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<h2>HERITAGE AUCTIONS ALERT - Marvel Comics Super Special #1, KISS!</h2>For fans of 1970s and 1980s rock, heavy metal and hair bands, or those maybe dipping toes into the world of comic collecting, the summer of 1977 marked a significant moment when Marvel Comics and rock ‘n’ roll collided in spectacular fashion. This better-than-peanut-butter-meets-chocolate event led to the release of&nbsp;<a href="https://gocollect.com/app/comic/marvel-comics-super-special-marvel-super-special-1" data-as-button="false" data-mce-href="https://gocollect.com/app/comic/marvel-comics-super-special-marvel-super-special-1">Marvel Comics Super Special No. 1</a>,&nbsp;a comic that brought together the iconic band KISS and some of Marvel’s most beloved superheroes in a way that was as outrageous as the decade itself.<img title="Screenshot 2024-08-24 at 11.20.20 PM" src="https://img.gocollect.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJnb2NvbGxlY3QuaW1hZ2VzLnN0YWdlIiwia2V5IjoiYmxvZ1wvNWRhMDM5MTQtYWYzYS00NDExLWE0YmUtMjZhN2EzYzVlZDY2LnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MTI4MH19fQ==" width="1144" height="1078" data-mce-src="https://img.gocollect.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJnb2NvbGxlY3QuaW1hZ2VzLnN0YWdlIiwia2V5IjoiYmxvZ1wvNWRhMDM5MTQtYWYzYS00NDExLWE0YmUtMjZhN2EzYzVlZDY2LnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MTI4MH19fQ==" class="">Having just read the awesome write-up by&nbsp;<a href="https://intelligentcollector.com/kiss-and-tell/?ctrack=4700439&amp;type=article3-1-www-icmag-aug-v2-tem082024" data-as-button="false" data-mce-href="https://intelligentcollector.com/kiss-and-tell/?ctrack=4700439&amp;type=article3-1-www-icmag-aug-v2-tem082024">The Intelligent Collector's staff writer, Robert Wilonsky</a>, I first wanted to share it with more people if possible, while also adding some thoughts I had about where the music &amp; comic industries COULD be headed!<h2>THE BOOK</h2>Characters included Spider-Man, the Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and duh, the members of KISS, and this magazine-sized issue was priced at $1.50. With a print run nearing a million copies,&nbsp;Marvel Comics Super Special No. 1 was a hit, apparently holding the title of Marvel’s best-selling comic until Todd McFarlane’s&nbsp;Spider-Man No. 1&nbsp;in 1990. Today, there are less than 1200 CGC graded copies, with the one-year average for a 9.8 grade averaging over $4,000!! (<a href="https://gocollect.com/app/comic/marvel-comics-super-special-marvel-super-special-1?tab=cgc&amp;label=universal&amp;grade=98" data-as-button="false" data-mce-href="https://gocollect.com/app/comic/marvel-comics-super-special-marvel-super-special-1?tab=cgc&amp;label=universal&amp;grade=98">GoCollect</a>)The cover POPS, with KISS members Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss depicted in all their glory by artist Alan Weiss, with colors by Gray Morrow. The promise of 40 pages of full-color comics, rumored to be “printed in real KISS blood” (though this was more myth than reality...like Ozzy biting off a real bat's head?), sent KISS fans (aka 'The KISS Army') storming newsstands.The comic’s storyline was as wild as you’d expect, with KISS battling who else, but&nbsp;<a href="https://medium.com/veve-collectibles/marvel-digital-comics-fantastic-four-5-86bb46eb71af" data-as-button="false" data-mce-href="https://medium.com/veve-collectibles/marvel-digital-comics-fantastic-four-5-86bb46eb71af">Doctor Doom</a>, a nemesis typically reserved for Marvel’s superheroes. It was an odd mix that somehow made perfect sense in the wild, anything-goes atmosphere of the 1970s. Weiss summed it up perfectly, stating, “KISS is ridiculous, but that was part of the mythology: They were already comic book characters.”<img title="Screenshot 2024-08-24 at 11.28.19 PM" src="https://img.gocollect.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJnb2NvbGxlY3QuaW1hZ2VzLnN0YWdlIiwia2V5IjoiYmxvZ1wvZjY1YjFmYjUtNGQyNi00OTdmLWI0MjYtMmMyZTg0ZjViNmUwLnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MTI4MH19fQ==" width="822" height="764" data-mce-src="https://img.gocollect.