Oh geez. I was happy with the Infinity Gauntlet, Infinity War, and Thanos Quest. I mostly stick to collections nowadays, since I prefer to see a story ended (looking at you, Secret Avengers).

Right before the recent Cap movie hit theatres, I picked up the first full appearance of Bucky as Winter Soldier in the dollar bin. Now its $35-40.

Actually, the price is pretty good, given that it is a key Bronze Age issue and Thanos is getting a lot of hype from his cameo in the Avengers movie. It's common to have a comic's price to spike soon after getting lots of media attention (for example, right after a movie's release) but it's not always the case that the price remains high.

For instance, when DC killed off Superman back in the 90's, you could easily get $50 or more for a sealed copy of Superman #75. Fast forward to present day, and you can probably still find sealed copies of the same book in the dollar bin. While the first appearance of Thanos will probably not experience the same result, I do see it maintaining its value in the long run.

It used to be, at first, that the really expensive books were Golden Age issues (1930's/40's). They remain very pricey, as you may guess, due to being scarce and featuring 1st appearances of superheroes in general. As time went by, collectors started dropping more and more money on Silver Age books (1950's/60's), particularly Marvel Comics that reinvigorated the whole concept of the superhero for their time. The most recent increases have been in Bronze Age comics (1970's, mostly). I haven't seen the same trend for more modern stuff, though you can still find high prices on some of those books as well.

The best thing that has happened, at least for my collection's sake, has been the publishing of high-quality reprint volumes such as Marvel Masterworks and DC Archives. Where before I strictly wanted high-grade issues of certain comic series (for example the whole of Jack Kirby's Fourth World run), I am now just as happy collecting the hardbacks that reprint issues I want to read and keep. My wallet finds it much more bearable as well.

I am equally content having the first appearance of Darkseid in my actual copy of Jimmy Olsen #134 as I am with having all of the Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD stories from Strange Tales collected in a reprint edition.

Modern comics prices can still be heavily influenced by the movies. The most recent GotG lineup debuted in 2008. It is the one they are using for the movie. I've seen it go for $100 recently, the first issue of that run.

I agree that, in the short term, a sudden increase in price for a given comic book is a possibility. This started happening most significantly right around the time that Batman (1989 Burton movie) hit the theaters. However, as in any market, prices don't always stay the same. I bet that more than one person is gonna drop $100 on that GotG book that you mention only to find out a couple of years from now that the price has gone back down. For instance, I don't see back issues of Ghost Rider going for big bucks after the release of two movies in the franchise.

While true, it won't settle back into the dollar bin. At its peak, first Winter Soldier hit around 60. It has settled around 35-40. From being a dollar comic, still quite an increase. Part of the reason I'm trying to track down issue 1 of Sunfire and the Big Hero 6.

Not quite close enough to start favorite actor mafia yet I'm a few short from starting with the minimum

I picked up a new mutants 98 back in the day for like 5 bucks.

It's been along time since I've audited my comics, but I think my most valuable issues, handed down to me by my step-father, include the first appearance of The Punisher, the Death of Gwen Stacy, first appearance of The Magus/Universal Church of Truth (mostly valuable since I'm such a Warlock fan), and the first appearance of Ra's Al Ghul.

That last one is pretty cool. Great cover, Batman #232

That's Cable and Deadpool's first appearance right? I'd suspect that would go up if Deadpool gets a solo movie.

Deadpool. Cable was New Mutants 87. I wouldn't pay more than $5 for New Mutants 98.

I've been at a con and have seen Rob Liefeld refuse to sign copies of New Mutants 98. Guess it chaps him hard that he's not getting any royalties from Marvel from the use of the character and its sales. Plus, I bet his Bugle Boy Jeans money ran out a long time ago. Poor Rob Liefeld. It's not easy being green.

90s Deadpool is fine. I like the Cable and Deadpool series. But everything after that, what a ####ty character he has become. I don't understand how he is as popular as he is. There are much better funny books and anti hero books out there. Modern Deadpool is like Family Guy. And it is really funny working booths at conventions, seeing the people who ask for New Mutants 98 and then are all like, what? No way am I paying that! It's like it's a cool fad to like Deadpool and people jump on the train. And Marvel is taking it for all its worth.


I sound like an old man. GET OFF MY LAWN!

And now for something to whet the appetite until this evening.