Star Wars flexed its muscle over the Hottest Comics, and...what’s that? It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s Alan Ladd, seen here taking the Oddball of the Week Award.

There is a market for everything, and that is never more apparent than in the weekly Hottest Comics rankings. Since these are based on sales volume rather than fair market values, it is a window into what buyers were searching for, regardless of the price tag. It also reveals some random finds that could only exist in the world of comics.

1. STAR WARS #1 (+8)

The fact that Star Wars #1 ranked as the top-selling comic this week comes as little surprise. Star Wars has been red hot since the second season of The Mandalorian. With all the SW content on the way via Disney+, it is not looking to cool anytime soon. What is a little more curious is that the five first issues from the 1977 original series adapting A New Hope were all in the top 200.

While there is nothing strange about seeing, say, Obi-Wan’s first in-story appearance in Star Wars #2 ranked so high, seeing the other issues heating up is a different story. It will be interesting to see if the other issues can climb into the top 100 by next week.

9. FANTASTIC FOUR #67 (+86)

I attribute the rise of FF #67 to the fallout from The Suicide Squad. Although many entertainment sites are calling the movie a bomb, TSS appears to be a hit among fans, proving that James Gunn’s trademark action-comedy style has not worn thin with audiences just yet. Now, the attention shifts to his return to Marvel Studios with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

Ever since Adam Warlock was name-dropped at the end of GOTG Vol. 2, fans have wondered when he will make his full MCU debut. Although nothing has been confirmed, the logical assumption is that he will show in GOTG Vol. 3, and that is the likely reason his first cameo appearance in FF $67 made its way into this week’s top 10.

35. DOOM 2099 #1 (+965)

From a storytelling perspective, all things are possible with the Multiverse. Whether it is the Marvel Zombies, Secret Wars, or even Marvel 2099, nothing is off the table for the MCU. That could be part of why Doom 2099’s first appearance sold so well in the past seven days. The other side is that fans are awaiting Doctor Doom’s MCU arrival.

Most fans believe Marvel will introduce a different version of Doom, one that has not been seen on screens before. Kevin Feige and his associates would get just that with Doom 2099. Is it likely? Not at all, but there’s no denying how much fun it is to consider.

62. WHAT IF…? #1 (+937)

It was no shock to see the first What If…? comic climb the ladder of success this week. With the series’ premiere episode this past Wednesday, the classic alternate-reality comic line had the full attention of collectors everywhere.

If this is yet another major hit for Marvel and Disney+, then values for the debut issue will only ascend from here.

The bigger picture is whether or not any of the story ideas become part of the canonical MCU. In that event, the prices would take on a whole new life of their own.

9.8s and 9.6s have seen a great upward trend over the last year, at 69.5% and 121.9%, respectfully. The last three 9.8 sales really demonstrate that jump - with one selling 7/4/21 for $1,299.00 (eBay), 5/31/21 for $780 (Heritage), and 5/24/21 for $576 (also Heritage).

ODDBALL OF THE WEEK

496. ADVENTURES OF ALAN LADD  #2 (+503)

Here I was, paging through the Hottest Comics. There’s Captain America, the Justice League, Spider-Man, and...Alan Ladd. Who knew that in his spare time between movies, he had swashbuckling adventures?

The Golden Age Hollywood star had his own comic series that lasted for nine issues back in the late-1940s and early-1950s. These celebrity-starring comics are truly signs of the times. 

What do you think about this week's Trending and Oddball comics list? Do you have any of these hanging out in your collection? What do you think we'll be talking about next week?

Let us know in the comments! And remember, click each book title or image for more in-depth sales analysis to help you know the best time to buy or sell!

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