So, Superior Spider-Man ended today with issue #31.
(Is your Spoiler-Sense tingling? If not, you should get that checked out, because stuff is about to get spoilt.)
I mentioned before that this is a series worth having in your collection. The story is strong, and it has been very popular with fans. The issue you want is obviously, Superior Spider-Man #1. I’m not sure if there’s another key issue in the run that is going to see significant increases any time soon.
However, long-term, this a series people are going to remember and want to collect.
The question facing the Spectacular Speculator at the moment, however, is whether or not one should invest in Amazing Spider-Man #1, due out next month.
My gut says “no.” While Superior Spider-Man #1 represents the beginning of something new and unusual, Amazing Spider-Man #1 represents a return to the status quo. Peter Parker is back, Sider-Ock is no more. Ho-hum. There’s a good chance that Dan Slott’s story will be worth reading, but I wouldn’t go out and buy multiple copies of the new ASM.
As a point of reference, witness the last time Marvel rebooted Amazing Spider-Man in 1998. Back then Marvel used John Byrne to relaunch the character Man of Steel-style. According to Comichron.com, Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Vol. 2) sold about 124,000 copies, which was good enough to finish just behind Uncanny X-Men and just ahead of Spawn and Fathom (Wowzer.).
According to The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide (43rd Ed.), ASM #1 (Vol. 2) is now worth $6.00 NM… after 15 years. I would anticipate similar gains for Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Vol. 3).
The only ASM #1 worth collecting are probably the J. Scott Campbell variants particularly the Midtown variants as they interlock with the Superior #31 Midtown variant as well making an impressive tri-panel Spider-Man comic. A handing-of-the-baton if you will? The Midtown ASM #700 and SSM#1 Campbell Midtown variants command huge prices now and they’re only a few years old.
Good point!