Carnage returned (again) this week, and the issue gave huge implications on the return of Knull, God of the Symbiotes. Keeping Knull's name fresh in the minds of comic readers will help Thor: God of Thunder #6 and Venom #3 hold their values.
If you haven't read Web of Venom: Carnage Born #1, I warn you of SPOILERS AHEAD.
There. You have been warned.
In Carnage Born, we discover there's a cult who worships Knull and Carnage. They steal the Knull codex from the Maker (the Ultimate version of Reed Richards, who happens to be an evil mastermind) and use it to resurrect Cletus Kasady. Remember that very awesome Primordial Venom? When Knull's codex is combined with Cletus, we are treated to Primordial Carnage, who eats his high priestess. After that, he returns to the traditional red and black that we're so familiar with.
Ever since the events of Venom #6, Donny Cates hasn't let readers forget about Knull. Of course, after all the build up for the Black King, it's not like we actually thought he would stay quiet for very long. In fact, it's clear that Cates is elevating Knull into Venom's arch-nemesis for years to come. That is great news for collectors.
When we got our first look at Knull earlier this year, the initial graded copies made an immediate impact. The 9.8 stayed in the $75-$100 range. On November 11, it peaked at $153, but that has proven to be an outlier. Aside from that sale, no other copy has brought over $78. Three of the past four sales have been for $65, which is a more accurate average. On the plus side, if you don't have a 9.8 to call your own, now is a good time to buy. The more exposure Knull gets, the more his popularity will rise, and that will help those values. So hang in there and don't hit the eject button just yet.
Although Knull's first full appearance was in Venom #3, he was introduced to the Marvel Universe back in 2013's Thor: God of Thunder #6. He wasn't named in that issue, but it has been confirmed that Knull made a cameo in that issue, which makes it canon.
Before Venom #3 debuted, Thor #6 wasn't selling for enough to cover the grading fees. Only one 9.8 sold in 2017, and it was only for $20. This year, the value has erupted. While only four graded 9.8s have been sold in 2018, they have all been for $150 or more, peaking at $198 on October 16. A 9.6 hasn't hit those numbers, but it's still earned an average of $88. Even an 8.5 has been bringing $40.
Knull is poised to have a larger impact on the Marvel Universe and stretch outside the boundaries of the Venom series. When that happens, it's going to establish him as a true cosmic-level threat and A-list villain, which will definitely help his popularity. Am I saying he's destined for the MCU or even Sony's Venom-verse? Not at all, but it can't necessarily be ruled out, either, especially if the Venom movies remain profitable. For now, we'll enjoy his emerging story and see how he plays into Carnage's resurrection.
