First appearances ruled the Hottest Comics index this week as the debuts of Codex, Cyborg, and Winter Soldier saw major gains. This is weekly speculation so if you missed last week check it out.

HOTTEST COMICS BIGGEST MOVERS

It was refreshing that movies and live-action series tie-ins were not the only comics making significant moves in the rankings this week. Out of the top-five biggest movers, three were not related to any movie or series rumors. 

While that is good news, the bigger question is which ones have the brightest investment future? Time to dive into the data.

18. VENOM #27 RYAN STEGMAN VARIANT (+981)

Will these early appearances of Codex become a major investment? Time will tell if Venom’s newest foe can live up to his hype. Meanwhile, investors are pouring their dollars into his key issues just in case he reaches Marvel’s upper echelon.

This week, Ryan Stegman’s variant cover for Codex’s first full appearance made the biggest gains of any single issue in the top 100. The Venom #27 variant ascended close to the 1k mark. What makes this comic special is that it gave fans their first complete look at Codex, a new symbiote villain who had been teased for months. What role will he play in the overall scheme of the Venom-verse is anyone’s guess. With Donny Cates’ influence at Marvel, it lends to collectors making sure to pick up any of his new creations’ early appearances. 

So far this year, this particular variant graded at a 9.8 has sold 31 times. While it reeled in big numbers as far as sales volume in the past week, its fair market value has not experienced any outstanding jumps. At the moment, that 9.8 has a 90-day average of $55, which is the same for a 9.8 standard cover of Venom #27. 

21. DC COMICS PRESENTS #26 (+978) - HOTTEST COMICS BIGGEST MOVER!

With the Teen Titans’ mainstream presence these days, it is not a surprise to see this issue getting the attention that it deserves. In these pages, readers were given their first glimpses of major Titan figures Cyborg, Raven, and Starfire. 

Even though the DC Universe streaming service has been incorporated into HBO Max, Titans was considered a hit for DC. With it moving to HBO Max, that should broaden the audience, which could have bigger implications for DC Presents #26. 

The real backbone of this issue’s importance is Cyborg. Between movies, cartoons, and streaming series, Vic Stone has been everywhere. Despite the heat between Ray Fisher and DC, Cyborg is supposedly going to get a major plot upgrade in the Zack Snyder cut of Justice League, due out in 2021. Along with that, Cyborg has been a fan favorite in the DC original Doom Patrol. The sky is definitely the limit with Cyborg, and this issue will retain its value as long as he stays in the spotlight. 

Considering this key’s potential, it is relatively cheap for a high grade. The 9.8 has a 90-day average of $658, which is the lowest it has been in two years. Last year, its FMV was $684 a year removed from 2018’s $717 average. If you have the room in your budget, now would be a good time to invest in a near-mint-plus copy. Looking to save money? A mid-grade 7.5 is averaging just over $100.

25. CAPTAIN AMERICA #6 (+974)

It is about time that Winter Soldier’s first appearance got its share of the spotlight. Ever since Bucky was passed over for the star-spangled shield in the MCU, Falcon’s debut comic has gotten all the attention. Rightfully so, considering that Sam Wilson is taking up the mantle of a Marvel icon. 

With The Falcon and the Winter Soldier Disney+ series on the horizon, it has kept their key issues in full view for the collecting circles. Up to this point, however, Falcon’s first appearance has been the key to have. After a week that saw Cap #6 gain 974 spots, the standard cover at a 9.8 has values that are pushing toward those 2014 Captain America: Winter Soldier figures. Already this year, one has sold for $336, which is just $14 shy of the all-time high. It currently has a 90-day average of $223, and that happens to be over $40 higher than the 2019 FMV. 

In the grand scheme, those figures are miniscule compared to Falcon’s premiere in Captain America #117. Of course, we are talking about a character from the Silver Age compared with the Winter Soldier’s 2005 debut. Technically, Cap #6 is not a true first appearance and more a new spin on an old character, which also affects values.

If you are a fan of Winter Solider, this is a must-have issue. Plus, there is always the possibility that Bucky will stay true to his comic roots and take up the shield in the future, and that would light a bonfire under this comic.

26. VENOM #4 (+974)

Just when it appeared that collectors were getting their fill of Knull, his second full/third overall appearance made waves in this week’s Hottest Comics. 

Earlier this year, everything Knull exploded. Whether it was his first unnamed cameo appearance in Thor: God of Thunder #6 or the third print of Venom #3, anything related to the God of the Symbiotes was on fire. The prices reflected the heightened interest. Those third prints of Venom #3 featuring Knull’s first cover appearance reached as much as $1k. Even Venom #4 was selling for $200-$250 over the summer. 

With prices like that, it was only a matter of time before the bubble burst. Then again, it was not so much a burst as it was a plateau. Values are still high for those early Knull keys, but they have stabilized. 

Speaking of those high values, collectors wanting a cheaper option for an early Knull cover opted for Venom #4. At a 9.8, it has not sold for over $133 in October, which is much better than $250, at least for buyers. It has a 90-day FMV of $142, but the most recent sale was for $89. Is this a sign that Venom #4 is on the decline? With such a huge sales boost this past week, it is likely this will remain in the $100 range. 

30. DARK NIGHTS DEATH METAL #3 RICCARDO FEDERICI VARIANT (+970)

Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Dark Multiverse keeps evolving. After introducing the Batman Who Laughs and the rest of the Dark Justice League in 2017, business has been booming for the Dark Multiverse. 

This year, Snyder and Capullo unveiled Dark Nights: Death Metal. While the series has received mixed reviews, what has issues flying off the shelves is the debut of the BWL’s second in command, the Robin King. Snyder has hailed him as the most evil of the Dark Multiverse creatures, and fans have been after his key issues. 

The Robin King made his first cameo appearance in Dark Nights Death Metal #2, and we have given his complete backstory along with his first full appearance in Dark Nights Death Metal: Legends of the Dark Knights: #1. It was in the pages of Death Metal #3 that we truly saw his depravity and the danger he poses to the DCU. 

What has made this variant so popular is clear: the beautiful cover art. Riccardo Federici created a gorgeous and terrifying glimpse of the Robin King. Any fans of the character need this in their collections. 

Considering it is not a first appearance or even a first cover appearance, it is no shock that the Federici variant is not carrying major values. For a 9.8, you can still add one to your collection for about $55. For that price, it is worth having one of your own.