WHAT'S GOOD?
What's good? This section displays some comics that are poppin' at the time of writing or publication. Whether you consider this heat a time to buy or sell is up to you. Enjoy!
This section was published May 5th of 2021
X-Men #129
Took long enough for this comic to get love again in the secondary market. It's filled with quite a few debuts and 1st appearances, though some are pretty weak, but X-Men does have the 1st appearance of Kitty Pryde. It's not a weak appearance in shadow or barely shown either. Kitty pops up in the issue quite often, around 22 panels on 6 pages. Sebastian Shaw, Harry LeLand and Donald Pierce of the Hellfire Club only show in shadow in about 3 panels. Like Kitty, Emma Frost shows up fully in this issue.
With Disney/Marvel announcing that our favorite comic book mutants are pretty close to joining the MCU in a project called The Mutants, it isn't any wonder that many key X-Men books have seen heat lately. Before we dive into a recent look at CGC 9.8 and 9.6 sales on eBay for this comic, I want to note that a 9.8 sale ended 2020 at $2051.00 and the first 2021 sale was $2,000. As for 9.6, the last 2020 sale on eBay was $400 and the first sale of 2021 on eBay at this CGC grade was $540.
CGC 9.8
CGC 9.6
CGC 9.4
CGC 9.4s for X-Men #129 ended 2020 eBays sales at $327.99 and started 2021 with an eBay sale of $306.66 on January 4rth.
Over-all, this comic is good if ya wanna sell, but if you put off snagging this comic, your bank account may be regretting it. Anyway, you can click on the image and check for yourself. It will take you directly to the eBay sold listings for this comic at CGC grades.
(Note: the image of the sold listings eBay page to the left is an affiliate link. Purchase made after clicking the image does earn me a small commission from eBay. I appreciate your support and happy hunting out there.)
This section published February 3rd 2021
Amazing Spider-Man #238 CGC 9.8 & 9.6
Lots of talk and speculation about actor Jason Batalon possibly becoming Hobgoblin in the Spidey movie franchise. Rumblings sparked when Batalon showed off a new, slim-downed and muscular physique recently. Then, Sony even put out a sort of teaser that had a pic of Betty Bryant and Ned Leeds side by side. The pic had an orange hat on Ned's head and some comic speculators are thinking Sony's giving out a little easter egg of sorts.
Whether this is just for a bit of fun or not, it seems Amazing Spider-Man #238 and the debut of Hobgoblin is a comic that has heated up since all of this ruckus. In my personal opinion, it's about damn time. Hobby's been one of my top favorite Spidey villains next to Green Goblin and Lizard. My favorite is still Kraven the Hunter. Alright, let's look at some recent eBay sales now.
CGC 9.8s
Poppin in the 2k range? All I can say is crazy, and that adjective seems fitting considering the villain we're yappin' about. Some are concerned that since this is the debut of a villain, the movie world may dispose of Hobgoblin quick and hype or demand will fizzle even quicker after. We shall see how this plays out.
CGC 9.6
9.6s of Amazing Spider-Man #238 also seem to have heated up as well. Looks like the $700 range is the average, and comparing 9.8s and 9.6s, seems there is a bit of a disparity there.
This section published January 21st 2021.
Canadian Price Variants
As I've shown this on IG (Instagram) already, it seems CPVs are indeed making a come back. That screenshot only showed three examples, but it should be no surprise that Monica Rambeau's debut in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #16 has heated up for both US Editions and Canadians since WandaVision premiered on Disney + recently.
Amazing Spider-Man #238 - first Hobgoblin - is considered the darling of Canadian Price Variants, but it did lose steam for a while. Looks like they're making a come back, and this is even more so when it comes to Amazing Spider-Man #252 - 1st new black costume. I had gotten a 9.2 for $134, and ever since then, many have been able to get it cheaper. Doesn't seem to be the case now. However, we shall see how long this heat lasts.
LEGENDS #3 CANADIANS
Despite another Suicide Squad flick coming out and helmed by famed director of the surprise hit franchise Guardians of the Galaxy, James Gunn, this debut of the modern Suicide Squad team in Legends #3 hasn't really heated up even for the more rare Canadian Price Variants. Could be due to several factors in Warner Bros. failed attempts to satisfy most comic fans and general audiences with their comic movie properties. Most recent biggest disappointment is Wonder Woman 1984.
BATMAN #408 CANADIANS
You figure Batman CPVs for significant keys would be the exception, but not exactly. As you can see from the screenshot above, a high grade Batman #408, the revamped Jason Todds character and the one directly connected to the one who became Red Hood, sold for under $74 bucks. Also, this copy sold last November and is the most recent. DC Canadians are still quite over-looked in the current market as of this publication.
This section published December 24th, 2020.
