Gwen Stacy was back in the collecting crosshairs this week as ASM #121 made its way onto the Hottest Comics.
It’s time again to dig deeper into the eBay sales data and see what keys were proliferating the top 100 best sellers. As it turns out, there were Spider-Man comics galore picking up steam. Remember, the Hottest Comics isn’t based on fair market values. Rather, these rankings reflect the sales volume, and in that category, cheaper usually wins out.
What issues should have your attention this week? I’m glad you asked.
34. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #121 (NEW TO THE LIST)
Marvel Comics is issuing a new alternate-reality title that further explores this pivotal moment in the publisher’s history. This time around in What If...Dark: Spider-Gwen #1, the idea is that Gwen lived while Spider-Man died, which is not to be confused with Spider-Gwen’s origin story which saw her get spider powers instead of Peter. That is the likely culprit behind this issue gaining traction once again.
35. SHAZAM! #1 (+42)
When you can’t afford Captain Marvel’s first appearance for Fawcett Comics, the next best thing is to opt for his debut for DC Comics in Shazam! #1. With Shazam! Fury of the Gods debuting this weekend, you would think his keys would be getting a much more significant boost.
Instead, this issue is not even cracking the top-20 Hottest Comics. Of course, the Shazam keys peaked four years ago with the first film. It doesn’t help matters that Fury of the Gods is getting blasted by critics.
80. MARVEL TEAM-UP #141 (NEW TO THE LIST)
As always, those Black Suit Saga keys are scattered throughout the Hottest Comics. This week, we see Marvel Team-Up #141 making waves as it broke into the top 100 best sellers. Released days after Amazing Spider-Man #252, MTU #141 is tied with Spectacular Spider-Man #90 for the second overall appearance of the black suit that would later become Venom.
There are numerous rumors circulating about the symbiotes in the MCU, and it will keep these keys on the move for quite a while longer. If Marvel Studios officially unveils a black suit for Tom Holland, watch for the afterburners to kick in.
81. SINS OF SINISTER #1 ARTGERM VARIANT (NEW TO THE LIST)
Stanley “Artgerm” Lau has done it again. This time around, he penciled a beautiful sketch of Emma Frost for the first issue of Sins of Sinister. Being a variant, these were printed in smaller numbers compared to the main cover, and that makes them more collectible.
Artgerm also has an established audience that buys his variants, so it’s a successful recipe with a proven track record. Already, this comic is earning between $55-$65 for a graded 9.8, so it's another hit for the famed cover artist.
99. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #18 (NEW TO THE LIST)
Another Spider-Man key made this week’s top 100, and it is a classic. Published in 1964, ASM #18 marked the first appearance of Ned Leeds. He would go on to become the first Hobgoblin, though that story was later retconned into a convoluted brainwashing plot to frame him.
Will we see a similar fate for the MCU’s Ned? There have been enough teases that it would seem inevitable, but Marvel is known for trolling its fans.
*Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not represent advice on behalf of GoCollect.