Villains that show up in movies always seem to have that sliver of possibility that they might show up again in a sequel, but unfortunately the same cannot be said of the ones from the TV shows. One and done, never to be promoted to the big leagues. Even harder if the shows themselves have ended. Does this lead to a diminished market future for those villain’s key books? Here we will begin looking at some of the ones showcased in Agents of Shield.

Is it an elephant graveyard where Simba must never go? Let’s find out.

 

 

HIVE

Starting with one of the deadliest villains to go up against the agents, the HYDRA lab experiment known as Hive first appeared in the modern comic Secret Warriors #2 (2009). Only a single CGC 9.8 slab has ever sold; occurring in early 2016 for $30. This coincides with Hive’s first appearance in the third season of Agents of Shield. Sales at the other CGC grades are next to zero; probably due to the fact that only a handful of CGC graded copies even exist in the entire census.

Optimistically, Secret Warriors #2 might benefit from a few other significant characters such as Madame Hydra or Kraken, who first took on those identities in the issue. Unfortunately, any spike as a result of those two would likely be very minimal as both of the characters (Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine and Jake Fury) who took on those identities had their overall first appearances in the much earlier book Strange Tales #159 (1967). At least Strange Tales #159 has a more robust market; with much more sales across the entire grading range and CGC 9.8/9.6 holding FMVs of $1600/$425.

With the Hive being such a key HYDRA player and the HYDRA still recurring in the movie side of the MCU, it might be tempting to still pick up Secret Warriors #2; but a better bet might be to move onto the greener pastures of other organizations such as A.I.M., Leviathan, H.A.M.M.E.R., The Maggia, etc. So much to choose from, why place all your eggs in the HYDRA basket? At least, not the Hive.

ABSORBING MAN

Ball and chain wielding Absorbing Man (aka Carl “Crusher” Creel) made his comic book first appearance in Journey into Mystery #114 (1965). With the seemingly limitless potential to his absorption, he once even absorbed the powers of Thor’s Mjolnir. No need to be worthy when you can simply absorb it.

One of the first notable events for Journey into Mystery #114 in the market is a short term peak around 2014 that coincides with the Absorbing Man’s appearance on the show. Sales prices trailed off for the immediate next two years but have since reversed into a slightly positive trend for the last three years. Interestingly, this upward move is still continuing despite the Absorbing Man last appearing on the show in early 2018. Journey into Mystery #114 warrants a more in-depth look, but it could be a possible long term opportunity.

BLIZZARD

The first Blizzard Gregor Shapanka appeared in Tales of Suspense #45 (1963) as Jack Frost and took on the Blizzard identity in Iron Man #86 (1976), but the one we are interested in and the one that appeared in the Agents of Shield show is the Donald Gill version, who first appeared in Iron Man #223 (1987). In his debut, the Blizzard joins fellow “B” villains Backlash and the Beetle to kill Clayton Wilson (aka Force) before he can spill the beans on Justin Hammer’s crimes.

The entirety of Iron Man #86’s market history of CGC slabs is just the sale of five 9.8s over the last decade. The sales prices have ranged between $24-50. With the amount that Donald Gill was changed from comics to the TV version, they could have just as easily used the Gregor Shapanka name instead; which would have likely helped boost Tales of Suspense #45, a book that would have retained any increased value better.

TO BE CONTINUED

With seven seasons of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. in the bank, there are simply too many villains and their respective keys to address in a single blog post. So check back in as we continue down the list. Any particular ones of interest you’d like to bump up?

 

“You know what that felt like? Carl Creel from Bronx, standing over the God of Thunder? I couldn't explain it if I tried.” – Absorbing Man