Marvel Silver Age Annuals – A Deep Dive – Part 1

Marvel first started publication of annuals within the Silver Age. These square-bound comics usually provided massive tales that had been meant to be particular – and justify the doubled value of 25 cents. Of course, some had been extra particular than others, so let’s take a deep dive into the Marvel Annuals to find out which it’s your decision as a part of your assortment.

Strange Tales Annuals

Marvel solely revealed two Strange Tales annuals. Both are worthy of consideration for very completely different causes. Strange Tales Annual #1 was Marvel’s first annual revealed, garnering a spot in historical past however the one one revealed within the Silver Age that was targeted solely on their pre-superhero monsters.

Strange Tales Annual #2 featured the Human Torch, as he had taken over the starring function within the common collection. This annual would function the primary team-up of the Human Torch and Spider-Man.

Strange Tales Annual #1
Publication Date: 1961
Why to Purchase: First Marvel annual
Why Not to Purchase: All reprints
# of Graded Copies: 253
Most Common Grade & 90-day Average: 5.5, $288
9.2 Value & Last Sale Date: $3,600, 4/10/22
(observe: no copies above 9.4; one 9.4 exists however has by no means offered)

Strange Tales Annual #2
Publication Date: 1962
Why to buy: First team-up of Spider-Man and the Human Torch
Why to not buy: No motive to not buy
# of graded copies: 816
Most widespread grade & 30-day common: 5.0, $394
9.6 Value & Last Sale Date: $16,800, 1/17/21
(observe: one 9.8 exists nevertheless it has by no means offered)

Fantastic Four Annuals

As Marvel’s premier comedian guide within the early Silver Age, the Fantastic Four annuals actually did supply one thing particular, at the very least with the primary few points. Weddings, births, first appearances, and origins can all be discovered within the pages of the Fantastic Four annuals within the Sixties.

Fantastic Four Annual #1
Publication Date: 1962
Why to buy: First look of Lady Dorma within the Silver Age, first look of Warlord Krang, first Fantastic Four Annual
Why to not buy: No motive to not buy
# of graded copies: 1,273
Most widespread grade & 90-day common: 4.0, $340
9.6 Value & Last Sale Date: $40,800, 11/21/21
(observe: three 9.8 copies exist however there aren’t any recorded gross sales)

Fantastic Four Annual #2
Publication Date: 1963
Why to buy: Origin of Dr. Doom
Why to not buy: No motive to not buy
# of graded copies: 1,284
Most widespread grade & 30-day common: 4.0, $244
9.6 Value & Last Sale Date: $36,000, 11/21/21
(observe: the lone 9.8 hasn’t offered since 2013)

Fantastic Four Annual #3
Publication Date: 1964
Why to buy: Wedding of Reed Richards and Susan Storm, guest-stars galore
Why to not buy: Despite a decrease census rely, values drop fairly a bit for this situation
# of graded copies: 540
Most widespread grade & 90-day common: 7.0, $528
9.4 Value & Last Sale Date: $1,140, 9/26/22
(observe: 4 9.8 copies – no recorded gross sales, no gross sales of 9.6 copies since 2018)

Fantastic Four Annual #4
Publication Date: 1966
Why to buy: First Silver Age look of unique Human Torch, first look of Quasimodo
Why to not buy: Quasimodo is without doubt one of the extra lackluster Lee/Kirby creations
# of graded copies: 371
Most widespread grade & one-year common: 8.5, $193
9.8 Value & Last Sale Date: $3,840, 4/4/21

Fantastic Four Annual #5
Publication Date: 1967
Why to buy: First look of Psycho-Man, first solo Silver Surfer story
Why to not buy: Psycho-Man is one other uninspired Lee/Kirby creation
# of graded copies: 958
Most widespread grade & 90-day common: 8.0, $144
9.8 Value & Last Sale Date: $3,499, 4/29/23

Fantastic Four Annual #6
Publication Date: 1968
Why to buy: Birth of Franklin Richards, first look of Annihilus
Why to not buy: No motive to not buy
# of graded copies: 2,779
Most widespread grade & 30-day common: 6.5, $322
9.8 Value & Last Sale Date: $33,600, 4/10/22

Avengers Annuals

Despite the prominence of the Avengers as a workforce, Marvel solely revealed two Avengers annuals within the Silver Age. Both supply some model of latest vs. outdated Avengers.

Avengers Annual #1
Publication Date: 1967
Why to buy: Team-up of the present Avengers with the founding members
Why to not buy: For a primary annual, it’s pretty lackluster
# of graded copies: 638
Most widespread grade & 30-day common: 8.5, $225
9.8 Value & Last Sale Date: $3,800, 2/29/20

Avengers Annual #2
Publication Date: 1968
Why to buy: First look of Scarlet Centurion, nice John Buscema cowl
Why to not buy: Better than the primary annual, however nothing distinctive
# of graded copies: 391
Most widespread grade & 30-day common: 9.0, $178
9.8 Value & Last Sale Date: $2,400, 1/27/19

Takeaways

Beginning in 1969, and for quite a few years thereafter, Marvel annuals grew to become reprint solely, lowering the attraction of those points as collectibles. It wouldn’t be till the mid-Seventies that Marvel as soon as once more started producing annuals with unique tales. That makes the Silver Age annuals much more interesting. As vital, the square-bound format utilized in these annuals usually makes it tough to seek out them in excessive grade, growing the worth of the few that do exist. However, annuals are neglected by some collectors as not being a part of an everyday collection and never as vital as a typical situation from that collection. That’s a mistake you must attempt to capitalize on.

Of those listed on this weblog, Strange Tales Annual #2, Fantastic Four Annual #1, Fantastic Four Annual #2, and Fantastic Four Annual #6 ought to be high targets, whereas Fantastic Four Annual #3 and Avengers Annual #2 ought to be secondary targets.

We’ll be again partly two with the remainder of Marvel’s Silver Age annuals.