Do you have these keys in your long boxes? As we prepare for the MCU after Avengers: Endgame, here are the ones that you should have in your collections.
We all know the MCU drives the fair market values for key comics. Every time I type any variation on that sentence, I read complaint after complaint, but it is nonetheless true: the market follows the MCU announcements. As we play the speculation game, here are the key issues we already know you should be watching heading into the MCU's Phase Four. These are based on the news and rumors that have made the rounds so far, and things can change at any minute, but isn't that part of the fun?
More and more attention is being placed on The Eternals. There has been news about Angelina Jolie being in talks to play Sersi, and there is speculation that Marvel is looking for an openly gay actor to play a lead role in the movie, both of which give the franchise mainstream exposure.
In the past year, all issues of the original Eternals limited series have been climbing in value. However, even though prices are already high, now would be the time to buy before the first trailer is revealed.
Fans had been predicting for years that Taskmaster would come to either big or small screens and be part of the MCU. Finally, that persistence has paid off, and Taskmaster will be the main villain for the solo Black Widow movie that is schedule for 2020. That announcement has expanded his fan base and spiked values for Avengers #196, which you can read more about in "Now Everyone Loves Taskmaster." They will keep rising as casting news circulates.
There's nothing concrete with She-Hulk, but with Marvel putting more emphasis on female characters, it's long been rumored that Hulk's cousin would step into the MCU. The latest news is that Marvel is developing a Hulk television show for the new Disney streaming service, and the speculation is that new show will feature She-Hulk. As soon as Kevin Feige substantiates that rumor, prices for She-Hulk #1 will inevitably spike.
JOURNEY INTO MYSTERY ANNUAL #1
Only a year ago, the Prince of Power had a small but dedicated fan base in "Nobody's Favorite: Hercules." If the rumors pan out, Hercules will suddenly become a favorite of many. As I mentioned earlier, reportedly Marvel is looking for an openly gay actor to be featured in Eternals. The rumor is that the company wants to make Hercules, who has been portrayed as bisexual in the pages of the comics (for more on that, check out CBR), an integral part of that franchise. That would send prices soaring for JIM Annual #1.
Another comic that has already seen a price jump is the first appearance of Shang-Chi. It has been announced that the Master of Kung Fu will be getting a feature film, though we don't know if it will be part of Phase Four or later. The more news Marvel releases on casting choices and plot, the more valuable this issue will become.
There weren't any Easter eggs for Beta Ray Bill in Endgame, but Thor's inclusion in the Guardians of the Galaxy leads me to believe that Bill is on the way.
Feige has said before that Beta Ray Bill nearly made a cameo in Thor: Ragnarok, but Marvel wanted to save him for something bigger. Of course we did see his face on the Grandmaster's tower, which puts him in the MCU. Don't forget there was a subtle glimpse of what appeared to be a man in a red cape in the background of the Collector's prizes in the first GOTG film. With an overweight Thor wielding Stormbreaker as part of the Guardians, it stands to reason that they will encounter Beta Ray Bill, and he will be worthy of Stormbreaker.
