Advice on building a Marvel card collection

[rj.cataldo]

Hi all,

I’m a long time card / memorabilia collector that’s been collecting cards for 3+ decades. I’ve dabbled in Marvel cards off and on since 2016, but I’ve never made a focused effort to build a collection.

Over the last year I’ve gotten deeper into Marvel cards, and was really drawn in by 2022 MM and Ultra Wolverine, as well as the platinum products. I’m fairly knowledgeable about the current brands and the Masterpieces product (going back to 2016 at least) and I understand the history of inserts that UD has brought to Marvel (in the sports context)

I’m looking for some thoughts/advice on building out a Marvel collection. I tend to be drawn to some of the more popular characters, which doesn’t help with price. Unlike my sports card collection, I do plan to keep my collection tighter. I’m not looking to accumulate thousands of cards or be a completionist.

I do collect a few sets (put a MM22 epic purple set together) and enjoy cool inserts. I’ve been thinking about getting cards of characters I like across the various years of MM, but that’s just a thought.

Curious as to the thoughts of more experienced Marvel collectors - what are the “tiers of cards”, how do you structure what you chase and what do you look for in a card (or avoid). Your thoughts are appreciated!


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[HiltonL]

1st rule: collect what you like
2nd rule: budgets are finite, therefore you can't collect everything

tiers as I see them are artificial rarity constraints put on cards by serial numbering them. See recent Marvel Masterpieces releases. Parallels are a related issue as there are so many colors and patterns available to manufacturers that any given rainbow can now be dozens of cards instead of say, 6.

[armyml]

Awesome that you're getting into it more. There's really not a definitive answer to your question because everyone has their own preferences. I feel you on the top tier characters being expensive, and that can hurt if you decide to character collect.

Myself personally I collect one character from each tier. High end is Deadpool, Middle tier Captain America, lower tier Howard the Duck. I love Wolverine, Venom, and Spider-Man, but I can't justify their prices sometimes. Not in the sense that they aren't worth it, but I MYSELF can't justify spending the money. Top tier characters have some beautiful pieces out there thats for sure.

As for the buying aspect, sniping auctions is probably your best bet. BINS on COMC are typically way over comps, and sometimes BIN listers on Ebay don't want to negotiate if they are listed above comps, but an auction is an auction. As an example one card I've been looking at for awhile is the Deadpool PMG High Series from X-men Metal. BINS are always stupid on the card and I'll typically see it auction for 4-500 less than BINS.

As someone who has a direct account with Upper Deck I can tell you opening boxes is risky. If you REALLY wanna rip wax and can afford it open a case instead. That way the stuff you hit that you don't want you can sell and recoup, plus buy singles of the characters you want. Most cases have a "case hit" which will help you recoup your cost. If you're playing in the realm of Marvel Masterpieces though those cases can get wonderfully expensive.

And of course the age old sage advice, just buy singles. Good luck though I hope you have fun. Who are you going to collect?

[finfangfan]

Agree with “collect what you like”. Marvel is moving over to Topps so you may want to start with picking up a few of those sets. Also, a ton of Marvel sets likely will continue to be released and it’s impossible to afford everything. Make sure you keep your collector’s interest as narrow as possible to avoid burnout. I would just buy singles and limit wax to only sets you really like. Good luck!

[armyml]

Originally Posted by finfangfan

Agree with “collect what you like”. Marvel is moving over to Topps so you may want to start with picking up a few of those sets. Also, a ton of Marvel sets likely will continue to be released and it’s impossible to afford everything. Make sure you keep your collector’s interest as narrow as possible to avoid burnout. I would just buy singles and limit wax to only sets you really like. Good luck!

Yea opening every set definitely isn't ideal. I've got some bulk boxes of What If and Eternals that agree with me.

[DynaEtch]

I will co-sign the above and go with collect what you like, although I know you’re looking for more specifics.