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJnb2NvbGxlY3QuaW1hZ2VzLnN0YWdlIiwia2V5IjoiYmxvZ1wvZjY1YjFmYjUtNGQyNi00OTdmLWI0MjYtMmMyZTg0ZjViNmUwLnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MTI4MH19fQ=="><h2>THE AUCTION</h2>Now, decades later,&nbsp;Marvel Comics Super Special No. 1&nbsp;remains a coveted collectible.&nbsp;<a href="https://comics.ha.com/c/auction-home.zx?saleNo=7379" data-as-button="false" data-mce-href="https://comics.ha.com/c/auction-home.zx?saleNo=7379">From September 12-15</a>, Heritage Auctions will feature the world’s finest copy of this issue, graded a near-perfect 9.9 by the Certified Guaranty Company. Even lower-grade copies of this comic fetch hundreds of dollars when they’re available, a testament to its lasting impact and rarity.KISS, with their outrageous costumes and over-the-top performances, fit perfectly into Marvel’s world. Despite Marvel’s initial reluctance, the book moved ahead, resulting in a comic that resonated with fans of both Marvel and KISS, capturing the spirit of an era when rock and comics were both pushing the boundaries of entertainment.For new collectors and fans of 70s and 80s hair bands,&nbsp;Marvel Comics Super Special No. 1&nbsp;is a piece of rock and comic history worth exploring. It’s a reminder of a time when the worlds of music and comics collided in the most spectacular way, creating a collectible that still rocks hard today.&nbsp; Definitely worth watching how this auction ends up!!!<h2>NOSTALGIA BECKONS THE FUTURE </h2>It’s also interesting on the timing, as just recently (June 2024), legendary Heavy Metal band METALLICA rocked the digital stage in Fortnite, delivering an electrifying concert that brought together hundreds of thousands of fans / gamers in an&nbsp;<a href="https://youtu.be/JmVDgkr1WIM?si=w2mALZDouyRaF170" data-as-button="false" data-mce-href="https://youtu.be/JmVDgkr1WIM?si=w2mALZDouyRaF170">immersive virtual experience</a>. This event, held within Fortnite's expansive digital universe, featured a stunning blend of live music and interactive elements, allowing fans to enjoy the iconic band in a way that transcends traditional concerts. Although not one of Fortnite’s most successful in-game events to date, it did draw 220,000 Twitch &amp; 150,000 YouTube viewers.Of course, writing this as a ‘smaller than expected’ audience seems nuts, considering&nbsp;<a href="https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-thanks-edinburgh-eras-tour-fans-breaking-crowd-record-1235705719/" data-mce-href="https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-thanks-edinburgh-eras-tour-fans-breaking-crowd-record-1235705719/">Taylor Swift’s ERAS tour in Edinburgh</a>, Scotland was measured at a record-breaking 220,000 attendees over 3-days.<h3>BUT DID YOU KNOW, KISS was 1st US band to go virtual &amp; become digital avatars?</h3><a href="https://apnews.com/article/kiss-digital-avatars-end-of-road-finale-37a8ae9905099343c7b41654b2344d0c" data-as-button="false" data-mce-href="https://apnews.com/article/kiss-digital-avatars-end-of-road-finale-37a8ae9905099343c7b41654b2344d0c"><img title="Screenshot 2024-08-24 at 11.41.01 PM" src="https://img.gocollect.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJnb2NvbGxlY3QuaW1hZ2VzLnN0YWdlIiwia2V5IjoiYmxvZ1wvMWE0ZDc3ODUtZWQ1Yi00OGU3LWExMmEtNGQwMTlmNzNiZWY5LnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MTI4MH19fQ==" width="1962" height="1066" data-mce-src="https://img.gocollect.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJnb2NvbGxlY3QuaW1hZ2VzLnN0YWdlIiwia2V5IjoiYmxvZ1wvMWE0ZDc3ODUtZWQ1Yi00OGU3LWExMmEtNGQwMTlmNzNiZWY5LnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MTI4MH19fQ=="></a>Yup - that's right fans! As the band left the stage at the conclusion of their final show of The End of the Road" farewell tour at MSG in New York, their&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kiss-digital-avatars-end-of-road-finale-37a8ae9905099343c7b41654b2344d0c" data-as-button="false" data-mce-href="https://apnews.com/article/kiss-digital-avatars-end-of-road-finale-37a8ae9905099343c7b41654b2344d0c">DIGITAL AVATARS</a>&nbsp;were revealed launching into 'God Gave Rock &amp; Roll to You."AND GET THIS&nbsp;- The avatars were created by George Lucas’ special-effects company, Industrial Light &amp; Magic,&nbsp;in partnership with&nbsp;Pophouse Entertainment Group, the latter of which was co-founded by ABBA’s Björn Ulvaeus!Now, for we digital comic collectors, these virtual concerts are setting the stage of future entertainment &amp; fandoms within digital environments. The success of Metallica's concert demonstrates the growing appeal of virtual experiences, and the continued admiration of heavy metal, hair &amp; nostalgic rock bands where fans can engage their favorite artists and brands in more personalized, interactive ways.