MCU speculation has pushed New Avengers #7 to the forefront of the Modern Age. Why should you pay attention to this issue?

THE NEW AVENGERS #7 RUMORS

The mythical Illuminati has been the source of countless conspiracy theories for decades. Anytime a crackpot theory needs a mysterious evil organization to give it merit, insert the Illuminati.

In the early 2000s, the Illuminati theory made it back into the mainstream conscience, and you have to link that to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and all the conspiracies that spawned from that.

Marvel decided to capitalize on things, and the comic version of the Illuminati was introduced. Basically, it is a group of the greatest minds in the Marvel Universe. They are neither good nor bad, acting more like the Greek Olympians of ancient mythology, pulling the strings and directing the world from their own personal Olympus.

As fans wait for the next Thanos for the Avengers movies, the speculation is that the Illuminati could be on the agenda. That has injected the team's first appearance with steroids.

NEW AVENGERS #7 (STANDARD COVER)

Not long ago, it seemed collectors could hardly give this issue away. In 2018, it held a fair market value of $72, but that figure dipped to $43, which is an impressive drop. Thanks to the MCU speculation, count yourself lucky if you looked in your crystal ball a year ago and bought a copy for less than $50.

There have only been four 9.8s sold this year, but they have been earning eye-catching numbers. For 15 years, this comic never sold for more than $145. Last month, three copies blew past that amount, culminating with a $400 record sale on July 23

 

 

NEW AVENGERS #7 (NEAL ADAMS VARIANT)

This throwback cover is simply amazing. If I did not know any better, I would think that "Startling Stories Featuring Sentry" was an actual title from the Silver Age. It is another reason why it is hard not to appreciate Neal Adams' artwork.

Up until this year, not many people cared about this particular variant. For more than a decade, the 9.8 did not sell for above $70, and that was in 2006. Last year, it only sold twice for an average of $22.

This year, the Adams variant has become a very hot issue. Since March 11, it has sold eight times. What is more is that it has not sold for less than $200 since May, and July 26 brought a $400 record-high sale.

NEW AVENGERS: ILLUMINATI #1 (2006)

If you are going to collect those Illuminati keys, you can't overlook the standalone Illuminati #1 from 2007. This issue gave fans the most famous image of the masterminds all standing together, plotting the world's events.

Unlike that first appearance in New Avengers #7, this comic has not felt the heat from the MCU rumors. The 9.8 has only sold once this year, and that was for $25 last month. Last year, it was selling very well, bringing $90 in July and $150 in November. Only weeks after the record-high sale, Illuminati #1 suddenly dropped to $22, and it has yet to recover.

THE FUTURE FOR THE ILLUMINATI

There is no question all the talk of the Illuminati in the MCU is pure speculation. It would make for an intriguing story, but one member's MCU counterpart is dead, three more have not been introduced, and Black Bolt has been written off at this point. Still, stranger things have happened.

 

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