We all know the X-Men are coming to the MCU; the only question is which X-Men stories will Kevin Feige choose to tell? Some have speculated that one of those stories will take place in the Savage Land, a prehistoric land hidden in Antarctica and the setting for several adventures of the Uncanny X-Men. The Savage Land provides the perfect setting for Feige to explain the appearance of mutants. Created by the Beyonders for the purposes of experimenting with human evolution, the Savage Land is the home of the Mutates, genetically altered natives. The Savage Land also presents a new storytelling opportunity for Feige; 20th Century Fox never used the Savage Land in its X-Men films. And who wouldn't want to see the X-Men battling a Tyrannosaurus rex in a Jurassic Park-like setting?

Below are three X-Men keys that take place in the Savage Land.

X-Men #10: The First Silver Age Appearance of Ka-Zar

Investors have historically overlooked X-Men #10 in favor of other Silver Age X-Men keys such as X-Men #4 (first appearance of Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch), #12 (first appearance of the Juggernaut), and #14 (first appearance of the Sentinels). But X-Men #10 is a key issue. Not only does it give the Savage Land its name, but it also contains the first appearance of Ka-Zar in the Silver Age. Like most blue chip Silver Age X-Men books, this one has generally risen in price during the past two years, with a CGC 9.6 recently selling for over $3,400 in December (but compare that to a CGC 9.6 copy of X-Men #12 that sold on the same date for four times the amount).

If Ka-Zar and Shanna the She-Devil appear in an upcoming X-Men film, I could see them starring in their own Disney+ series that takes place in the Savage Land.

X-Men Annual #12: The High Evolutionary in the Savage Land

Few would consider X-Men Annual #12 a key issue; however, it may deserve a closer look. Nearly two years ago, one of my favorite Youtubers, Swagglehaus, predicted that the High Evolutionary would appear in the MCU; WandaVision may have proven him right (I wrote this blog on January 23, FYI). In episode two, we meet one of Wanda and Vision's neighbors, Herb -- could Herb also be Herbert Edgar Wyndham, aka the High Evolutionary? It would make sense for him to appear since it was the High Evolutionary experimented on a young Wanda Maximoff giving Wanda her powers. If the High Evolutionary does appear, it would make sense for him to appear in the Savage Land since he once restored the Savage Land after it was destroyed by Terminus in X-Men Annual #12. No one is paying attention to this book; on eBay, you can buy raw, high-grade copies for less than cover price. Another, albeit much more expensive, book to consider is the High Evolutionary's first appearance in Thor #134.

X-Men #60: The First Appearance of Sauron

Investors should also take a closer look at the first appearance of Sauron (aka Karl Lykos) in X-Men #60. Named after J.R.R. Tolkien's villain in the Lord of the Rings, Sauron is an X-Men villain who transforms into a pterodactyl-like monster. After the X-Men defeat him in X-Men #61, Sauron travels to the Savage Land where he meets Ka-Zar. He battles the X-Men once again in The Uncanny X-Men #114 and #115 (two other Savage Land keys to consider). Perhaps the High Evolutionary experiments on Lykos, turning Lykos into Sauron? This would change Sauron's origin story; however, it would align well with the future of the MCU. CGC 9.8 copies have recently sold for around $3,000.00, but you can find raw, mid-grade copies on eBay for around $40.

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