Giant Size-Defenders #3 has witnessed some serious spec heat over the last week. What’s going on here? In one word: Korvac.

Remember when Annihilius was supposed to be the next Thanos? Well, in case you’ve forgotten, see my previous post (Annihilus Annihilated?). Is Korvac set to be the next Thanos? Actually, according to the internet gossip, (and see here), it might be even more complicated than that.

As you’ve probably heard by now, the rumors are that Norman Osborn will be introduced in the new ‘Spider-man’ film as a looming threat. Therefore, it’s likely that the next ‘Captain Marvel’ movie is where we might expect Korvac to appear. However, Korvac and Osborn will not be working together, instead, and according to the gossip, the days of a single looming threat (‘Infinity Saga’ style) will take a backseat in Phases 4-5, to a series of mini-arcs that will be only loosely connected and divided into two broad story-lines –one terrestrial and one cosmic. Did you get all that?

Remember, this is all speculation.

After the Annihlilus spec bubble popped, and the endless rumor mill turned its focus to his replacement (once again, it should be noted, without any tangible proof in the way of MCU acknowledgements or denials), this kind of thing was inevitable.

At this point it’s fairly obvious that when Marvel fans hear a theory they like, they tend to embrace it uncritically and run with it. Unfortunately (or fortunately?), these fevered theories do have a tangible effect on the price of comics. So, to simplify everything, and looking at this from the perspective of the average collector, many think Korvac will be the next Thanos.

Giant-Size Defenders #3 (January 1975) - First appearance of Korvac

191 copies of this book can be found on the CGC census. Expect that number to rise considerably if Korvac is a confirmed show in the MCU as this is his first appearance. Known in the MCU as ‘the Enemy’ or simply Korvac, in the comics Michael Korvac was born in 2997 on the moon of an alternate Earth (perhaps a universe created out of the ‘Endgame’ chaos with the reveal of a multiverse?). A computer technician, who was himself mostly organic computer, he is the classic comic book villain (at one point he even organizes henchmen and calls them the Minions of Menace. Their mission: to destroy the world!). This book was already strong a month ago in higher grades. Since then, the last four weeks sales show that high grade copies have continued to rise in value with 9.2 grades up +49.4% after 3 eBay sales all on 06/08/2019 [$200.00; $257.79; $340.00!]. 9.0 were down negative - 19.2% after two sales, but 8.5 have picked up in the last few weeks to the point where this grade is up positive +260.1% roi after four sales with a current FMV of $170.00. Imagine what will happen if Korvac actually makes an MCU appearance?

 

Thor Annual #6 (December 1976) – Origin of Korvac

In case he eventually does, here’s another book you should have in your collection. This is the Mighty Thor Annual from 1976 and it tells the origin of Korvac. There are 93 copies of this on the CGC census. The current FMV of a graded 9.8 copy is $350.00 but that last recorded sale of a certified 9.8 (on 06/30/2018) was for only $167.50- showing that deals can definitely be found. The three month returns on this Korvac key are as follows: majority of sales (2) have been on 9.2 grades and it’s down negative -17.9%, with the last eBay sale of 05/16/2019 selling for $69.00.

 

 

Avengers #177 (November 1978) – Death of Korvac

The Korvac saga in the Avengers (issues #167 -177) featured Earth’s Mightiest heroes and the Guardians of the Galaxy squaring off against the Enemy. The saga concludes with Korvac’s death in Avengers #177, and that issue is a great place to end this current spec overview. There are 73 copies of this Bronze Age comic on the CGC census. Current FMV on 9.8 copies is just north of $100.00- so it’s definitely on people’s radar, and far more affordable- for now- than the previous two books listed above. Three month returns have been too few (only 2 sales) to extrapolate any useful idea about trends, but over the last year, this book has seen negative returns on 9.8 copies at -21.1% after 4 sales. The last of which (on 01/27/2019) however, showed a strong $180.00 sales price on eBay? An omen for the future?