<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt-89PnpEvI" data-as-button="false" data-mce-href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vt-89PnpEvI"><img title="Screenshot 2024-08-24 at 11.57.55 PM" src="https://img.gocollect.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJnb2NvbGxlY3QuaW1hZ2VzLnN0YWdlIiwia2V5IjoiYmxvZ1wvMzA0MjY0MDUtMWIwYS00MTUwLWEzMmMtYWZhMmMwOGJiODk0LnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MTI4MH19fQ==" width="670" height="376" data-mce-src="https://img.gocollect.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJnb2NvbGxlY3QuaW1hZ2VzLnN0YWdlIiwia2V5IjoiYmxvZ1wvMzA0MjY0MDUtMWIwYS00MTUwLWEzMmMtYWZhMmMwOGJiODk0LnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MTI4MH19fQ=="></a>This trend isn't just limited to gaming platforms, but is expected to extend into other, newer digital platforms like the VeVeVerse, where VeVe has commented on their focus towards the music genre for future application releases. They've even started this process with a March 2024 release of artist&nbsp;<a href="https://blog.veve.me/post/veve-vibes-ron-english-the-rabbbits-jukebox-delusionville-record-series-1" data-as-button="false" data-mce-href="https://blog.veve.me/post/veve-vibes-ron-english-the-rabbbits-jukebox-delusionville-record-series-1">RON ENGLISH'S "Delusionville"</a>&nbsp;album set, playable on an interactive, digital collectible Jukebox!<img title="Screenshot 2024-08-25 at 12.15.13 AM" src="https://img.gocollect.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJnb2NvbGxlY3QuaW1hZ2VzLnN0YWdlIiwia2V5IjoiYmxvZ1wvYmZmOTNkMjEtYTIzOS00MDNlLThmODgtNDU0M2NmZmY3MjExLnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MTI4MH19fQ==" width="1644" height="574" data-mce-src="https://img.gocollect.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJnb2NvbGxlY3QuaW1hZ2VzLnN0YWdlIiwia2V5IjoiYmxvZ1wvYmZmOTNkMjEtYTIzOS00MDNlLThmODgtNDU0M2NmZmY3MjExLnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6MTI4MH19fQ==">As the technology builds, we can anticipate more opportunities for digital comic enthusiasts to participate in similar virtual events.&nbsp; Imagine attending exclusive comic-themed concerts, artist signings, or interactive storylines within a metaverse environment. Damn, I’d definitely attend an updated DEADPOOL “Like A Prayer” concert or listen to an animated Stan Lee seminar on how he came up with his characters.Such events could elevate the value of digital collectibles, making them not just items to own but experiences to share. KISS' choice to enable their concert experiences to become evergreen, while Metallica's concert in Fortnite success are powerful indicators of the potential that digital spaces hold for transforming how we consume and interact with entertainment, paving the way for a richer, more connected collector experience in the VeVeVerse and beyond.Yeah...I played a lot of&nbsp;<a href="https://guitarhero.fandom.com/wiki/Wii" data-as-button="false" data-mce-href="https://guitarhero.fandom.com/wiki/Wii">GUITAR HERO</a>&nbsp;on my Nintendo Wii, and the Metallica concert did remind me of it quite a bit, but that was the nostalgic connection we all enjoy as collectors. Yes, I still have the plastic guitar boxed up under the stairs, ready for use should the need arise for a rock star Halloween Costume LOL, or maybe for some future 'air guitar' work in a virtual concert!So if that’s a POSSIBLE scenario of where audio collecting could go, just imagine how freaking cool it’s going to be for whoever wins that KISS comic book physical auction.BRAGGING RIGHTS ENABLED!!!! Thanks for Reading!

