Nova #1 barreled across the secondary market this week, raking up enough sales to crack the top five on its way to becoming the single hottest comic in the game. Let's dive into our Hottest Comics rankings!

What a difference a month makes. The Hottest Comics are based on the last 30 days’ worth of eBay sales data. Based on sales volume rather than fair market value, the list is updated daily to give us an inside look into buying activity. The result is a stock market approach to comic collecting and investing, with the sales figures in a perpetual state of flux. 

The thing to keep in mind is that while the rankings reflect overall purchase numbers, the prices tend to escalate with those hot books. That eye-catching comic that is on the move this week could fall significantly if it outprices the average buyer. Love it or hate it, the name of the game is profit margin, and you can’t expect to be in the black when you get on a bandwagon that’s already at full speed.

As collectors and investors put their money into the latest fads, the data allows us to gauge the market for our next purchases. At the moment, there’s no hotter issue than Nova #1, thanks almost entirely to the MCU. Here’s more.

4. NOVA #1 (+49)

It’s no wonder Nova #1 left a fiery trail on its way into the top five this week. Only days ago, Marvel Studios revealed that the Man Called Nova would finally get his own feature film. It’s welcome news for his fan base, who have been waiting for Marvel’s version of Green Lantern to arrive in the MCU since Infinity War

Over the past 30 days, Nova’s first appearance has blazed through the rankings. The movie news pushed it from the 53rd position all the way to fourth this week. What makes that even more impressive is that the FMVs were already high. Collectors and investors have been buying these in bulk for years, and that was at its peak in 2021 after another round of MCU rumors. Last year, the graded 9.8 averaged nearly $1,800. Over the past 30 days, the FMV has jumped to $2,800. The most popular grade as of late has been the 9.4, which has averaged $387 for the last three months. The significant difference in price is a good reason for the 9.4 to be the bigger seller.

35. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #298 (+47)

Between Todd McFarlane’s first artwork on Amazing Spider-Man and an early Venom cameo, it makes sense that buyers put a large target on ASM #298. Of course, that cameo is simply a look at the symbiote crawling up Eddie Brock’s hand, but that is an iconic image in itself. Readers would get a better look at Venom in ASM #299 before the full reveal in #300. When you add the importance of McFarlane’s start on ASM, it makes this issue one with ample historical significance; thus, designation as one of this month's hottest comics.

Anything with Venom has been booming as of late. There is plenty of intrigue surrounding everyone’s favorite alien costume in the MCU after the Spider-Man: No Way Home mid-credits scene. The concept artwork of Tom Holland being consumed by the gooey symbiote only ups the ante that much more. Of course, you can’t talk about Venom without talking about McFarlane, since that’s the character that made the Toddfather the premiere artist of his generation.

For the past year, buyers have put the 9.6 at the top of their wish lists. In that time, it’s averaged $287, which is exactly why the 9.6 has outsold the 9.8. To upgrade by 0.2, the FMV rises to $1,001. Remember that the 9.6 and the 9.8 are virtually identical to the naked eye, so you're not exactly sacrificing quality for a lower investment.

27. STAR WARS #2 (+37)

The first Kenobi trailers are rolling through the internet, and fans are losing their minds. Ewan McGregor’s return to the role has the Star Wars fandom ready and waiting for the show to debut, and it’s sending buyers on a hunt for Star Wars#2.

There is a bit of confusion when it comes to Obi-Wan Kenobi’s first appearance. Although he is on the cover art for Star Wars #1, he doesn’t appear in that issue. The first time readers saw Obi-Wan in the story was Star Wars #2. With the new show on the horizon and the massive inflation for all Star Wars key issues, it’s been enough to inject Star Wars #2 with a heavy dose of steroids. 

Look no further than the graded 9.8 to see the effects of the SW inflation. It was only two years ago that you could have owned this near-mint beauty for close to $550. Since this time last year, that FMV has bulked up to $2,886. The better investment is the 9.6, which has a 30-day FMV of $630.

34. MARVEL SPOTLIGHT #28 (+37)

Reportedly, the Moon Knight premiere had the second-highest viewership in Disney+’s short history. Did anyone expect less? If there’s one thing true about Disney and Marvel, it’s that they know how to market. The job is easy for a character like Moon Knight, whom fans have been waiting to see in live-action for many years. When you put the two together, the result is huge streaming numbers.

The added attention on Moon Knight has made his keys among the hottest on the secondary market. With his first appearance in Werewolf By Night #32 selling for over $700 for a lowly 1.8, it’s no wonder that collectors are scouting alternatives. That has led to the rise of Marvel Spotlight #28 and Moon Knight’s first solo adventure. Take that same $700 you could spend on a low-grade WBN #32. If you invest in MS #28, you can score a near-mint 9.4. For those willing to spend a bit more, there is the 9.6. That grade has earned $1,055 on average for the past 30 days. When you consider that $1k will only get you a 2.5 WBN #32, it is clear why buyers are putting their money into MS #28.

50. SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN #1 LOCAL COMIC SHOP DAY EDITION (+36)

Week after week, those copies of SIKTC #1 climb the Hottest Comics ladder. With eight different printings available - and that’s not counting all the variants for each print run - there’s plenty to choose from. What really keeps buyers coming back to this particular well is that every one of those editions is becoming more valuable with each passing month. 

For the uninitiated, SIKTC is the horror title that put James Tynion IV on the map. Sure, he had written for DC and helmed the company’s premiere title, Batman, but it did not make him a bona fide star. When he penned SIKTC for Boom! Studios, that elevated his stature and paved the way for him to become the top horror writer in comics. The title has been so successful that a companion series, House of Slaughter, is making waves of its own, and it all started here.

Out of all the prints and variants for SIKTC #1, why is the Local Comic Shop Day edition getting all the fanfare? It’s the same principle as we see in those Moon Knight keys, which boil down to price. The first print for the standard cover SKITC #1 has averaged $950 in the past month. On the other hand, an LCSD foil cover will cost you about $85. Obviously, the first print is the more desirable to own, but with prices so high, there’s a greater risk on seeing a return on your investment for the original versus the foil edition.

Which of these Hottest Comics is the strongest investment? Let us know in the comments!

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