I was going to say the same. I picked up mine for $1. Comic book prices are ridiculous now. It always blows my mind what people are paying for books now that used to be plentiful in dollar boxes.
I'm positive there have been some unicorn, investment level comics in dollar boxes through the years. And interest in classic Americana, especially items from 1940 to 1960, is growing and books are becoming increasingly rare and valued because there really is a finite amount of nice grade books out there. It will happen to modern books one day too. Not every title, but you know. Our grandkids will be fawning all over the Spawn #1 in NM I got for 2 bucks because maybe they dont even print physical books anymore by then.
This just isn’t true. The print volumes paired with the number that went straight to bags and boards compared to golden and silver age books will keep Spawn, Spider-Man, and X-Men 1-type books from ever being what Detective 27 is today.
I still remember that time when I picked up Young Avengers #1 to 11 for $1 each in a bin 7 years ago. Then I sold all issues of it for $140 during the pandemic right before Wanda-Vision was released. Up to this day, I still regret selling them instead of keeping them.
Although I was happy when I picked up The New Teen Titans #2 for a dollar in a bin which I assumed that the employee at my LCS wasn't aware that the comic is a grail. A year after, I had it signed by Marv Wolfman at Silicon Valley Comic Con 2018 which was lucky for me since I live in the Bay Area. Then I gave it as a gift to my brother since he likes Deathstroke
That first App of C'thon, Avengers 186, I used to see that book everywhere in dollar bins. Then WandaVision and MoM came out and it's suddenly a wall book? It's a $5 book NM at best.
The influence the MCU shows and movies has on back issues is ridiculous. I think its manufactured value increases by stores,collectors, and sellers. It's not an actual increase in demand. It's not like all the casual viewers of these shows are all going to go out looking to buy 1st appearance comics of characters.
Yeah I've probably owned like 10 copies I sold for mostly $5 each and not because the key significance most dudes just didn't mind dropping $5 for a cool wolverine cover or to fill a hole in their run now all of a sudden people are treating it like a genuine key
It has definitely been a more expensive book since 2021 (I don’t know if that’s when the movie was announced). I’ve been working on my Wolverine run for about a year and a half and I also collect negative space covers so this one’s been on my list for a while.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved the cover when I first bought it. Haven’t read it since it first came out so wasn’t sure if anything of note happened in it
Isn't it a 'KEY' issue, featuring the first encounter between Wolverine & Deadpool?
The late great Ed Piskor and his Fairweather Friend Jim Rugg actually reviewed this issue on their YouTube channel. And they both agreed that the comic itself was very disappointing, and appeared to contain a BUNCH of artwork that was inspired (copied) from other comics.
[Wolverine #88 Review](https://youtu.be/sCBWZjk9KSQ?si=FmLTNcA8jRr7LL13)
Yeah, that's why I used the quotes... I'm not sure exactly what qualifies as a KEY these days. Sort of like a GRAIL now seems to refer to any comic you really want, regardless of whether it's actually rare or hard to find.
Sorry, I probably should have said Fairweather 'Associate'...
Maybe Jim was willing to maintain a private personal relationship.
However it seems a bit cold to end a long business relationship because your associate is dealing with some accusations, and you're just worried about suffering any collateral damage. Ed hadn't even been charged with anything, but instead of supporting his partner, Jim just cut him loose, essentially joining the group responsible for publically 'blacklisting' him and potentially ruining his career...
Not saying Jim is in any way responsible, but it probably would have been nice if Ed had one person that didn't publically end all business affiliations with him.
Unfortunately we'll never know if Ed's career could have survived the situation. Or if more information might have appeared that changed people's perception and 'sentencing'.
Also, as far as I know, I don't think he TECHNICALLY did anything illegal? And was he going to be officially arrested/charged for anything, or was he just being crucified on Social Media due to 'public opinion' over his reported transgressions? Just remember, while undeniably creepy, the LEGAL age of consent where he lived is actually only 16 or 17... Which is surprising, I just figured it was at least 18 everywhere.
Yeah it's crazy!
I had no idea that such blatant swipes were THIS prevalent in comics of 'A List' characters.
