CBSI Top Ten Comic Prospects

Thanks to Patrick Hood at the CBSI G+ community for this top ten prospect list.
Welcome back to another segment of our community’s top ten books to scoop ASAP to flip or to hang on to for the long flip. Movies and TV rule eBay so that will be most of the focus for the weeks to come.
The following list of issues that are selling consistently online or will be good to sit on for a bit. I’m including current prices off of eBay and using print runs from comichron.com
1. INFINITY GAUNTLET #1-6 (1991, MARVEL)
Why: 1st Infinity Gauntlet Print Run: NA
Juice: In the early 90’s this was the biggest crossover to date it sold a ton back then with Thanos becoming the ultimate villain for Marvel. In the 2000’s it slowed to the point where it was a $1 bin find up until the after-credits scene in Avengers. The Infinity Gauntlet has a catch: These issues spent a long time in the $1 bins and a lot of these books have general wear on them, you have to luck out and buy them from someone’s collection that hasn’t been touched since the 90’s. Sets of these were selling on average of about $35-$40 but with news coming out of his appearance in the Guardians of the Galaxy movie it has pushed sales up a bit so scoop multiple copies of this and flip after GOTG or hang on to them.
Price: Full set is going for $50-$60
Honorable Mention: Thanos Quest #1-2 (1990, Marvel) Thanos collects the Infinity gems, first time called Infinity gems ($20 a book). Silver Surfer #34 (vol 3) is the return of Thanos and #50 is the kick-off of the Infinity Gauntlet, this issue has multiple printings and printing errors. A LOT of people are sleeping on these books!
2. Chew #1 (2009, IMAGE)
Why: 1st appearance of Tony Chu & Agent Colby Print Run: 5,246
Juice: With a low print run, a strong fan base, AND an animated TV show on the way this is a home run. Prices jumped through the roof with the comics’ popularity and the writer and the artists constant promotion, it wasn’t long before they secured a TV show deal with Showtime. Prices peaked for issue #1 at $400 raw, unfortunately, the Showtime deal fell through and the comic just trucked along. Prices dwindled and Chew comics weren’t worth what they used to be (kinda like Sixth Gun) but now they have secured an animated TV show the books are hot again and people are paying top dollar for a Chew #1. Even the subsequent printings have seen some heat since the 1st print might be out of reach for some.
What I suggest is picking up the rest of the run now because none of them are going for much, issues #1-4 used to be the heavy hitters but even now they’re still pretty cheap. A clean copy of #2 can run you about $35 right now and #3 is a $10-$15 book, everything else can be secured at cover (if you can find it) or just above cover. Poyo on-shots have two printings and a SDCC variant for each, there’s a total of about ten variants for Chew so far with the most difficult to procure is #22B not worth much but just HTF. The series is ending at #60 so there’s still time to scoop this series!
Price: CGC 9.8 SS $600/$400 CGC 9.8 another sold for $500 CGC 9.9 sold for $900!!! Raw copies range between $300-$500
Honorable Mention: Chew #8 features the first appearance of Poyo, the warrior chicken. As a fan favorite, any animated version will most certainly be over the top, it goes for $20. #7 features the 1st appearance of the series main villain the Vampire. Walking Dead #61 has the Chew preview!
3. ADVENTURE COMICS #260 (1959, DC)
Why: 1st origin of Aquaman Print Run: NA
Juice: This book came out two years before Aquaman #1 came out and twenty years after Aquaman’s first appearance. This issue features the origin of Aquaman and is a huge and undervalued DC key that is getting some attention now that the character has been announced as appearing in the Superman vs Batman: Dawn of Justice movie. Since Mamoa was cast all of Aquaman’s key books have been picking up. Out of the key books to scoop this seems to be the one that is still within reach and that can yield big returns once it gets closer to movie time, as DC plans to make solo movies for their heroes this is one that you won’t regret.
Since the announcement that Aquaman would be in the Superman & Batman movie, his books have been on the rise with everyone trying to find those key issues. This is already a huge AM key. Best chance is to find a seller/shop that doesn’t keep up with comic book movie news.
