What’s the significance of the five issues listed below? In case you’re new to the blog, the Hottest Comics ranks the 100 issues that have sold the most copies on eBay. GoCollect offers data that compares the sales volume anywhere from 10 days to a year and all points in between. Here at the Hottest and Coldest blogs, the focus is on the last 10 days worth of data, and today it’s all about the five issues that have taken the biggest drops in the rankings.
THE USUAL SUSPECTS
For those keeping score, you may notice a few omissions from this week’s list. Going strictly by the numbers, there are three comics that should be included on this edition of the Coldest Comics: ASM #298 (-57), X-Men, vol. 2, #1 (-45), and the second print gold edition of 1990’s Spider-Man #1 (-39). They are three permanent residents of the sunny estate known as the Usual Suspects.
These comics stay inside the top-100 best sellers, and they hop through the rankings in rapid fashion. It’s not surprising to see them bound up or down the index on a weekly basis. Because of that, there’s not much left to say about any of those three issues, hence leaving them off the list.
77. ULTIMATE FALLOUT #4 SECOND PRINT (-63)
With all the hoopla surrounding anything and everything Miles Morales, the UF #4 second print has nearly become an honorary member of the Usual Suspects. This has been a popular collectible for years, especially after Miles starred in his own PlayStation game. All those key issues experienced a volcanic eruption in terms of sales volume and fair market values.
Practically each one of Miles’ early appearances hit record highs just a year ago. While those FMVs did eventually return to Earth, they’re not cheap by any means. After the enthusiasm for Across the Spider-Verse and the news that Sony is working on a live-action Spider-Miles movie, it’s put an even bigger spotlight on UF #4.
With so many reasons to invest in Miles, why would any edition of UF #4 be on the way down the rankings? Despite not setting any new records, those prices are still rather high, and that is usually the reason popular keys suddenly hit the skids.
If you have sunk a few hundred dollars into a high-grade second print, don’t worry. This is one comic that will only stay down for a short time. It’s been bouncing across the Hottest Comics for weeks, and it will continue to do so. With so much coming for Miles as he takes over the mainstream consciousness, this is an excellent time to invest in the second print.
89. THE SANDMAN #8 (-53)
Just last week, Death’s first appearance was included on the Trending Comics blog, and for good reason. Next to Morpheus, she is the most popular character in Neil Gaiman’s saga of the Endless. Over the years, she’s starred in numerous series, and now that she’s entered the world of live action, the sky is the limit.
Sure, it’s taken a few steps back in the past 10 days. That sort of thing happens to even the biggest keys of the secondary market. At the moment, this is still an affordable addition to your collections, so there’s no reason to believe it will stay on the Coldest Comics list for long.
When it comes to her role in live action, Death will almost surely be an important character in The Sandman’s second season. Given that she’s a proven star in the comics, there could be an opportunity for Death to get her own Netflix show at some point. By no means is that even a rumor at this moment, but it is not an idea that’s out of the realm of possibility. If that does happen, you’ll see this issue hijack a rocket and zoom to the top of the Hottest Comics.
67. SPAWN #9 (-42)
Speaking of Neil Gaiman, another of his famous creations has landed on the Coldest Comics blog. While not taking as many hits as Sandman #8, Spawn #9 took its share of losses. Between the two, it makes more sense why Angela’s first appearance would rank lower than Death’s, at least for this week.
To rehash some comic book history, Angela is one of the more famous characters to switch publishers. In the early days of Spawn, Todd McFarlane — Mr. Image Comics to you and me — brought in some heavy hitters as guest writers, and one of those happened to be Gaiman. In the pages of Spawn #9, the world was introduced to Heaven’s favorite assassin, Angela. Therein lies the dispute. Gaiman claimed he created her, so he owned the intellectual property. McFarlane disagreed, and the issue went to court. Eventually, they settled the matter, and Gaiman walked away with the rights. From there, he sold them to Marvel.
Although the MCU has taken a dip of its own as of late, it’s on the big screen where Angela’s real value comes into play. Under the Marvel Comics banner, she is a daughter of Odin and Thor’s sister. That puts her in line to arrive on the silver screen, and that would make Spawn #9 one of the hottest comics on the market when that day arrives. Believe me, that day is coming. Since there’s no strong rumors of her impending live-action debut, it explains why the issue is apt to lose so many spots in short order. However, it could easily bounce back.
81. EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE #2 (-40)
Here’s another key issue that’s no stranger to either the Coldest or Hottest blog. Although it isn’t the first appearance of Gwen Stacy, Edge of Spider-Verse #2 is still worth your investment dollars. There’s no denying the strong upside for this issue, and it’s bound for glory in the not-too-distant future.
As most collectors are well aware, Edge #2 is the debut of an alternate-dimension Gwen Stacy like we had never seen before at that point. As showcased in the Spider-Verse films, the Gwen of this world was bitten by that famous radioactive spider and gained superpowers. While she had been best known for her death in the Marvel-616 Universe, it was Peter Parker who died in Spider-Gwen’s world. That was a major part of Across the Spider-Verse, and it helped flesh out Gwen’s character for mainstream audiences.
There’s no denying Spider-Gwen’s appeal to non-comic fans. Where her real upside lies is in solo projects. Sony has been announcing Spider-Man spinoffs one after another, and many of those are a bit questionable. If the Hypno-Hustler is worthy of a feature film, surely the Sony executives see the potential in a Spider-Gwen movie, whether animated or in live action.
86. YOUNG AVENGERS #1 (-33)
Rounding out this week’s Coldest Comics is another issue that draws the ire and frustration of many collectors. Ever since Marvel Studios kicked off its run of Disney Plus shows, the clues have pointed to the Young Avengers being brought together in the MCU. Despite the numerous teases and Y.A. members being introduced one by one, there’s been no indication that the team is in the works. After Hawkeye, the attention has shifted from Young Avengers to the West Coast Avengers.
For those speculators and investors that bought high grades of Y.A. #1 at premium prices, it’s a source of frustration. We’ve heard from Kevin Feige himself that the Young Avengers are on the radar, but nothing has transpired. That explains why the team’s first appearance has taken a backseat in the collecting department.
At this point, it’s hard to say what direction Marvel is headed. Could we see the Young Avengers or will the next big thing be the West Coast Avengers? There’s no way of knowing, and that makes the high prices for Y.A. #1 difficult to justify in the current market.