Marvel Comics’ Epic KISS Collaboration: A 1977 Blast from the Past

Few cultural phenomena have achieved the global influence that Star Wars has. For nearly half a century, its expansive universe has captivated audiences worldwide, creating a deep-rooted and multi-generational fanbase. This widespread adoration has translated into a booming market for Star Wars collectibles, where items connected to the saga can fetch extraordinary prices. From first-edition comics to original movie props, the enduring appeal of Star Wars makes its collectibles not just nostalgic treasures, but also lucrative investments.There are valuable and highly sought after Star Wars items in nearly every collectible category. Generally speaking, the collectibles that go for the most are from the original release year of 1977, or a first release for that category. For example, in 1977, Topps released the first of its 5-series Star Wars trading cards. The card series was extremely popular at the time of release, and to this day, is considered to be one of the top non-sports card collections on the market. Series 1, featuring 66 cards from characters like Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and Darth Vader, contains the most valuable cards in the collection.<figure id="figure-swmg5jl56im0d0vm1c"><img id="swmg5jl56im0d0vm1c" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/395SifQNrNksbzpZd5EChPMpXZSUkuviMU96KKzJ6A3eK8J179zKsCmHasA1MeVl.png" alt="Star Wars Photo Cards" title="Star Wars Photo Cards" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/395SifQNrNksbzpZd5EChPMpXZSUkuviMU96KKzJ6A3eK8J179zKsCmHasA1MeVl.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure>As with many collectibles, these cards need to be in excellent condition to be worth a significant amount of money. Cards in their highest grade (PSA 10) for <a data-mce-href="https://www.psacard.com/auctionprices/non-sport-cards/1977-star-wars/little-droid-artoo-detoo/auction/636541" href="https://www.psacard.com/auctionprices/non-sport-cards/1977-star-wars/little-droid-artoo-detoo/auction/636541" target="_blank" rel="noopener">R2-D2 have sold for over $4,000</a>, <a data-mce-href="https://www.psacard.com/auctionprices/non-sport-cards/1977-star-wars/space-pirate-han-solo/auction/636524" href="https://www.psacard.com/auctionprices/non-sport-cards/1977-star-wars/space-pirate-han-solo/auction/636524" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Han Solo for $7,500</a>, and<a data-mce-href="https://www.psacard.com/auctionprices/non-sport-cards/1977-star-wars/princess-leia-organa/auction/636215" href="https://www.psacard.com/auctionprices/non-sport-cards/1977-star-wars/princess-leia-organa/auction/636215" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Princess Leia for $9,300</a>. But the most valuable card in the set is the #1 Luke Skywalker card which has sold for as high as <a data-mce-href="https://www.psacard.com/auctionprices/non-sport-cards/1977-star-wars/luke-skywalker/auction/635785" href="https://www.psacard.com/auctionprices/non-sport-cards/1977-star-wars/luke-skywalker/auction/635785" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$63,000 as PSA Gem Mint 10</a> in August 2023 at Robert Edward Auctions.<figure id="figure-qjbj5fesrm0d0x5ln"><img id="qjbj5fesrm0d0x5ln" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/30Dd8l7457c1hW2FNW3WcvRmhZUg9ptMFMpRE9yvIviUvUsjtXoR0T18JXvknjhY.png" alt="luke skywalker card" title="luke skywalker card" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/30Dd8l7457c1hW2FNW3WcvRmhZUg9ptMFMpRE9yvIviUvUsjtXoR0T18JXvknjhY.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure>When looking at the comic category, the most valuable Star Wars comic is also the original release of Star Wars #1 from Marvel in July 1977. With its iconic cover, this comic is extremely popular among collectors. You have to be careful with this book because there is both a 30 cent price variant and a 35 cent price variant, which can significantly impact the value of the book. At the time of the release, Marvel was experimenting with increasing their prices by 5 cents and allegedly printed only about 1,500 copies with the 35 cent pricing for sale in Memphis, Toledo, Tuscaloosa and Wilmington.