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joeschmoe16 Posts: 1
9/19/2016
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It seems that quite a number of Marvel bronze age comics, especially from early-mid 70s, have shot up in value thanks to the reappearance of numerous characters that garnered little interest at the time. I'm curious whether Marvel has actually been explicit that this has been their intent, at least in part, to resurrect marginal characters from the trash heap in order to generate interest in previously worthless back issues. I suppose DC has shown similar trends. Is this something that in your opinion has been going on at the same rate throughout the history of comic books, or do you think there's been an increase? Me, I'm surprised a few times a year when I look at the "Comics to Watch" section and see what I used to consider worthless junk listed there because of some character I probably had forgotten about the day after I skimmed through the book. Present examples would be The Incredible Hulk Annual #6 and Power Man #19.
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aarondawe Posts: 162
9/20/2016
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Marvel does not profit over back issue sales, so it is not Marvel trying to generate interest and make money from doing so.
Most of this action is due to the movies/televison appearances of the characters, and speculators hoping to cash in on the popularity of these. And that bronze age books are now not as common in higher grades.
Aaron
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Oxbladder Posts: 487
9/25/2016
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As Aaron says Marvel makes no money off the secondary market but they can profit from it if they notice the reaction in the secondary market. Marvel has renewed interest in many a character because of their movies and they have profited as a result. Ant-man, Groot, Howard the Duck, etc have all seen revivals in their careers.
You also have to keep in mind that many Bronze Age books are now 40+ years old and for 20-30 years they were treated with little care and as a result they not as common in high grade now. Now the 70 and 80s books are treated with care and a great deal of nostalgia. Ten plus years ago they were still "new". When I started in the late 70's 70's and much of the late 60's books were junk, then it was the 70's and 80's then the 80's and 90's now it is the much of the 90's to present.
Funny how all books from the 70's to present are or were junk, eh?
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captnwilli Posts: 11
9/27/2016
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I hear ya Ox! Those 70's books is what I learned to read by. Kinda makes me feel old. Dollar boxes back then were the 10 and 20 cent boxes at Geppi's Comic World in his first "house basement" location. Believe it or not it was hard trying to get together that 20cents to get those 60's books back then. Ah the memories.
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+1
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expander Posts: 241
10/3/2016
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Makes me ponder the correlation from mcu cameos, and one shot current titles to see if the secondary market gets a bump to gauge the direction of current books and characters.
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kds_comics Posts: 686
10/4/2016
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From a business standpoint - the character is already created. No further money is needed to develop and create it. And with creation - legal problems with creators over money and creative control. Most folks today have never heard of them, or only vaguely heard of these 1970's characters. So they are new, and fresh (The "everything old is new again" philosophy - how many retro shops sell tie-dye clothing? Hmm?)
Marvel really exploded with characters in the 1970's. You only need to look through Marvel Premiere to find hits (Warlock, Iron Fist) and misses (3-D Man, Satana, Monark Starstalker, Wierdworld, Kane and Torpedo.)
Marvel Feature with Ant-Man and the Defenders had a short-lived run.
Marvel also reprinted 1950's horror/monster comics and created "Tales of Suspense" featuring The Living Mummy, Dracula, Frankenstein, Man-Wolf and others.)
One of most unusual stories I read recently is where Man-Wolf goes to another world - he has enhanced powers there. He leads a revolt and overthrows the current ruler with a very cool looking sword.
Crazy stuff in 1970s - every thing from outer space detectives playing off TV shows at the time (early Starlord - no special power - just a pistol) to 1950's monsters to new scary, suspense and superhero stories.
Better than the 1980's where they got rid of all the crazy stuff and went super hero only.
Just my opinion.
KDS
edited by kds_comics on 10/4/2016
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Defiant1 Posts: 720
12/26/2016
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Marvel does profit from back issue sales, it just not a direct 1:1 connection. The health of the back issue market keeps collectors engaged and that means they are more likely to see new solicitations. Back issue sales at the comic book stores keeps the cash flow healthy and stores can order more aggressively on new comics. A healthy back issue market reflects a confidence from the consumer that comics are collectible. A confident consumer is more willing to buy new comics with the hope that they too will be desirable back issues in the future.
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+2
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