10 Affordable Comics You Must Invest In Right Now
Unsplash
Comic book collectibles are a very risky investment to make. The collectibles market is volatile and there is no index or “stock market,”-like system for quantifying value. Still, some comics books are sure bets for investment relative to others and many are affordable comics you can buy right now. Here are 10 affordable comics you should buy right now as a relatively safe collectibles investment.
1. Inhumans #5 (1999) Marvel
Whether you love Florence Pugh’s portrayal of Yelena Belova in the MCU, she has now inherited the mantle of Black Widow. Pugh will reprise the character in 2025’s Thunderbolts. Inhumans #5 from 1999 is one of the most affordable comics on this list and you should invest in it.
The comic features the first appearance of Belova as a Black Widow operative. There is no telling what Belova’s story arc in the upcoming Avengers films will be or if she gets a show of her own. A copy of this comic with a CGC rating of 9.8 is worth $138.
2. The Sentry #1 (2000) Marvel
The Sentry is Marvel’s version of Superman but with multiple personalities. Robert Reynolds, an emotionally troubled man, houses two personalities within his mind and body. The Sentry, who has the power of a million exploding suns, and his arch nemesis, the Void.
Actor Lewis Pullman, son of Bill Pullman, will portray Sentry in 2025’s Thunderbolts. If this film is a hit and Sentry becomes an overnight fan-favorite then fans will start snatching up this issue and drive the value up more.
A CGC 9.8 copy of affordable comics like this is now worth $232 as an investment.
3. Thunderbolts #1 (1997) Marvel
Technically, the MCU version of the Thunderbolts is only loosely inspired by the comic book version. Still, there are Doom-inspired comic books that are selling big now that are not connected to Avengers: Doomsday. In a world without the Avengers, a new superhero team called the Thunderbolts is formed to fill the void.
However, the team is comprised of supervillains the Masters of Evil as lead by BAron Zemo in disguise. In the pre-internet era of 1997, this was a big deal and surprise that created shockwaves in comic book fandom that reverberate to now.
When it comes to affordable comics for investment you can get a near-mint copy of this comic for $97.
4. Fantastic Four #5 (1962) Marvel
The cheapest CGC 4.0 copy of this comic book is about $7,000. Relatively speaking this is one of the more affordable comics on the collectibles market. It features the first appearance of one of the most celebrated comic book villains ever, Dr. Doom.
Disney shocked the comic book world by casting RDJ as Dr. Doom recently. There is no doubt the film will be a success, but I think it is a creatively bankrupt decision. It is desperate stunt casting. Victor Von Doom is a Romani who grew destitute and molded by the racism, hatred, and unfairness of life he experienced as a child. Another actor should have been cast to bring this character to life.
Still, it is a brilliant business move on the business side. Comic book geeks love RDJ and will show up. Further, modern comic book film fans don’t read comic books. Comic book nerds like me are in the extreme minority when it comes to buying tickets for films. 8 out of of every 10 moviegoers is a normie or casual who have never read a comic book so Disney can mold Doom into whoever they want. (Still sucks as a comic book nerd.)
Get this comic now. Speculators are making bank now on various Doom-related comics on eBay. Take advantage of this mania as Avengers Doomsday nears.
5. Booster Gold #1 (1986) DC
Booster Gold was a 25th-century watchman at a superhero museum who stole superhero tech, got transported to the 20th century, and became a superhero. Booster Gold is set to make his live-action debut in a DCU streaming show sometime in the near future. While there is a provocative rumor that actor Kumail Nanjani has been cast in the role it has not been confirmed.
A copy of this comic with a CGC grade of 9.8 is worth $230. Copies of this comic have sold for $1,000 on eBay. Of the affordable comics on this list, this is a smart investment because Booster Gold has a cult fanbase.
6. Marvel Super-Heroes Secret Wars #1 (1984) Marvel
In 1984, Marvel Comics partnered with a toy company to produce a comic book that tied in with a toy line. In this story, the Marvel heroes were transported to an alien world to do battle with their villains as dictated by an omnipotent alien. This comic will loosely inspire the upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars which takes more creative cues from the 2015 Secret Wars comic.
Dr. Doom is a prominent character in the 1984 and 2015 Secret Wars comic. However, fans are overlooking the fact that the Beyonder, the omnipotent being who started the events in both comics, premiered in the 1984 comic. If the Beyonder figures in the upcoming film then this comic could skyrocket in value.
A CGC 9.8 copy of this comic is worth $225. Affordable comics like this are cheaper to get for investment purposes when they don’t cost thousands. Remember this post when this comic floods your social media posts in 2027.
7. The Tomb of Dracula #10 (1973) Marvel
The Tomb of Dracula was a horror comic in the 1970s that featured a rotating cast of characters that attempted to hunt and kill Dracula. Blade first appeared in issue in issue #10, became popular, and later appeared in his own series.
You know the name Blade because Academy Award Winner Mahershala Ali was cast as Blade in 2019 when he was 45-years old. The film has been in development hell and unproduced since. Ali appeared as Blade in a end-credits voiceover scene in 2021’s Eternals. Wesley Snipes appeared as the Blade again in the recent blockbuster Deadpool and Wolverine.
Blade is a hot IP commodity and his first comic appearance is going to rise in value whenever Disney rollouts a new Blade film. A CGC 9.2 copy of this comic is worth $2,500 – I’d get it now if I were you. These are affordable comics when it comes to investment.
8. Fantastic Four #48 (1966) Marvel
Galactus is a cosmic entity that consumes planets and celestial bodies for sustenance. The character first appeared in 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer character as a sentient cloud enveloping the Earth. A comics-accurate version of the character will appear in 2025’s Fantastic Four: First Steps.
After so many false cinematic starts the MCU introduction of the Fantastic Four should be a sure thing for people flipping this comic when the time is right. A copy of this comic with an 8.0 CGC grade is worth $3,900. I would get this now because you will see this comic in your social media feed next year when this film premieres.
9. Uncanny X-Men #266 (1990) Marvel
Channing Tatum has been trying unsuccessfully to make a Gambit film for over 20 year. He finally appeared as the mutant in Deadpool and Wolverine to raving fan reviews. Gambit is a mutant who can charge objects with kinetic energy and explosively discharge the energy by hurling the charged object.
Now that Tatum’s portrayal is a hit with fans it is very possible that a Gambit solo film, or at least a major appearance in the MCU’s eventual introduction of the X-Men could happen. Whether Tatum is involved in another issue. A CGC 9.8 copy of this comic, Gambit’s first appearance, is worth $600. This is a worthy investment to get now.
10. X-Men #1 (1963) Marvel
With the back-to-back successes of the animated series X-Men ‘97, Deadpool and Wolverine and the hot anticipation of adamantium being introduced in 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World the X-Men are primed to be big players in the MCU in the next decade. They may even become the “Avengers” style centric team of a new MCU era.
This comic, which features the first appearance of the team, is worth $10,000 with a CGC grade of 4.0. This is a good investment to make as the X-Men are gradually introduced to the MCU within the next 20 years and Hugh Jackman coming back as Logan until 2027’s Avengers: Secret Wars.
Affordable Comics to Invest In
Remember, never invest in comic books as collectibles on a whim. Start learning about the comics you invest in and consult with comic book experts. Visit a comic book store or look up the value of comic books online. Start connections with experts, fans, and collectors to develop a network of potential buyers. No one gets rich quick via comic book collectibles, so always understand that this a long-term investment play.
Read More
Greatest Stories Featuring the Hulk Family
5 Cheapest Comic Book Sleeves and Boards
Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including saving and investing in your own small business.