Price: Mid grade is the way to go on this one, $200 for a clean VG/F copy. Lower grades going for $50.
Honorable Mention: Showcase #30 is the retelling of Aquaman’s origin, a silver key that is steadily going up and is more well known than AC #260. This issue in mid grade condition is going for $150-$200 average. Aquaman #35 (1967, DC) is the 1st appearance of Black Manta, Aquaman’s main villain. VF copies can be found cheap at just a little over $100 to $150, this issue saw the same price spike that all Aquaman books have seen. Remember Aquaman #42 is Manta’s second appearance, as I’ve stated before, I’m a huge believer in second appearances if the 1st is out of range the second appearance can still get you some quick ends. #42 is extremely cheap for being a major villain appearance, get on it.
4. SANDMAN #1 (1993, DC)
Why: 1st appearance of Morpheus Print Run: NA
Juice: Joseph Gordon Levitt is involved and working with Gaiman on this project. Right now is the time to jump on this before prices get too crazy for the key books (kinda like Preacher). This is a defining series for DC: it helped launch Vertigo, classic run by Neil Gaiman, go-to series that has won countless awards that helped elevate comics to mainstream culture in the 90’s.
There are several key books to keep an eye on for when more news hits: #1 is always the main key, this book before the announcement was at $50-$60 with only this main issue being the one to stand the test of time. After the movie news this book jumped up to a $100 immediately and is hovering around that price, a CGC 9.8 copy just sold for $300. Issues two and three are also doing well.
The next key would be #8 (1st appearance of Death) which went from a $7 book to a $50 book overnight, also something to look for would be #8A which had an editorial from Karen Berger which was recalled with only about 800 copies were printed. Issues #18 and #19 both have printing errors as well and are extremely RARE, #18 has four blue panels on the first page and #19 had pages switched around. Back in the 90’s the issues with printing error were super pricey and sought after, history tends to repeat itself..
Next up is a main character in the series: Destiny of the Endless. Destiny’s first appearance was that of a host in a book (a la Crypt Keeper) called Weird Mystery Tales #1 (1972, DC). An early appearance is in Superman #352, his first appearance in the main series is in Sandman #7.
Price: $100 (raw)/CGC SS (Sam Keith) 9.6 sold for $151
Honorable Mention: Death was a very popular character which got her two mini series, I recommend Death: The High Cost of Living which has art duties by none other than Chris Bachalo. Get this series now while it’s under $10. Issue #46 is the first Vertigo book printed, doesn’t go for much but something to note.
5. WONDER WOMAN #600 1:75 AH! VARIANT
Why: Cover artist Adam Hughes, his variants demand high dollar Print Run: Estimated less than 200!!
Juice: +Trey Kenyon just posted about this one. This book has the cover art of one of the hottest cover artists out there right now. This book was an anniversary book with a 1:75 sketch cover which was a cover swipe to the original cover.
I think this book will hit in three ways: Cover artist AH, print run is next to nothing, and WW key books are starting to heat up since the announcement that the Amazonian would be making an appearance in the latest DC movie. This book is already insane but wait until the masses realize the rarity of this particular variant and all hell will be breaking loose.
The regular variant (in color) already sells for high dollar, the sketch variant raw was selling for about $70 but recently it jumped to $175. A graded copy SS 9.6 sold for $71 at the beginning of April but no other graded copies have sold, I would expect it jump to a $500 book soon.
Price: Try to get this one under $100!
Honorable Mention: The other two AH variants that go for high dollar are the Harley Quinn #1 and the Supergirl & the Legion of Super Heroes #23 variants. Supergirl has been rocking a $175-$200 price tag raw right now and graded copies have been going for almost $300 last month, this ship might have sailed away for most. Harley Quinn #1 is one to hang on to due to the character and the artist’s popularity, there are a lot out there so it’s a gamble. Also note that Wonder Woman #184 is f-ing hot right not too, non variant.
Also something to note: Catwoman #51 sells consistently and goes over $50, #74 is creeping up in price. Catwoman books sell well in packs, Zatanna covers in packs are no-brainers.
