Are your Superheros protected?
Discover the world of comic books and the high prices they command
Pop culture is big business. This article explores the rise in prices and popularity of that great art form – the comic book.
The story so far…
The last two decades have seen a dramatic peak in the popularity of action and fantasy films. Special effects such as CGI and 3D technology have brought iconic characters to life, known and loved by readers of the first 1960s comic books and ‘underground’ culture has been brought to the mainstream ‘big screen’, captivating audiences all around the world. In Laurence Maslon’s analysis of comic book characters: “Superheroes!: Capes, Cowls, and the Creation of Comic Book Culture”, he explored the idea that Marvel and DC studios had brought the stable of Superheros to demographics who wouldn’t usually be drawn to comic books. In 2021 the movie “Spider-Man: No Way Home” grossed over £1.5 billion at the box office1, proving that Superheros had become a super-hit. Merchandise, toys and video games were the inevitable offshoot of the blockbuster films and TV shows – a step further in the evolution that sparked a revolution in the demand and desire for the first comic books.
Big business
Who can resist the lure of Spiderman and his adventures, wondering whether he comes to a sticky end?
Or indulge in a flight of fancy and immerse oneself in a Superman story. If this doesn’t sound like your favourite pastime, we understand, it isn’t for everyone.
While comics are often thought of as a pastime for children and teenagers in the pre-internet era, there are numerous ‘big kids’ who not only read and collect comics as a hobby, but for many, it has become an obsession. As with all obsessions, people are willing to pay a lot of money just to own a piece of Superhero heritage.
Superheros at Superhero Prices
In April of this year Captain America Comics No.1 (the issue number), featuring the first appearance of Captain America himself, sold for over £2.5 million2, and this wasn’t even the most expensive comic book to ever sell.
Currently, the comic to fetch the highest price at auction was the Amazing Fantasy No.15 published in 1962 and selling, in that year, for just 12 cents. It recently sold for a staggering £3 million3. This comic saw Spiderman make his first appearance in the world of comics and popular culture and was one of just four copies known to still exist in mint condition, making it highly likely that it will keep on increasing in value.
Batman comics have also emerged from the shadows to command astounding prices. In 2021, the comic featuring Batman’s first solo appearance sold around for £1.8 million4.
And the list goes on, with Superman and X-Men comics selling in the region of £400,000 each for first issues, Action Comics No.1 where Superman first burst on to the comic scene fetching a price of around £2.7 million, and Marvel Comics No.1 boasting a price tag of about £1 million5.
Keep an eye out for buried ‘treasure’
Next time you are browsing through a book stall or in a pre-loved store (previously known as a ‘junk shop’), look out for that hidden gem. As a general rule of thumb, the fewer copies of a particular comic there are, the higher the value.
Try your luck
A valuable comic book doesn’t have to be in pristine condition (although if it is in mint condition, it will fetch a higher price). It is the rarity of it that commands a high price, so if you do happen to come across a comic book on your adventures, it is worth having it valued if you have a suspicion that it might be worth more than what you paid for.
Even if it doesn’t run into the millions or hundreds of thousands, you might have come across a hidden gem which could be worth a few hundred pounds. At the very least, they can be something to pass on to your children or grandchildren, and perhaps even be a great source of entertainment you didn’t previously consider! Perhaps the ‘big kids’ are on to something here.
Lloyd & Whyte Private Client managers work with professional valuers who are specialists in a number of valuation fields.
Know the value of your comic books and other collectables
When it comes to protecting these pieces of cultural heritage, and your investment, it is important to track their current value. Underinsurance can result in significant issues in the event of a claim; at best, you may not receive as much from your insurer as you would hope for, at worst you may find that the value of your possessions exceeds the upper thresholds of the policy and potentially invalidate the contract. If you have quite a large collection of comics (or any other collectable item for that matter), it is also important to ascertain whether your insurer treats them collectively as one item (in which case you will probably need a professional valuation), or if they consider them as individual pieces. Again, this simple definition can have an impact on how an insurer reacts to a claim.
Contact us
If you have any collectable items and you’re in doubt as to how your policy might treat these in the event of a claim, please get in touch. Whether you’re an existing Home insurance customer with Lloyd & Whyte Private Client or you would like the benefit of our guidance and possibly an alternative quote; we’re happy to help.
Email: listed@lloydwhyte.com
Call: 01823 761085 (New clients)
01787 888415 (Existing clients)
1.https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-records/worldwide/all-movies/creative-types/super-hero
2.https://www.forbes.com/sites/masonbissada/2022/04/07/first-comic-book-featuring-captain-america-sells-for-over-3-million-at-auction/?sh=404c6e744b2e
3-4.https://rarest.org/entertainment/expensive-comic-books
5.https://antiques.lovetoknow.com/Rare_Comic_Books