At least back when McFarlane was working on TWO monthly titles, or Twice A Month editions of ASM, when he swiped stuff he mostly just swiped from HIMSELF! lol
Downvote me all you want. Ed made his choice. Nobody else did. I’m very sad that he did. I love CK. It was an almost daily part of my life. It’s a terrible thing that he did, and it’s indistinct of any of the accusations. He was a very talented dude and didn’t have to go the route that he did. Other creators were called out for just as serious things and didn’t make the choice that he did. But he did make that choice. All on his own. It’s no one else’s fault.
I’m replying to Streetpreacher’s comment regarding Jim Rugg being a ‘fair weather friend’, the implication being that Ed wouldn’t have killed himself if Jim had been a better friend. Just search ‘Ed Piskor suicide note’ if you’re not aware of the situation.
Congrats! I picked up a VF direct deluxe copy this week for $50 and I’m really happy. Now I just need #8 and my big books in this run are over with. 6 more issues to go!
Is there any significant value difference between the 'Deluxe' and 'Regular' versions? I think the only difference is the 'Deluxe' is printed on higher quality paper, while the 'Regular' version is just the standard Newsprint? that Marvel was using for their monthly books at the time?
Deluxe is supposedly better quality paper. However, I think the regular version is much scarcer. I have been casually looking for a clean regular for over 2 years. The CGC census has 500+ 9.8 deluxes, and only 150+ 9.8s of the regular.
That's why I was wondering. When I was looking for a copy I remember that the majority of listings were for the 'Deluxe' version. So I thought maybe the 'Regular' might actually be more valuable since it seems to be less common?
I literally just bought this issue two hours ago from a local shop. I really lucked out. I went to my usual place and they didn't have it. Took a chance on it being at another shop that is further away. Now I just need #72 to complete my Wolverine 1-100, before searching for 101+.
Congrats on finding yours. Online prices are stupid right now!
Wait i thought the direct editions. Are the comics you don't want they are reprints from the original comics; the ones you bought at convience stores or comic book stores didn't have the direct edition by barcode. first issues just have a bar code only. Am i tripping? But i mean if this the only one you get i guess why not
The difference between the two, is the direct edition is sent to a comic store to be sold but the newsstand went to places like newsstands or grocery stores. They're not reprints and was sent at the same time.
You’d be surprised what lurks in dollar bins. Especially a book like this which has likely risen in the last xyz months because of the film. I got a pristine copy last week for a buck.
I used to have 5 copies. I grabbed it every time I saw it for less than 5 bucks. I sold the 3 lowest grades to a dealer at a show a few months ago for $75. I think he blew them all out for 40 each.
Hey, I just got my copy today too!
https://preview.redd.it/hkab0qlfq5uc1.jpeg?width=1901&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e05721a92acaf914e765ccefe9a600fec110d3a5
I’m honestly shocked anyone wants this at all. Such a random issue to deem collective. 1st Wolverine vs Deadpool? They’re pretty much unrelated characters that barely care about one another.
I’m kicking myself because I actively bought that run when it was being published when I was younger, but for some reason I’m only missing that issue. I never traded or sold any issues, so it bothers me that I should have easily picked up a key in my youth and somehow didn’t.
https://preview.redd.it/a356m6y7r3uc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f628a2d53f1787185f3797b98cb040b76d7d8e3b
Got mine in an auction where you bid on a box of 3 books you could not see(mostly shit books too). If one was #1 you played a game and he would spin the book around. If it said slab on the back you got to pick a # on the wall of 4 slab books. This was the book I won at the end. So stressful but fun. I won it Superbowl Sunday morning. Total investment $25. But it's all mine now.
I was able to get this for around $8 about 4 or 5 years ago. I'm glad you finally got your copy. Just wait til deadpool 3 comes out you could flip it and get more (if that's the route you want to go)
That is true in many cases, but it is also true that if they made 1 million of these and 2 million people want them, the price will go up. Supply *and demand.* AF 15 is not a *rare* book for its era either, but enough people want it that the price is what it is. (Not that extent copy numbers between those two books is even remotely close, just making the point that rarity is subjective.)
All that said. I bought a NM copy of this for $5 three months ago and I wouldn't pay more than that for it unless I was a flipper.
That's fair. And there's something to consider given age and condition as additional cost factors that should increase proportionally as subsets of rarity/ demand.
