Why are 1962 Comics so Hard to Find?

[@leeniren3706]

I love the historical perspective as to why some books are harder to find than others. Very well explain

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad you enjoyed Lee!

[@emcee6915]

That first daredevil is a grail for me

[@MintHunterComics]

Was for me too!

[@NewbieComics]

That book is going to go nuts in the near future

[@jorgesantos9040]

Is like to add my two cents. It seems like this particular area of collecting is now dominated by dealers with a lot of money to spend and who are going to hold on until they get to their target price and resell. The other group is collectors who have deep pockets and most want to relive their childhood. I know that in my case being a kid in the sixties I wish I had the books I bought back then but like you state as soon as I went off to college my mother threw them all out. Anyway another great video.

[@youtuber5305]

Isn't everything gravitating toward the rich? Read the following recent article: ""It's Completely Absurd": People Are Sharing Things That Rich People Have "Ruined" For Everyone Else"

[@coldwarcomics8823]

Hard to believe a mere 2 cents made such a difference in sales. But I remember back then when a gallon of gas went up by 1 cent you took notice.

[@MintHunterComics]

Crazy to think - now we blink and it rises a dollar

[@donaldmiller9648]

I believe a bigger impact on availability of issues came from organized fandom and collecting that occurred in 1964-1965 period where comics began to be collected more and people began putting back new copies for trading etc. This was written about in fandom back in 1970s and 1980s. I never ran across a FF 1, Hulk 1 etc when I started collecting in 1970s but found four DD #1s, four X-Men 1s, Avengers 1, etc..

[@Aquaman1054]

I didn't start reading and collecting comics until the price was already established at 12 cents, so to me it was normal. However, when the price of comic books went up to 15 cents in 1969, a 25% increase, that was a blow to my wallet. Thank you for the video, as very long time collector, I found it to be very informative.

[@mikeyanddaddy]

I was a blow to me when comics exceeded a buck

[@psychedeliccomics]

Those 1962 key books were hard for me to find back in the 80s. I was fortunate to find JIM#83 in this video-rental/antique store out here in the sticks from a guy who originally bought them off the shelf back in the day. I also got Avengers#1 from that store. I grabbed these keys right after I saw them before anyone else discovered them....

[@MintHunterComics]

Dude.. NICE! Near impossible to grab now!

[@NewbieComics]

Finding JIM 83 😳😳😳

[@thecorporatelawgroup7093]

I call those 61-63 comics price tags 10 and 12 cent round. They are very hard to find, especially less popular books like Love Romances.

[@amoiix6820]

Your content is great! My first major key acquisition was TTA 27. It is still by far the easiest to bag. 35 as well. I employed the tactic of buying high volumes of comics that were relatively cheap ( most recently Eternals 1, 2 and 3) pressing, CGCing, and selling to fund my purchases of X-men 1, Avengers 1 and Hulk 181. I have a large stash of John Carter 1, Valiant Magnus 5 and Rai 1, 2 and 3 and other pre-Unity Valiants laying in wait. The targets are some silver DC keys that are still very low (Brainiac, Super-girl firsts and JLA 1, GL 1). Again, thanks for your work!

[@charlettemendoza6150]

Loved this one great job

[@MintHunterComics]

I put a lot of effort into this research based ones so I'm glad you enjoyed!

[@que2608]

I am into Golden age and trust me if you're hunting for some Golden agers they are way more rare to come up, especially some Soti books

[@FernandoGon814]

One of the best comic videos yet! Thank you.

[@loptsson]

Yeah a 20% increase in the price of something literally overnight could make anybody balk at the idea of buying it. Imagine even today that is a 4.99 jumping to 5.99. When the prices started going up that much I definitely cut back on what I get. Focusing only on the core titles and letting the outliers fall to the side. Overall a nice historical lesson which is very applicable to today as well.

[@MintHunterComics]

That'll prob happen soon too lol - when it randomly jumped from $3.99 to $4/99 it was appauling

[@loptsson]

@@MintHunterComics So true! I mean heck we already have one shots from say like Zenescope that I get that are already 7.99. I am scared to think where we will end up in the next five to ten years.

