Hot Comics #38: Journey into Mystery 85, 1st Loki

100 Hot Comics: Journey into Mystery 85, 1st Loki. Click to buy a copy at Goldin

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Why Journey into Mystery 85 is a Hot Comic

2024 MARKET UPDATE: LOKI FLATTERS TO DECEIVE

A record sale of CGC 8.5 for $17K is about the only highlight this year.

Though there are some higher sales this year, none of them are anywhere near the record highs.

2023 MARKET UPDATE: LOKI UNMOVED IN THE MARKET SELLOFF

Yes, prices are lower than a year ago, but not in the horrible panic sell-off way much of the market has seen (and not only comic books by the way).

One to hold if you still own one.

2022 MARKET UPDATE: TARGET GRADE OF 7.5 PERFORMS WELL

It's taken a while, but the sale of $11,890 for a CGC 7/5 is almost TRIPLE that of last year.

Only the lack of turnover due to the scarce nature of this first Loki comic book has pushed it down the list -- that, and a bunch of modern keys which have rocketed higher.

$1,150 is the new 0.5 entry point.

Recent sales:

8.0 $15,100
7.5 $11,890
7.0 $9,000
6.5 $7,200
6.0 $7,200
5.5 $5,640
5.0 $5,760
4.5 $4,920
4.0 $3,120
3.5 $3,480
3.0 $2,160
2.5 $2,280
2.0 $2,025
1.8 $1,760
1.5 $2,600 (OMG)
1.0 $1,400
0.5 $1,100

2021 MARKET UPDATE: RECORD SALE BROKEN IN CGC 9.6!

Just like last year, there is low volume on this book, but when copies did change hands, the prices trended higher in most grades.

Eye-catching CGC 1.0 sale of $650!

Recent sales:

9.6 $53,300
7.5 $4,000
6.5 $2,950
6.0 $2,640
5.5 $2,100
5.0 $2,034
4.5 $1,450
4.0 $1,113
3.5 $1,261(!)
3.0 $1,250(!!)
2.5 $950
2.0 $680
1.8 $680
1.5 $665
1.0 $650

IF YOU BOUGHT MY RECOMMENDED GRADE LAST YEAR:

Here's the bottom line.

CGC 7.5 2020 $4,000
LAST SALE $4,000
PERCENT CHANGE none

2020 MARKET UPDATE: BIGGER VOLUME WOULD RESULT IN A HIGHER SPOT

Journey into Mystery 85 is hot, with increased priced in most grades. Unfortunately, it's held back by low volume.

There simply aren't enough sales to justify a higher position.

2019 MARKET UPDATE: PUNTERS SEEKING UNDER-VALUED KEYS

The phenomenon of biggest books pricing themselves out of a market, and investors turning to lesser keys instead, has worked for JIM#85, and to a lesser extent Journey into Mystery #84.

There have been no sales of our recommended CGC 7.5 grade, but here are some encouraging results from other grades.

Recent sales:

CGC 8.5 $5,019
CGC 8.0 $5,000
CGC 6.5 $2,050
CGC 6.0 $1,525
CGC 4.0 $825
CGC 2.0 $425

2018 MARKET UPDATE: LOKI CAN'T COMPARE TO THOR, EVEN IN THE MARKET

Prices are overwhelmingly positive this year. It seems that the fresh upturn in Journey into Mystery #83 (first Thor) has sparked new interest in Loki.

There have been no sales of our recommended CGC 7.5 grade, but 8.0 and 7.0 have both seen record highs, so it's looking good.

Recent sales:

CGC 9.4 $28,600
CGC 8.5 $10,700
CGC 8.0 $3,250
CGC 7.0 $2,300
CGC 6.0 $1,400
CGC 4.0 $645
CGC 2.0 $225

2017 MARKET UPDATE:

There's not enough activity to justify moving JIM 85 higher up the Hot 100. It's a pretty scarce book above VG-ish ranges.

A few noteworthy sales are listed below. The record for this book will surely be smashed if any of the 9.4 or 9.6 copies come back to market.

CGC 8.0 $2,600
CGC 7.0 $1,540
CGC 6.0 $975
CGC 4.0 $575

Loki, on paper, is a bit of a weird super-villain. Being the ugly brother to Thor cannot be easy, and any guy would end up with a chip on their shoulder under those circumstances.

The important point about Loki is his importance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He's appeared in the Thor and Avengers movies, and it looks as if he will be reprised in future sequels.

Most copies on the market are low- to mid-grade thrashers. While prices are rising, it's surprising how affordable this book is below CGC 8.0, with not much price variance after you get to 6.0. Find a nice copy with minimal damage on the front and preferably white pages.