Coldest Comics Update 11/13

It was a tough week for the X-Men and Miles Morales, who went from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows in just seven days. This is a weekly update so if you missed last week's check it out.

HOTTEST COMICS LIST: COLD COMICS

The dreaded “Christmas Dip” will be upon us very soon. The “Dip” is when budgets get stretched thin and comics take a backseat to buying Christmas presents for the family. Those holy grails and high-priced keys go to the wayside simply because there isn’t enough room in the budget. 

This helps explain why two major X-Men keys and the second print of Miles Morales’ debut are on the Coldest Comics list this week. Time for our weekly data dive. Just a reminder that the hottest comics list is created by tracking the number of sales per comic, not the value. 

THE X-MEN

Here is a great example of the Hottest Comics roller coaster. 

Just a week ago, these X-Men keys ruled the rankings. Giant-Size X-Men #1 climbed nearly 1,000 positions, and X-Men #1 was the eleventh hottest comic. Things change in a hurry, and seven days later, the first appearance of both the original and revamped X-Men have fallen outside the top 100. X-Men #1 dropped 98 positions and is #109 while GSX #1 lost 99 spots before coming to a rest in #135.

I see this as a case of comics being too expensive to stay so high in the rankings. The list is based on sales volume, not fair market value, and a holy grail comic can be tough on the budget, especially now that we are approaching holiday season. Both of these key issues are massively popular, and they have been setting record highs this year. They may simply be too expensive for many collectors. Nevertheless, X-Men #1 and GSX #1 will rebound very quickly.

96. ULTIMATE FALLOUT #4 SECOND PRINT (-79)

For one week, we can call this a “cold comic.” The sales rate has slowed in the past seven days, and the second print is in danger of falling out of the top 100 after nearly being in the top 20. Like many comics that lose significant ground from one week to the next, the sales only paint half of the picture. 

All the Miles Morales key issues are powerhouses on the market. While it may have taken time for the Spider-Man faithful to warm up to him, he has carved out a massive following in the comics. That only expanded with his star turn in Into the Spider-Verse and his lead role in Sony’s upcoming Spider-Man video game sequel. 

Despite this being the second print, this comic at a near-mint-plus is still earning between $250-$300. That may be why it has dropped in the Hottest Comics rankings. This issue may have out-priced itself, which could mean that collectors are waiting for it to get a little cheaper before jumping on the bandwagon. 

92. SPAWN #9 (-76)

Eventually, Angela is going to debut in the MCU. In the comic universe, she is a daughter of Odin and Thor’s sister. Since Valkyrie has already solidified her place in the MCU, it is only fitting that Angela join her. The MCU speculation could be why it jumped into the top 20 last week. However, the rumor mill has been silent as of late, and that could explain why it has fallen over the past week. 

The prognosis for Spawn #9 is still good. I have no doubt that Angela will turn up in a Thor movie, possibly as soon as Love and Thunder. Until she is officially added to the MCU, this issue will remain on the Hottest Comics roller coaster.

194. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #363 (-150)

The third appearance of Carnage was not high on collectors’ wish lists this week. Normally, all the early Carnage and Cletus Kasady appearances are scattered throughout the top 100. This week, ASM #363 fell from #44 to being in danger of missing the top 200. 

What’s going on? First, a third appearance is not typically the issue to have for any character, especially one so popular as Carnage. It is not startling to see this comic rise and fall from week to week. Second, it is not like all the Carnage keys are in danger. True, ASM #361 did fall from second to sixth, but this behemoth of the collecting world is still firmly in the top 10. Then there is Carnage’s second appearance in ASM #362, which stayed at #14 two weeks in a row.