MORBIUS THE LIVING VAMPIRE

Morbius the Living Vampire, is one of the most stalked Bronze Age comic books for avid fans and collectors. Roy Thomas recreates the vampire myth in incredible Spider-Man #101 (1971). instead of supernatural creation, Thomas offers a new scientific origin for vampirism, an accident of biochemistry. Morbius the Living Vampire has a thirst for blood, and all the prerequisites to get it: enhanced reflexes, flight, healing, superhuman strength, and the scary hypnotic pull of his blood-red eyes. As powerful as Morbius’s claws are; they pale in comparison to the potency of ASM #101 profits. This book had risen like the dead from relative obscurity ten years ago. becoming a big marvel key with a draw by two genre fan groups: horror fans, and incredible Spider-Man fanatics. Are Morbius and his menacing margins a substantial long-term investment, or merely a speculation vehicle for the short-term?

Amazing Spider-Man #101

Morbius the Living Vampire, first appeared in incredible Spider-Man #101 (1971) created by Stan (the man) Lee, Roy Thomas (script) and Gil Kane (art). Roy Thomas’s concept of a biological accident creating a super-villain vampire, was new, and entertaining, for this old-school horror genre. Vampires in fantasy literature date all the way back to Bram Stroker in 1897. Previously, marvel could not have vampires and other creatures of the night portrayed in their comic books because of the Comic Code Authority. With CCA revisions to the code in February of 1971; the censoring agency lifted the restrictions on blood sucking Nosferatu, and other supernatural horrors. Morbius was one of the horror headliners of this new Bronze Age of comics. now almost fifty years later these books have value. The 1970’s were a glorious time for creativity, with freedom of expression being the greatest accomplishment of that era.

Morbius starts out as a villain and then eventually becomes an anti-hero. but is this creature of the night a good investment? The Amazing Spider-Man #101  in a grade (2.5) sells for around $100. On the high-end, (9.8) mint condition goes all the way up to $6250 FMV. It should be noted that a mint copy recently sold for $9000 (that makes my incisors grow).

The Leto Effect

These vaunted prices may stem from early media hype about Jared Leto playing the role of Morbius for Sony Pictures. If this important movie catalyst comes to fruition; it could send this comic books returns “to the moon!” The movie is a stand-alone film starring Leto in the key role as Michael Morbius a biochemist (source: Variety). This movie will start filming in 2018 possibly for rollout in 2019. Leto’s involvement could turn this very original re-creation of vampire myth; into more moolah than you can count in a bloodsuckers lifetime.

The ROI on incredible Spider-Man #101 is simply stunning. If we use the scientific method and break down these returns into their components, it gives a clear green light for further investment. The first appearance of Morbius ASM #101 has returned breathtaking results: comics graded (3.0) returned positive +54.7%, (4.5) grade positive +104%, (6.0) grade positive +47%, (7.0) grade ROI of +54.2% and a very sexy +60.6% return for (9.0) copy. The pace of ASM #101 is truly stunning with well over 70 slabs being traded in the last three months alone. This has pushed this almost 50-year-old book to the 22nd most popular Bronze Age issue (GoCollect). With well over 1900 books in CGC census, this fanged villain is just beginning to rise from the grave and produce some truly stupefying results.

Tri-Fanged Trifecta

The elements of this book that make it a terrific purchase come in three parts. First, Amazing Spider-Man #101 is a key book: and the very first appearance of Morbius the Living Vampire. Second, the returns are significant; you certainly can’t make +104% return in the stock market nowadays. The interest in owning this book before the movie next year has created a feeding frenzy (like a pack of sharks) driving prices higher. Finally, one of the best actors of his generation Jared Leto is going to play Morbius. This trifecta of good news makes owning this issue a necessity, not a luxury. Furthermore, the three components support a strong hypothesis for purchasing this issue as a long-term investment, or at least until the movie comes out. This Bronze Age biochemical monster might suck some of the life out of your checking account, but your profits will soar into the night’s sky.

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February 26, 2019In “Comics”null