Wolverine had plenty of company in this week’s Coldest Comics. There were several notable firsts that took the plunge into the icy depths, including those of Damian Wayne, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Black Panther. At least they had a support system.
Does this mean you should dump all your copies and avoid going down with the ship? Not at all, but it can be disheartening to see your investments taking a dip in the rankings. The best advice is to be strong and wait for the sun, which will inevitably shine again on these comics.
As always, let’s refresh your memories on the Coldest Comics. These are the five issues that lost the most ground based on the past 10 days' worth of sales data. Taken straight from eBay, the numbers are always changing, which is why the positions listed below may not match what is currently on the site. That’s to be expected, and it’s an indicator of how up to date the numbers are. Speaking of numbers, don’t forget that these are based on sales volume not fair market value.
Without further ado, it’s time to explore the Hottest Comics and see which issues struggled the most.
100. MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS #72 (-64)
Wolverine certainly proved that he is the best there is at what he does, and that includes missing out on potential sales. Marvel Comics Presents #72 barely hung onto a spot in the Hottest Comics this week, reeling in the one-hundredth position and in danger of missing the boat altogether in short order. What could be the reason behind its descent into the depths?
This issue has been hot on and off for the past two years now. It began with rumors that Wolverine would be getting an anthology series on Disney Plus. By the time the Easter eggs began flying onto The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, fans were certain that Wolverine’s past with the Weapon X program would be coming to the MCU. That had collectors and investors rushing for the first definitive history of Weapon X that began with MCP #72.
With Hugh Jackman breaking out the claws at least one more time for Deadpool 3 (he could come back for more, but it’s all in the air at this point), wouldn’t that have buyers on the hunt for MCP #72? The latest word on the matter is that the movie’s plot will center around Wolverine and Deadpool traversing the Multiverse and likely ending some poorly conceived timelines. That doesn’t leave much room for exploring the Weapon X program.
Whether or not Jackman will stay around for many more appearances in the MCU is anyone’s guess, but there is no doubt that Wolverine will be a staple at Marvel Studios for years to come. Sooner or later, we will get a look at his Weapon X roots, and that will send this issue back to the top of the charts.
87. TMNT: THE LAST RONIN #1 (-42)
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a franchise that seemingly will never die. Every generation, it’s reinvented for a new audience. As of late, TMNT has been doing the double duty role of not only reeling in younger viewers but paying tribute to the nostalgia of old in the same breath. The 2013 TMNT revival was brilliant, and now Seth Rogen is spearheading yet another movie revival that retains the core traits that fans have loved for decades. It’s enough to keep buyers on the hunt for those Ninja Turtles keys.
All that being said, one of the most bold reinventions for the turtles in a half shell has been The Last Ronin. It’s basically the Ninja Turtles’ version of The Dark Knight Returns. Set in a bleak future, Michelangelo is the last turtle alive, and he’s no longer the comedy act of the group. He’s on a path of vengeance against Shredder’s grandson, and fans can’t get enough. There are action figures and speculation of a video game and a movie or television series adaptation. It’s enough to have collectors and investors putting this issue and its many variants high on their wish lists.
Why, then, would Last Ronin #1 be on the Coldest Comics if it’s so popular? Availability is a huge factor. There are so many copies readily available across the secondary market that it’s easy to take them for granted. One way or another, I suspect we will be seeing more of The Last Ronin in the mainstream media, so hold the course and don’t abandon ship just yet.
77. BATMAN #655 (-33)
Collectors can’t decide how they feel about Damian Wayne. One of the biggest reveals from James Gunn’s Chapter One announcement earlier this year was the bombshell that Batman’s son would finally arrive in live action. It caused an instant spike in sales overnight, and Batman #655 went straight to the top of the list. After all, this was Damian’s first appearance in the main continuity even though he was in shadow and could hardly be seen.
In the weeks and months since Gunn’s massive news, those DC keys as a whole have been on the backslide more often than not. However, they still manage to hang around inside the top 100. With so much attention on Damian, it’s no surprise that his keys make the most noise no matter what direction they’re going on the ladder of success.
There’s no argument that those Marvel keys are still the dominant force in the secondary market. With Chapter One still two years from officially kicking off, it’s no wonder that speculators are more apt to grab an MCU key than one from DC. However, once Gunn’s vision gets rolling, we could see a changing of the guard, and that may start with Damian Wayne when he debuts in Brave and the Bold.
97. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #363 (-33)
It’s a triumphant return of an old favorite in ASM #363. Maybe “favorite” isn’t the best term here. After all, it dropped over 30 spots and is narrowly lingering in the top 100. Have faith, Carnage fans; this one will find its way back up the ladder in a matter of days. That’s what makes this a prime member of the Usual Suspects. Remember them? They’re the comics that somehow find their ways onto either the Hottest or Coldest Comics blogs, and oftentimes in back-to-back weeks. As of late, they have been rather quiet, but ASM #363 has broken the streak and grabbed a piece of the spotlight.
What makes this issue so collectible in the first place isn’t so much for Carnage as it is for Venom. In these pages, readers got their second taste of Eddie and his sinister symbiote as an antihero. An issue earlier, Venom and Spider-Man buried the hatchet and became a team against the murderous red symbiote. From there, Venom would branch away from the Spider-Verse and begin forging his own mythos.
No matter how Sony might try, Venom will forever and always be connected to Spider-Man, and that’s the moment fans are still waiting to see happen in the MCU.
One way or another, Spidey and Venom will meet on the silver screen. That will help this issue retain its spot on the Hottest Comics as we wait and see what Marvel Studios has up its collective sleeve.
95. FANTASTIC FOUR #52 (-32)
After picking up steam ahead of last year’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, BP #52 has gradually fallen off the pace. That is nothing to worry about. When it comes to collecting those movie keys, this is the general flow of the market. Prior to a film’s release, fans are clamoring for the characters’ key issues, making it a seller’s market in the process. As the hype train arrives at the red carpet, the values peak for a week or two. After that, the excitement begins to wane, and buyers tend to move on to the next big thing. Such was the case with FF #52.
What’s interesting here is that, despite T’Challa being officially written out of the MCU as a show of respect to the late Chadwick Boseman, FF #52 remains the holy grail of Black Panther keys. The character is alive and well in the comics, which helps, but the real testament is the legacy we are seeing unfold on the screen. While Suri may not be the first Black Panther, she carries the tradition on her shoulders, and it will keep buyers on the hunt for FF #52.
There’s no question that Shuri will have a larger role to play in The Multiverse Saga, and that will increase exposure for Black Panther’s first appearance. As she gains a larger following, it will help move this issue back toward the top of the Hottest Comics.
