Welcome to this weeks spec and drek, the 16th edition for 2021. This is where we pick the winners each week we (or shall I say myself) think will be spec worthy, a great read or just cool looking art on the cover. I also dive into the pesky drek, the book you should probably avoid if you can or perhaps not invest so heavily into.
First of all, if you missed out on your copy of Tankers #1, TFAW has them in stock. Better grab your copy for they eventually sell out. These are still selling anywhere from $25 to $40. Prices are dropping from their high initial sales but cover price sure beats secondary prices if you missed out on pre-orders.
Now on with the picks!
Marvel Picks
Alien #2 (Hans Variant) is just a sweet looking Hans variant. I’m picking his one over the regular cover.
Captain Marvel #28 is a great cover and did Carol get some Strange powers? I’m behind on this series but the cover has got me thinking I need to catch-up.
Star Wars Doctor Aphra #9 solicits links to the High Republic. I’m an Aphra fan but managed to buy the first two issues of this new volume, then dropped the ball and just now picking these back up again. Finding some of these issues has been a little hard for me at my local shops..
DC Picks
Batman Fortnite Zero Point #1 is finally out, with the Fortnite redeemable code you can use to get a Harley Suit in the game. Apparently this suit can be purchased as well, but for how much? Still not stopping some from selling these in pre-sales upwards of almost $20.
Indie and Small Publisher Picks
Orphan and the Five Beasts #2 is out and I enjoyed the first issue. Big fan of Stokoe’s work so it’s a must pickup for me.
Godzilla Monsters & Protectors #1 (Cover B – Photo Cover) is just a great cover, for any Godzilla fan. This one is already sold out at Midtown.
Geiger #1 already came out but the Glow in the Dark variant hits stands this week. It’s already selling for $10+ on pre-sales that are mostly auctions.
Many Deaths of Laila Starr #1 (of 5) is a new BOOM! series that looks interesting. For fans of The Wicked & Divine and The Dreaming. Has potential and let’s just hope BOOM! doesn’t act like BOOM! to create a lot of false demand with any potential additional printings.. since you know, there’s already a 2nd printing: Many Deaths of Laila Starr #1 (of 5) (2nd Ptg Ward Variant).
There’s a bunch of ratio variants for this one as well. Finding for cheap or cover could be worthy quick flips.
Many Deaths of Laila Starr #1 (of 5) (Cover B – Death Foil Variant)
I’m only picking Orcs #3 (of 6) (Cover A – Larsen) since I just love the artwork. Totally gives that Where the Wild Things Are type of vibe for me.
The indie winner this week might go to You Promised Me Darkness #1. Since pre-sales for the regular cover A is already seen sales as high as $36 or so. Don’t forget to grab a copy at the local shop if you didn’t pre-order this one.
Now on with the dreaded “drek” pick, every writer and artists worst nightmare when it comes to selling their hard work.
The book(s) to avoid or not fall victim to in buying at inflated prices, whether it’s false demand, pump and dump or out of FOMO.
Do not spend all that money on the Joker #2 1:50 Hairsine Variant. You’ll be crying in a few months when it’s a fraction of the crazy selling price they’re going for right now. FOMO is real. If you can’t resist buying modern books for that much money, you should seek out professional help with your spending habits. The name of the game is, buy low, sell high.. not buy high cause you got FOMO!
Throw this advice out the window though if you’re filthy rich and buying for the personal collection.
I’ve had nearly 100 phone calls about the Fortnite book in the last 4 days, most of any book since Batman Damned, and I expect the call count to go up in the next couple days. While I wouldn’t be all that surprised if they drop back to around $10 each, it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if they were $50+ in a couple weeks. Sports cards, pokemon, comics, things are getting insane prices everywhere in collecting right now.
There are roughly 6,000 Fortnite players per comic shop in the US. How many of those will decide they need to have these comics even though they didn’t ever reach out to a shop to preorder?
I have no dog in the fight. We didn’t spec on this book and when I sell out, I sell out. But there could be a firestorm here.
Odd that Batman fortnite point zero sold out quickly because Batman comics are usually among the most heavily ordered at stores. Collaborations between comic publishers and other entertainments are mutually beneficial.