People in marvel cards usually fall into the following categories in the broadest sense (and they aren’t mutually exclusive, they can overlap): set collectors (‘completionists’), character collectors, sketch collectors, and people dabbling in miscellaneous, maybe graded cards of 'stars' etc. Im not even including people that primarily break on epack to gamble/flip etc since we're talking about collectors.

If there's one particular character you're drawn to- wolverine or gambit perhaps- it can be fun especially with all these parallels nowadays to track down everything you can…rainbows galore. Sketches of them too.

If you're a set collector, you are probably a bit overwhelmed right now by the sheer amount of product out there and how huge sets are nowadays that are impossible to master set collect. One option is to go for more mini-type master sets, without parallels. Another is to pick one set and go nuts with it- I believe someone on this board did that with 2022 Fleer Ultra Avengers. I chose a happy medium that gives me a variety but also a focus not having to collect everything- I stick to a brand of sets (Masterpieces). Which gives me stuff from 1992 to 2024 to collect. I pick and choose within each set to go for- im not going to go for a full auto set in MM16 but I will go for an epic purple set, etc.

Might be worth going back to the 90s and collecting some of those sets, its the best era of marvel cards imo. As the years go on in this hobby, I have found myself being more interested in the 'rarities'…and im not talking about a green PMG numbered to 10, but rather scarce uncut sheets, error cards, rare promos in sealed magazines, etc.

If getting into collecting marvel cards I would keep in mind it's not exactly an investment. It's better to be rooted in a passion for the cards and not to make money. Character collecting especially. Imagine after years having a 500+ cards of say Cyclops. Or even of Gambit or Black Cat. Rainbows of one character etc. It's kinda hard to move that- you'll have to find someone who likes that character that much and also doesnt have most of the cards. Sure you can break it up, but character collecting is very specific and might be the least lucrative- people do it because they just like the character and the hunt. Set collecting being more general is a little better in that dept (people will always be looking for 1996MM sets for example). But still the point is not exactly an investment.

In summary, in this hobby it involves picking and choosing. So pick what you like and go with it.

[Rictor]

Marvel Masterpieces, I feel like you should have a least 1 Joe Jusko autograph card.

Personally, I PC signed Marvel creator cards. 2013 Marvel Fleer Retro was a great set for this. I think there was around 100 on-card creator auto cards in that set. The last few years Upper Deck has gotten back into creator autos, but they are all stickers. I've been grabbing those as well though.

I collect signed comic books as well, but the cards definitely take up less space.

[rj.cataldo]

Thanks all. This is great perspective and helps farm my thoughts. Appreciate the thoughtful posts.

Dyna I’ve been thinking about focusing on Masterpieces myself so this helps to strengthen that thinking. I need to figure out how I want to structure what I chase.


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[DynaEtch]

Would be a solid choice (no bias here haha). It is known as the elite marvel art brand and has the original painted art.

That said, I could also see something like a Platinum focus being cool as well (which at this point would be just the reg Platinum and the 92MM Platinum…and that’s all it’ll be from UD. Although could extend it through topps with Chrome, but meh). The power of the shiny I suppose, it does have a draw. I think Platinum could even end up being a more collectible set in the hobby’s eyes than like MM18 or MM20 etc down the road.

I don’t 100% stay within MM, but it’s probably like 97%. I like being able to narrow the focus. I would be spread too thin if going for all these zillion sets like Beginnings, Avengers vs X-Men, Flair, Fleer Ultras, etc. I don’t think there’s many of us “Brand collectors” out there…it’s usually character collectors or general set collectors. Although there is another poster on here who goes by MMguy.

[fabiani12333]

I can definitely see Wolverine and especially Spider-Man collecting being cost prohibitive. I'd think the next tier would be feasible if you're committed.

[cmixer]

My two-cents ...

Manage your timing. When a product is newly released, cards may be easier to acquire. Once they dry-up, you may have to pay a premium.

There are a ton of Character-Collectors that can tell you the best way to build a character collection. There are also sketch collectors that can tell you how to build a sketch collection. These are often two different things.

Are you seeking quality or quantity? You could build a good-looking Spider-Man collection with mid-tier inserts fairly easily. But if you want a PMG rainbow, forget the other stuff.

