100 Hot Comics #4:
Flash #123, Golden Age vs Silver Age Flash

100 Hot Comics: Flash 123, Golden Age vs Silver Age Flash. Click to buy from Goldin

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Why Flash 123 is a Hot Comic

2024 MARKET UPDATE: WILL THE FLASH BE A FAST FALLER IN FUTURE?

It may sound like a contradiction, but something being lukewarm when the market is covered in ice makes it kinda hot...

I still rate this as a good long-term hold. Might be a good time to buy if you see a mid-to-high grade example.

2023 MARKET UPDATE: DC KEYS ARE THE BIG WINNERS THIS YEAR

Not because they have risen in value.

Mostly because they were undervalued comic books for years. Finally, the Marvel bubble burst, but DC back issues are more than holding their own.

It will be fascinating to see what happens next!

2022 MARKET UPDATE: THE DC MALAISE CONTINUES

Yes, we've kept this book on the 100 Hot Comics list for another year. In fact, it's had enough positive action to catapult it significantly higher up this year.

But like most DC keys, this book is lagging behind Marvels. Honestly, almost every book on the Hot 100 could be Marvel. DC is so cold in general. Somebody (Disney?) needs to buy DC and start cranking out TV shows and movies. And fast.

Recent sales:

9.2 $13,600
7.5 $2,900
7.0 $2,900
6.5 $2,225
6.0 $2,500
5.5 $1,350
5.0 $1,350
4.5 $865
4.0 $1,030(!)
3.5 $690
3.0 $600
2.5 $720(!!)
2.0 $400
1.8 $355

2021 MARKET UPDATE: HIGHER GRADE BOOKS DOING WELL

CGC 8.0 and 7.5 sales of this book posted solid gains. We also saw some good results among the VG range sales.

Other than that, this, along with most DC comics, is struggling.

Recent sales:

8.0 $3,200
7.5 $2,135
7.0 $1,465
6.5 $1,200
6.0 $1,220
5.5 $860
5.0 $650
4.5 $630
4.0 $525
3.5 $430
3.0 $450
2.5 $315
2.0 $290
1.8 $300
1.5 $265
0.5 $250

IF YOU BOUGHT MY RECOMMENDED GRADE LAST YEAR:

Here's the bottom line.

CGC 6.0 2020 $1,147
LAST SALE $980
PERCENT CHANGE -11%

2020 MARKET UPDATE: BARELY CLINGING TO HOT STATUS

2020 is the year that DC Comics characters are totally random. Some grades of Flash 123 are up on last year, including a big record sale. CGC 9.4 for $18,000.

Other grades are in the toilet.

2019 MARKET UPDATE: BARELY CLINGING TO HOT STATUS

Just like most DC Comics characters, Flash is suffering as speculators pile in to more and more Marvel comics.

The lack of a consistent DC Cinematic Universe output is hurting back issues across the board.

The fact that my pick of CGC 6.0 appreciated 23 percent is a miracle if you compare to other DC issues on the list (and some which fell off it altogether).

If you're still on the fence and didn't buy one, then I hesitate to recommend that you do so now. Put the money elsewhere.

Here are recent sales.

CGC 9.2 $12,199
CGC 8.5 $7,170
CGC 8.0 $3,990
CGC 7.0: $1,708
CGC 6.0 $1,005
CGC 5.0 $850
CGC 4.0 $700
CGC 3.0 $371

2018 MARKET UPDATE: LOWER VOLUME, PRICES STABLE

In a flash, the fuss about Silver Age Flash comic books is dying down. This book was under-valued for years, and briefly red-hot.

Now we see prices softening a little, though at grades above FN it's still a very scarce book. The CGC 8.0 price is a big increase on the previous year.

CGC 8.0 $3,900
CGC 7.5 $1,800
CGC 7.0: $1,700
CGC 6.0 $850
CGC 5.0 $625
CGC 4.0 $525
CGC 3.0 $330

2017 MARKET UPDATE:

Interest in Silver Age Flash comics has not slowed down. Some key issues, like 117 (first Captain Boomerang) came and went, as the reason for their temporary rise (movie) passed. Flash 123 shows no signs of slowing down.

This book is tough to find in grades above 6.0. There have been no sales in grades above 8.0 since our last report.

CGC 8.0: $1,800
CGC 7.5 $1,545
CGC 7.0: $1,500
CGC 6.0 $720
CGC 5.0 $725
CGC 4.0 $450

The renewed interest in many Flash comic books is mainly driven by the TV series, plus the crossover potential, as well as the upcoming DC movie releases which have the chance of featuring the Fastest Man Alive.

Flash #123 is special because it re-introduces the Golden Age Flash. The cover and story are considered by fans to be classics.

Other Flash books on the Hot 100 List:

Flash #105 | Flash #110 | Flash #139 | Showcase #4

Prices have risen dramatically, especially at grades above VG (which is about average for this book -- certainly most we are offered are beaters well-loved by their owners).

Aim for something nicer, ideally with OWW or White pages.

Note that there is very little data on super-high grades above 9.0, so proceed with caution before investing major money in a high-grade example (if you can find one!).