Once told that he would never make it in comics, Mark Spears has become a phenomenon. Mark Spears Monsters is a huge hit in the back issue market and fans are driving prices ever higher. Let’s take a look at the numbers to see what’s going on here.
Kickstarter Launch
A fascinating aspect of the comic book collecting hobby is when new releases become integral to back issue collecting. When it happens, and it’s rarer than you’d think, it creates a feedback loop that drives both new issue and back issue sales. While sometimes brief, occasionally these feedback loops can be longer lasting. It’s hard to determine where Mark Spears Monsters will fall in that spectrum, but we’re now looking at eight months of increasing popularity. As such, it’s on the cusp of moving from flash-in-the-pan status to – potentially – a series that will have some legs. Back in February of this year, GoCollect blogger Don wrote a fantastic piece – Creator Spotlight on Mark Spears – which is must reading if you want to know more about the artist’s kickstarter launch for Mark Spears Monsters, and the initial spread of its popularity.
Monster First Issue
The series began publication in September 2024 through Keenspot. The first issue – Mark Spears Monsters #1 – had an initial print run of only 11,000 copies. It quickly sold out. Fans started talking about the book on social media and a cult hit was born. Entrenched within the conversation was the concept that Mark Spears is “one of us,” a comic book fan who was determined to do things his way. Popularity and rarity combined to drive prices higher. It certainly didn’t hurt that there were 45 variants of that first issue, many that paid homage to classic comic covers.
There are 142 graded copies of Cover A in the CGC census. Of those, five are in the 9.9 grade. The sales trajectory tells the story. On November 18, 2024, one of those 9.9s sold for $188. The most recent sale, back on January 25, was for an incredible $2,000. In the 9.8 grade, the one-year average – representing forty sales – is currently sitting at $382. The two sales in the past 30 days have averaged $710, an 86% increase.
Variants
Variant covers of the first issue are also going for high dollar amounts. On the low end, you’re looking at prices in the $200 to $250 range. The high-end numbers are eye popping:
Mark Spears Monsters #1 (Cvr E Bridezilla) – 10.0 graded copy selling for $2,025 in Mach 5 eBay auction with 52 bids.
Mark Spears Monsters #1 (Variant Cover J) – 9.8 copy selling for $1,800 in February 10 eBay fixed price sale, although subsequent sales have dropped to $1,000.
Mark Spears Monsters #1 (Variant Cover I) – 9.8 copy selling for $1,200 in February 1 eBay fixed price sale.
Mark Spears Monsters #1 (Variant Cover K) – 9.8 copy selling for $1,000 in June 1 eBay fixed price sale.
Second, third, and even fourth printing variant covers are also seeing sales ranging from roughly $65 to hundreds of dollars, although it’s the first print issues that appear to be the primary focus of collectors.
Subsequent Issues
Mark Spears Monsters #2 had a print run of 14,000 copies, so it’s almost as rare as the first issue. However, being the second issue, there is lower interest. That’s not to say that it’s ignored, not with a 30-day average for a 9.8 of $169. However, there are far fewer graded copies (just 33) and a much lower number of variants.
Mark Spears Monsters #3 had a much higher print run of 42,000 copies and currently has a census count of 59 graded copies. The current 30-day average price for a 9.8 is still a respectable $54 for a comic released in late January. There are, as of this writing, no graded copies of Mark Spears Monsters #4 or Mark Spears Monsters #5, although that is sure to change.
Other Mark Spears Comics
Despite being told early in his career – one that has spanned trading cards, product merchandising, and movie posters – that he would never make it in comics, Spears’ work has been featured in a number of other comics and collectors are spending more to get these issues. Here are a few to consider if you’re a fan of his work:
Ultiman Giant Annual #1 – Spears’ first interior comic book artwork; currently no graded copies.
Vamiprella: Mindwarp #2 (The 616 Comics Edition) – 45 graded copies; 9.8 30-day average: $325.
Gunslinger Spawn #18 – 53 graded copies; 9.8 30-day average: $67.
Headless Horseman: Halloween Annual #nn (Cvr C Foc Spears) – 6 graded copies; one 9.8 sale for $190.
Action Comics #1066 (Cvr E Inc 1:25 Mark Spears Card Stock Variant) – 52 graded copies: 9.8 30-day average: $307.
