The secondary comic market regularly ebbs and flows as book sales go through moderate changes, and occasionally see big jumps (or falls) in value. Overstreet Access tracks these changes through diligent research into the market and via assessment of The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide marketing reports. Those changes are routinely updated on OverstreetAccess.com’s Recent Value Changes page, which can be viewed with a membership to the website.

The value of issues within one title can vary dramatically. First issues, character introductions, key storylines, and anniversary issues are just a few of the factors that can make books within a title more valuable than others in the same title. Tracking the evolution in the collecting market also shows that some books in a title rise to new heights while others in the same title drop in value. Overstreet Pricing Editor Yolanda Ramirez recently tracked that type of change in early issues of Our Fighting Forces.

The war comics anthology series was published by DC Comics from 1954 to 1978. Throughout its 181-issue run, the book told stories about heroes in the middle of war, the desire to serve one’s country, and the bond that forms between soldiers. The list of talented writers and artists who worked on the book included Robert Kanigher, Jack Kirby, Ross Andru, Joe Kubert, Wally Wood, Irv Novick, and Russ Heath among many others.

While it was an anthology book, Our Fighting Forces featured several ongoing story arcs. There was Marine infantrymen Gunner and Sarge on an island in the Pacific, and Marine Lieutenant Larry Rock who was living with shrapnel in his head. Captain Phil Hunter was a Green Beret searching for his brother who was shot down during the Vietnam War, and the Losers was a team of DC war heroes put together from other features.

Ramirez noted that the first five issues of the book have all seen a small increase in value. Our Fighting Forces #1 (October 1954) is now valued at $4,600 and shows a 4.6% increase in value at the 9.2/Near Mint- level. Issue 2 (December 1954) in Near Mint- was revalued at $1,900, and the next three issues (March-June 1955) grew in value by $50 to $100.

The value of books took a downturn over the next four issues. Our Fighting Forces #6 (August 1955) has dropped in value with a 9.2/Near Mint- copy now at $33, marking a 95.9% decrease. Issues 7-9 (October 1955-February 1956) have also seen a decrease of 95.9% with a Near Mint- value of $33.

The Recent Value Changes page on OverstreetAccess.com can be found by clicking on the “Search Titles” tab in the Quick Navigation bar on the home page, then click the green “Recent Value Changes” button on the “Titles” page.