WHAT ARE THE COLDEST COMICS?
Here at GoCollect, eBay’s data is at your fingertips. Updated daily, the Hottest Comics ranks the 100 best-selling single issues. For the blog series, we use the 10-day sort tool to compare the sales traffic over the past week and a half. As the name implies, the Coldest Comics blog is focused on the five issues that lost the most positions in that span.
Keep in mind the data is constantly changing, so take this as a snapshot.
WHERE ARE THE USUAL SUSPECTS?
Before we dive into the Coldest Comics, let’s check on those most frequent fliers, the Usual Suspects. These are the comics that are loved by collectors far and wide and never fall out of fashion. By the same token, they also get left in the shade compared to the key issue du jour.
The Suspects were well represented in this week’s Hottest Comics. Four of the most commonly traded comics on eBay had larger numbers than those featured in this round’s Coldest Comics. Led by Web of Spider-Man #1, these perennial favorites tumbled down the mountain in impressive fashion.
82. WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #1 (-63)
67. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #298 (-49)
70. ASM #300 NEWSSTAND EDITION (-54)
79. X-MEN, VOL. 2, #1 (-43)
Being ever popular, they will rise and fall again and again as they do practically every week.
THE COLDEST COMICS
83. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #301 (-38)
When it comes to comic book collecting, there’s nothing quite like Amazing Spider-Man. He’s been the face of Marvel Comics for decades, and his box office glory only amplifies his mainstream appeal. Spider-Man is so hot these days that even his villains are getting their own movie franchises.
In Spider-Man lore, the 1980s are most famous for the Black Suit Saga. Beginning in 1984 with ASM #252, Spidey ditched the classic red and blue costume for the stylish black and white symbiote suit. Even after escaping the alien costume, he remained in black for years. It led to the creation of Eddie Brock and Venom, culminating in the most popular of all Spider-Man comics, ASM #300. On the final page, Peter Parker shed the black suit and triumphantly returned to the blue and red.
In the grand scheme, nothing competes with ASM #300 and its famous Todd McFarlane cover art. The following issue, McFarlane recreated the same iconic pose, but with Spidey in his classic costume. While it may not compare to ASM #300’s massive popularity, ASM #301 is still a perennial best-seller, which is why it is frequently found on the Hottest Comics index.
Since there’s no Venom or any notable first appearances, ASM #301 falls to the collecting wayside and is more of an afterthought. For that reason, it’s not uncommon to see this issue take giant leaps only to fall mightily days later.
65. INCREDIBLE HULK #340 (-37)
Speaking of Todd McFarlane, we have a hugely popular issue taking a dip in the rankings this week. Despite the nonstop rumors and gossip surrounding Wolverine, the X-Men, and all things Deadpool 3, it hasn’t kept those related key issues from getting the buyers’ cold shoulder. With so much speculation on Logan’s MCU debut, something has to take a backseat. This week, it just so happened to be Hulk #340.
Even without any gaming or movie news, this issue holds its own among the Hottest Comics. Whether it’s the iconic cover art or the kick-ass, bloody scrap between two of Marvel’s most vicious superheroes, there’s plenty of reason to want this comic. Add in the chance to see Logan square off with Hulk in Wolverine’s upcoming PS5 game or possibly in the MCU, and it’s easy to see why Hulk #340 is more popular than ever.
All that being said, there’s no reason to panic if you are a seller. In a matter of days, this one will rebound in epic fashion.
56. EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE #2 (-36)
Next on today’s list is another surprise entrant, Edge of Spider-Verse #2. This summer, Sony revealed plans for a Spider-Woman feature film that will spin out of the Spider-Verse trilogy. With it being animated, it’s likely that Gwen Stacy and Jessica Drew will be the featured stars of that particular entry. That should have been blood in the water for a feeding frenzy among collectors, yet Spider-Gwen’s first appearance is sinking in the deep waters. What gives?
The biggest obstacle keeping Edge of Spider-Verse #2 from landing higher on the Hottest Comics is Miles Morales. At the same time as Sony’s Spider-Woman announcement, the studio confirmed a live-action Spider-Miles film. That quickly overshadowed Spider-Woman’s first movie.
Another factor is that Spider-Woman will be animated. As great as the Spider-Verse movies have been, there’s no substitute for seeing comic book characters in live-action for the first time. Plus, audiences have already seen both Gwen and Jessica in cartoon form, and collecting trends are all about those important firsts.
61. X-MEN ANNUAL #14 (-36)
Gambit fans don’t want a Remy LeBeau movie — they demand it. Just before Fox was assimilated into Disney, audiences were teased with a Channing Tatum-led Gambit film. Once the House of Mouse took over, that was one of the first things axed from the production schedule. That was either a triumph or a tragedy, depending on how much faith you have in Tatum’s Cajun accent.
For a time, those Gambit key issues were taken off the front burner and given time to cool. Then came Deadpool 3 and those endless casting rumors. Earlier this year, reports spread that Tatum would get his chance to wear the trench coat. In fact, the word on the internet was that he had already filmed his cameo. That gave his fans reason to celebrate. Collectors and investors took it as reason to grab those key issues, and X-Men Annual #14 caught fire.
Although not on the same collecting level as Uncanny X-Men #266, XMA #14 is Gambit’s actual first appearance. With the inflated costs for UXM #266, XMA #14 became a more appealing investment. That pushed it up the ladder that is the Hottest Comics.
Buyers took a breather on Gambit’s debut this week, but there’s no reason to believe it will stay in the dumps for long.
73. AVENGERS ANNUAL #10 (-32)
There’s no Gambit discussion without including his consummate love interest, Rogue. Once upon a time, she was the leading candidate to usher the X-Men into the MCU. When The Marvels was originally announced, speculation erupted that Rogue would be the featured villain. The pieces added up for just that.
Remember that in her debut, Rogue stole Carol Danvers’ powers, which paved the way for Monica Rambeau to become the new Captain Marvel. Since an adult Monica had been introduced in WandaVision, it was logical that Rogue would be the catalyst to putting these two characters together. It also would establish a comics-accurate Anna Marie ahead of the X-Men’s MCU arrival. But this is Marvel Studios, a production company that proudly rejects the comics upon which its entire cinematic universe is based.
The theory had buyers scouring eBay for Rogue’s first appearance in Avengers Annual #10. Then word came that she would not be appearing in The Marvels, effectively dousing the key issue in cold water. However, Deadpool 3 could warm things up thanks to the numerous cameos. There’s no word on whether or not Anna Paquin will reprise her role as Rogue for Deadpool 3, but it is not out of the realm of possibility. If Taylor Swift might be in the movie, why not Paquin?
