Welcome once again to my spec and my drek. I pick what I think will be winners, not only if you make money by flipping but winners as in either a great read or just awesome art.
Then there’s the pesky drek, the comic you should avoid altogether or not fall into the buying every variant trap.
It’s the 4th Wednesday of the new year and we still got one more for the dreaded 5th week. Janauary didn’t start off strong in my opinion so this might be the only exciting week this month.
DC Pick
Do I even need to explain this spec pick this week? Batman Beyond #40, the issue where we should finally get the reveal of the true identity of the new Batwoman.
Already sold out at Midtown (well, it was sold out but seems to be back in stock again at time of writing), TFAW and few other major retailers upon checking and at time of writing. Lots of pre-sales on eBay and now listings are popping up at the $8 to $13 range. $8 for regular cover and $13 for the variant.
Spoilers ahead from internet rumors and the spoiler post from Anthony. Skip to the Marvel Picks if you don’t like spoilers.
Elainna Grayson who first appears in Batman Beyond #25 is still in the reasonable range I think for those who like to gamble (as this was around a $20 book before this news broke, from those already speculating it would be her). But these are vanishing from eBay after news broke this morning and earlier.
We should see issue #37 as a likely winner as demand for the first issue of her actually in the suit as Batwoman. Batman Beyond #36 might see a little bit of love with the small cameo appearance as well. It’s now approaching the $10 range itself.
We’ll have to watch this issue.
Marvel Picks
There’s the Web of Venom Good Son but I don’t anticipate anything huge coming out of that book, likely just hints and such. Since Cates is not writing it, I’m banking anything big for Dylan will come out of Cates mind. So it’s on the list to check out but my pick this week is that I’m hoping for just some good story telling out of Greg Pak in Atlantis Attacks #1.
WAR WITH THE WATER KINGDOM! The armies of ATLANTIS face ATLAS in a showdown destined to shake allegiances and break hearts! AMADEUS CHO, SILK, WAVE, SHANG-CHI, and all the heroes of the Atlas have bonded with each other after the challenges of WAR OF THE REALMS.
But when a terrible secret incurs the wrath of KING NAMOR, who’s the true friend — and who’s the true enemy? A titanic tale of love and betrayal, heroes and monsters, gods and underdogs — plus the shocking return of JIMMY WOO and the original AGENTS OF ATLAS!
Indie & Small Publisher Picks
Kidz #1 has potential that is out from Ablaze Media. But it also has potential to be a dud as well. If the story is good, I’m on board.
The only thing this doesn’t have going for it is all the damn covers. If I do pick this up, I’m going with the regular cover. I like some of the homage covers to movies and such but it’s just overkill and a cash grab to me.
If this does end up as a good book that sees any love on the secondary, the regular cover will be the winner I think.
Not a whole lot else on the indie and small publisher front. Some reader books.
One of the other books I’ll be picking up is Lemire’s Family Tree #3 but that’s just a reader book.
We all know these indie books out of Image and such don’t do much heat, it’s just issue #1 from the series that get all the love. Nobody cares about the issues there after unless it becomes a long running television show where first appearances matter in the issues after the first.
Another reader book is Folklords #3. Great new Kindt book. Great story telling.
Now on with the dreaded “avoid” pick, every writer and artist worst nightmare when it comes to selling their hard work.
Do not spend more than Cover Price for the Guardians of the Galaxy #1 Space Variant Cover.
Seriously, Midtown has this one listed at $170. It probably took someone at Marvel around 10 minutes to create.
I tell ya’ll what, buy the blank, send the blank to me and I’ll draw some space on it for ya. I’ll even color it too, pitch black, maybe some purple or blue in there, draw plenty of white specs to depict stars and then send it back your way. It’ll save you money and you’ll have some unique one of a kind space cover for this issue.
I got another one too this week on avoids. Don’t buy Wonder Woman #750 for $10 (unless you saved money on pre-ordering it). Even if you pre-ordered at a discount, this is one of those books we saw with Action Comics #1000 and Detective Comics #1000 you can find for 75% off in a few months, picking them up for a buck or two. Save your money, buy later, there’s going to be plenty of copies around.
I love that BMB 40 Cover A….Cover B variants have been in my pull list (the last 15 or so issues have been tops) but I asked for both covers this week may have to get to the LCS early to make sure I get it…
Yes, I’ve seen Action 1000 and Tech 1000 selling up to 90% off, depending on the cover, at TFAW and Midtown. Expect the same from WW750 and the Robin 80 year anniversary one shot..,wait those out…get ‘em cheaper shipped to you.