The news that everybody’s favorite Czarnian will be getting his own movie has been circulating for many years now. Jason Fuchs (Wonder Woman) and Michael Bay (Transformers) are just some of the names that have been floated as being involved with the project.
While we currently know little else about it, or even if it will actually happen, the Lobo universe has recently been expanded in the comics by the addition of a relative: his daughter Crush.
What’s the big deal about this character? For one thing, he’s fun. Created by Roger Slifer and Keith Giffen in 1983, Lobo first appeared in Omega Men #3, and then really came to public attention after his successful appearances on the DC animated series, Superman: The Animated Series in the 1990s. In fact, Lobo can be viewed as a parody of the excessively muscled, excessively violent, comic characters that proliferated in the late 80s and early 1990s.
Yet, for all the obvious humor the character brings, and the over the top violence associated with him (in the comics, he’s even said to have killed every single member of his own race – except his daughter apparently, see below), ironically it was his anti-hero appeal, and the exaggerated take on the same qualities he was parodying, that made him all the more popular.
However, even given his similarities to characters like Cable or the Punisher, Lobo is actually a bit different. For one thing, his alien mercenary background sets him apart. His incredible strength (reaching almost Superman levels) further sets him apart. Lobo’s around seven feet tall and possessed of, among other powers, an enhanced healing factor that makes him virtually immortal. In this sense, he resembles Deadpool and Wolverine as well (which may be the very reason Warner Bros. is pushing to have him in a film!).
Finally, it’s important to note that originally Lobo was a wise cracking, bike-riding, cigar smoking, hard-fighting bounty hunter but later (during the New 52 years) another Lobo appeared claiming the first to be an imposter. From what I gather, if a movie is made, it will focus on the original which is probably all for the best (now if only Warner Bros. would promise to use any other director but Michael Bay, I might actually get excited about the prospect of a Lobo movie!).
Let’s take a look at some important Lobo comics that are worth seeking out, since if a Lobo movie happens a noticeable spike in price may occur. Here I’ll list two Lobo comics and two Crush comics worth picking up.
Omega Men #3 (June 1983) - First appearance of Lobo
The ‘Main Man’ first appears in this comic. The Omega Men were DCs answer to Marvel’s Starjammers from the X-Men. First appearing in Green Lantern #141, the team interacted with various DC mainline heroes (Superman, the Teen Titans) before getting their own prestige format ongoing series in 1983. Lobo’s first appearance occurs in Omega Men #3. This comic has been gaining in value gradually over the last few years. Today a 9.8 certified copy will set you back around $240.00. A 9.6 can also break the one-hundred dollar mark. Best returns have been on 9.4 graded copies which after 254 recorded sales on GoCollect.com has a positive + 53.1% ROI over the last 14 years.
Lobo #1 (November 1990) – First Lobo solo-title
Lobo had to wait a few years before he got his own comic, but it happened with this mini-series. Lobo #1 will cost you about $85.00 in 9.8 certified condition. Best returns have been on 8.0 copies at positive + 160.6% after two sales over the last two years. But the price is being pushed up by a signature series sale. Try to find a raw 9.8 and then get it graded. Although it’s a bit of a gamble, you really do want to get in on the Lobo action on the ground floor and then enjoy watching the prices of your comics rise in tandem with the growing popularity of the character.
Teen Titans Special #1 (June 2018) – First appearance of Crush (cameo)
If recent events are any indication, it seems that Lobo fever is starting to heat up and this is true on the comic book front as well as in other mediums. In recent comics, for example, we’ve learned that Lobo has a daughter: Crush. Crush is half Czarnian. Lobo is her father and an unknown human female may be her mother. Recently introduced as a new recruit on the Damien Wayne led Teen Titans team, first appearing in a cameo here. This comic is basically still new but after only 11 sales in 9.8 graded form it has twice sold for over 80 dollars (07/24/2018 $86.00 Ebay sale and 09/27/2018 $82.00).
Teen Titans Vol. 6 #20 (July 2018) [Jorge Jimenez Variant]- Crush Joins the Teen Titans
Crush becomes an official member of the Titans in this comic. Try to seek out the Jorge Jimenez variant, it currently has two recorded sales, but the numbers being shown are impressive: a 9.8 sold for $129.99 on Ebay on 09/21/2018 and a 9.6 CGC certified copy sold for $51.00 on 09/28/2018.
