What are the Hottest Comics? Looking at the past 30 days’ worth of data, these are the 100 bestselling comics on the grandfather of auction sites, eBay. The list is not based on fair market value, but instead relies on the sales volumes, which is a better indicator as to what comics buyers are targeting en masse. Now that you know the basics, let’s take a closer look at what issues got the love from collectors and speculators in this week’s Hottest Comics top five.
45. THOR #337 (+39)
When will we see Beta Ray Bill grace the silver screen? The rumors and theories have been maddening for the intergalactic horseman’s fans with one tease after another. There are two distinct possibilities on the horizon, and that keeps the yo-yo effect going in full steam as Thor #337 climbed 39 spots to once again crack the top-50 Hottest Comics.
At the heart of the matter are two upcoming MCU entries, Thor: Love and Thunder and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The fourth Thor movie is the most likely candidate for a Beta Ray Bill sighting, especially since it would appear the film is building its own version of the Thor Corps. For those uninitiated, the Corps was the name of a group of different characters with the power of Thor. Later versions would include the likes of Beta Ray Bill, since he proved himself worthy of Mjolnir before getting his own magical hammer, Stormbreaker. We’ve already got Lady Thor in Love and Thunder, and Chris Hemsworth appears to be sporting a Thunderstrike costume. That makes Beta Ray Bill a prime candidate to join the cast.
Another popular theory is that Bill will be part of GOTG 3. James Gunn has confirmed that Adam Warlock will be part of the action, and many speculators wonder if Beta Ray Bill will be featured in the movie. Considering he has been a member of GOTG, it would add up for him joining a new Guardians lineup in the MCU.
Prices have been slightly down so far in 2022. Last year, the graded 9.8 averaged $1,034, which was nearly double its 2020 FMV. Four of the past five sales have been for under $1k, though one copy did earn $1,400 on January 4.
62. X-MEN ANNUAL #14 (+37)
Actor Channing Tatum has made recent comments that he’s still sad over not playing Gambit in a solo movie, and that could be sparking this week’s increased sales for X-Men Annual #14.
In the past couple of weeks, Tatum revealed in an interview that he has not watched any Marvel movies since his proposed Gambit solo film was canned when Disney acquired Fox. It leaves fans wondering who will play the X-Men’s resident Cajun if and when Marvel Studios decides to add him to the live-action mix.
With the increased buzz for Gambit, his key issues are enjoying another price hike. His first full appearance in Uncanny X-Men #266 gets all the glory, which in turn means higher prices. That could be prompting many collectors to put X-Men Annual #14 on their shopping lists. Although less famous, this issue featured Gambit’s true first appearance. So far this month, a graded 9.8 has been earning around $350. Compare that with the $950 price tag for a 9.8 UXM #266, and you can see why collectors are interested in Annual #14.
21. WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #1 (+34)
Any of the key issues from Spider-Man’s famous black suit saga are getting a huge bump as of late. It all comes from a combination of the Spider-Man: No Way Home mid-credits scene and the inevitable rumors to follow.
In case you missed it, No Way Home saw Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock/Venom leave a piece of the symbiote behind when he was transported back to the Sony-verse. Since then, Marvel Studios has revealed concept art of Tom Holland in a comics-accurate symbiote costume, complete with the classic white spider logo on the chest.
That “leaked” (let’s face it, nothing gets out without Marvel knowing about it) artwork has spawned a new movie rumor. This time around, the claim is that Marvel and Sony are co-producing a Spider-Man entry that will star Holland, Andrew Garfield, and Tobey Maguire as they battle Knull, God of the Symbiotes. If you believe the rumors, both Venom and Carnage will be in the mix as well, though Hardy’s name was not mentioned.
It all comes full circle to Web of Spider-Man #1, written by comics legend Louise Simonson. Not only was this the first issue of Web of Spider-Man, Volume 1, but it featured the iconic moment when Peter Parker realized his black suit was sentient. Prices are at their lowest in the past four years. This month, values have been between $275-$350 for a direct edition graded at a 9.8.
32. UNCANNY X-MEN #221 (+34)
The second X-Men issue on today’s list, Uncanny X-Men #221 is famous for being the first full appearance of Mister Sinister. With the revival of X-Men: The Animated Series and the potential for a live-action debut, it is no wonder that UXM #221 has become a perennial favorite collectible.
Like Beta Ray Bill, fans have been waiting for Nathaniel Essex to make his way onto the silver screen for years. He was teased at the end of X-Men: Apocalypse, and he was the shadowy mastermind behind the events of the forgettable New Mutants. At that point, it was clear that Fox had major plans for Sinister. Then Disney bought the Fox properties, and the reigning mad scientist of the X-Men universe went silent.
In recent years, Sinister has amassed a new following thanks to his portrayal in the X-Men comics. Jonathan Hickman gave him more personality and humor than ever before, and it has brought a newfound interest in the character. At heart, he is still a villain, but he stands out from the crowded field of X-antagonists more than ever. That has theorists wondering if he is destined for the MCU as the X-Men’s first threat.
For a graded 9.8 direct edition, prices have held steady in the $400-$500 range since last year. That’s up from the 2020 average of $263.
65. STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC #1 (+31)
The Star Wars speculation is at an all-time high. While The Book of Boba Fett may not have wowed audiences with its inaugural season, but truth be known, most fans watch the Disney+ series for the surprise cameos more than the plots. In that regard, BOBF delivered, and each episode spurred the comic market.
With so much anticipation for the future of Star Wars, many collectors and speculators are taking a bigger interest in the past, at least canonically. Although High Republic #1 debuted only a year ago, the story is set in the pre-movie world of the High Republic. As the franchise moves forward with more Disney+ shows and movies, getting your hands on those Star Wars firsts has become a collecting priority. It stands to reason that Marvel unveiled High Republic for the express purpose of giving Disney/Lucas Films a new branch of source material. The Mandalorian and BOBF debuted several characters from the second Marvel era of Star Wars comics, and it makes sense that the company is readying another round of new faces for that reason.
Most Star Wars first appearances have gone through the roof in recent years, so to find an issue with four first appearances that have live-action potential for less than $100 is a good deal. In this case, a graded 9.8 has earned no higher than $75.
What do you think about this week's Hottest Comics list? Let us know in the comments!