[rj.cataldo]

Originally Posted by cmixer

My two-cents ...

Manage your timing. When a product is newly released, cards may be easier to acquire. Once they dry-up, you may have to pay a premium.

There are a ton of Character-Collectors that can tell you the best way to build a character collection. There are also sketch collectors that can tell you how to build a sketch collection. These are often two different things.

Are you seeking quality or quantity? You could build a good-looking Spider-Man collection with mid-tier inserts fairly easily. But if you want a PMG rainbow, forget the other stuff.

I’d definitely target more quality than quantity in this case. I don’t want to mimic my sports collection which is very broad / diverse. I’m not saying I want to go buy PMG greens, but I think I’ll likely stick to select sets.

Here are some things I know I like:
- original art sets #1 - this is why I love MM, FUW, and the low series platinum.

- I like the inserts / gems, particularly the battle spectrum gems from MM

- artist autos and a few sketches. I’ll probably add one nice sketch of each character I like. In fact I just got this one in the mail today.


OP


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[jdandns]

The indispensable Marvel Comics art sets:

1966 Donruss Marvel
1975 Topps Comic Book Heroes
1976 Topps Super Heroes Stickers
1987/88 Comic Images Marvel Universe I II III IV (+ Mini sticker sets)
1990-94 Impel/Skybox/Fleer Marvel Universe I II III IV V
1992 Comic Images Silver Surfer Prism
1992-1996 Marvel Masterpieces I II III IV V
1992 & 1993 Impel/Skybox X-Men I II
1993 & 1994 Fleer Ultra X-Men
1994 Fleer Amazing Spider-Man, 1st Edition
1995 Fleer All-Chromium Ultra X-Men
1995 Fleer/Skybox DC Vs. Marvel
1995 Fleer Ultra Spider-Man
1996 Fleer Ultra X-Men: Wolverine
1996 Fleer/Skybox Amalgam
1996 Fleer/Skybox Ultra Onslaught
1996 Fleer/Skybox Spider-Man Premium
1997 Fleer/Skybox Spider-Man Ultra
1997 Fleer/Skybox Marvel Premium QFX
1997 Fleer/Skybox X-Men Timelines
1998 Fleer/Skybox Marvel Creators Collection
1998 Fleer/Skybox Marvel Silver Age
2001 Topps Marvel Legends
2013 Rittenhouse Spider-Man 1967 Animated Series Lenticular
2016 Marvel Masterpieces
2017 Fleer Ultra Spider-Man

[finfangfan]

I’d probably add 2013/2015 Retro and 2017 FUSM to that list.

[DynaEtch]

Very solid list. Interestingly only one UD set I might add in the following,

-1966 Donruss Marvel (set is goofy as all heck, but the historic very first marvel set).
-1994 Marvel Flair (art is from comics but it’s a rehashed set done right and is great looking)
-1995 Marvel Flair (ditto)
-1992 Silver Surfer Prism (ditto…cards are snazzy even though a Comic Images set)
-1995 Marvel Metal

I might swap out some of those later 90s ones like QFX, Timelines, Onslaught, Amalgam for some of those.

I’m not sure if I’d add all that much from the UD era…maybe like MM22 or Platinum.

[jdandns]

Yeah, I was on the fence with 2022 MM. It's the closest to the spirit of the original sets. Obviously, Jusko 2016 MM gets (literally) grandfathered in.

As for the pair of Flairs and Metal, I purposely left those out, because the then nascent computer coloring used on them turned out so horrifically, obliterating the artwork to my eyes, that I consciously avoided them when new. I did go back and get them a few years after they were issued, recognizing their prominence among that era's cards. I left off Marvel Vision and Marvel Motion from those same old days, though, because they were largely mere advertisements for then-current cartoon shows (although the Motion chase cards were pretty cool).