&nbsp;This made the 35 cent price variant comic significantly more rare, and therefore more valuable. According to GoCollect, the fair market value for a CGC 9.8 graded Star Wars #1 with the 30 cent variant is about $3,300, whereas a CGC 9.4 with the 35 cent variant sold for <a data-mce-href="https://comics.ha.com/itm/bronze-age-1970-1979-/science-fiction/star-wars-1-35-price-variant-marvel-1977-cgc-nm-94-white-pages/a/7283-96238.s?type=DA-DMC-GoCollect-Comics-7283-11172022&amp;gck=270deb04-bad7-4618-bcec-db5c6735928f&amp;utm_source=GoCollect&amp;utm_medium=Growth_Partner&amp;utm_campaign=Sponsored_Listing&amp;utm_term=Star+Wars+%231+%2835+Cent+Price%29&amp;utm_content=7283-96238" href="https://comics.ha.com/itm/bronze-age-1970-1979-/science-fiction/star-wars-1-35-price-variant-marvel-1977-cgc-nm-94-white-pages/a/7283-96238.s?type=DA-DMC-GoCollect-Comics-7283-11172022&amp;gck=270deb04-bad7-4618-bcec-db5c6735928f&amp;utm_source=GoCollect&amp;utm_medium=Growth_Partner&amp;utm_campaign=Sponsored_Listing&amp;utm_term=Star+Wars+%231+%2835+Cent+Price%29&amp;utm_content=7283-96238" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$56,400 on Heritage Auctions</a> in November 2022. There are two 9.6 graded 35 cent variant books on the CGC census, neither of which have sold publicly, and zero 9.8 grades on the CGC census.<figure id="figure-jzxy4vn4mpm0d0yq9i"><img id="jzxy4vn4mpm0d0yq9i" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/23IQCwPAHFjoQqN15ylL6lKkUdTjiUDDupD3PI4OBMo6OQqS3aITIUOOuCNvhVQW.png" alt="star wars first issue" title="star wars first issue" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/23IQCwPAHFjoQqN15ylL6lKkUdTjiUDDupD3PI4OBMo6OQqS3aITIUOOuCNvhVQW.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure>Some of the most significant sales we’ve seen for Star Wars collectibles, surprisingly, are actually from the action figure category. The record for the most expensive action figure ever sold actually belongs to Star Wars for the Kenner 1979 J-Slot (Version 2) Rocket-Firing (Mailer) Prototype Boba Fett. The product was never released to the public due to safety concerns for children over the detachable rocket, and so there are thought to only be three prototypes of this version in existence today. This action figure just recently <a data-mce-href="https://goldin.co/item/1979-kenner-star-wars-boba-fett-rocket-firing-j-slot-v2-2-missiles-actkq44t" href="https://goldin.co/item/1979-kenner-star-wars-boba-fett-rocket-firing-j-slot-v2-2-missiles-actkq44t" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sold at Goldin Auctions</a> on August 17th, 2024 for a whopping $1.34 million.<figure id="figure-25rjp5gltsm0d11tjx"><img id="25rjp5gltsm0d11tjx" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1e5seXC2HjqWdSgv374kVwgDYlLgQn4SRIwZJ2R7cmR2sPk0VRnAdBx6CngFYe6l.png" alt="1979 Kenner Star Wars Rocket-Firing Boba Fett (Mailer) J-Slot (V2)/2 Missiles Action Figure - AFA NM+ 85+" title="1979 Kenner Star Wars Rocket-Firing Boba Fett (Mailer) J-Slot (V2)/2 Missiles Action Figure - AFA NM+ 85+" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1e5seXC2HjqWdSgv374kVwgDYlLgQn4SRIwZJ2R7cmR2sPk0VRnAdBx6CngFYe6l.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure>We could certainly discuss other categories that have sold well like original Star Wars movie posters, movie ticket stubs, and movie props, but the category we’re really excited about and believe has huge room for growth is home media, specifically VHS and Betamax.&nbsp;Star Wars released the first commercial VHS tapes for public sale back in September 1982, &nbsp;which is known as the “20th Century Drawer Box”. A Beckett graded 8.0 tape from this original commercial release <a data-mce-href="https://goldin.co/item/1982-star-wars-1st-commercial-release-big-box-factory-sealed-vhs-tape4na73?queryId=eyJxdWVyeUlkIjoiY2YzOTg4MGVjY2Q1ZTA3MTZmYWM5OWZmNWE3ZmZkMzEiLCJjYXJkSW5kZXgiOjN9" href="https://goldin.co/item/1982-star-wars-1st-commercial-release-big-box-factory-sealed-vhs-tape4na73?queryId=eyJxdWVyeUlkIjoiY2YzOTg4MGVjY2Q1ZTA3MTZmYWM5OWZmNWE3ZmZkMzEiLCJjYXJkSW5kZXgiOjN9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">set a world record for the highest publicly sold VHS tape </a>at $114,000 on Goldin Auctions in October 2022. But are these the actual first prints of Star Wars on VHS? For many collectors, they are not.