6. LUKE CAGE HERO FOR HIRE #1 (1972, MARVEL)
Why: 1st appearance of Luke Cage Print Run: NA
Juice: Along with Daredevil, Luke Cage is headed for TV! Luke Cage AKA Powerman has always had a cult following and despite that for being a 40 year old book, it is still within reach but once more news on this show comes out you might miss out. This book was a $100 book high grade before the Marvel/Netflix deal was announced now mid grade is right under $100, a high grade copy just sold for $250.
Price: Raw $200 on average
Honorable Mention: Luke Cage Hero For Hire #17 was the title name change to Powerman, Luke Cage Power Man #48 was the first time Power Man teams up with Iron Fist, #49 Iron Fist appearance, #50 title change to Power Man & Iron Fist, #54 title changes to Power Man # Iron Fist Heroes For Hire.
7. MARVEL PREMIERE #15 (1974, MARVEL)
Why: 1st appearance of Iron Fist Print Run: NA
Juice: Part of the Netflix TV show deal, this show could have a few different takes on the character. The Marvel Premiere run will always go up in the collectors market so will the original Iron Fist series. Over the past few years this Marvel key has been movin’ on up but now with a TV announcement, this and Iron Fist #1 is gonna go through the roof. This classic run ran from Marvel Premiere #15-25 then picked back up with Iron Fist #1-15. Iron Fist and Luke Cage go hand in hand so I would definitely expect a crossover. This book has been on a steady rise for the past few years with a high grade copy was selling for about $150 but now you’re looking at $250+ for NM, CGC 8.0’s have been selling consistently for $200.
Price: Raw $130/Mid grade copies might be the way to go with this one since high grades are soaring.
Honorable Mention: Iron Fist #1-15 1st ongoing series, Iron Fist #1-28 (2006, Fraction & Aja) is a modern take on the character. Iron Fist #14 is the 1st appearance of Sabretooth!
8. BLACK PANTHER #1 (1976, MARVEL)
Why: 1st Black Panther series Print Run: NA
Juice: *Spoilers ahead*
From recent set reports when the cast for Avengers was filming in Africa, it was mentioned that they were fighting Ultron in his search for Vibranium. Wakanda is known for it’s Vibranium so one could deduce that either a mention or introduction of the Black Panther is coming. Kevin Feige has said that this project will happen but no news of casting or premiere date. Black Panther’s books are still relatively cheap despite seeing a boost in the past six months, key books are going up in price but again are still on the cheap! Black Panther #1 was a $20-$25 book a year ago but now it has gone up to a $50 book with room for growth. T’Challa’s first appearance is out of reach for some so this is the go-to and its a number one, the series ran through to issue #25. Oh and Jack Kirby did the art so c’mon.
Black Panther’s 1st appearance in Fantastic Four #52 has gone up exponentially over the past year with mid to low grade copies going for $150-$250 and high grade is going for right under $1K but be wary of restored copies that are flooding the market. A few other key issues include Avengers #52 (Black Panther joins the team) and also Avengers #87 (Black Panther origin).
Price: $35-$45 (raw)/CGC 9.4 sold for just $64! Now is the time!
Honorable Mention: Jungle Action #5 is the 1st Black Panther solo story, the JA run goes through to #25. Also keep a look out for Marvel Premiere #51-53 for early reprints.
9. FIGMENT #1 1:50 VARIANT (2014, MARVEL)
Why: Under ordered book Print Run: NA
Juice: This series caught many off guard, under ordered and sold out make for a lethal combo for the going price of a book. There are three covers to this book all day: regular cover which is going for an average of $10 but again copies are drying up fast. The 1:25 cover is going from anywhere of $75-$100 with a few copies selling for over a hundred.
Now the gem is the 1:50 sketch variant which is going for tons, prices started off low enough but once news broke that the distributor was sold out the demand went out of control. Copies have sold in the neighborhood of $150 and even as high as $275!
Price: $200/Flip the living $#!* out of it if you can find it.
Honorable Mention: Definitely scoop the regular cover when you see it and scoop the 1:25 variant as well. Regular is hovering right at $10. Figment #2 is also selling consistently so scoop ‘em up and flip!