With the Comic Images sets, the reused art kills most of them for me, but those original four sets I listed were, I think, instrumental in proving the viability of what turned out to be the greatest Marvel set of all (1990 Impel Marvel Universe 1) in addition to paving the way for many more Comic Images sets that followed including all-prism Silver Surfer which was novel in that it was the first Marvel set in which every single card was, at that time, "chase" card quality. For that reason, I'll add it to my list. Good call.

The original 1966 Donruss set is just plain ugly, but yeah, it almost certainly belongs in any comprehensive collection, and I just left it off because I don't have it. My whine hath, I fear, been pressed from sour grapes.
I'll add it, too.

As for Rittenhouse sets, I never got the feeling from any of them that the base cards were anything more than extra packaging around the sketch cards, which virtually never featured work from actual Marvel Comics artists. Indeed, 2007/08 Upper Deck MM's saving grace from the recycled art was the fact that they collectively delivered hundreds, if not thousands, of sketch cards featuring work from actual published Marvel artists into the hands of collectors. It's not enough to add them to the list, but they do merit an honorable mention.

[jdandns]

Originally Posted by finfangfan

I’d probably add 2013/2015 Retro and 2017 FUSM to that list.

I did enjoy seeing the old designs again on those Retro insert sets and I believe they were first modern sets to use classic 90's Fleer/Skybox sports chase card designs on Marvel cards, isn't that right? Do you know off-hand approx. what percentage of the art used on the 13 & 15 Retro sets was new art created specifically for those sets?

And Fleer Ultra Spidey 2017, that was all new art, correct? If so, it was a worthy successor to the 90's Spidey sets, so I added it. Was the (fairly) recent Ultra X-Men set also all new art? I could see adding that one, too, if so.

[orion9578]

1st question I'd answer is are you buying as an "investment" or just to collect. Both is fine but I'd start there.

2nd I'd get a budget together. Marvel cards can be nearly as expensive as collecting sports cards.

I'm much more of a modern Marvel collector, though I can appreciate the older sets as well. If you are collecting just to collect, buy characters you like. If you like popular characters, be prepared to spend quite a bit of money. If you're "investing" it's best to do it with top tier characters from top tier sets. I'd suggest:

2013 Retro. PMG's & Jambalayas.

2014 Premier. I'd stick to the Gold parallel set.

2016 Masterpieces. Don't think you can go wrong with basically anything in the entire set but obviously the tier 4's and low numbered inserts of top characters will yield the best "return" or least loss if stuff goes down.

2016 Gems. I'd focus on Exquisite & Diamond Mines.

2017 FUSM. PMG's & Web Foil Rainbows of top characters, if you can find them at all and reasonably priced when they do pop up.

2018 FUXM. Anything rare from this set will do well, if you can find it for a decent price.

2022 Masterpieces. Broken record. IMO most of this set does well long term.

And I'm going to toss in 2 basically "brand new sets". I like Fleer Ultra Wolverine & Fleer Ultra Matriarchs. Various sets but mostly the Medallions.


There are also a handful of sets from other releases that have desirable insert sets. 1st Jambalaya's, 1st PMG's, 1st Masterpiece cards etc.

If you're wanting to collect MCU, I'd tend to stick with Black Diamond, unless anyone you're after doesn't have a BD card.

Sketches I'd tend to stick to people you collect, females & sought after artists. It's often tough sledding messing with sketches though, unless you "get lucky" and get a top artist for cheap and/or an artist you've already been buying does well and goes up.

My $0.11-$0.33 cents on the subject. GL!

[DynaEtch]

That’s a solid point about 94-95 Flair. I can see how being familiar with the OG comic art used for it, not being a fan of the digital rehash. I kinda like it because it takes comic line art and makes it into almost a ‘painting’- gives it a fancy look, but I get the criticisms.

The 13-15 retro had new art for base and just the basic insert sets that called back to old Marvel designs like 92 Universe. The major inserts like PMGs, Ultra Stars, Intimidation Nation etc were all rehashed. Similar story for FUSM- new art base, and a few basic insert sets, but the major inserts like PMGs rehashed. I would say 2017 FUSM is a bit of a cult-classic set in the hobby and probably deserving a spot I guess. Totally agree about Rittenhouse and 07-08MM base being filler for sketches. I love 07-08MM as much as anyone, but it can’t really be called an elite set.

