What are the Coldest Comics? These are the issues that saw the most significant drop in sales volume yet still remain inside the top-100 bestsellers. Using the Hottest Comics index for the past 30 days, these rankings are based on the total number of sales, not fair market value. While a comic may have a high FMV, it can still land on the Coldest Comics.
Which issues got the cold shoulder from buyers? Let’s find out.
84. SPIDER-GWEN #1 (-66)
Week after week, Spider-Gwen #1 continues to surprise me, and not necessarily in a good way. Once again this key issue has found itself on the Coldest Comics rankings. Over the past 30 days, it has had a yo-yo effect, climbing high before falling low. This time around, it dropped over 60 positions and was in danger of missing the top 100 altogether.
As I have written before, the alternate-reality Gwen Stacy has massive film and television potential, which is why the data is strange. The live-action Spider-Verse has been opened wide, and it leaves room for anyone and anything to go through the door. Toward the top of that list is Spider-Gwen, and the setup for her to join the MCU is already established.
The most obvious connection comes from Spider-Man: No Way Home. When the three Spider-Men were sharing their stories of loss and tragedy, Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker mentioned Gwen. Taking that a step further, there are rumblings that, due to the NWH fan reception, Sony is debating a third Amazing Spider-Man movie with Garfield in the lead role. Considering the importance of Gwen Stacy to that franchise along with the connections to the Multiverse, it would stand to reason that Emma Stone could return as an interdimensional Gwen who gained the spider powers instead of Peter.
Another factor is Across the Spider-Verse. The producers revealed that the animated movies are connected to the MCU Multiverse. That could lead to a crossover with What If…? or the inclusion of a live-action Gwen that begins in the cartoons.
With all those positives in favor of Spider-Gwen #1, why is this issue continually getting shunned by collectors? One word: price.
Because of Gwen’s potential, the values for all her key issues have escalated. Raw copies are earning as much as $35 this week, and the graded 9.8s have approached the record $275 price tag already in 2022. This is not the most expensive on the Spider-Gwen collecting list, for sure, but the profit margin may be small due to inflation, at least at the moment. If she is confirmed for the MCU, buyers will be singing a different tune. For now, Spider-Gwen #1 gets the distinction of being the week’s Coldest Comic.
86. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #194 (-52)
When it comes to the Black Cat, there have been many missteps. It started way back in The Amazing Spider-Man 2 when Felicia Hardy was introduced on the silver screen. That movie fell into infamy and is considered one of (if not the) worst Spider-Man movies ever made by many enthusiasts.
Once Marvel brought Spider-Man back to big-screen glory, Sony began exploring the reaches of its Spider-Verse. One of the proposed spinoffs was a Black Cat/Silver Sable team-up movie, Silver and Black. As soon as it appeared the movie was ready to get the fast track, Sony pulled the plug. Then months later, the gossip sites reported Silver and Black was back on the table, though it remained in limbo before being replaced with the Silk solo project.
Just like the mythical phoenix, Silver and Black rose from the ashes. This time, the rumor was that the pair would be joined by Jackpot and possibly Silk for a television series. Since the project has bounced back and forth so many times, most fans didn’t put much stock into that news until Black Cat was named in an Easter egg as part of the Morbius trailer. That has led collectors to flock to her first appearance in ASM #194.
As promising as the Morbius Easter egg sounds, the trouble is the prices may be too inflated for a character with so many live-action false starts. Just this week, an 8.0 sold for $500, and raw copies have been bringing close to $300 at times.
69. YOUNG AVENGERS #1 (-44)
Here is another key issue that is a victim of its own success. For years, there have been gossip and rumors of the Young Avengers coming together in the MCU. Last year’s Disney+ entries doubled down on that idea, and the foundation for the team appears to be set. Since America Chavez is debuting in Multiverse of Madness and Riri Williams is coming to Wakanda Forever before starring in her own show, it is more obvious than ever that the Young Avengers are coming together.
With that attention comes higher prices, and all the editions of YA #1 have been going through the roof for years. The new characters emerging with every new MCU project only amplifies that market inflation, which could be deterring collectors from throwing money at those copies. At the moment, it’s a lot of money. For a 9.8 copy of the standard cover, expect to pay between $850-$900, and that’s a lower price than we’ve seen all year.
74. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #375 (-44)
Ah, the gimmick covers of the 1990s. These are both nostalgic and gaudy relics all in one. ASM #375 isn’t as bad as many other Spider-Man covers of the time - this one had gold foil on stock paper - but it does make some collectors cringe.
What makes this issue special enough to rank inside the top-100 Hottest Comics? Besides a classic Venom/Spider-Man cover appearance, ASM #375 featured the debut of Ann Weying. She is famous for being Eddie Brock’s ex-wife, who has gained a newfound following thanks to her appearances in the Venom movies. Although she did not make an enormous impact outside being the damsel in distress at the right moments, fans did see her bond with the symbiote to form She-Venom.
In the comics, Ann’s brief encounter with the Venom symbiote caused her so much trauma that she took her own life. Venom is clearly marketed toward teenagers with its lighthearted approach to the characters, so it is hard to imagine Sony following that story. In all, it’s left buyers pulling away from Ann’s first appearance, at least until the next movie is in development.
If you’re looking for a copy, the graded variety at a 9.8, which sold for as much as $400 in 2020, has been consistently staying below the $200 mark. The better option is to get a raw copy, which tends to stay in the $10 range.
76. BATMAN #423 (-33)
Each week, the Hottest Comics index is littered with Todd McFarlane covers. When you’re the king of cover art, that comes with the territory. Peruse the selection, and you will find several McFarlane originals as well as a plethora of homages to his most iconic covers.
One of his earliest pieces that came from his time at DC Comics is Batman #423. The artwork featured on that cover has been duplicated many times over, and McFarlane himself paid tribute to it for a Spawn comic. This year, McFarlane Toys unveiled a Batman: Year Two diorama that leans heavily on the famous image.
Besides the McFarlane artwork, there’s nothing else that lands this issue on key status. That may be why buyers were shying away from Batman #423 in the past 30 days, scoring it a place on the Coldest Comics list. There’s only so much investors and speculators are willing to spend before the profit margins become razor-thin. This will remain a popular collectible, no question, but the volume will linger until the prices deflate.
Throughout January, the graded 9.8 sold for $2,500-$2,989, though the last sale was for $1,805 on January 20. The highest grade sold this month has been a 9.6, and that copy brought $850 on February 10.
What did you think about this month's Coldest Comics? Let us know in the comments!
