First Man Without Fear – Last Silver Key Laying Low
We are in the midst of an incredible rise of Silver Marvel Age keys, setting record breaking prices out of reach to even most of the dedicated collectors. Prices for Amazing Fantasy#15 (first Spider-Man), Journey into Mystery #83 (first Thor), X-Men #1, Fantastic Four#1, Avengers#4 (return of – the real – Captain America), The Incredible Hulk#1, Tales of Suspense#39 (first Iron Man) in high grade have in some cases have put up six figure auction results. Even DC is getting into the act with a surge for Showcase#22 (first Silver Age Green Lantern–Hal Jordan). I honestly think that a lot of these issue were due for a high grade adjustment anyway, but I think we can all agree that looking at the above trends and how they correlate with film announcements does not represent a coincidence (hell, the Ghost Rider film made Marvel Spotlight#5 surged). Not a lot of the truly major key are let standing in striking range for collectors, but Daredevil#1 remains a glaring omission.
This is no secret, most people I think would agree that somehow Daredevil#1 is still relatively affordable. Why do I like the book? Well obviously, it’s the first appearance of a major character at Marvel, but beyond that it has a lot going for it when considering the recent news of movement regarding a new film reboot. Now, I’d be much more comfortable if FOX would have let the contract lapse back into (the now Disney-powered) Marvel Studio’s hands, as I think the film made anywhere else is probably going to be a disaster, but attention is attention, and even we have to wait for a good film (or not), when this book soars it will most likely never fall all of the way back down again. Same with Jonah Hex. I’m not optimistic about the movie (but I hope to be proven wrong), but All-Star Western#10 probably won’t lose much of the recent gained value even if it flops.
This is why I like Daredevil#1 (and lets make the wild assumption that the movie isn’t terrible, against all odds, because FOX is fucking terrible unless Cameron is reinventing film making for them).
- There is fan men nostalgia based on the Frank Miller run. People love that run, and can now honor it (and themselves).
- It’s arguable that no Marvel character – possibly no Big 2 character period – has been as consistently solid ever since Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti walked through doors in ‘98 Marvel Knights style, and got Kevin Smith to team with them to bring Marvel back. Yes. I SAID it. Don’t get it twisted, those cats are why MARVEL is strong now and largely undisputed leader in the market. Love it, hate it, learn to live with it. We are talking a now over decade long heritage involving Smith, Bendis, and Brubaker putting it down. So it has nostalgia from above, and it’s actually been recently tight.
- Frank Miller work to pilfer from. Miller and film has proven to be a great combo as long as he’s not directing. I give you Dark Knight, Sin City, and 300.
Most Important: There is no real reason why it shouldn’t be higher as we are talking RIGHT now–which is the bewildering part. It’s not even a should be situation, it’s down right Twilight Zone status.
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