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Comics Modern AgeQuestions

Value of Ratio Comics20555

Doodoo doodoo! Mind blowing stuff, right? Caffeine_Kid private msg quote post Address this user
I have picked up, from time to time, comics that are limited distribution. I don’t believe that having a limited print run in and of itself increases the value of a comic.

There are lots of comics out there that are scarce but not really a lot of value. I see prices for brand new comics at $100 or more. Do these Comics actually hold any value or increase in value?

It seems from an investment point of view it isn't going to be a good one. If you just like to have that comic knowing that it's a limited run and you don't mind paying that price that's cool. When a brand new comic sells for $50, $60 or even $200 that's crazy money to fork over for something that's just printed.

What's the experience with the people here as far as maintaining value or increasing for that matter. I'd have to look at an Overstreet but I don't think they list ratios at the price that they were originally sold.
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Collector cesidio private msg quote post Address this user
High ratio variants are tricky. It may take years to see what holds value or go up.

McFarlane Zeck and Mcniven variant are usually pretty safe bets. Do your research and check print runs and graded population reports. For instance Punisher #2 hidden gem variant by Zeck had a liite more than half of the print run of the the #1 hidden gem variant both are 1:500 variant copies Zeck covers.

What I do with moderns is buy 1:500 and higher ratios.

In short you won't know for a few years what holds it value or goes up.

It's pure speculation. If you are going to buy modern graded I would suggest 9.8 or better. I don't pay more than fair market value and usually flip for 10 - 20 percent all in as soon as possible.
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If the viagra is working you should be well over a 9.8. xkonk private msg quote post Address this user
The vast majority of variants, ratio or otherwise, are like the regular cover version and immediately become dollar books. Like @cesidio said, the ones that don't are hard (impossible?) to pick out until you see that people want it for whatever reason. Right after release you'll see sellers listing all of them for good money, of course, because they want to cash in while excitement is more likely to exist.
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Not trying to be an ass since February 12, 2020. HulkSmash private msg quote post Address this user
I don’t buy ratio variants for investment. I’m not a fan of the manufactured scarcity that’s been happening. I’ll buy one if I like the cover. Mostly I can’t justify the absurd cost of a lot of them for the drek that they are. 50+ variants of a single issue is really old now.
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Collector Briten private msg quote post Address this user
Never bought any ratio stuff for investment. Bought a few here and there because I like the art.
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Collector TheShocker private msg quote post Address this user
I buy ratio variants depending on A.the artist. B.The actual cover art. And even then if for example the ratio 1:100 is a great Cover but it's just the virgin of Cover B... I go with plane ol Cover B.For long term idk to be honest but short term one good recent example is ultimate Spider-Man #1 Cover A was at $40 while you could still get a con exclusive limited to 3000 copies for $15. Most times Cover A is the one that builds/holds value.
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Suck it up, buttercup!! KatKomics private msg quote post Address this user
For the most part a books long term value is driven/maintained by the story inside - i.e. new character, important event, part of a story arch etc. very few books value is driven by the cover alone - not saying there aren't examples - but generally.
Which leads me to believe variants are just a sales tactic with no real long term 'investment' potential.
Of course there is always the buy what you like and you'll never be upset.
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Collector Cassidy666 private msg quote post Address this user
I have found that publishers have really ramped up the marketing of artificially scarce covers in the last decade. I still remember the 90s and how the market for special covers crashed because it was all just hype for new things that did not stand the test of time. (They were also way over-printed.) Perceived value always lay within the covers themselves, in the stories.

I recently got back into the hobby by picking up very selective slabbed comics from the copper age to modern era, and looking at the market of comic issues with multiple versions from just the last decade makes my head spin. It just seems like the 90s again but even crazier.

I would only pick up something if it was appealing or special for me, not because of any "investment" potential. That way to madness lies.
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Suck it up, buttercup!! KatKomics private msg quote post Address this user
@Cassidy666 the 90's were awesome!!!! lol!!
New series and new #1's all over the place
Covers - what do you want - we got it!!!
Foil, holofoil, chrome, acetate, glow in the dark, die cut, embossed, debossed, gatefold, scratch and sniff, peel and stick and more!!!!

And ALLLLLL those books are worth big $$$ now right????
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Collector x860x private msg quote post Address this user
I can't wait until the day I get to cash in my 300 copies of Adventures of Superman #500!
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