Investors are buying stock in old comics and Pokemon cards Most of us probably know a 11-year-old who blew their whole allowance on a pack of Pokemon cards back in the day… but blowing stacks of cash on Pokemon cards isn’t just for pre-teens anymore. In recent years, fractional investment -- which enables numerous investors to buy a stake in the same asset -- has become more popular. Several startups offer marketplaces that allow people to invest a few bucks in partial ownership of everything from Star Wars collectibles to sneakers. Alternative asset marketplaces are growing fast Last week, one startup called Mythic Markets raised $2m to expand its marketplace for rare collectibles (for just $45, investors can purchase a piece of a Magic: The Gathering card that’s worth $90k). But Mythic Markets is just one of several startups specializing in fractional ownership of collectibles. A startup called Otis offers investments in museums, albums, sneakers, and comic books starting at just $25, and other startups offer fractional ownership of everything from cars to homes. So, are these investments as risky as they seem? Actually, no: Mythic Markets, Otis, and most fractional investment startups only offer securities that are backed by the SEC -- and the SEC backs comic books, sci-fi trinkets, and even e-sports teams. If you’re wondering where in the name of Charizard fractional investing came from: It all started with vacation-style timeshares... Maybe you and your Uncle Jerry are pretty similar, after all.