**Major Spoiler Warning**  If you haven’t heard, there has been a purported leak of footage from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.  The footage, leaked on Sunday, May 1, is about 24 seconds in length; it quickly disappeared from Twitter, Instagram, and various websites as Disney scrambled to take it down.  So, what’s in the footage?

Every Fan’s Dream Casting

The footage, as seen in this still, shows members of the Illuminati facing off against Wanda/Scarlet Witch.  In the footage, we see Hayley Atwell’s Captain Carter, Black Bolt, what may be a Maria Rambeau version of Captain Marvel, played by Lashana Lynch, and… drum roll please… John Krasinski as none other than Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic.  There is no audio included with the leak.

Having seen the footage myself, it certainly looks like it could be real.  Although, in the time it took me to study the footage it froze and then was gone.  Fans have been clamoring for John Krasinski to be cast as Reed Richards; it looks like, based on this leak, Marvel agreed that he is perfect for the role. 

Now, as I’m sure everyone is aware, Mr. Fantastic’s first appearance was in Fantastic Four #1.  It’s not as if graded copies of this book sell every day on eBay or anywhere else.  This book has been rocketing in value, though, in all grades.  You’d have to be under a rock not to have heard of the 9.2 graded copy that sold for $1.5 million in a Heritage auction on April 11.  But what made less news was the 7.5 graded copy that sold for $168 thousand in that same auction. That's nearly $100K more than the previous high sale. Or the 5.0 copy sold in, again, that same auction for $50,400. That one was 45% above the previous high sale in a Heritage auction in November 2021.

This comic has also set records over the past month in the 3.5, 3.0, and 2.0 grades.  Needless to say, it will be very interesting to see what happens with Fantastic Four #1 if the leaked footage proves to be true.

Collectors Screaming for Black Bolt

The book that has been absolutely exploding based on this news is Fantastic Four #46, the first appearance of Black Bolt.  As of the time of this writing, 10 graded copies had sold on eBay on May 1, all for far higher than the current FMV across a number of grades.  For reference, five graded copies had sold on eBay in the week prior.

Those sold on May 1 include an 8.5 for $1,800, an 8.0 copy for $1, 329, and four 6.5 copies for an average sale of $666.  Have a copy you’re looking to sell? It looks like this week will definitely be a peak for this book.  If you’re looking to buy a copy for your collection, now is the time to ignore FOMO and exercise patience.

All MCU buying frenzies have an ebb and a flow. You do not want to be in a buying mode at the crest of a wave.

Other Comics Affected by Leak

There were a number of other comics that showed quickly growing sales prices and/or volume based on this leak.  Captain Carter #1 had an inordinate number of sales of raw books on eBay on May 1.

A 9.8 graded copy of Exiles #3, the first full appearance of Peggy Carter as Captain America, sold for $675, 69% above its current FMV.

A 5.5 graded copy of Tales of Suspense #77, the first appearance of Peggy Carter, sold for $385, 67% above its current FMV, although that’s a book that had already been climbing for a few days based on footage from TV spots.

New Avengers #7, as well, has been selling in large volumes, both graded and raw, over the past week due to the confirmation of the Illuminati.  At this point, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is rumored to have more cameos than any other MCU movie and may even beat out Avengers: Endgame for the most superheroes in one film.

Are you buying, selling, or holding Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness keys?  And what do you think of this leaked footage?  Let us know below.

*Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not reflect investment advice on behalf of GoCollect.