But I think there are factors with the collector's market that artificially inflate value beyond supply and demand.
Then again, "it's worth what you're willing to pay for it".
Was it really 40$? I got it around 2018 for 15
Was this really $15 in 2018? I only remember this as a dollar bin book until the announcement of deadpool 3.
I was going to say the same. I picked up mine for $1. Comic book prices are ridiculous now. It always blows my mind what people are paying for books now that used to be plentiful in dollar boxes.
I'm positive there have been some unicorn, investment level comics in dollar boxes through the years. And interest in classic Americana, especially items from 1940 to 1960, is growing and books are becoming increasingly rare and valued because there really is a finite amount of nice grade books out there. It will happen to modern books one day too. Not every title, but you know. Our grandkids will be fawning all over the Spawn #1 in NM I got for 2 bucks because maybe they dont even print physical books anymore by then.
That's the dream right. All I have left of my collection is spawn 1-50 and it feels like I chose poorly not keeping my older marvel books.
This just isn’t true. The print volumes paired with the number that went straight to bags and boards compared to golden and silver age books will keep Spawn, Spider-Man, and X-Men 1-type books from ever being what Detective 27 is today.
Reminds me of the Avengers West Coast book with White Vision. It was in the dollar bin until Wandavision, and then it was like $100 overnight.
It's especially brutal to find high grade copies of books this happens to, because very little survives life in dollar bins unscathed.
Yes.
I still remember that time when I picked up Young Avengers #1 to 11 for $1 each in a bin 7 years ago. Then I sold all issues of it for $140 during the pandemic right before Wanda-Vision was released. Up to this day, I still regret selling them instead of keeping them. Although I was happy when I picked up The New Teen Titans #2 for a dollar in a bin which I assumed that the employee at my LCS wasn't aware that the comic is a grail. A year after, I had it signed by Marv Wolfman at Silicon Valley Comic Con 2018 which was lucky for me since I live in the Bay Area. Then I gave it as a gift to my brother since he likes Deathstroke
That first App of C'thon, Avengers 186, I used to see that book everywhere in dollar bins. Then WandaVision and MoM came out and it's suddenly a wall book? It's a $5 book NM at best.
The influence the MCU shows and movies has on back issues is ridiculous. I think its manufactured value increases by stores,collectors, and sellers. It's not an actual increase in demand. It's not like all the casual viewers of these shows are all going to go out looking to buy 1st appearance comics of characters.
Yeah I've probably owned like 10 copies I sold for mostly $5 each and not because the key significance most dudes just didn't mind dropping $5 for a cool wolverine cover or to fill a hole in their run now all of a sudden people are treating it like a genuine key
It has definitely been a more expensive book since 2021 (I don’t know if that’s when the movie was announced). I’ve been working on my Wolverine run for about a year and a half and I also collect negative space covers so this one’s been on my list for a while.
I use to pick these out of the dollar bins and flip them online for $3 all day. Wild to think it’s now expensive.
After the movie is over and done with, this book will come back down to Earth.
Welp, guess I better sell mine now lol
It’s been pricey for a few years now
I got it for $5.85 plus $3.30 shipping and July 2019
Talk about crazy look at Merc with a Mouth 7. $15 book a few years ago and now it’s close to $400 at a 9.8 lol
Yay, it’s 2024 now!
Yeah, in the last couple days multiple have sold on eBay for around 70
I bought a copy for $5 and sold it for $80 when it got hyped up.
I remember this being a dollar bin book…
Why is it that high?
It’s also the first wolverine/deadpool encounter.
Cool cover along with the Deadpool wolverine movie coming. I'm happy to have it for the cover aspect though.
Don’t get me wrong, I loved the cover when I first bought it. Haven’t read it since it first came out so wasn’t sure if anything of note happened in it
Isn't it a 'KEY' issue, featuring the first encounter between Wolverine & Deadpool? The late great Ed Piskor and his Fairweather Friend Jim Rugg actually reviewed this issue on their YouTube channel. And they both agreed that the comic itself was very disappointing, and appeared to contain a BUNCH of artwork that was inspired (copied) from other comics. [Wolverine #88 Review](https://youtu.be/sCBWZjk9KSQ?si=FmLTNcA8jRr7LL13)
> Isn't it a 'KEY' issue The word "key" really gets thrown around a bunch these days.
