In 1984, Troma Entertainment and Lloyd Kaufman brought the Toxic Avenger to life, and a cult classic was born. The story followed Melvin Ferd, a janitor who was exposed to toxic chemicals that transformed him into a grotesque mutant. Bent on revenge, he becomes the Toxic Avenger and unearths gory violence on those responsible for his plight.
The low-budget, bloody comedy would gain a following over the years, spawning a franchise that produced five feature films, an environmentally-conscious cartoon show, toy line, and multiple comic series. Over two decades since the last movie was released, the Toxic Avenger is poised for a return with a reboot from Legendary Pictures.
Starring Peter Dinklage in the title role, the first image has been revealed, and it’s giving Toxic Avenger #1 a boost in the sales department. As the new movie approaches, now is the time to get your hands on these toxic keys.
MARVEL AGE #98
Think of this as the ASM #365 for Toxie collectors where the preview gets the credit as the first appearance.
Seven years and two sequels following the original movie’s release, the Toxic Avenger made his way into the comic book world. In 1991, Marvel Comics paired with Troma Entertainment to publish Toxie’s very own comic series. Before the first issue hit LCS shelves, the series was teased in Marvel Age #98. Along with a preview of Toxic Avenger #1, Toxie was featured on the cover art for the first time.
If you are looking for a near-mint copy, the graded 9.8 has averaged $300 for the past 12 months. Prices appear to be rising after a June sale netted $380.
TOXIC AVENGER #1
Maybe it isn’t that all-important first appearance, but Toxic Avenger #1 remains the bestseller among his key issues. Since the new images dropped online, it’s catapulted Toxie’s first self-titled series into the top-100 Hottest Comics.
Just four years ago, not even the 9.8 could crack the triple-digit mark. Starting in 2020, prices suddenly ballooned. By 2021, it was averaging over $450. Values have come back to reality as of late, and that same 9.8 has a $187 12-month FMV, but a copy sold for $275 on August 21.
TOXIC CRUSADERS #1
Depending on the reception for the remake, Dinklage could bring us more toxic adventures. The next chapter, then, could introduce the world to the Toxic Crusaders.
During the 1990s, several R-rated movie franchises were adapted into kids’ cartoons. The Toxic Avenger, Rambo, Robocop, and Police Academy were watered down to the point of being nearly unrecognizable. Thus was born the Toxic Crusaders.
Joined by Headbanger, NOZone, Major Disaster, and Junkyard, Toxie and the squad had their own show and a TMNT-adjacent toy line. It wouldn’t be complete without a comic tie-in, and that’s exactly what Marvel put on LCS shelves in 1992. There hasn’t been a 9.8 sold online since one copy brought $230 in May.
PERFECT TIMING
As I have written before, this is the perfect time for a Toxic Avenger return. There is a newfound love and appreciation for campy cinema that rolls into unintentional comedy. After all, we are living in the age of the Sharknado franchise. If the new movie remains true to the Troma Entertainment roots, Toxic Avenger could be on his way to mainstream stardom.
