The Amazing Spider-Man has dominated sales in May. The top four most popular new issues are: #795, #796, #797, and #798 (GoCollect). This virtual shutout proves Spidey is still Marvel's leader of the pack. There is something universal about Peter Parker that we all love. He has not lost his juice after all these years. Best of all, Dan Slott (writer) spins a tale of Spider-Man that has you on the edge of your window ledge. Slott's run at the end of the series has paid off for speculators quite nicely. The writing was very fresh in this storyline. One comic series capturing all the top four picks in May is rare. Most of this excitement comes from the first appearance of a dreaded new villain. This amalgam of menace was truly diabolical in scope threatening Peter Parker's loved ones. The returns for such new books have been, nothing short of amazing!
The number fourth-ranked book in May is Amazing Spider-man #797 with a grade (6.0) producing a mint (9.8) return of $38. It is titled "Go Down Swinging part 1 of 4" with an Alex Ross cover created by the team of Dan Slott (writer) and Stuart Immonen (artist) who bring the villainous Red Goblin to life a bit at a time. I picked up a copy of Dan Slott's strong Spider-Man run and have enjoyed it. The villains were larger than life, and the super-heroes had to work to survive. This time Osborn knows who Spider-Man is and threatens all of Peter Parkers family, and friends. Spidey has a choice to stop Red-Gobbie in his tracks, but to do that he will put those he loves in harm's way. This amazing story is full of villainy, maybe too much for Spider-Man to handle. The Fair Market Value (FMV) is around $38 for a mint (9.8). This is still a very reasonable book and the beginning of bringing a new amalgam villain to Marvel (GoCollect).
The number three pick for May is Amazing Spider-Man #795 which is a good story that grabs readers and pulls them into the co-pilot seat with Spidey. Looking for Doctor Strange Spidey pays a visit to the Sorcerer Supreme's Sanctum but instead finds Loki, the Master of Mischief. Loki is highlighted on the Alex Ross cover, an artist that is becoming ubiquitous with Marvel success. The pace of sales for slab copies are strong. Currently, it has produced mint (9.8) returns of $75, with (9.4) with a $26 return. This title had 94 sales in the last two months, some great volume for a new slabbed comic (GoCollect).
In second place for May, is Amazing Spider-Man #796 with a (9.8) going for $60 FMV (GoCollect). This comic has Norman Osborn curing the genetic tampering that has stopped him from turning green. He doesn't want to turn into the green Hulk but rather transform back into the Green Goblin. Again Spider-Man dominates with this most popular series in May. Spidey swings high on the rankings, pushing out all competition with Dan Slott's writing and Alex Ross covers. Slott creates Spidey leading a group effort to take down Red-Gobbie. This was a breath of fresh air; I mean why not utilize allies to take down this villain. Similarly, ASM #796 came in second in the rankings of most popular new comics in May.
The number one new comic book in May is Amazing Spider-Man #798. This is Red-Gobbies first full appearance; the first appearance of any big villain is a key to own. All it takes is shoving this guy into a movie at some point in the next five years, and one, or all of these comics will have exceptional returns. This regular first print cover in a mint condition (9.8) is $50, and a (9.4) is going for $16, these are still low prices. Amazing Spider-Man #798 with Dan Slott (script) and Stuart Immonen (art) have created a heck of a great ending for Slott's run on Spidey (Spoiler alert for ASM #800). At the end of the story, Red-Gobbie was alive and well in a cell in ASM #800.
Red-Goblin is ripe for more action in the future. I am sure someone at Marvel will pull him into another story. This could be the beginning of a regular lethal villain. This domination of May's newest comics by one publisher, from one series, and one writer is extraordinary. Dan Slott has proven Amazing Spider-Man, though a 55-year-old super-teenager, can still outsell the best of them. If Spidey-Slott can support this pricing and interest through June; then we know it has staying power and amazing future profit potential.
