It’s the Valentine’s Day (more like week, since today is Thursday) edition of the Hottest Comics. Actually, today’s blog is dedicated to everyone feeling gloomy on good ol’ Singles Awareness Day. Just know that you’re not alone because these comics have gotten the cold shoulder as well.
What are the Hottest Comics? Based on eBay’s sales data, these are the site’s best-selling single issues. However, they’re not ranked by fair market value or escalating overnight prices. Rather, the list is sorted by the number of copies being sold. In the case of the Coldest Comics, we’re looking at the five issues that lost the most ground over the past 10 days.
96. UNCANNY X-MEN #221 (-60)
Buyers can’t decide what to do with UXM #221. For the hardcore X-Men collectors, this issue has been a perennial favorite for decades. Just like Mister Sinister, who made his debut in these pages, it’s not the single most popular X-key on the market, but it’s worthy of a place in the collections. While sales are typically steady for UXM #221, they tend to take a roller coaster ride across the Hottest Comics. Guess what direction it was headed this week?
If you thought it was heading up, you obviously didn’t read the intro. All the same, Sinister had a rough week, and his first appearance dropped 60 positions. It nearly fell off the index altogether, which would have been a truly rough landing. What sabotaged Nathaniel Essex’s plans is what hampers many keys — lack of news. The secondary market revolves around the movie and streaming wars, and there’s been no mention of him in several months. There are plenty of fan theories, and it would seem he’s a solid choice for the X-Men when they arrive in the MCU. For now, it’s all been speculation that’s basically run its course at this point. That’s not much motivation for buyers to put their dollars toward a high-end copy.
Speaking of those higher grades, the lack of movement could make for a worthy gamble. After averaging close to $400 for the past 12 months, the past 30 days has seen that FMV dip to $332.
92. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 HUSTL. SKETCH EDITION (-52)
Here’s a comic that has been all over the top-100 best sellers. Just last week, the Hustl. Sketch edition was one of the Hottest Comics while its sibling, the standard edition, had fallen short. At least this week, they can be together toward the bottom of the pile.
What made this one so special, besides being available in limited quantities, was Eminem appearing on the cover to do a rap battle with Spider-Man. This commemorated the latest volume of Amazing Spider-Man because Marvel Comics has a problem (or perhaps we should say they have an issue) with any series going over 50 issues. At this point, I’ve lost count of how many volumes of ASM there are. By the time I find a conclusive answer, they’ll have started a new volume.
The FOMO effect was in full blast for both the regular and sketch variants for the Hustl. edition. With this being Eminem’s first Marvel comic and the smaller print runs, buyers were falling over themselves to get them upon release. As soon they were tossed on the secondary market, prices inflated to four figures for 9.8s. That is the likely reason it’s taken a hit in the sales department.
Those prices are slowly coming back to reality. After reaching as high as $1,400, February has seen the values consistently falling under $1k. Just Sunday, one copy sold for $799.
54. BATMAN #656 (-48)
Well, that didn’t take long. It was less than a month ago that James Gunn laid out the first half of his movie and streaming slate. In turn, the DC keys skyrocketed, but things are beginning to slow down.
By no means have the DCU Chapter One keys gotten the cold shower, but there was a noticeable drop across the board. Not only did Damian’s first appearance take a dip in the cooler waters, but Booster Gold #1 fell from second overall to 29th. Such are the ebbs and flows of the secondary market. If you’re going to invest in movie keys, get ready for plenty of peaks and valleys and exercise patience.
After the big news that Damian Wayne will be getting his live-action debut, all of his key issues instantly caught fire. That also resulted in elevated prices. Here we have his first full appearance, which put it at the top of the charts…for a time. Similar to the ASM #1 Hustl. edition, the FOMO effect pushed the price tags outside many budgets. Just last week, it was selling for as much as $400, which is over twice its 12-month average. Collectors will be waiting for the attention to cool down before adding one to their long boxes. Meanwhile, speculators and investors are likely reaching their ceiling for potential profits. Add it up, and it’s clear why the sales have dropped for the time being.
99. NOVA #1 (-46)
The day is coming when Nova #1 kicks in the afterburners and climbs to the top of the Hottest Comics. Today, however, is not that day.
We know that Nova is coming to the MCU. When that could be, only the Marvel Studios inner circle knows for sure. Past that, there’s ample rumors and gossip circulating about how the Man Called Nova could be introduced to the wider universe. For years, the speculation was that he would be part of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 after Gunn mentioned his love for the character. Unless there is some major surprise in store, it’s apparent that Nova won’t be appearing in that one.
With so many other keys getting attention, it’s not a shock that buyers are putting their dollars elsewhere. That doesn’t mean no one is buying Nova’s key issues, but when his first appearance drops to #99 on the top 100, it’s definitely cooled off. As always, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, unless you’re a seller. The lack of attention brings the prices down. The last time a 9.8 traded hands online, it brought $1,387 when it has a 12-month FMV of $2k.
75. MOON KNIGHT #1 (-43)
This one should turn around sometime soon. After all, Kevin Feige made some vague comments about the future of the MCU, and that should be enough to give a few key issues a nudge in the right direction (for sellers, anyway). Specifically, he mentioned to Entertainment Weekly that, indeed, there are plans for Oscar Isaac to return as Moon Knight, not that we didn’t see it coming. Still, having that confirmation from the chief of all things Marvel will put Moon Knight back in the conversation. That will have buyers taking a long look at Moon Knight #1.
Back when Feige first announced that an MK Disney+ series was in the works, this was one of the first issues to climb the charts. With Werewolf by Night #32 a holy grail with the price tags to prove it, collectors and investors looked for other options. That led them to the sunny shores of Moon Knight’s first self-titled series from 1980.
If you can find this one in a 9.8, be prepared to drop about $400 for a copy. However, that’s a lot better than the $664 that it’s averaged for the past 12 months. Need something a little more affordable? The graded 9.6 last sold for $180 on Valentine’s Day.
