What are the Coldest Comics? Using the latest eBay market data, GoCollect ranks the 100 best-selling single issues on the auction. Based strictly on sales volume rather than fair market value, this blog series compares the data over the past 10 days. The Coldest Comics, then, highlights the five comics that lost the most ground in that timeframe.
With that out of the way, let’s take a close look at the contenders.
92. MARVEL SPOTLIGHT #5 (-49)
Despite the latest rumors of Nicolas Cage revving his demonic Harley Davidson in Deadpool 3, eBayers were having none of Ghost Rider’s first appearance. It was so cold that it came dangerously close to falling off the Hottest Comics index altogether. This is merely a temporary setback, and GR will come roaring back to life very soon.
Interest in Marvel Spotlight #5 had picked up when those initial Cage snippets made the rounds. It seems like every actor to ever appear in Fox’s Marvel movies is rumored to make a cameo in the next Deadpool installment. In recent weeks, Cage’s name has resurfaced as a potential MCU entry, which caused a rush for those Ghost Rider keys.
It’s not like this is the first time we’ve heard this story. If you recall, he was heavily speculated for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and we all know how that ended. With Deadpool likely taking potshots at all things from the Fox era, it makes sense that we could see Cage in some capacity.
Besides the possible Cage cameo, there’s been talk of Ghost Rider returning to the MCU. At one point, he was slated to get his own Hulu series, but that was canceled. That has left fans excited at the possibility of Ghost Rider coming back to live action. With so much riding on GR, there’s no reason to believe Marvel Spotlight #5 won’t bounce back in epic fashion.
72. ULTIMATE FALLOUT #4 SECOND PRINT (-47)
Yes, that is Ultimate Fallout #4 skidding all the way down to the 72nd position. Losing nearly 50 spots compared to 10 days ago is nothing to ignore, but it’s far from alarming. It’s simply a case of high prices swaying buyers to greener pastures.
This just so happens to be the second printing, which doesn’t command nearly the level prices compared to the coveted first print UF #4. Of course, the second print isn’t as pricey because it isn’t in nearly as much demand as its counterpart. That would explain why this edition took such a massive drop while the first print, as expensive as it is, sits comfortably inside the top 10 best sellers week after week.
There’s so much to love about Miles’ future in the mainstream consciousness. Just this year, he starred in arguably the best Spider-Man movie ever made, Across the Spider-Verse. That’s built massive hype for Beyond the Spider-Verse. Once the writers' and actors’ strike is over, Sony will get back to work developing the Miles live-action film. Suffice to say, the Spider-Miles market may have slightly cooled this week, but it’s going to get much hotter in the near future. If you have a UF #4 second print, don’t fret.
74. FANTASTIC FOUR #49 (-43)
The mighty Galactus has fallen. Well, his second appearance (and first cover) has fallen in the rankings. That’s not to mention FF #49 also features Silver Surfer’s second appearance and first cover as well, which only makes it twice as appealing. However, buyers were shying away this week.
FF #49 has traditionally been the consolation prize of the Silver Surfer/Galactus sweepstakes. If you couldn’t get your hands on an FF #48, the next best thing was FF #49. Collectors want that all-important first when it comes to Surfer and Galactus, so FF #49 was relegated to backup status. As prices kept increasing for the holy grail that is #48, more buyers took to the auction sites for #49.
In recent years, especially given the abundance of Surfer MCU speculation, FF #49 has seen its prices balloon. No longer is it a cheap find; these days, it’s getting a bit expensive with even a graded 0.5 averaging close to $400. Still, it’s a long way from FF #48’s towering values, which helps keep #49 on the sales charts.
Like so many other keys that hit the Coldest Comics, FF #49 will rebound once there’s an update on either Galactus, Silver Surfer, or both arriving in the MCU. There’s been a rumor that Marvel is casting the Devourer of Worlds for Fantastic Four. If the studio finds its Galactus, this issue will soar.
63. X-MEN ANNUAL #14 (-35)
Gambit may have been lost in the infinite shuffle that is the Deadpool 3 rumor mill. Earlier this year, Channing Tatum kicked off the cameo talk when he was rumored to finally get to play Gambit. Famously, he was ready to rock his best trench coat and Cajun accent before Disney came along. Reportedly, he had a deal in place with Fox to star in a Gambit solo film. Then the House of Mouse acquired Fox, and the Disney executives decided to axe that particular movie.
In later interviews, Tatum said he was heartbroken over the news. His fans felt his pain, and they lamented the loss even more after the unused storyboard images made the rounds. Just when all hope seemed lost, Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds came knocking. Although it’s yet to be officially confirmed, the word on the internet is that Tatum will play Gambit in a Deadpool 3 cameo. Reportedly, he filmed his scenes before the actors’ guild took part in the current Hollywood strike.
With all that incentive to buy Gambit’s key issues, why has his first appearance in X-Men Annual #14 lost considerable ground? Odds are, it was simply caught in the mix. There’s been so much Deadpool 3 speculation and theories that it’s impossible to keep track of them all. As a buyer, chasing down each and every key connected to the latest movie gossip will leave you broke in a hurry. Something had to take a break, and this week, it was Gambit’s first.
71. GIANT-SIZE X-MEN #1 (-34)
It was a rough week for the X-Men. With all the news and rumors surrounding Deadpool 3, it should boost all those X-keys. With Marvel’s merry mutants occupying two of the five spots on the list, that’s certainly not the case. The fact that GSX #1 is taking a plunge truly amplifies that statement.
Not to worry, GSX investors and collectors. Landmark issues such as this are always in demand. Even when Marvel Comics was doing its best to replace mutants with Inhumans (an experiment that was doomed from the start), buyers wanted GSX #1. It will forever be popular among the X-Men faithful, but that brings high price tags worthy of its holy grail status. As the franchise’s entrance into the MCU looms, those values won’t be deflating anytime soon.
When a graded 1.0 averages close to $1k, that tells all you need to know about a comic’s prices. Considering the current economic state, many buyers simply don’t have the budget for high-end keys. While virtually any Marvel collector would love to own multiple copies of GSX #1, it’s simply too expensive. Thus, it falls to the wayside in favor of more cost-effective keys.