10. MANIFEST DESTINY #1A/1B (2013, IMAGE)
Why: Hot series that didn’t need a movie/TV deal to sell out
Print Run: 17,371
Juice: Manifest Destiny came out the gate hot, low print run and barely any promotion this issue wasn’t on many people’s radars. #1 went back for four printings and every issue after has gone to at least a second. Solid storytelling and wonderful artwork is what pushed this series into double digits quickly, #1 reached $20 rather quickly and 1B (Ottley 1:10 variant) started to soar. #1A peaked at $60 and #1B 1:10 was pushing close to the $100 mark.
The series took a break and it came back with a Silvestri/McFarlane variant, even though the issue was under ordered the prices still haven’t really risen. The series has slowed a bit and so have the prices, right now would be a perfect time to buy up issues on the cheap if you can. This is a Skybound series and every title under this imprint has the potential to jump into a different type of media because of Kirkman’s success with the Walking Dead, if any of the series can make it it’s this one. If a media deal happens this series will be insanely tough.
The only issue that stayed at the same price is the Manifest Destiny #1 LBCC variant which remains at $250 raw/$400 CGC 9.8, a copy just sold for $175!
Something to note is that this series gained momentum with no movie or TV deal (driving force behind spec sales now-a-days) and it has the potential to bounce back.
Price: 1A: $35 1B: $35-$45
Honorable Mention: Keep an eye out for the SDCC variant whose cover interlocks with the Walking Dead variant. Print runs for SDCC Skybound variants tend to be around 2000, this will be a MONSTER.
HOT TIP: BONE #1 (1991, CARTOON BOOKS)
Why: Classic series, world renowned Print Run: 3,000 (Estimate)
Juice: This is THE definition of a comic book. Bone carries with it great storytelling, classic art, and a print run that is insanely small, after doing research it is estimated to be about 3,000. Jeff Smith has won countless awards for this series and has been trying to get it off the ground into an animated feature for years, and as of 2012 a deal had been secured with a major film company to make this happen. In an interview Smith commented that initial screen tests looked amazing. It has been quiet on the movie front for a while but all it takes is one update and this series will be back on fire.
Bone #1 is a rare book with over eight printings and collectors have been tricked or just didn’t know which printing is which. The way to differentiate between the printings is through the logos, every printings has a different colored one. The first printing has a red logo! Another thing to note with this particular issue is that the front cover has a dark blue color and is tough find in high grade, same goes with the back cover which is black. Only the first printing is worth money the rest are $10 and under, here is a quick list of printings:
1st print = Red logo, 2nd print = lime green logo, 3rd print = blue logo, 4th print = yellow logo
5th print = Orange logo, 6th print = lavender logo, 7th print = dark green logo, 8th print = dark purple logo
The series ran on Cartoon Books for 20 issues with multiple printings of the first eight issues, the series was then being released by Image. Image then reprinted the series again and started up with #21 through #27 the series then went back to Smith’s company, Cartoon Books until the series finale in issue #55.
Right out the gate this book was popular when it was released and was always a sought after book, it was a $100 in the 90’s! Over the years the price has only gone up with this one, as I mentioned before, high grade copies are hard to find and will be top dollar. Over the past year high grade copies have sold only a handful of times and going for $350-$400 raw, there was only one graded that sold recently and it was over 1K.
Picking up this book/series is a win win: On one hand the movie is made and you can flip it for huge returns and on the other you get to have a piece of history.
Price: $400 (raw)/CGC 9.4 sold for just under $1,100.
Honorable Mention: Two mini series that accompany the main one are Rat Tails(#1-3) and Rose(#1-3).
BOOK OF THE WEEK:
ENORMOUS #1 (2014, IMAGE)
Why: This was a series that was released online that finally saw its way to print through Image, it was printed in oversize format and has sold out everywhere. Kaiju popularity is soaring since Pacific Rim and the reintroduction of Gojira in American culture, this series is doing really well as a result.
The low print run/scarcity of this issue has it reaching prices up to $15-$20, there is a variant and a Phantom as well. 1st pic is of the original release last year, the second appearance was in Mondo #3!