PREDATOR #1 CGC 9.8
Yo, some Dark Horse goodness. As of this published writing, I am not aware of any new Predator movies coming out, but it seems the 90s is becoming hot again. I am not entirely surprised by Predator #1 CGC 9.8s getting play. It's an amazing cover and the Predator franchise is widely popular. I remember getting this series when it first came out in shops, and, of course, I immediately snagged them up as they were released. However, I had to re-get the current copy I have, but it was only for like $20-something. It wasn't much, and it's in pretty good condition. I will need to give it a press and give it a look over soon.
Okay, we can see that earliest records of 9.8s started off in the lower $100 range. However, this comic at 9.8s were selling in the upper $200 range. By July of 2020, this comic went from $300 to $400 and then settled in the $500 range by the end of that month. We shall see if another boost happens in 2021 for this classic 90s comic.
This section published November 18th 2020
VENOM #3 2018
1st Full Appearance of Knull?
I always question everything. Some sources say this is the 1st full appearance of Knull, but it's actually the 1st appearance. I know, I know that Cates pointed to some unidentified entity in Thor: God of Thunder #6, but that is RETCONNED information. Donny Cates and Ryan Stegman actually created the character of Knull.
Okay, despite the always confusing retconned info, which writers seem to do a lot these days and it is annoying in my opinion, this comic has been hot and is hot. It is #2 on GoCollect's hot "modern" comics and this series is tearing it up with fan excitement. Also, it's just a pretty darn cool cover. Let's take a quick looksie at 9.8s and how they've been rising. Regardless, definitely a comic to be watching out for.
CGC 9.8 BEGINNING
Going back to the very beginning of how graded copies first hit the market for this particular comic at 9.8s.
CGC 9.8 BEG 2020
Skipping ahead to the very beginning of 2020 and what the values for this comic looked like for CGC 9.8s. It seemed to have comfortably nestled into the $100 range around this particular time.
CGC 9.8 RECENT SALES
Already bounced comfortably into the $200 range and looks to be threatening the $300 range, which it has hit and crossed over several times this year to be clear.
This section published October 16th, 2020
STRANGE ACADEMY #1 CGC 9.8
1st full appearance of Strange Academy
It's not just the PEACH MOMOKO MAGIK VARIANT that's heated up for Strange Academy issue #1. Reg covers of Strange Academy #1 by Humberto Ramos and Edgar Delgado are also taking flight. Below there's screen shots of GoCollect's prices of how much 9.8s were selling when they first hit the market back in April of this year, 2020. To the right are some of the most recent sales of this regular cover in minty fresh 9.8s. However, to the very right is a list as well. Since the screen shot is a bit hard to read, I decided to list the sale prices for ya. The two very bottom Oct 15th sales were on eBay and not yet registered on GoCollect.
We shall see, however. With so many variants of issue #1, it may seem that most covers will get a boost sometime, but may fizzle out too. As of now, spec is hot for Strange Academy #1 over-all.
THEN PRICES
4/19/2020 - $49.99
4/27/2020 - $51.00
5/1/2020 - $50
05/4/2020 - $59.99
5/9/2020 - $49.99
5/10/2020 - $58.50
NOW PRICES
10/11 - $189.99
10/12 - $190.50
10/12 - $157.50
10/12 - $175.50
10/12 - $179
10/12 - $189
Oct 15 - $225.50
Oct 15 - $190
This section published September 16th, 2020
SHURI #1 CGC 9.8
Okay, let's get this out of the way. I dunno if Shuri #1 CGC 9.8s are actually really good or if this is a spec outlier. It was the only few 9.8s on eBay, and I mentioned it was overpriced on my IG. There are two other 9.8 copies on eBay in the $800 realm if you can believe that shit. What is true is that with the extremely sad news of Chadwick Boseman's death, many are speculating that Shuri taking over the Black Panther mantle will be sped up in the MCU, as opposed to recasting T'Challa.
Black Panther #1 (2005) CGC 9.8s
Okay, despite whether Shuri #1 CGC 9.8s will stay around the $300 realm (I don't think it will), the debut of Shuri in Black Panther #2 (2005) series has definitely heated up due to Shuri becoming Black Panther sooner than expectations. This book was selling in the $100 range at the beginning of this year and within the $200 range for most of the year prior to the sad news of Boseman's passing.
For most of 2019 the value of this comic at 9.8s bounced around the $100 to $200 range. We shall see if confirmation of Shuri taking the Black Panther mantle in the sequel will further push the demand and value of this book.
Anyway, your call whether to buy, sell or hold.
This Section published August 30th, 2020.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2
1st appearance of April O'Neil
1st appearance of Baxter Stockman
2nd TMNT & Splinter
I already spoke of how Raphael #1 has gone pretty crazy and 9.8s of that comic are closing in on the 2k range. However, Raphael #1 has a larger print run of 60,000 copies while TMNT #2 1st prints are only at 15,000. Still, this comic is slowly getting recognized, and there is quite a bit of goodness to it. 1st April O'Neil should be the highlight as this supporting character is extremely important to the turtles. Speaking of the turtles, it is their 2nd appearance as well as Master Splinter. Baxter Stockman is also a somewhat noteworthy villain and makes his debut in this issue too.