[@ZephyrBW]

Remember to do your part and if you find the classics spread them out in the web and protect them like they were your own child

[@MintHunterComics]

This

[@ZephyrBW]

@@MintHunterComics yes

[@ericturczynowsky3243]

Considering that 12 cents back in 1961-1962 is a little over $1....today's prices are extremely over inflated by 400%-800%

[@arthurtripp6922]

Rember in 1964 we had a 1964 COMICON and it went to NEWSPAPER and TV THAT COMICBOOKS HAVE VALUE AND COLLECTED BY A FAN BASE. AND there were FANZINE that connect a fan base. Also the big 2 ALLOWED Fan TO THERE OFFICE.

[@robbin8300]

Remember, a jump from 10 cents to 12 cents is a 20 percent increase. This means that a 20 percent reduction in sales is actually a break even. Anything less than a 20 percent reduction in sales is actually a gain.

[@bryansegovia87]

Just got recommended your channel. Great content man, keep it up!

[@MintHunterComics]

Oh dude that's awesome! Glad you got recommended!

[@Talking_Comics]

Very interesting and totally unique content too, very nice vid thanks for sharing. Doesn't make me feel better about saving up for my AF15 though

[@GodLovesComics]

Excellent slice of history and superlative editing. Love seeing all those old covers illustrating your narrative.

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad you enjoyed it! I put some real time into this one!

[@Serjohn]

0,12$ in 1962 is about 1,2$ dollars today. And 0,10$ in 1944 is about 1,7$ today. So yeah they had it better than us. The best price to buy comics was 0,12$ in 1969 which is about 0,91$ today.

[@calebleland8390]

Excellent history lesson, James. It's kind of funny thinking that a two cent increase would be so hard on sales. But then, I was born when they were 35 cents, and have seen the jumps to 60, 75, $1, and now as you said, you're looking at $5 for a floppy these days. I'd kill for a return to ten cent comics. But at least the books today will hold up better hahaha.

[@MintHunterComics]

Nowadays things bump up a full dollar at a time! Ugh.

[@dartfluke]

I still remember the rage I felt in June 1977 when I bought Batman 288. It was part two of a Penguin story and the price had increased from thirty to thirty-five cents.

[@MintHunterComics]

That's dirty to pull that DURING a 2 part arc smh

[@NewbieComics]

😮

[@imperialmerchant7770]

Interesting info! Love the channel.

[@MintHunterComics]

Much appreciated!

[@mcvapid]

I usually don't dig educational videos, but this was great! As an old school comic collector, definitely appreciate learning something new about the hobby.

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@NewbieComics]

Agreed

[@schwinnbike18]

Mint-Hunter. Your video content is awesome. Suggestion and no joke: switch gears to become a comic history Channel.

[@MintHunterComics]

For the most part my channel is pretty much that! hahaha

[@schwinnbike18]

@@MintHunterComics OH crap! Carry on 🙃👍

[@AlexSzostak13]

Great Video James! I kept expecting you to say... "And THAT'S...one to grow on!" LOL!!! Thanks for the history lesson! Keep on Hunting!!

[@MintHunterComics]

Lol glad you enjoyed John

[@JohnSmith-zl8rz]

People in USA are so lucky to find key comics for cheap. We outside USA are tied to eBay nasty high prices.

[@calebjohnson8737]

This is your best video great work!

[@MintHunterComics]

Wow, thanks!

[@Paul-ue7fo]

Hi James. Very interesting. I just picked up a 1964 ASM. That's my best grail for now. Could you do a video on why there are no advertisements in comic books now? They were full of them at one time. Thanks bro.

[@MintHunterComics]

That could be fun to do!

[@jonbishop9062]

Advertisers were helping pay fo the comic at the time. Now the consumer pays for it full price retail. It has always been cool to see the old ads in the comic.

[@NewbieComics]

Wow I’m learning something today

[@thelawnrangerandprontoserv9328]

Now that was an awesome history lesson in 1962 vs 64. Super interesting stuff. Great job and homework you did!

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@thelawnrangerandprontoserv9328]

@@MintHunterComics bet that was a lot of hours not to mention the editing! You should try some more. Breaking down image, DC golden age into silver and more.

[@chriscampanozzi6516]

Great information, thank you.

[@diodelad758]

What a great video, thanks. Just subbed.

[@MintHunterComics]

Hell yeah, welcome my friend! Glad you enjoyed the content!

[@chrisfrost5646]

Great video. Thanks

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad you enjoyed it Chris!

[@adamburkhart4046]

Thank for the very informative vid. I never stopped to consider the 2 cent price hike being a factor in sales or supply. Having all those grails emerge just after the price change created a perfect storm and laid the groundwork for the explosive price gains on those books. I've never owned a Tales To Astonish 27, but I nearly completed the run with the exception of that issue about 10 years ago. I sold my #11 (1st Groot and a 10 center) when the first GoTG movie came out, which in retrospect was not a good investment move. It has nearly tripled in value since I sold it!