<figure id="figure-pj9v41rxv8m0d151sf"><img id="pj9v41rxv8m0d151sf" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/byWHE39iIoY4e36bjnl7zNY8mgGBVepLcCfaL4tC2gqQIvyFXRf9Oy2osph0qJox.png" alt="1982 Star Wars 1st Commercial Release Big Box Factory-Sealed VHS Tape – Beckett 8.0/A-" title="1982 Star Wars 1st Commercial Release Big Box Factory-Sealed VHS Tape – Beckett 8.0/A-" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/byWHE39iIoY4e36bjnl7zNY8mgGBVepLcCfaL4tC2gqQIvyFXRf9Oy2osph0qJox.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure>In May of 1982, Star Wars released both a VHS and Betamax version as a rental library copy for local video stores. As part of the rental library program, video rental stores could carry the film for six months, only making the film available for rental, and then stores were supposed to return the tapes to Fox afterwards. Not all store owners abided by this, however, and according to collectors, some stores actually sold their rental copies to customers for as much as $125 (or about $400 inflation-adjusted to today).&nbsp;<figure id="figure-236c630vkm0d15yph"><img id="236c630vkm0d15yph" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/28Z07SraEQZNkELicWLk7lYRMyampwC3dtM6jXWOL1ShOIoZtcG50niCjhjI7ekU.png" alt="star wars 20th Century Drawer Box commercial version" title="star wars 20th Century Drawer Box commercial version" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/28Z07SraEQZNkELicWLk7lYRMyampwC3dtM6jXWOL1ShOIoZtcG50niCjhjI7ekU.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure>Most people are only familiar with the 20th Century Drawer Box commercial version, but the video rental library version was released a full four months beforehand, making it the true first print home media release of Star Wars. CGC started grading these tapes last year, which has given them some exposure. But for the most part, only a few hardcore collectors are paying attention to the video rental library versions, meaning the market hasn’t really caught on to their value yet.Outside of their significance as first prints, the other thing that adds to the value of these tapes is that they have serial numbers on both the box and the tape. Being able to find one with matching serial numbers on the box and tape is fairly rare, and this significantly increases the value of the tape. A friend of the show owns a copy that has the number 1977 in the serial which we think will CRUSH once people better understand the importance of publishing year mint and serial numbers.&nbsp;<figure id="figure-uzpr1xnv8m0d16xai"><img id="uzpr1xnv8m0d16xai" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1fPW1xy7P3kMKRXIFf9RTpUt6RNGOXKHMoeqJDBIVNZ7Qv9rvgEsGLWmJNAd29o5.jpg" alt="star wars" title="star wars" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/1fPW1xy7P3kMKRXIFf9RTpUt6RNGOXKHMoeqJDBIVNZ7Qv9rvgEsGLWmJNAd29o5.jpg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: center center;"></figure>We’re very grateful to have actually just had the <a data-mce-href="https://twitter.com/ComicsandCrypto/status/1826330301477613943" href="https://twitter.com/ComicsandCrypto/status/1826330301477613943" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highest known sale for one of these tapes</a>, selling a CGC 8.5 graded rental library copy with matching serial numbers for $2,000. We’ve been stacking these tapes for almost two years and it’s incredibly validating to see such a big sale. Today, you can find rental copies raw on eBay for about $200-300, but we don’t expect prices to stay this low for long as more people catch on.As the VHS and Betamax market matures and people start to recognize the significance of first prints, we believe the Star Wars rental library tapes will become a highly sought-after grail for home media collectors. When it comes to movie IPs, there are few properties with the global impact and collecting intrigue of Star Wars. And seeing where prices of first prints and first appearances of Star Wars collectibles in other categories have gone, it makes sense that VHS and Betamax will eventually catch up.As always, this is not financial advice, but based on the facts and trends we’ve seen in the collectibles market, we believe there is significant room for growth for Star Wars rental library tapes and we are SO EXCITED for their future.

Stars Wars 1st Print VHS Tapes were…RENTALS?!

The Top 10 Deadpool Comics on VeVe Digital Collectibles!

The Top 10 Wolverine Comics on VeVe Digital Collectibles!