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by orion9578

1st question I'd answer is are you buying as an "investment" or just to collect. Both is fine but I'd start there.

The one X factor here is just how well will UD sets like the investment sets you mention do long after UD is out of the picture in marvel. I can see it going both ways, either losing steam as UD marvel is no longer on epack and drawing that crowd in, kinda becoming a thing of the past (how many are talking about Rittenhouse marvel right now? although it’s a bit of apples and oranges). Or do people get nostalgic for UD era and the prices hold or even go up.

While the stuff you mention is certainly the wiser option when investing than say random Marvel Beginnings or Annual parallels, any investment in this hobby is kinda on shaky ground outside maybe like sealed wax. Even MM16 is far from impervious. The longer I hold onto my MM16 battle gems set, the more value it seems to be losing. The Wolvie vs Sabretooth BSG was probably like a $2000-2500 a card a couple years ago…it could be as low as like $800-1000 right now. I’ve seen some BSGs in MM16 going for just a couple hundred dollars, if that. I mean they are /99 which isn’t that small, maybe that’s part of it, but still BSGs were some of the better things to get in MM16. I guess it’s just correction since the crazy Covid peak.

I think a major problem affecting the hobby and values right now is there is just *so* much out there now…so many parallels from X,Y,Z sets, people don’t have lots of money to prop these values up. The money in marvel cards is finite, and it’s a lot less overall than like sports cards or comics. That’s an issue. Not many marvel card people putting up thousands of dollars for a card, outside some of the influencer circles you see.

This is why I’m more of the mindset it’s better to be going in as collector and almost expecting some of this stuff to lose money, and if it does somehow increase then that’s great. The people who did the best $-wise in this hobby were the ones who got in early on the 2013-2015 Retro and FUSM etc sets before PMGs took off…and then sold during Covid. I recall that one poster who sat on a 13 Retro sealed case then sold it for over $200k…some life changing money. People who happened to collect tons of PMGs before they went big. Those were the real winners $-wise….but doubting we’ll be seeing something like that again.

It’ll be interesting to see how the hobby plays out going forward post-UD, but lately prices just seem kinda rough on singles. *Except* newly released sets, where they are typically quite high. This hobby is so much a “what’s hot now” type hobby. I just saw a silver framed masterpiece MM24 Moon Knight /10 sell for over $700! People get sucked into the new releases and spend up on them, with FOMO etc (me included). The prices don’t *usually* sustain once interest moves on to the next thing.

[rj.cataldo]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

The one X factor here is just how well will UD sets like the investment sets you mention do long after UD is out of the picture in marvel. I can see it going both ways, either losing steam as UD marvel is no longer on epack and drawing that crowd in, kinda becoming a thing of the past (how many are talking about Rittenhouse marvel right now? although it’s a bit of apples and oranges). Or do people get nostalgic for UD era and the prices hold or even go up.

While the stuff you mention is certainly the wiser option when investing than say random Marvel Beginnings or Annual parallels, any investment in this hobby is kinda on shaky ground outside maybe like sealed wax. Even MM16 is far from impervious. The longer I hold onto my MM16 battle gems set, the more value it seems to be losing. The Wolvie vs Sabretooth BSG was probably like a $2000-2500 a card a couple years ago…it could be as low as like $800-1000 right now. I’ve seen some BSGs in MM16 going for just a couple hundred dollars, if that. I mean they are /99 which isn’t that small, maybe that’s part of it, but still BSGs were some of the better things to get in MM16. I guess it’s just correction since the crazy Covid peak.

I think a major problem affecting the hobby and values right now is there is just *so* much out there now…so many parallels from X,Y,Z sets, people don’t have lots of money to prop these values up. The money in marvel cards is finite, and it’s a lot less overall than like sports cards or comics. That’s an issue. Not many marvel card people putting up thousands of dollars for a card, outside some of the influencer circles you see.

