Riding the wings of recent MCU rumors, Darkhawk #1 proved to be this week's hottest comic, leading the way as the biggest mover in the sales rankings.
For years, this was the butt of many jokes in the collecting world. Darkhawk #1 represented the 1990s' oversaturation in many ways. His debut comic was produced en masse in a time when collecting was fueling the market. Most fans dismissed him, but there were plenty of speculators who held onto his first appearance, just sure it would turn into gold someday. After nearly three decades, Darkhawk #1 is gaining serious traction thanks to the latest MCU rumors.
What are the Hottest Comics? These are the issues that sold the most over the course of a week. These five comics made the biggest climbs in the rankings’ top 100 positions.
18. DARKHAWK #1 (+982)
It helps that Marvel has rejuvenated the character starting last year when he was added to a few issues of Donny Cates’ Guardians of the Galaxy run. What also helps this issue’s popularity is the recurring speculation that Darkhawk will somehow find his way into the MCU, whether through Disney+ or movie screens.
Graded at a 9.8, Darkhawk #1 has risen to be a $200 comic. In addition, it is bordering on eclipsing that figure. The last sale was for $295 on November 17, and that was six days after another copy brought over $310. Back in March, one 9.8 sold for a record-high $375, although other issues were generally selling for closer to $100-$150. Beginning in July, those fair market values began to climb into the $150-$200 range. Starting on November 10, it surpassed the $200 mark, and those recent sales indicate it is ready to push into $300 territory.
Why was November 10 so special? That is when the latest live-action Darkhawk news surfaced. Word on the internet is that Marvel has trademarked the rights to Darkhawk merchandise, which raises the question, is a Darkhawk movie or Disney+ series in the works? That appears to be a distinct possibility, and it is why Darkhawk #1 is the hottest comic on the market this week.
34. SUPERBOY #9 (+965)
All those “Reign of the Supermen” issues you bought in the post-Death of Superman comics flood are finally paying off. Well, at least this issue is paying off.
The hype surrounding James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad has pushed a number of key issues to the next level, and that is especially true for the first appearance of King Shark. Granted, he has been featured in live-action thanks to CW’s The Flash. This time King Shark will have a much-needed personality. After all, giving quirky one-dimensional characters a sprinkle of charm and sympathy is Gunn’s calling card, and we will see plenty of that in the Suicide Squad sequel.
What makes King Shark's key issues so appealing is that he could become DC’s Groot. That is what has elevated his debut in Superboy #9.
Ever since King Shark was featured on The Flash, his first appearance has been on the move, though it was a $60 comic just two years ago. Since then, he was given a standout role in the hit DC Animated Universe’s Apokolips War. That coupled with the news of his inclusion in the Suicide Squad sequel/reboot moved Superboy #9 to a $103 FMV. After the still shots and the teaser trailer were dropped online, this comic has shot to a $186 three-month average. If King Shark does in fact reach Groot status, you can expect this issue to climb much higher.
37. THOR #6 (+963)
Sure, Black Winter is dead...for the moment, and he will be back in the not-too-distant future. That would explain Thor #6’s sudden jolt in the rankings, considering that Thor #5, Black Winter’s first full appearance, has been tumbling for weeks.
In the end, we all know Cates will not leave such a powerful character on the shelf. After all, Black Winter was built for months as the coming doom for the Marvel Universe. Even Galactus was afraid of Black Winter. To kill him off so quickly does not make sense. Eventually, we will see Black Winter again. He may pose an even bigger threat to the universe, which will help these key issues spike.
As far as Black Winter keys, this issue is not overly significant. As I said, I suspect Cates is not done with the character, and Thor #6 is feeling the heat from speculators preparing for Black Winter’s inevitable return. The best part here is that the comic is so cheap. The standard cover ungraded is selling for less than $10 on eBay.
As for the graded copies, there have been 19 recorded sales, though none of those surpassed the $40 mark. At the moment, the standard cover is averaging $31, which is less than the costs of having it graded. Of course, that low price may have worked in its favor. With speculation swirling around Black Winter, these deals may have been too cheap to overlook.
43. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #239 (+957)
Hobgoblin has been hot for weeks now, but this week the second appearance of the original “Hobby” has taken the investment dollars.
What has fanned the flames for this issue's rise comes from actor Jacob Batalon commenting that he would like to see Ned Leeds become the Hobgoblin. In the Spider-Man: Homecoming films, Ned is Peter’s lovably geeky sidekick. The comics tell a different story for Ned. In the pages of ASM, he was brainwashed into being the scapegoat for the original Hobgoblin and then framed.
Whether or not Marvel Studios will follow this path for Ned remains to be seen. Various websites are reporting Ned’s transformation into Hobgoblin as fact when nothing official has been confirmed. That makes it speculation and nothing more. However, the pieces are in place for Marvel Studios to take that path and bring Hobgoblin to life.
Although values for Hobgoblin’s second appearance do not compete with his debut in ASM #238, this issue is nonetheless on the way up. Graded at a near-mint-plus 9.8, an ASM #239 is averaging $214 for the past three months. What’s more is that one sold for $260 on October 29, which is the highest single sale in seven years.
44. ALPHA FLIGHT #1 (+956)
Even before “Marvel’s merry mutants” and all their film and television rights became part of the Disney family, Canada’s homegrown superhero team was on the speculation radar.
Back when Fox owned the movie rights to the X-Men, there were hot rumors circulating that Alpha Flight was going to be featured either on television or a movie. X-Men and their family of characters belong to Marvel Studios. That has lit the beacons for all the mutants, and Alpha Flight is anticipated for the MCU.
As collectors flock to Canada’s pride and joy, it makes sense that the initial issue of their first self-titled comic would be a hot item. For hardcore X-Men fans, what sweetens Alpha Flight #1’s appeal is that it was written and drawn by legendary X-creator John Byrne. This is not the only Alpha Flight key issue making waves, either. The team’s first appearance in X-Men #121 gained over 800 spots this week and is listed at #194 at the time of this writing.
Along with the added heat in the sales rankings, the FMV has been steadily climbing. Two years ago, a 9.8 averaged $113. For the past 90 days, it has earned $163 over 24 sales. In all, there have 100 9.8s that have traded hands this year. One of those set a new record-high sale on October 23 for $288. Since then, another sale earned $200 on November 8.