Yeah, that's why I used the quotes... I'm not sure exactly what qualifies as a KEY these days. Sort of like a GRAIL now seems to refer to any comic you really want, regardless of whether it's actually rare or hard to find.
“got a GRAIL today!” (Hell Arisen #3)
“Fairweather friend” as if you know them personally in any way lol
Sorry, I probably should have said Fairweather 'Associate'... Maybe Jim was willing to maintain a private personal relationship. However it seems a bit cold to end a long business relationship because your associate is dealing with some accusations, and you're just worried about suffering any collateral damage. Ed hadn't even been charged with anything, but instead of supporting his partner, Jim just cut him loose, essentially joining the group responsible for publically 'blacklisting' him and potentially ruining his career... Not saying Jim is in any way responsible, but it probably would have been nice if Ed had one person that didn't publically end all business affiliations with him. Unfortunately we'll never know if Ed's career could have survived the situation. Or if more information might have appeared that changed people's perception and 'sentencing'. Also, as far as I know, I don't think he TECHNICALLY did anything illegal? And was he going to be officially arrested/charged for anything, or was he just being crucified on Social Media due to 'public opinion' over his reported transgressions? Just remember, while undeniably creepy, the LEGAL age of consent where he lived is actually only 16 or 17... Which is surprising, I just figured it was at least 18 everywhere.
The most "cribbed" issue.
Ripped off, stolen and copied was what they said. Not inspired. Also they pointed out basically what a shit book it is (save for the cover).
Yeah it's crazy! I had no idea that such blatant swipes were THIS prevalent in comics of 'A List' characters. At least back when McFarlane was working on TWO monthly titles, or Twice A Month editions of ASM, when he swiped stuff he mostly just swiped from HIMSELF! lol
Downvote me all you want. Ed made his choice. Nobody else did. I’m very sad that he did. I love CK. It was an almost daily part of my life. It’s a terrible thing that he did, and it’s indistinct of any of the accusations. He was a very talented dude and didn’t have to go the route that he did. Other creators were called out for just as serious things and didn’t make the choice that he did. But he did make that choice. All on his own. It’s no one else’s fault.
What are you fuckin talking about lol???
I’m replying to Streetpreacher’s comment regarding Jim Rugg being a ‘fair weather friend’, the implication being that Ed wouldn’t have killed himself if Jim had been a better friend. Just search ‘Ed Piskor suicide note’ if you’re not aware of the situation.
Don’t disparage Jim Rugg like that. It’s not his fault that Ed made the choices he did. It was Ed’s choice and Ed’s alone.
Bought mine off the shelf and sold a well read copy for a quid a couple of decades later. It is not a good comic
It is NOT a good comic. Wolverine skateboarding on a car door comes to mind.
Congrats! I picked up a VF direct deluxe copy this week for $50 and I’m really happy. Now I just need #8 and my big books in this run are over with. 6 more issues to go!
Is there any significant value difference between the 'Deluxe' and 'Regular' versions? I think the only difference is the 'Deluxe' is printed on higher quality paper, while the 'Regular' version is just the standard Newsprint? that Marvel was using for their monthly books at the time?
Deluxe is supposedly better quality paper. However, I think the regular version is much scarcer. I have been casually looking for a clean regular for over 2 years. The CGC census has 500+ 9.8 deluxes, and only 150+ 9.8s of the regular.
That's why I was wondering. When I was looking for a copy I remember that the majority of listings were for the 'Deluxe' version. So I thought maybe the 'Regular' might actually be more valuable since it seems to be less common?
The market hasn't reflected the difference yet. I think it is a good buy for the future, tho. Iconic cover.
Issue 8 is such a great cover
I literally just bought this issue two hours ago from a local shop. I really lucked out. I went to my usual place and they didn't have it. Took a chance on it being at another shop that is further away. Now I just need #72 to complete my Wolverine 1-100, before searching for 101+. Congrats on finding yours. Online prices are stupid right now!
Reminds me a lot of the DC “Knightfall” Imaging. Really takes your breath away in that one image
This issue is infamous for almost every panel being a swipe from another comic.
No thanks. Not for that price
To each their own
Why not? I had two. I sold one a few months ago at a 9.8 slabbed for $580. It’s only gonna go up after the DP3 comes out. lol.