This is why I’m more of the mindset it’s better to be going in as collector and almost expecting some of this stuff to lose money, and if it does somehow increase then that’s great. The people who did the best $-wise in this hobby were the ones who got in early on the 2013-2015 Retro and FUSM etc sets before PMGs took off…and then sold during Covid. I recall that one poster who sat on a 13 Retro sealed case then sold it for over $200k…some life changing money. People who happened to collect tons of PMGs before they went big. Those were the real winners $-wise….but doubting we’ll be seeing something like that again.

It’ll be interesting to see how the hobby plays out going forward post-UD, but lately prices just seem kinda rough on singles. *Except* newly released sets, where they are typically quite high. This hobby is so much a “what’s hot now” type hobby. I just saw a silver framed masterpiece MM24 Moon Knight /10 sell for over $700! People get sucked into the new releases and spend up on them, with FOMO etc (me included). The prices don’t *usually* sustain once interest moves on to the next thing.

Thank you. This is great advice, and this thread is very helpful. The listing of the sets is very informative as well.

I’m definitely going in as a “collector”. I’ve been in this hobby a long time, and I have a lot of value in my collection, much of which I acquired before the COVID boom. I’ve never really looked at this hobby as an “investment” in that I’m putting in money in hopes of a return. That said, I do want my cards to retain some value should I ever need to sell them, whether due to personal reasons or just to buy something else. Every time I sell something, that money goes right back into the hobby.

I don’t see myself chasing massive PMG greens and things like that. My sports PC will always be #1 for me, but I’ve really enjoyed Marvel collecting lately and it’s going to remain part of my collection in some shape or form.

I’m very sure the Masterpieces will be central to my collection as I’ve dabbled in each release since 2016 before really diving in to 2022. I also really enjoyed the FUW release along with some of the platinum stuff. I’ll probably learn more about some of the earlier UD sets, as well as the 90s sets and prior to get more targeted in my chase. In the meantime, I’ll likely focus on some MM parallels and autos through the various years.

Appreciate the advice.


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[orion9578]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

The one X factor here is just how well will UD sets like the investment sets you mention do long after UD is out of the picture in marvel. I can see it going both ways, either losing steam as UD marvel is no longer on epack and drawing that crowd in, kinda becoming a thing of the past (how many are talking about Rittenhouse marvel right now? although it’s a bit of apples and oranges). Or do people get nostalgic for UD era and the prices hold or even go up.

While the stuff you mention is certainly the wiser option when investing than say random Marvel Beginnings or Annual parallels, any investment in this hobby is kinda on shaky ground outside maybe like sealed wax. Even MM16 is far from impervious. The longer I hold onto my MM16 battle gems set, the more value it seems to be losing. The Wolvie vs Sabretooth BSG was probably like a $2000-2500 a card a couple years ago…it could be as low as like $800-1000 right now. I’ve seen some BSGs in MM16 going for just a couple hundred dollars, if that. I mean they are /99 which isn’t that small, maybe that’s part of it, but still BSGs were some of the better things to get in MM16. I guess it’s just correction since the crazy Covid peak.

I think a major problem affecting the hobby and values right now is there is just *so* much out there now…so many parallels from X,Y,Z sets, people don’t have lots of money to prop these values up. The money in marvel cards is finite, and it’s a lot less overall than like sports cards or comics. That’s an issue. Not many marvel card people putting up thousands of dollars for a card, outside some of the influencer circles you see.

This is why I’m more of the mindset it’s better to be going in as collector and almost expecting some of this stuff to lose money, and if it does somehow increase then that’s great. The people who did the best $-wise in this hobby were the ones who got in early on the 2013-2015 Retro and FUSM etc sets before PMGs took off…and then sold during Covid. I recall that one poster who sat on a 13 Retro sealed case then sold it for over $200k…some life changing money. People who happened to collect tons of PMGs before they went big. Those were the real winners $-wise….but doubting we’ll be seeing something like that again.