Whether you’re attending SDCC in person or following from home, Candy Digital and DC have something special for you!&nbsp;<h2>Celebrate SDCC 2024 with a Free Digital Collectible</h2><table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" border="1" data-mce-style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;" data-mce-selected="1"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 50%; border-style: hidden;" data-mce-style="width: 50%; border-style: hidden;">Whether you’re attending SDCC in person or following from home, claim a free-to-mint digital collectible to commemorate the event. Available to U.S. Candy account holders, redeeming this collectible automatically enters you into a sweepstakes for a chance to win a CGC Graded 9.8 copy of Batman #426 (“A Death in the Family” part one, 1988). This iconic issue is a must-have for any collector.This free opportunity is available at <a data-mce-href="https://go.candy.com/SDCC2024-CC" href="https://go.candy.com/SDCC2024-CC">go.candy.com/SDCC2024-CC</a>. Redemption offer and sweepstakes end on August 22, 2024, at 5:00 PM ET.&nbsp;</td><td style="width: 50%; border-style: hidden; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;" data-mce-style="width: 50%; border-style: hidden; text-align: left; vertical-align: top;"><figure id="figure-c63m1binwulyptxqt6" class=""><img id="c63m1binwulyptxqt6" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/7BpNkqu70lD1qgpFUlaFTMzB8jWAXLazWYv10cidwLhwn3VbWkA9rmPh762CCAlJ.png" alt="SDCC2024" title="SDCC2024" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="small" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/7BpNkqu70lD1qgpFUlaFTMzB8jWAXLazWYv10cidwLhwn3VbWkA9rmPh762CCAlJ.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure></td></tr></tbody></table><h2>Introducing Catwoman: The Legacy Cowl</h2><figure id="figure-qff1ybj5f9lyptj8vl" class=""><img id="qff1ybj5f9lyptj8vl" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/11CVkVYsPTkh2Yw9T4zq1Jxjccr9RmrXiNf5lAyA7xqO09Sq3K6LxySFc5iozldx.png" alt="Catwoman: The Legacy Cowl" title="Catwoman: The Legacy Cowl" class="object-cover bg-gray-100" style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;" data-corners="no-rounded" data-aspect="1:1" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/11CVkVYsPTkh2Yw9T4zq1Jxjccr9RmrXiNf5lAyA7xqO09Sq3K6LxySFc5iozldx.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 1/1; object-position: undefined undefined;"></figure>Get ready for an exciting launch at San Diego Comic-Con 2024! Candy Digital and DC present the first-ever physical-digital NFT comic: Catwoman: The Legacy Cowl (2024) #1. This exclusive 16-page comic is the latest installment in the fan-voted series, Batman: The Legacy Cowl, the first original DC comic on the blockchain. The series, shaped by community input on the Candy DC Digital Collectible platform, now features Catwoman facing off against the new DC Super-Villain, The Legacy Cowl. The location of this comic was also determined by the April Legacy Cowls community vote.Since its launch in 2022 for Bat Cowl Collection Holders, fans have significantly influenced the Batman: The Legacy Cowl series, introducing The Legacy Cowl, the first DC Super-Villain created through fan voting. This initiative has generated over 8 million impressions and engaged fans for over 400,000 hours.Written by Cavan Scott, with cover art by Jonboy Meyers and art by Fico Ossio, this comic is part of the Batman: The Legacy Cowl series. Available exclusively at the DC Booth, only 600 copies will be given away each day, so be sure to visit the DC Booth early! &nbsp; Fans who stop by the DC Booth (#4545) can collect the physical comic and redeem its digital twin for free. The digital-only edition, featuring exclusive variant covers, will also be available for purchase on <a data-mce-href="https://www.candy.com/dc" href="https://www.candy.com/dc">Candy.com/dc</a> starting July 25, 2024 at 12 PM ET. <h2>A Special SDCC-edition Legacy Cowls Experience</h2>Exclusive Overdrive and Component for DC Booth VisitorsGet ready for a unique SDCC-edition Legacy Cowls experience. Claim the Catwoman Claw collectible, an exclusive Legacy Cowl component available only at the DC Booth. Enhance your Legacy Cowl by burning the Catwoman Claw with a Base or Safe Mode edition cowl to create an SDCC-edition Legacy Cowl. This experience is a must for any DC fan. If you can't attend in person, the Catwoman Claw can be purchased on the secondary market.Learn more about the <a data-mce-href="https://blog.candy.com/the-legacy-cowls-collection/" href="https://blog.candy.com/the-legacy-cowls-collection/">Legacy Cowls Collection </a>and catch up on the<a data-mce-href="https://blog.candy.com/the-legacy-cowl-birth-of-gotham-citys-newest-nightmare/" href="https://blog.candy.com/the-legacy-cowl-birth-of-gotham-citys-newest-nightmare/"> Legacy Cowl's origin story</a>.Join DC and Candy Digital at SDCC 2024 and be part of the next chapter in DC history! Whether you’re slaying in your cosplay or just vibing with the crowd, let’s make San Diego Comic-Con 2024 legendary by celebrating our love for DC and creating epic memories.