[@danfoley2442]

First Groot was TTA 13, not 11...

[@MintHunterComics]

Hey it happens! We sell when we sell and we can't look back. Glad you liked the video and thanks for sharing!

[@nowherebound2908]

Great feature on the "big" price increase of '62! Fantastic Four was another book that started at 10 cents - I think it changed over at no. 3? I had a pocket digest of FF 1-6 when I was a kid, and I remember being amused by that price increase! 😄

[@MintHunterComics]

I think issue 2 or 3, FF #1 missed the tragedy of the price Increase!

[@nowherebound2908]

@@MintHunterComics Had to check ... it was issue 3 - at least they had the Fantasticar to soften the blow!! 😉

[@collectiblestoastonish]

Great video James. Curious to see what ends up going in that last spot on the wall.

[@MintHunterComics]

You and me both!

[@georgekarpontinis2063]

Tta $27 has the least amount of copies graded to date . Nice video!

[@robertbaker4811]

Great video James! Well researched. The first 10 or so issues FF are NOTORIOUS for mc.

[@MintHunterComics]

They indeed are. Poor FF lol

[@smokydogy]

Very interesting info thanks

[@markleneker9923]

Dell was pretty brazen (read: greedy) in playing with the tolerability of 15 cents an issue. They did test markets as early as the latter '50s. As you can imagine, it didn't fly.

[@MintHunterComics]

Dell basically did what everyone else is doing today, but back then!

[@ronaldbourgeois1255]

At least there was no tax on them then. I buy one book now for $4.00. pay exchange plus tax comes to $5.75 in Canada.

[@MintHunterComics]

Dude thats brutal! why so high!?!?!??!

[@TheComicBookReport]

Great breakdown of some Comic Book History 👏 Thoroughly enjoyed, thank you sir

[@MintHunterComics]

Much appreciated! I put a lot of time into this one so it's nice to be noticed!

[@TheComicBookReport]

@@MintHunterComics I absolutely enjoyed it and learned a handful of new things :) Thanks!

[@philcamacho127]

James, terrific vid with professional and engaging video editing skills. It was never boring even with all the stats that kept me wanting to see what's next and learn more. As you have shown, it's not overly difficult to find affordable 1963-on SA keys. But I've largely given up on finding an affordable low grade Hulk #1. Thanks again for your wonderful research and content. I still found your prior vid so fun and exciting during the hunt in your parent's attic!! 😃 👍

[@MintHunterComics]

That's the greatest compliment you can give! I'm glad you liked the pacing and the edits! Great to near it paid off in an enjoyable watchable manner!

[@NewbieComics]

Those books are out there , great stuff

[@MetalBum]

Great show James.

[@jacobbornowsky4013]

Great idea for a video!

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad you think so!

[@danpetitpas]

Well, you mentioned low sales figures, but you didn't mention Marvel's low print runs. One of the reasons Stan started the reprint titles Marvel Tales and Marvel Collectors' Item Classics was that a lot of people just didn't see any Marvel Comics in the spinner racks. Marvel was being distributed by DC, and I NEVER saw any Marvels at my local pharmacy. It wasn't until I started going to high school and visited a proper newsstand that I had access to Marvels. FF 70 was the first Marvel I bought and I started going to conventions and ordering back issues through the mail. The rest is just supply and demand. There's fewer early Marvels out there and a lot of people want them. The price increase is incidental.

[@jasoncraft2135]

Gotta agree I still need an Inc. Hulk #1 to complete my Hulk run. But at 3K for a coverless trashed out version I just can't justify it.

[@MintHunterComics]

Hahaha I know exactly what you mean Jason

[@toysandgames1275]

Great History! I learned something new today.

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad to hear it!

[@chrismann3120]

Another great video...I sort of had a feeling about some of the information like in the 60s people didn't really collect comics they read comics....I know when I was a kid I didn't collect 2000ad I read them...I didnt find the joys of comics as you know them until my teens but another great job...ok for clarity I'm a 70s baby

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad you enjoyed it! and I started reading comics in the 2000s! maybe late late 90s

[@chrismann3120]

@@MintHunterComics well I am older than star wars buddy

[@vincentimbesi3947]

Great video! I always like learning something new about comic book history. I never realized the two cent increase affected sales that much. It’s a shame that somewhere along the line we lost the large amount of female readers until maybe the last 15 years.

