Movie rumors kept the comic market turning this week as Beta Ray Bill, Michael Korvac, X-Force, and Catwoman propelled their key issues to new heights. Let's look at this week's hottest comics.

More specifically, those MCU rumors ruled the Hottest Comics, but what else is new? That is what drives the comic business in the 21st century, and even the most implausible of gossip can trigger a mad dash for a hot key issue. Here’s what was selling this week.

Don’t forget that the Hottest Comics are based on graded comic sales on eBay, and it is just for the past week. The following list comprises the five comics that had the largest upward swing compared to seven days ago. While it is not based on fair market value, those FMVs tend to align with a comic’s popularity.

41. THOR #337 (+958)

Beta Ray Bill ruled the Hottest Comics index this week, at least as far as the biggest movers. In the past week, his first appearance nearly cracked the 1k mark for positions gained. Of course, Thor #337 remains hot week after week thanks to the numerous rumors of his impending MCU debut. 

Why wouldn’t there be rumors? Marvel Studios has given us two Beta Ray Bill Easter eggs. We first saw what appeared to be a figure wearing a red cloak in the Collector’s chamber in the original Guardians of the Galaxy. Years later, his intergalactic horse face adorned the side of the Grandmaster’s tower in Thor: Ragnarok. Kevin Feige even went on record saying that Bill was written into the Ragnarok script, but the studio wanted to save him for something bigger.

Judging by the popularity of this issue (not to mention the prices), Beta Ray Bill’s full debut in the MCU will blow the roof off things. Even though the higher grades keep getting more expensive, the values will erupt on that day, so don’t sit on the fence too long when it comes to Thor #337. At the moment, a 9.8 has a 90-day fair market value of $729. In fact, everything all the way down to the 6.5 is averaging in the three-figure range. Make no mistake, those will be bargains compared to the prices when he is finally confirmed for the MCU.

50. GIANT-SIZE DEFENDERS #3 (+949)

Those MCU rumors have a way of firing up the comic market like nothing else. Not only do we have Beta Ray Bill’s first appearance sending shockwaves through the comic community, but now we see Michael Korvac’s debut shooting through the ranks. The Korvac we see in the pages of Giant-Size Defenders #3 is not the same as the one who would later gain the power cosmic and feud with the Avengers. Here, he looks like a space pirate fused to a flying wheelchair. Nonetheless, it is his first appearance.

What has this one heating up is the latest movie rumors. Korvac has often been the subject of MCU speculation going back years. The word around the internet is that he will be the villain in the Captain Marvel sequel. Will it pan out? That’s hard to say, especially since the rumor mill has already churned out several ideas for the Captain Marvel 2 antagonist. In other words, who knows what will happen either with Cap 2 or Korvac?

Not only are we seeing a jump in sales volume, but the fair market values are skyrocketing as well. Take the 9.6. Last year, it averaged less than $800, and now it is consistently earning $1,300 or more. Even the 6.0, which happened to be the lowest grade sold so far this month, reached a record high of $135 just last week.

53. UNCANNY X-MEN #191 (+947)

There could be two reasons this one is suddenly soaring through the Hottest Comics index. The most obvious is the cover. Here we have Vision battling Colossus. Even though the X-Men did not end up being tied to WandaVision, collectors may still have been gunning for anything connecting mutants to the show. Pair Vision’s popularity with his cover appearance on an X-Men comic, and you have a recipe for success.

The other factor is that UXM #191 is the first appearance of Nimrod, the futuristic Terminator-type robot who plagues the X-Men. In the comics, the latest, most-sophisticated version of Nimrod controls a dark alternate reality in Jonathan Hickman’s X-Men run. It is just another reason for collectors to want to pick up a copy of their own.

By no means is this a major key, and that is a good thing for buyers because it means lower prices. Earlier this month, a 9.8 swapped owners for $200, giving it a 90-day average of $182. If you are looking to save money without compromising much on the quality, go for the 9.6. The last one to sell was for $70.

56. NEW MUTANTS #100 THIRD PRINT (+944)

Before they graduated from Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters and became X-Force, they were the New Mutants. New Mutants #100 was the final issue of the original New Mutants run drawn by the polarizing Rob Liefeld. It is great to see this comic getting some love, especially since the typical New Mutants comic that gets all the attention is #98 thanks to Deadpool’s marketability. 

I see this issue’s sudden rise coming from multiple avenues. First is the biggest (though unconfirmed) news: the X-Men’s MCU debut is coming, and their first movie has a working title of “The Mutants.” This is obviously close to the New Mutants title, and that could have collectors picking up any of those NM keys they can find.

The other factor is Deadpool 3. Feige has confirmed that an R-rated DP 3 is on the agenda, but we do not know if Josh Brolin will return as Cable, though it would seem like a distinct possibility since this is not a reboot. Speaking of mutant time traveller, the original Cable is reportedly on the way back to the comics, and that could have collectors aiming for those Nathan Summers keys, including NM #100 featuring the first official appearance of X-Force.

X-Force technically made its live-action debut in Deadpool 2, though it was mostly for sight gags. By the end of the movie, audiences were left with what could be a legitimate X-Force featuring Deadpool, Cable, Domino, and Colossus. 

Need a copy to call your very own? Since this is a minor key, getting a copy will not cost you all that much. 

Even a graded 9.8, the first print currently averages just $81, though the last sale was for $100. This week, it was the third silver print that shined brightest in terms of sales, and prices are less expensive than the first print. Over the past 90 days, the third print averages just $76 for a 9.8 while the second print has earned $95 in that span.

65. SUPERMAN’S GIRLFRIEND, LOIS LANE #70 (+934)

In the 1960s, DC Comics milked the Superman star power for everything it was worth. Both Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen had their own series, and it astounds me how long each of those ran. The ‘60s were definitely a weird time for comics, but that’s beside the point. 

What makes this particular issue so special? This one is all about Catwoman. Here we have her first Silver Age appearance, which is a great addition to any collection, especially if you are like most of the world and can’t afford her debut in Batman #1. 

Why is this one making a mad dash toward the top of the leaderboard? For starters, Catwoman will be played by Zoe Kravitz in Matt Reeves’ The Batman. Secondly, there is an ongoing rumor that Michelle Pfeiffer will reprise her role from 1992’s Batman Returns alongside Michael Keaton in The Flash solo movie. Again, it is just a rumor, but it has been plausible enough that the actress did comment on it. 

Since Catwoman’s Golden Age first appearance is far, far out of reach for the majority of us, that leaves Lois Lane #70 as the next best thing. However, that does not make this a cheap find. Even at a 4.5, the lowest grade sold so far in March, this issue averages $175. The highest grade that has traded hands online this month has been the 8.0, and that one sold for $800. 

What did you think about this week's Hottest Comics list? Tell us in the comments!

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