Ready for Epic DC Collectibles at San Diego Comic-Con next week?

When investing in collectibles, or really any market, it can be easy to let emotions cloud your judgment. Most of us have fallen into this trap at least once in our investing careers. Prices are spiking, euphoria is at an all time high, and it feels like things are just going to keep getting better. We know we should sell, but for some reason we don’t. And then soon enough, the shoe drops, and the opportunity to sell in profit is gone.&nbsp; The fact of the matter is that all markets eventually become overbought and all time high prices can’t be sustained forever. Markets eventually have to correct to become healthy again. As investors we know this, so why is it that we still fall into the same trap over and over again?<figure id="figure-gi3rjs0sefly651iff" class=""><img id="gi3rjs0sefly651iff" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2dDj2JDyi7WtIKIAREbPUuJQmQCnhJCt3TdMGVKeETeMlTmAI7Nd4SCwJCy2ViCk.png" alt="a laptop with a cartoon character on the screen" title="a laptop with a cartoon character on the screen" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-lg md:rounded-xl lg:rounded-2xl" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="default" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="undefined" data-positiony="undefined" data-fullwidth="false" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2dDj2JDyi7WtIKIAREbPUuJQmQCnhJCt3TdMGVKeETeMlTmAI7Nd4SCwJCy2ViCk.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;"></figure> It’s very common for people to become emotionally attached to their investments, and for many different reasons. Ego can play a huge role, as people often see their investment decisions as a reflection of their own intelligence. Essentially, their self esteem becomes tied to the outcome of their investments.&nbsp; People also become attached due to the significant time and mental effort put into the research, selection, and management of their investments. This expenditure of personal resources can lead to attachment. This is essentially Sunk Cost Fallacy in action.&nbsp; Social influence is one of the stickier attachments because you’re no longer just dealing with yourself. Groupthink is a powerful thing, and it becomes easy to just follow the crowd instead of doing your own critical thinking. There’s also a shame component where members of a group can make you feel bad for wanting to sell and you may even lose your social standing as a result. I would argue that collectibles may even cause more emotional attachment than other markets due to the added layer of nostalgia associated with the IP. Nostalgia around collectibles brings us back to childhood. It reminds us of a simpler time when we felt safe. Nostalgia is incredibly powerful, and that feeling of safety can be extremely hard to give up.&nbsp; For someone who grew up with Spider-Man as their favorite character, it’s generally going to be harder for them to let go of their favorite Spidey collectible than some random stock or cryptocurrency. There are certainly other reasons for emotional investing, but I’ll stop there for now. Now, how do we avoid letting emotion run our investments? The answer is simple, but often difficult to execute: make a plan and then stick to it. Before you even get into an investment, create an exit strategy. Decide what price levels you want to set stop losses and take profits at and then follow through no matter what. This allows you to trade with a cool head and completely remove emotion from the equation.&nbsp; Making sure your portfolio is properly diversified is also extremely important. Not only does this reduce your overall risk, but it makes it so you won’t be nearly as emotionally impacted by the performance of any single investment. In addition, employing automation tools that can execute trades based on pre-set criteria totally removes the emotional element from the situation.&nbsp; Another strategy for preventing emotion from running your investments is to buy multiples of something. Let’s say you buy a few identical collectibles. If the value goes up enough, you could sell one or two of them to get your initial investment back. Now there’s no longer any risk tied to the trade and you can either gamble on the value continuing to go up, or just keep the items for your collection. This obviously applies to fungible assets like stocks or cryptocurrencies as well.&nbsp; David Yu, CEO &amp; Co-Founder of VeVe Digital Collectibles, has a similar strategy for collectibles which I love. Whenever possible, he buys three of the same collectible. One to sell, one to trade, and one to keep. This way he can be unemotional about selling or trading because he knows he’ll still have one for his personal collection no matter what.&nbsp; In conclusion, while it’s natural to become emotionally attached to our investments, especially in the world of collectibles, it’s crucial to maintain a disciplined approach. Do your best not to let things like temporary euphoria or social pressure dictate your actions and stay committed to your long-term strategy. By applying these principles, you can protect your investments and make more informed, objective decisions, ensuring that your financial goals remain on track regardless of market conditions. Happy (unemotional) investing :)

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Emotional Investing & How To Avoid It