First Appearance Friday ~ Morbius

It’s been quite some time since I popped one of these up and I figured I need to get back on a somewhat regular routine...so here we are! Today I’ll be touching upon a character that most comic fans don’t know much about...let alone the average Joe off the street...or in this case, on the chain.

So today I’d like to tell you a little bit about Morbius...The Living Vampire! Morbius or Dr. Michael Morbius first popped on the scene when he was introduced in Amazing Spider-Man #101 which was released in October of 1971. He was created by artist Gil Kane and writer Roy Thomas.

Morbius came to be when the good doctor was attempting to cure his own rare blood disease. Through botched “science”, he unfortunately acquired vampire like abilities that requires him to dine on yummy tasty blood while also possessing the abilities to fly. Oh...he’s also super strong and has fast healing...because of course. 😂

This book is a mega key that I believe is still criminally undervalued. First off it’s a somewhat major Spidey villain on the flagship title of Amazing Spider-Man. That right there is enough to shoot this into unobtainable status for most everyday collectors. It’s an early Bronze Age Book that juuuuust eeks our of Silver Age timeframe. Also, Sony Pictures is popping out a major motion picture of this badass in July of 2020 starring Jared Leto as the lead.

I have no idea how decent or shitty the film will be. I like Leto and think he’s super talented but on the other hand I feel that Sony is botching and squandering a beautiful opportunity to team with Marvel Studios to have these characters not only include Spider-Man but to be a part of that whole big shared universe. Stupid Sony...

As for value, this book is all over the place. We have a copy in the shop and have $350 on it. You can get a beater these days for under $200 bucks while nicer copies could run ya up to a grand. Want a High grade slab?!? There is currently a CGC 9.8 with a low low asking price of a mere $25k up on eBay right now...I’d let that one sit though for that price.

There is also a 2nd printing of ASM #101 that came out almost 21 years after the original in September of 1992. It has a $1.75 cover price which is just a tad more expensive that the 1st printing was released at a mere .15 cents!!! The 2nd print sports a silver ink background which Marvel also used on on their ASM #265 2nd printing. I always found it strange how Marvel decided to reprint random issues while leaning bigger keys forgotten. Dumb.

Currently the 2nd printing brings in between $15-$40 bucks on average which is not too shabby for a dollar box book just several years back.

The unfortunate part for the time being is that as far as merchandise goes for good ol’ Morbius...it’s slim pickings. There are some action figures, Mini-busts, and Funko Pops, but that’s about it. I’m sure when the film comes out we will have a whole new slew of nonsense to purchase. But for now...this is kinda it...

Until next Friday folks...

Oh...almost forgot. I know how much @steemmatt loves these types of photos. What a creep...

Blewitt