Collection
Sub-Mariner #26 CGC 9.6 $275 Oakland Pedigree
Sub-Mariner #27 CGC 9.6 $250 Don Rosa Collection
Sub-Mariner #28 CGC 9.6 $275
Sub-Mariner #29 CGC 9.6 $275
Sub-Mariner #31 CGC 9.8 $450 Oakland Pedigree
Sub-Mariner #32 CGC 9.6 $300 Winnipeg Pedigree
Sub-Mariner #34 CGC 9.6 $875 Don Rosa Collection
Sub-Mariner #37 CGC 9.8 $500 Oakland Pedigree
Sub-Mariner #44 CGC 9.6 $275
Sub-Mariner #47 CGC 9.8 $400 Oakland Pedigree
Sub-Mariner #48 CGC 9.6 $250
Sub-Mariner #51 CGC 9.8 $450 Oakland Pedigree
Sub-Mariner #52 CGC 9.8 $450
Sub-Mariner #53 CGC 9.8 $450
Sub-Mariner #56 CGC 9.8 $300
Sub-Mariner #58 CGC 9.6 $250
Sub-Mariner #59 CGC 9.6 $350
Sub-Mariner #60 CGC 9.6 $225 Don Rosa Collection
Sub-Mariner #61 CGC 9.6 $275
Sub-Mariner #67 CGC 9.6 $200 Don Rosa Collection
Sub-Mariner #72 CGC 9.6 $150
Pedigree Comics caters to high grade Marvel collectors and still offers the lowest consignment fee in the industry of only 10%. The site regularly establishes sales records for its growing number of consignors and lists brand new high grade Marvels every day and night. If you wish to sell or consign any comics to their website www.PedigreeComics.com or have any questions or comments about the consignment process, please contact Mr. Schmell at 561- 422-1120 or 561-596-9111 or email him at any time at DougSchmell@pedigreecomics.com. If you have any high-end books and wish to maximize your profit even further, you can consign them to the Pedigree Comics Grand Auction starting on July 16, 2008. All consignments are kept strictly confidential.