[@ccsportsfan7886]

this was excellent thank u for the time u put into it

[@MintHunterComics]

My pleasure!

[@chrislackey775]

SO TRUE MY FRIEND

[@Darkglobe1977]

I wish DC was still 'Drawing the Line at $2.99' I have the Joker on my pull list and the damn thing is $5.99 per issue....

[@MintHunterComics]

Insane. Where do they get off.

[@geekimusprime]

What else could you buy for a dime back then? Also, DC holding the line at a dime, before quickly bat-caving.

[@MintHunterComics]

Not sure! I think street vendor hot dogs were a nickel in the 40s

[@azb-comics]

Your silver age wall looks great! I hope one day to get the 3rd appearenace of iron man one day but first a Iron man#1 that looks great his second and first apearens are hard 2 find and out of price range for me. Iron man is my fav 😂 I don't even know why I am saying this but just felt like sharing hahah

[@MintHunterComics]

I think I'll need to settle for 2d or 3d, that 1st app is just too tough!

[@azb-comics]

@@MintHunterComics agreed🙌 😂

[@jonathansullivan8651]

I sold a rough copy of Journey Into Mystery #83 for $300 back in the day LOL

[@gabrielemalatesta8978]

I got a piss poor copy of Journey into Mystery #88 first Appearance of Odin from 1962 for 10$. Got it at a flea market where the guy was mainly selling French comics and Action figures. It was randomly at the back of a Copper Age Spider-Man lot.

[@actionman38]

Great video!

[@MintHunterComics]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@buraddorun3043]

I believe in you. You'll be able to trade for something nice.

[@melvinjackson7631]

You love Batman. I have a book Batman 69 1952 first appearance king of cats raw in FN. that’s the last golden age cat woman.

[@MintHunterComics]

Dude solid book, I actually sadly have very few of the 1-100 range

[@mikeyanddaddy]

Because my mother threw them all out when I was 10.....boy does she regret it now....

[@robertdeveau7445]

Where did you get this sales data.

[@MintHunterComics]

I found some research online simply by searching these years and sales data for the time!

[@ronaldbourgeois1255]

I know Regie collects is after Hulk #1 and lowest he can get one for is $15,000.00.

[@MintHunterComics]

I'll have to reach out to do a vid with him! maybe talking about hunting these whales of books!

[@TheMisfits7783]

Oh so Stan lee drew the art too? He's NOT the only creator of the character

[@MintHunterComics]

I did not say that ONLY Stan Lee created these characters

[@thecatwrangler9448]

“Created by Stan Lee after the 12 cent increase” are you kidding me lol, no mention of the real creator Kirby? C’mon

[@benji3455]

I would say go for ant man or iron man

[@MintHunterComics]

Or maybe the Wasp? Phew I don't know!

[@benji3455]

@@MintHunterComics yeah but its not really a bluchip

[@christopherosburn6199]

Where did you get the frames for your comics?

[@MintHunterComics]

ECC frames

[@sirroxalot]

5:12 they were probably using some boy's money, so they didn't care.

[@MintHunterComics]

Very possible lol

[@stevenschaller1672]

Re mortgage the house!👍🤣🤣

[@stevenschaller1672]

The answer is way simpler than that ...its because they are ooollllldddd!!!👍🤣 Like me!

[@christophertomasello1227]

5:05 OR there were fewer girl books available at that time. This would concentrate interest.

[@minuswyatt2437]

Interesting to see how hard that 2 cent price increase killed sales. Today is sooooo much worse! Lol

[@MintHunterComics]

Today is insane $5-11 dollars for comics is NUTZ

[@odinknowsbest]

That's my holly grail

[@ronaldbourgeois1255]

Wasn’t ANTMAN. Or THOR. In 1962 or 1961.

[@MintHunterComics]

Did you watch the whole video?

[@nighttigercomics7323]

Let's not forget Marvel's distribution was controlled by DC comics.

[@andrewcai5042]

Sent a question and need some collecting advice on Instagram. Get back to me whenever I'd appreciate the insight.

[@MintHunterComics]

Checking my IG now

[@x4486xx]

I freaking hate Donovan Mcnabb

[@MintHunterComics]

Lol what year is it?

[@eddiefaccioni2453]

@@MintHunterComics Donovan Mcnabb is a former quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. I don't understand how this applies to your video.