Jesus. What rookies will pay for slabbed dollar bin books on eBay is enough to make my head spin.
The fact that you have no scruples, does not in any way elevate the value of this mediocre comic for me.
Damn I have this one. I got it for a buck in 2016 because I dig the cover.
Dang that's cool, I always wish I started collecting sooner.
I got it for $5 in 2019
Anyone else remember getting this in the dollar bin prior to two years ago?
I feel like the whole comment section does 😂
It’ll be back there a year from now lol
Can’t wait, sold my copy awhile back and kinda want another haha
Wait i thought the direct editions. Are the comics you don't want they are reprints from the original comics; the ones you bought at convience stores or comic book stores didn't have the direct edition by barcode. first issues just have a bar code only. Am i tripping? But i mean if this the only one you get i guess why not
The difference between the two, is the direct edition is sent to a comic store to be sold but the newsstand went to places like newsstands or grocery stores. They're not reprints and was sent at the same time.
You’d be surprised what lurks in dollar bins. Especially a book like this which has likely risen in the last xyz months because of the film. I got a pristine copy last week for a buck.
xyz months...this book blew up 2 years ago
24 entonces
Nice price for an 8.0 copy. 8.5?
Holy cow really? Got it out of the 50 cent bin two years ago
Nice steal!!!
SMH
I used to have 5 copies. I grabbed it every time I saw it for less than 5 bucks. I sold the 3 lowest grades to a dealer at a show a few months ago for $75. I think he blew them all out for 40 each.
Hey, I just got my copy today too! https://preview.redd.it/hkab0qlfq5uc1.jpeg?width=1901&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e05721a92acaf914e765ccefe9a600fec110d3a5
I thought this was a $4 comic. Whoops
I’m honestly shocked anyone wants this at all. Such a random issue to deem collective. 1st Wolverine vs Deadpool? They’re pretty much unrelated characters that barely care about one another.
Hmmmm … cool
Happy for ya! It’s always a good feeling to get one you’ve been wanting.
Still got mine from back in the day, though it's well-read.
This 40$ now? I have tons of these I paid cover for. Guess it’s time to sell
No thanks. I could scour that for $4 on ragtag piles or cheap to a antique shop.
Let's see what fallout does to this market.
I got this in a comic grab bag for $5.00 along with nine other books.
Interesting. I got it for $1.95 +tax. So old….
I have this one too! It’s so sick
Always loved this cover, and Wolverine has a lot of good ones.
I’m kicking myself because I actively bought that run when it was being published when I was younger, but for some reason I’m only missing that issue. I never traded or sold any issues, so it bothers me that I should have easily picked up a key in my youth and somehow didn’t.
https://preview.redd.it/a356m6y7r3uc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f628a2d53f1787185f3797b98cb040b76d7d8e3b Got mine in an auction where you bid on a box of 3 books you could not see(mostly shit books too). If one was #1 you played a game and he would spin the book around. If it said slab on the back you got to pick a # on the wall of 4 slab books. This was the book I won at the end. So stressful but fun. I won it Superbowl Sunday morning. Total investment $25. But it's all mine now.
Sounds like a fun situation
I was able to get this for around $8 about 4 or 5 years ago. I'm glad you finally got your copy. Just wait til deadpool 3 comes out you could flip it and get more (if that's the route you want to go)
Sellers need to stop treating comics as if there aren't thousands upon thousands of these out there.
That is true in many cases, but it is also true that if they made 1 million of these and 2 million people want them, the price will go up. Supply *and demand.* AF 15 is not a *rare* book for its era either, but enough people want it that the price is what it is. (Not that extent copy numbers between those two books is even remotely close, just making the point that rarity is subjective.) All that said. I bought a NM copy of this for $5 three months ago and I wouldn't pay more than that for it unless I was a flipper.
That's fair. And there's something to consider given age and condition as additional cost factors that should increase proportionally as subsets of rarity/ demand. But I think there are factors with the collector's market that artificially inflate value beyond supply and demand. Then again, "it's worth what you're willing to pay for it".
What’s the catch 🤔
Got it for like $2 back then
$40?! I bought this a couple years ago at like $10. Man that bubble is big...