It’ll be interesting to see how the hobby plays out going forward post-UD, but lately prices just seem kinda rough on singles. *Except* newly released sets, where they are typically quite high. This hobby is so much a “what’s hot now” type hobby. I just saw a silver framed masterpiece MM24 Moon Knight /10 sell for over $700! People get sucked into the new releases and spend up on them, with FOMO etc (me included). The prices don’t *usually* sustain once interest moves on to the next thing.

I don't really feel like I'd be making too wild of a guess that we'll follow the sports card market, per usual. UD losing their sports license(s), basketball in particular(where most of the inserts we get came from in the first place), has done nothing but make them worth more money. I'm going with the exact same things happens with Marvel, if you're buying or already bought premium inserts of premium characters.

16MM BSG's were $30-$50 in 2016, so I guess that it's just a matter of when you bought in. Anyone who bought stuff during Covid is likely getting hammered. Some of the sets I mention have held pretty well though and are still way, way up from their initial prices.

In the end, buy what you like for a price you are comfortable with/happy with. If it all falls apart, which it could at virtually any moment, you'll be "stuck" with little pieces of cardboard that at the very least make you smile

[DynaEtch]

Originally Posted by orion9578

I don't really feel like I'd be making too wild of a guess that we'll follow the sports card market, per usual. UD losing their sports license(s), basketball in particular(where most of the inserts we get came from in the first place), has done nothing but make them worth more money. I'm going with the exact same things happens with Marvel, if you're buying or already bought premium inserts of premium characters.

16MM BSG's were $30-$50 in 2016, so I guess that it's just a matter of when you bought in. Anyone who bought stuff during Covid is likely getting hammered. Some of the sets I mention have held pretty well though and are still way, way up from their initial prices.

In the end, buy what you like for a price you are comfortable with/happy with. If it all falls apart, which it could at virtually any moment, you'll be "stuck" with little pieces of cardboard that at the very least make you smile

Well said and that’s true it’s all about when you bought in. I bought the majority of my MM16 BSG set in the Covid era- d’oh. It’s not about the value for me though, so I’m ok with it. People are doing *very* well if they were buying those up for $25-50 way back near 2016.

Maybe UD will go the way Exquisite basketball….it’s possible. What’ll help that is if Topps keeps putting out generic rehashed art sets.

[orion9578]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

Well said and that’s true it’s all about when you bought in. I bought the majority of my MM16 BSG set in the Covid era- d’oh. It’s not about the value for me though, so I’m ok with it. People are doing *very* well if they were buying those up for $25-50 way back near 2016.

Maybe UD will go the way Exquisite basketball….it’s possible. What’ll help that is if Topps keeps putting out generic rehashed art sets.

See how they've ran their Star Wars license. Same sets, over and over. Mostly Chrome/Finest type sets. Most wax is only available to breakers and the bots gobble up what's available to the every man. I'll stand behind the statement that top tier character cards that are low numbered will continue to do well, even when they put out Topps Chrome for the 30th time, but everything else will suffer badly. Hopefully I'm eating my words in a few years and they innovate, for all our(collectors) sake.

[rj.cataldo]

Originally Posted by DynaEtch

Well said and that’s true it’s all about when you bought in. I bought the majority of my MM16 BSG set in the Covid era- d’oh. It’s not about the value for me though, so I’m ok with it. People are doing *very* well if they were buying those up for $25-50 way back near 2016.

Maybe UD will go the way Exquisite basketball….it’s possible. What’ll help that is if Topps keeps putting out generic rehashed art sets.

I think the loss of the license is a positive for UD products in the long-run. I was hopeful at the very beginning when Fanatics took over Topps, but I’m not anymore. The products (even on baseball side) have been very uninspired, and I don’t see my select chasing much (if any) Topps Marvel.

I can’t see Tops ever releasing a set as limited as MM with original art at the prices of today. Maybe in some transcendent type set that will costs 10k. MM boxes are expensive, but not when you look at the print run vs sports sets.

I’m fairly confident in saying most of my marvel collecting will be going “backward” in time from here, but I guess things can always change.


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