Let's discuss why it may make sense to sell Incredible Hulk #449 now and pick up a copy or two of Dark Avengers #1 while it's still affordable.

The serial nature of Disney+ shows has given comic investors whiplash. Each episode of WandaVision and The Falcon & The Winter Soldier drops easter eggs and, between episodes, investors snap up comics based upon speculation brought on by those easter eggs. During WandaVision, this happened most famously with Mephisto's first appearance in Silver Surfer #3. During The Falcon & The Winter Soldier, it happened again with the Thunderbolts' first appearance in Incredible Hulk #449 and most recently with Dark Avengers #1.

Incredible Hulk #449

After Silver Surfer #3, one of the hottest books to speculate about in 2021 has been Incredible Hulk #449. Over the past two years, the value of a CGC 9.8 copy of Incredible Hulk #449 has risen by 164% across 158 sales. On April 23, 2021 -- the day the Falcon & The Winter Soldier finale premiered -- one 9.8 sold for an astounding $909, and another sold for $818 on eBay.

Speculation on the Internet drove up the value of Incredible Hulk #449 to record levels. Specifically, Youtubers have speculated for many months that Thunderbolt Ross would appear in Falcon & The Winter Soldier and recruit Baron Zemo and other villains to join the Thunderbolts. They had good reasons to think so -- Thunderbolt Ross has a history of trying to replicate the super-soldier serum and oversees operations on the Raft.

As we all know now, that didn't happen. Nonetheless, it appears that a nefarious alternative to the Avengers will form, but it likely won't be the Thunderbolts. I say this because it appears the person assembling the new team will be Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine and not Thunderbolt Ross.

Dark Avengers #1

Instead, consider investing in Dark Avengers keys including Dark Avengers #1. To be sure, this is no longer a ten-dollar book. A raw, high-grade copy will now cost you about $60 on eBay. Still, if the Dark Avengers do appear in the MCU, this book could reach the levels that Incredible Hulk #449 has reached today.

There are also several variants of Dark Avengers #1 to consider. In terms of FMV, there are no real standouts among the variants, but the Granov variant is just ahead of the pack. This is likely because it's the most rare; according to the CGC Census, CGC has graded only 77 copies of this book. It may be hard to find, but this variant may be your best bet.

One issue to consider is that the iteration of the Dark Avengers that we see in the MCU may be different than the team that appears in Dark Avengers #1. In fact, we know this will likely be the case because it seems that John Walker, aka U.S. Agent, will lead an alternative Avengers team. Considering that U.S. Agent never joined the Thunderbolts, but did lead the Dark Avengers at one point, you may want to consider Dark Avengers #184, the issue where he joins the team. I just bought a raw, high-grade copy on eBay for $1 or a third of cover price. To me, this issue is flying below the radar and is a low-risk investment at this price point.

What do you think? Should collectors invest in the Thunderbolts, the Dark Avengers, or both? Please let us know in the comments section below!