MARKET WATCH: COMICS

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MARKET WATCH: COMICS
Joss Whedon’s Fray takes a jump, Flex Mentallo’s supply doesn’t meet reader demand and Frank Frazetta’s Death Dealer returns

By David Paggi and Kevin Mahadeo

Posted April 17, 2007 10:30 AM

Wizard Price Guide magicians David Paggi and Kevin Mahadeo take readers behind the scenes to let them know what comics they should be paying attention to and what books are moving in stores around the world.
THE FUTURE OF SLAYING!
In 2001 Joss Whedon wrote Fray, a future look at his “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” universe. Now with Joss’ name cemented in comicdom with Astonishing X-Men, Runaways and Buffy Season 8, newcomers to Whedon’s work have been boosting the eight-issue miniseries’ back market prices. Sets have been selling for $30 a pop and seem to still be on the rise. Keep an eye on this one as Whedon’s Buffy run continues.

HERO OF THE BEACH
One of the most controversial comic book runs of the past 20 years has to be Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s Flex Mentallo miniseries—controversial only because it’s been tied up in litigation since it came out. Flex, a character that came out of Morrison’s run on Doom Patrol, was based on the old Charles Atlas bodybuilding ads that used to run in the back of comics. The people behind the ads sued and it’s been uncollected ever since. And like so many other uncollected comics—for example, Miracleman, which shares a similar situation—demand is high and supply is low, so prices are big. Runs of the four-issue series sell on average for $80 and fluctuate month to month from there.

SWORD AND SORCERY…AS YOU LIKE IT!
Frank Frazetta’s Death Dealer character has returned as a miniseries at Image Comics, written by Joshua Ortega and drawn by Nat Jones. Two 50/50 covers for issue #1 are already going for $5 apiece on eBay and the limited sketch cover for around $30. You can still go back and check out some older Death Dealer issues from Veritok, written by rocker Glenn Danzig and drawn by superstars like Simon Bisley and Arthur Suydam. Each issue of the four-issue miniseries is currently at $10 apiece.

SHOP TALK
Retailer Buzz and Gossip

REMEMBERING A FALLEN SON

The first of the Fallen Son one-shots, spotlighting different characters in the wake of Captain America’s death, was released April 4. We asked retailers how the issue fared, considering the sales explosion Captain America #25 caused.

“I think this is another book that caught the regulars by surprise,” says Mike Wellman of Crazy Cat Comics in Los Angeles. “We did sell out, reorder on the way. People seemed to dig it. Not sure if many people are aware of who’s doing what next, they just know it’s Captain America/Civil War-related and they’re in it for the long slug.”

“Fallen Son has sold better than almost every other Marvel book these last two weeks,” says Rick Berg of Graham Cracker Comics in DeKalb, Ill. “Everyone wants to see Wolverine fight Iron Man. They are tired of conversation and threats. Let’s see some action! The Leinil Yu cover has nearly doubled the Turner cover in sales.”

BEST BETS
Our picks for this week’s surefire moneymakers:

1) Justice League of America [Vol. 2] #8 (DC, $2.99): If the shocking ending to JLA #7 didn’t arouse interest, the fact that this issue kicks off the first JLA/JSA/LoSH crossover in post-Crisis history should be enough to tingle taste buds.
2) Mighty Avengers #2 (Marvel, $2.99): Bendis’ Avengers run continues to be extremely popular on the back market. Coupled with Frank Cho’s art, the Mighty Avengers should serve some mighty market demand.

3) Nightwing Annual #2 (DC, $3.99): Set to explain the sudden estrangement between Nightwing and Oracle “One Year Later,” this love story is certain to leave readers showing their affection through their wallets.

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(Wizard Price Guide gurus David Paggi and Kevin Mahadeo give their insight into the most collectible and valuable comics every week on wizarduniverse.com.)

Special Thanks to the following retailers:

CRAZY CAT COMICS
Mike Wellman

GRAHAM CRACKERS COMICS
Rick Berg
www.grahamcrackers.com