You can feel it in the water; you can smell it in the air. No, that’s not your clogged kitchen sink (though you should probably take care of that), it’s the Hottest Comics rankings.

What are the Hottest Comics? Taken from eBay’s 10-day sales data, these are the five comics that have made the most movement in that period. However, these rankings are strictly based on sales volume, not fair market value. While other issues may be earning record highs, that doesn’t always equate to a huge number of sales. 

What makes an issue rocket through the index? First and foremost, it comes down to the movie and television industry. Whether it’s a new film announcement, a hot character finally getting the live-action treatment, or there’s scintillating gossip surrounding a long-awaited superhero getting the spotlight, it sends buyers straight to the auction sites. Past that, the number of copies available becomes a major factor, which typically gives an advantage to anything printed from the 1980s and well into the 2000s. Of course, it all comes down to profits, and speculators want the most return on their investments, so skyrocketing prices can sometimes cause an issue to run cold in terms of overall sales. 

With that in mind, let’s dive into this week’s movers and shakers and get an idea as to why these issues were on fire. 

40. SPECIAL MARVEL EDITION #15 (+60)

With a karate chop to the Hottest Comics, Marvel’s Master of Kung Fu stormed through the competition and reigned supreme in this week’s rankings. There’s not been any new buzz around Shang-Chi as of late, but his first appearance in Special Marvel Edition #15 is proving to be a wise investment. Not only is he getting a sequel to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, but the character is poised to be a standout in The Multiverse Saga

As Kang the Conqueror stands at the center of the latest MCU phase, how does Shang-Chi connect? There’s an interesting fan theory that has been making the rounds for the past year. In the post-credits scene for Legend of the Ten Rings, the Avengers are alerted to an unnamed threat on the horizon. While it was vague and nondescript, fans speculated on the potential ties to Kang. That led to the theory that Shang-Chi’s rings and Kamala Kahn’s bangles are items Kang and his variants need to launch their assault on the Multiverse. 

At the moment, the details for the Shang-Chi sequel are under wraps, but that theory does make me wonder if Kang will be featured as the film’s villain. If not the main villain, then he may play the role of mastermind who sends an emissary to battle Shang-Chi for the rings. Adding Kang to the mix would up the ante for the film, and that would increase interest in Special Marvel Edition #15. 

29. SPAWN #9 (+57)

She rises, she falls, and she rises again. At this pace, Angela and her first appearance could join the familiar faces of the Usual Suspects. Remember those? They’ve been noticeably absent from the recent posts, just barely staying out of the five movers and shakers on either the Hottest or Coldest Comics blogs. In Spawn #9, their spirit and yo-yo effect is kept alive at least for this week.

Before Thor: Love and Thunder hit theaters, there was ample speculation that Angela would be one of many characters making their grand MCU entrances. Next to Beta Ray Bill, she was the most anticipated new addition to Thor’s cinematic lore. Just like the movie as a whole, fans were disappointed when Heaven’s favorite assassin didn’t get so much as a single Easter egg throughout the plot. Considering the film’s overwhelmingly poor reception, that may have been for the best. After all, with so many fans’ hatred for Love and Thunder, anything tied to the flick carries heavy negative baggage.

Sooner or later, we will see Angela appear in the MCU, which is why this issue keeps floating up and down the Hottest Comics rankings. Since there’s no news or rumors about her potential landing spot, Spawn #9 isn’t a priority for most collectors and investors. However, that makes it a good time to strike and grab a copy before prices inflate.

37. SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #1 (+45)

There’s no new Spider-Man movie on the Phase Five or Six schedule, but we all know it’s coming. As much money as the franchise has earned, why wouldn’t Feige want another three flicks to add to the mountain of cash? Even better, there’s the possibility that we could see the Black Suit Saga play out in the MCU. Whether or not that will top Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 3 and Bully Maguire, we’ll have to wait and see.

While Marvel has released nothing whatsoever regarding a potential fourth Spidey film, that hasn’t slowed down the internet. The latest rumor is that it will be titled “Spectacular Spider-Man,” which is no doubt having an effect on the sales for 1976’s Spectacular Spider-Man #1. Since Amazing Spider-Man is taking, odds are Marvel will look to use either Spectacular or Web of Spider-Man for the title. 

The other factor could be the first appearance of Edward Lansky, and no, I’m not joking. He is tied to Quasar, and that could make him a possibility for the MCU. After all, there’s been rumors of Quasar coming to live action in recent years. Lansky is a villain who took up the name Lightmaster, though he did mind-control Quasar and take over his body at one point. 

60. SILVER SURFER #3 (+39)

A few months ago, word spread that Marvel was looking to finally cast its Mephisto. Fitting the action-comedy (with an emphasis on comedy), the word has been that Feige tapped Borat himself, Sacha Baron Cohen, for the role. Although nothing has been made official, that seems to be the predominant theory on Mephisto, which would finally bring an end to the nonstop memes. Then again, why would anyone want to take those nuggets of comedy gold away from us?

As MCU fans, we’ve been waiting on Mephisto to appear in live action since the red herrings from WandaVision. Clearly, the creative team meant for us to take the bait, but it seems they’re finally ready to deliver the goods in Ironheart of all shows. How Mephisto will fit into that story remains to be seen. 

It all adds up to increased attention on Silver Surfer #3, an issue famous for the first appearance of Marvel’s very own Satan. Once it’s made official and we finally see Cohen in the role, that should only help those values. However, I can’t imagine that it will reach the 2021-22 levels. 

12. AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #365 (+36)

It wasn’t long ago that ASM #365 and the first appearance of Miguel O’Hara had taken a dip in the sales rankings. No surprise, Spider-Man 2099 has come roaring back to life, climbing firmly into the top 15. Most likely, it will get back into the top 10 in a matter of days now that the newest trailer for Across the Spider-Verse has hit the internet.

Spider-Man 2099 has been one of the most popular Spidey variants since his debut in 1992, so it’s no wonder that the world has been completely enamored with his big-screen premiere. Sure, he made a cameo in the Into the Spider-Verse mid-credits scene, but seeing him take a starring role in the sequel has upped the ante. In the coming days in the wake of the newest trailer, this issue will likely climb the ladder a bit higher.

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