Wolverine continues to captivate imaginations around the world as Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds exchange social media barbs ahead of Deadpool 3. It’s been enough to send buyers on a scavenger hunt for one of the most sought-after keys in all of collecting: Hulk #181.
What are the Hottest Comics? These are the 100 best-selling, single issues across eBay. Taking both raw and graded varieties into account, these rankings have nothing to do with fair market values. In fact, the lower prices are often the reason for a comic moving upward in terms of sales.
19. INCREDIBLE HULK #181 (+72)
Wolverine has clawed his way back to the top of the charts this week. As I have written before, what makes Hulk #181’s ascent back into the top-20 Hottest Comics more impressive is the holy grail label. That distinction automatically makes it a coveted and expensive comic to own, which usually limits the number of sales. This week, it was no deterrent for buyers as they helped Wolverine’s first full and first cover appearance gain over 70 spots.
Even when there’s no news about Canada’s favorite superhero, Hulk #181 remains a staple of any collecting goals. This has been the most popular Bronze Age key for decades, and there’s no sign of it losing that title anytime soon. Factor in the nonstop news and gossip about Logan appearing not only in Deadpool 3 but in other MCU projects, and you have the makings of a huge spike in sales. In fact, the latest rumor is that Wolverine will appear in Captain America: New World Order.
While nothing is set in stone, that one is believable because of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. There was a clear allusion to Wolverine in the series when Sam and Bucky ventured into Madripoor, which happens to be Logan’s favorite seaside destination. To top it off, they visited the establishment that he co-owns, The Princess Bar. There’s no denying the showrunners had Wolverine on their minds for that handy location. All that being said, we could see Logan (or perhaps “Patch”) appear in the fourth Captain America film to bring that reference full circle. That is precisely why Hulk #181 has kicked in the boosters to cruise toward the top of the collecting mountain this week.
40. BATMAN #423 (+60)
It never fails that a Todd McFarlane key ranks high on the Hottest Comics index. Why wouldn’t it? He’s arguably the most famous artist of the past 40 years, and collectors can’t get enough of his amazing covers. It goes without saying that buyers want his classic Batman work included in their long boxes.
Before McFarlane gave new life to Spider-Man and co-created the web slinger’s most popular adversary, he was drawing Batman for DC Comics. While his career there wasn’t as storied as his time with Marvel, fans are still enamored with his take on the Dark Knight. Inevitably, it leads buyers to the doorstep of Batman #423. That is what keeps this issue jumping all across the Hottest Comics index week after week.
23. UNCANNY X-MEN #282 (+57)
A second X-Men key has made its way onto the Hottest Comics blog. Here we have another favorite among buyers, UXM #282, and the first appearance of Bishop. Since this is a 1990s comic, there is an endless number of copies available all across eBay. With that huge surplus of comics comes relatively low prices, which makes for an even better pickup.
The best part about this issue is that there’s so much potential here. Wolverine’s entrance into the MCU will preface the X-Men, obviously. Who will be on Marvel Studios’ initial team is anyone’s guess, but the smart money is on Bishop being in the lineup. Over the decades, he’s become an increasingly important X-Man with a growing fan base.
It doesn’t hurt that we’ve only seen him once in live action, and that was in a limited role for X-Men: Days of Future Past. Fans would love to see him get a larger part in a future film, and Marvel could have its pick of A-list actors to bring him to life. That would be the recipe for making Bishop a huge success in the MCU, and it would add plenty of value to UXM #282.
30. AVENGERS #8 (+49)
Just when it looked like all those Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania keys were dead in the water, Avengers #8 has come roaring back. Although Nathaniel Richards was first spotted as Rama-Tut in Fantastic Four #19, we didn’t meet his famous alter ego, Kang, until Avengers #8.
What keeps this issue on the move when other Quantumania keys are seeing nosedives? The biggest reason is that Kang will be back as the MCU’s main threat. It doesn’t hurt that while the movie itself was criticized, Jonathan Majors’ turn as the time-traveling despot was a bright spot in an otherwise bad movie. That gives hope to his character’s future as we wait to see how the story unfolds between now and Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.
So far, Kang has not measured up to Thanos as a linchpin villain, but there’s plenty of time for that. The next time we will see him is in Loki season two as Victor Timely. Will this be the true Kang the Conqueror that will torment the Avengers? That remains to be seen, but a strong showing could be enough to instill faith in the Marvel fandom as we await his ultimate clash with the MCU’s elite.
With so much potential for Kang in the MCU, the wave for Avengers #8 has yet to crest. That likely won’t happen until he’s finished off in either The Kang Dynasty of Secret Wars, so plan accordingly.
16. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #101 (+37)
Here we go again. One week, ASM #101 plummets through the rankings. Before long, it rockets back toward the top in impressive fashion. After a steady climb, it has reached the top 20 once more, which is rather baffling in itself.
To the best of my knowledge, there’s no talk of any sequels happening. Actually, as poorly as Morbius was received, a second movie might be enough to put a stake through the ASM #101’s heart. After all, it’s almost unanimous that fans do not want to see any more of that story on the big screen.
What, then, could have ASM #101 so popular with buyers? My guess is that it comes down to the all-important MCU. Although the Sony-Verse isn’t directly connected, the two cinematic universes do coexist. That leaves the potential for further Sony-Marvel crossovers. Ever since a Blade reboot was confirmed, there’s been fan chatter about bringing the characters together. Add Doctor Strange, Werewolf by Night, and Man-Thing into the equation, which has led to theories that the Midnight Sons are on the way. There’s also the potential for Morbius to be included in the Legion of Monsters, an idea that oozes so much 1970s kitsch that Kevin Feige is likely drooling at the thought of using it in the MCU.
The most important factor could be the price tag. For the past year, values have been on the decline for virtually every grade. Even if the movie was terrible, there are still plenty of Morbius fans out there, and this is a great time to add his first appearance to those collections.
