Brave and the Bold #34, DC Comics, February/March 1961
Fan Expo Toronto was both a lot of fun and a lot of work. The fun always wins out though because you get to see lots of old friend, and make lots of new ones.
From the business end the Big B Comics booth was busy all 4 days. The delicate mix of our low-end bargains, mid-range run fillers and higher end keys must have been just right because we moved a lot of comics.
Going into the Con I told myself I’d mentally record what comic buyers were looking for, I was ultimately hoping to flush out this week’s Spotlight in this way.
I can only recall two people asking for a copy of Brave and the Bold #34 and neither decided to pick up my low-grade copy (maybe a 3.0). I remember looking the book up in the Guide for one of the guys interested and I remember that in low grade it wasn’t worth that much and that the price I had on it was below guide.
It got me to thinking on how odd it is that I still have this book considering the current piping hot market for other DC keys of the period including Brave and Bold #28 and Showcase #30.
I poked around some CGC Census stats and market results for this book and knew right away that this week’s Undervalued Spotlight had to be Brave and the Bold #34.
Looking at some GPA data I see that a CGC 8.5 is trading at 19% above the 2013 average while a CGC 7.0 has only inched up 7% compared to the 2013 results. These are poor numbers considering the massive jumps being made by the books I mentioned above, Brave and the Bold #28, Showcase #30 and most of the other early DC Silver Age keys.
I think we all get the sense that the DC keys from 1956 to 1963 are all entering a phase of value appreciation. There will always be those books that are first out of the blocks and we’re seeing those right now. All it means is that books like Brave and the Bold #34 must be next?
This book is scarce in any kind of higher grade, as of this post there are only 21 graded higher than that underperforming CGC 8.5 I mentioned earlier.
I’m really liking DC’s from this period as holds for now, I think Warner’s push to tie the DC Universe together cinematically will translate into higher demand for these already hard to source DC books.
Personally I’ve always liked the Kubert monster cover with that sky blue backdrop.
For a keeper copy of Brave and the Bold #34 I’d go after at least an 8.0. Just make sure it’s square and tight!
45th Overstreet price breaks for this book are $1196/$2698/$4200 in the 8.0/9.0/9.2 grade splits.
Strengths that make this comic a good investment are:
- First Silver Age Hawkman and Hawkgirl
- Silver Age Key DC’s are a hot commodity and will continue to be for the near future
- Currently underperforming on the market
As you said, “Silver Age Key DC’s are a hot commodity and will continue to be for the near future”.
What about these?
The Brave and The bold (1st vol.) #61 and 62 featuring Starman and Black Canary.
Showcase (1st vol.) #55 and 56 featuring Doctor Fate and Hourman.
What is their values in in the 8.0/9.0/9.2 grade splits?
Thank you for your cooperation,
Nicholas
Good one Walt! Nick,Too risky on your picks. Wait awhile before letting your hard earned cash on those, but Walt’s choice is a good one!
Hey Nick, these are post 1963 but looking at how the Marvel post 1965s have appreciated you may be on to something. Like Stephen says they may be a bit less Blue Chippy but the return on stuff like this is a lot higher if they catch on. I’d say chase 9.2s – they are surprisingly scarce in those grades.
At the end of the day it comes down to the potential popularity of the character (mix in scarcity etc), Black Canary may be the best bet of your lot?
Walter/Stephen, I had these original B&B and Showcase copies since late 1960’s. I don’t plan on selling or trading them until I’m too old to enjoy life at age 75.
I thought these B&B issues might pick up value in the future due to Black Canary, even though she has her new recent title on the shelf, I mean I have these Adventure Comics #418 ($35, NM) and 419 ($23, VF+) which featuring Black Canary back-ups drawn by the one and only Toth (1972). I purchased them last year. Starman was also popular during Tony Harris’ memorable stint.
So, what do you think/