The effects of the sports card boom are sending aftershocks still being felt by the market today. If you’re going to go beyond traditional sports, you’re going to see a wide variety of cards becoming more in demand by collectors. Some enthusiasts swear by their love for wrestling cards, which is fueled by nostalgia for the likes of Hulk Hogan and The Rock. Prices of Pokemon cards are soaring, especially those gem-mint First Edition Charizard cards. Another card set that’s slowly making an impact on the market is something that makes a lot of sense – Marvel cards.

In a nutshell, these cards feature popular characters from the Marvel Universe, such as Spider-Man, Captain America, and Wolverine. These characters, and many more, are heavily featured in Impel’s 1990 Marvel Universe Series 1, which is the product everyone is avidly collecting. We take a dive below to understand the demand for these cards, their potential, and how to capitalize on them.

 

Impel and their groundbreaking Marvel card product

During the late 80s, trading cards experienced a surge in demand due to the popularity of major sports in the United States, such as Basketball and Baseball. At the same time, comic book characters were also gaining a following of dedicated fans during this period, thanks to the success of Tim Burton’s first Batman film. These worlds intersected when card company Impel released Marvel Universe Series 1 in 1990.

1990 Impel Marvel Universe Trading Cards 5

The first set featured a classic base card design using the work of prominent comic book artists at that time, like Ron Frenz and Mark Bagley. It consisted of a 162-base card list, with several holograms acting as the chase product from this set. Also included in these set are cards that depict famous battles, teams, and team-ups featuring everyone’s favorite wall-crawler, Spider-Man. Moreover, Impel’s inaugural product contains the first-ever card that features Stan Lee, the mind behind majority of Marvel’s greatest characters.

30 years after its release, trading cards from Marvel Universe Series 1 are becoming more sought after by collectors and investors alike. The blend of beloved characters, amazing comic-inspired designs, and a lot of nostalgia makes these cards a must-own, not only for card collectors, but for pop culture enthusiasts and comic book fans as well.

 

The value of Impel’s Marvel Universe Series 1 cards in the market

The surge of demand for these cards can be attributed to several factors. First, is the popularity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has affected the value of comic books and trading cards featuring these beloved characters. The latter, in particular, are considered the rookie cards of these Marvel heroes and villains, making them a hot commodity in the card industry.

The nostalgia factor also plays a huge role in the popularity of these cards. Just like Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant’s rookie cards, owning these characters in card form is a highlight for fans, especially if they’re encased in a slab. This reason alone has driven the value of graded Marvel cards right through the roof.

Image 1 - 1990 Impel Marvel Universe Series 1, Stan Lee, #161, Mint/Centered/PSA 10?

Take Stan Lee’s PSA 10 Marvel Universe Series 1 card. A copy was sold on eBay for $3,777 less than two months ago. Another PSA 10 slab featuring Wolverine also fetched $2,072 just last week. These two cards show the potential of this product to reach this kind of value in the market. A quick scan through eBay reveals just how deep the growing interest has been.

 

Important tips to remember before buying

While the reward for these cards seems exhilarating, there are a couple of risks to be aware of. First is the condition of these 30-year old cards. Getting a box of these in the market doesn’t guarantee a gem-mint grade when you send them over to PSA or BGS. More often than not, they’ll have dinged corners, scratched surfaces, or an off-centered design when you get them. This makes absolute sense because of the age of these Marvel cards and the quality of their material after such a long time, so definitely factor that in when looking to purchase.

Another factor to consider is the population of these cards. While there isn’t an official count, it’s safe to assume Impel produced a lot during the product’s initial release. Apart from getting a card that’s in mint condition, you’ll also have to think about its value once the graded population starts rising.

Barring these two reasons aside, the sense of fulfillment and excitement in hunting these Marvel cards is more than enough for people to invest in them. If you feel the need to purchase one from this set, or a whole box even, there are a lot of options out there in the market. Just be cautious with your purchases and you can end up with your target Marvel card in no time at all.