As always, let’s be sure everyone is on the same page. The Hottest Comics are not about those massive prices that steal headlines. Here, it’s all about the sales volume, so the fair market values are not part of the equation.
Where do we get our data? It comes straight from the OG auction site of auction sites, eBay. Here you will find the five issues that gained the most ground based on the 10-day market data.
37. WEB OF SPIDER-MAN #1 (+52)
Another week, another Spider-Man first issue is escorted to the front of the collecting line. For the past month, the comic du jour has been Spectacular Spider-Man #1, but that one has fallen to the wayside. In fact, it dropped completely out of the top 100 altogether, though it is destined to rebound. In its place, we have Web of Spider-Man #1, a comic that has become a common entrant in both the Hottest and Coldest blogs.
Up to this point, the main selling point for Web #1, besides being the first issue of the series and featuring some excellent black suit cover art, was the revelation that the alien symbiote was sentient. Even better, it was attempting to control Peter Parker, which would set the stage for its transition into Venom down the road.
Since the Spider-Man: No Way Home concept artwork of Tom Holland being overtaken by the symbiote hit the internet, all the chapters of the Black Suit Saga have been hot collectibles. Since Web #1 doesn’t have any first appearances, it won’t likely see the insane price inflation of say, ASM #300. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it makes this issue much more accessible to even the most casual of symbiote fans.
39. ETERNALS #1 (+41)
What’s this? Has the inspiration for one of Marvel Studios’ most detested films seen a turnaround? It would appear so after Eternals #1 climbed 41 places to get back inside the top-40 best sellers list. With a rising interest in this issue, are we seeing a change of heart when it comes to Jack Kirby’s cosmic creation?
When the first rumors of the Eternals coming to the MCU hit the internet, this issue’s FMVs simply exploded. That coveted first appearance raked in impressive sales figures and astronomical fair market values. Buyers kept pumping money into Eternals #1 all the way up to the release of the movie. As usual, the values generally held in the first week or so of the premiere. Then the curse of Phase Four took hold, and poor critical and audience reviews caused Eternals #1 to plummet. The drop off was one for ages as those values went from the penthouse to the outhouse in epic proportions.
Over the past year, it has had moments when it would suddenly light up the market. Much of the time, it’s not for any one specific reason. Judging by the film’s ending, it’s not a secret that the Eternals will return to the MCU. When that will be is a bit of a mystery, and it will be interesting to see how that impending news impacts the market.
29. MARVEL SUPER-HEROES SECRET WARS #1 (+40)
Those Beyonder keys are still on the hot list. Laurence Fishburne voices the character in Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, but the real question is whether or not he will arrive in the live-action MCU. The link between the animated and live-action worlds have been linked, so the option to take Fishburne’s Beyonder into the broader MCU is very much there. That’s where Secret Wars #1 comes into play.
Besides being the first appearance of the Beyonder, it’s the manner in which he was introduced that could be the key to bringing him to the live-action MCU. In Secret Wars #1, the character was presented simply as a ball of light with a voice. Since Fishburne has already played a role in the MCU, that would allow him to transition into the new role without any confusion. The other option is to connect his part from Ant-Man and the Wasp to the Beyonder in some comic book-style way.
Of course, we can’t ignore the fact that Avengers: Secret Wars is the most intriguing of the Phase Six films. While it’s hard to imagine a Secret Wars flick without the Beyonder, Marvel is known for ignoring the source material. That leaves question marks surrounding him being in the MCU, but the possibilities are too tempting not to invest in a Secret Wars #1, hence its inclusion on today’s list.
34. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #50 (+32)
I admit that I have my doubts about Daredevil: Born Again. Whether it’s the creative team behind the cameras or simply the fact that so many of Marvel’s latest offerings are crafted to feel more family and kid-friendly, it is hard to imagine the soft reboot will live up to the brutality of its Netflix predecessor. All that being said, Kingpin actor Vincent D’Onofrio has been adamant that Born Again will prove me and all the other doubters wrong.
No matter what direction Marvel goes, ASM #50 will remain a holy grail among collectors. Kingpin is one of the most revered villains in all of comics. He is the icon of street-level, mafia-style antagonists with genius intellect. Since Kingpin was introduced in the Silver Age, any similar character is viewed as a copy of Wilson Fisk.
For all those reasons, buyers will always seek out copies of ASM #50. Depending on how the new Kingpin is received by audiences, the values may eb and flow, but this will never be an unwanted key issue. In fact, it’s one comic that doesn’t need a reason to be included on the Hottest Comics at any given moment.
56. DARTH VADER #3 (+30)
After the absolute brilliance that was Andor, Star Wars fans were geared up for the third season of The Mandalorian. Of course, the disappointing The Book of Boba Fett, was very nearly Mando’s third season, but surely it would be an improvement. You could say it has been a step up, but that doesn’t mean much, and most fans have been less than impressed with the latest installment of The Mandalorian.
What this will mean for Star Wars’ Disney Plus efforts remains to be seen, but it has not deterred the legions of Ahsoka Tano fans who are stoked for her series. What characters will we see in that show? So far, we know that the Star Wars: Rebels cast will be gradually introduced, but could we see Doctor Aphra make her long-awaited live-action debut? We already met Black Krrsantan in BOBF, so a ready-made link has been established. The next logical step would be to add her to the lineup before giving them their own spinoff show.
This has been the speculation for the past couple of years now, and fans know she’ll arrive at some point. As we see with several other key issues, the lack of news keeps Darth Vader #3 bouncing across the Hottest Comics index. Whenever the moment comes when Aprha is confirmed for her live-action debut, it will be a major day for all those investors who’ve been holding onto this comic for years.
Are you a Pro yet?
