Are we finally getting the Thunderbolts in the MCU? That’s the rumor, and it is having a direct impact on the team’s key issues.

For the past year, one of the hottest speculative comics on the market has been Incredible Hulk #449, the first appearance of the Thunderbolts. Originally a ragtag group of villains posing as heroes tasked with eliminating the Hulk, they evolved into a popular group of anti-heroes over the years. Then came whispers that Marvel Studios may be eying them for an MCU spotlight. 

In recent weeks, that rumor has grown ever louder, and the latest gossip has it that Marvel is putting the band together beginning in 2023. Naturally, that is causing a price inflation for Thunderbolt keys.

INCREDIBLE HULK #449

There have been rumors of a Thunderbolts team coming to the MCU for years, and the Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s arrival in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier refreshed the gossip with vigor. As collectors have time to process the latest whispers, there’s been a price surge for Hulk #449’s debut of a disguised Zemo, Moonstone, Songbird, Goliath, Beetle, and Fixer.

Keep in mind that a graded 9.8 did not exceed $370 all last year, and the record was set at $400 in 2019. This year’s values blew those figures out of the water. Beginning in February, a 9.8 Hulk #449 surpassed the previous record and never looked back.

It has sold for as much as $1,150 in 2021, and the most recent sale was for $845 on November 15.

THUNDERBOLTS #1 (1997)

When you can’t find a Hulk #449 at a good deal, opt for the next best thing: Thunderbolts #1. There have been several #1s over the years for the Thunderbolts, but the first volume from 1997 will always hold a dear spot in many hearts. 

Even at the high grade of 9.8, these are far cheaper than Hulk #449. Still, prices are going up.

Last year, that 9.8 averaged $87. Over the past 90 days, it has an FMV of $186. After selling for $200+ at the end of October, it has slightly dipped to the $170 range in November.

THUNDERBOLTS #110

Zemo may be credited with forming the Thunderbolts, but the much cooler team filled with some A-list villains came together in 2007. Led by Norman Osborn sans Green Goblin costume, there was Mac Gargan’s Venom, Bullseye, Penance, Radioactive Man, Swordsman, and Songbird. They would go on to become the foundation for the Dark Avengers in Dark Reign, and that could be what Marvel Studios is aiming for.

The first time anyone saw this crew was in Thunderbolts #110, and it will be worth your time to find those copies. At the moment, there have been few graded copies of the standard edition trading hands, and the last one sold for $45 in February. Much more popular is the variant cover by Leinil Francis Yu, which brought $200 for a 9.8 in June. 

SOMETHING IS HAPPENING

All has been quiet on the Thunderbolts front for weeks now. Since it was not included in the massive Disney+ announcement, that means Marvel is not planning a live-action show anytime soon. That could mean that the studio is, in fact, developing the movie.

The real key will be what Marvel does with the Contessa in the next slate of movies and shows.

Where do you think the Thunderbolts might pop up? Tell us in the comments!

*Advice and opinions offered in this blog are those of the author and do not represent any investment advice on the behalf of GoCollect.