Artists
Jim Steranko’s first Marvel Comics work was Strange Tales #151. The high end Overstreet Price Guide value for this book is $135 versus $85 for the book just before and the book just after.
Famous Funnies brought back Buck Rogers strip reprints in issue #209 (after an 18 issue absence) and these strip reprints continued through to the titles last issue #218. So Famous Funnies #217 and 218 feature Buck Rogers strip reprints and guide for $85.00. Famous Funnies #209 to #216 all feature Buck Rogers strip reprints and guide for $1760.00. The main difference is that issues 209 through 216 all feature iconic covers drawn by the legendary Frank Frazetta.
Terminator: Secondary Objectives is a 4 part mini-series from 1991 that guides at $3.00 each. Terminator: The Burning Earth is a 5 part mini-series from 1990 and the first issue guides at $15.00 while the rest guide at $10.00 each. The difference is that Burning Earth was drawn (make that painted) by Alex Ross (issue #1 was his first published work).
Detective Comics #391-394, 396, 398, 399, 401, 403, 405, 406 and 409 guide at $65.00 each while Detective Comics #395, 397, 402, 404, 407, 408 and 410 guide at $105.00 each. The difference is that the $105.00 group features art by the great Neal Adams.
The artist can play a very important role in the collectability of comic books.
Even today, early work by artists like Esad Ribic, Frank Cho and James Jean can be highly sought after. Ribic’s Loki 4 part mini-series is tough to get and still commands a premium.
The more a comic has going for it the better chance it has of increasing in value. Things like grade and popular character introductions are good, add a sought after artist and you get gold!!
Walter Durajlija is an Overstreet Advisor and Shuster Award winner. He owns Big B Comics in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