As you can see, high grade CGC copies are bumbling together. 9.8s are closing in on the 1k realm and 9.6s are strangely nearing that range too. Three 9.8s have made into the 1k range in-between 2019-2020 so far. December of 2018 had this comic at CGC 9.6 in the $300 range. No joke, and 9.8s in 2018 were jumping around the $500-$600 range.
Crazy thing is that 9.4s seemed to have made a pretty big jump as well. That August 24th sale could be an outlier, however. It was a mycomicshop sale on eBay and the Best Offer price was $825. These are 9.4 CGC prices by the way.
I own a 9.4 copy. After this sale, I did want to check in with 9.6s and 9.8s, and see if the sales were jumbled near the same price ranges. That seems to be the case, so we shall see how 9.4s play out in the very near future.
This Section Date of Publication: Aug 25th, 2020.
Strange Academy #1 Comic Mint Edition Peach Momoko Trade Dress Variant
1st full appearance of Strange Academy?
I brought up issue #1 of Strange Academy in the 21st issue of JCBM and the argument of the regular issue being the 1st appearance of Strange Academy or it's various "sneak previews" in a bunch of titles. I won't get into that argument here. If you wanna read the article just go to the JCBM fanzines page and check out the 21st issue.
It seems that Peach Momoko is pretty hot right now. The Momoko variant for Silver Surfer Black #4 is hot right now too, so someone is hyping her up. Perhaps, a bunch of peeps are.
This particular Momoko variant for Strange Academy #1 is the Comic Mint Edition, and is the Dress Trade. I believe it was limited to 3,000 copies. Correct me if I'm wrong.
I wonder what they were originally selling the variant for, because The Comic Mint apparently has raw copies of the Trade Dress in stock and are asking $139.95.
There is also a virgin variant too.
From $70 bucks to $360 in about 4 months for CGC 9.8s?
Strange Academy #1 Comic Mint Edition B Virgin Variant
1st full appearance of Strange Academy?
Alright, let's talk about the 1st appearances in the actual comic of Strange Academy #1. Once again, I'm not gonna debate about this an the preview holding 1st appearances or not since the preview basically has some of the exact pages in issue #1 and nothing else that's different.
So, the most notable, or the character everyone's talking about most, is Emily Bright. She debuts in this issue. There's also characters Shaylee Moonpeddle, Alvi, Iric, Guslaug, Doyle Dormammu, Zoe Laveau, German, and Toth.
This issue has a boat load of debuts. My favorite of the bunch so far is Doyle Dormammu, the son of Dormammu. Once again, I am unsure the original price The Comic Mint was selling their Momoko virgin variant for this exact issue. They use to have CGC graded 9.8s for sale for $389.95, but those sold out.
As you can see, four months ago you could get a 9.8 for around $100 bucks. Now, they going for around $500 and $600 bucks. Whew. Somebody hyping up Peach Momoko for sure. When I met and interviewed her at the last Tracy Show, right before it became ConEx and moved to the fairgrounds, Peach was barely even known in the comic book world.
It's nice to see that her art has gotten recognition since then. So, good stuff. We shall see how long this heat lasts. Comic is limited to 600 print run. Correct me if I am wrong. By the way, I'm not big on variants but I am partial to Virgin Variants. Some times it's nice just to see the art without the lettering.
Date of Publication for this Section: Aug 16th, 2020.
Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #3
1st full Punchline
No doubt this comic is hot, and so is Punchline. It's quickly threatening to settle into the $200 range and is dropping consistently in the upper $100s. It did start off strong when 9.8s began to 1st surface in March as shown below.
Invincible Iron Man #9 (2016 Series)
Regular Cover A is still droppin' in the $400 realm for CGC 9.8s. This comic at this grade was barely breaking the $100 mark in 2017 and early 2018. By late Aug of 2018, it seems speculation for this comic steamed up more. However, by June and July of this year, it seems another speculation surge drove this comic up into the $300 range briefly and $400 range. If it stays in the $400 seems likely since the last one to sell on eBay was for $450 on Aug 15th.
Invincible Iron Man #9 (2016 Series) AoA variant.
Very interesting and quick jump into the 1k range for this Age of Apocalypse variant, cover by Chris Turcotte. We shall if this variant cover to the issue that holds Riri Williams 1st full stays in this heat range in the near future.
Raphael #1
1st Appearance of Casey Jones
CGC 9.8s have been going pretty wild for Raphael #1. Really weird and huge jump from the $500 and $600 range to almost 2k, no? Recent sales too, so I'm not exactly sure what's going on. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 CGC 9.8s aren't this hot, and and have a smaller print run of only 15,000 for 1st prints.
Raphael #1 had an estimated print run of 60,000. It is what it is or is it?