Terry Hoknes, owner of Hoknescomics.com, and writes for www.investcomics.com. He is a numbers guy and we appreciate his research. His articles are run with permission from Terry.
This list is updated every 2 weeks. This list is compiled from my non-stop research of the current market. I believe these were the most demand and growing in value books this month. I did not focus on variants specifically as I can’t even keep track of them all. If you think I have missed any hot titles/issues of the last 5 years please let me know. Sales were at a very weak point during late May and all of June but July sales have already started to pick up on many titles. Here are my picks of what I believe are the hottest comics at this very moment from all sold releases of the last few years online based on back issue sales ABOVE cover price.
#1 THE LAST OF US (DARK HORSE) – 4 issue mini-series all issues instant sellouts and tie-in to video game. All issues are sold out and Diamond has sold out of #4 a month before its release. Currently all 3 1st print issues are selling for on average $23.00 EACH ! #3 hit a high of $41.00 the week of release. Print runs of all 4 issues are very low. Complete set of 4 issues hit high of $160.00 in early July. I sold a few sets at $100.00. Only #1 has had a reprint and that 2nd printing might be so rare that it did not chart which means likely a print run of less than 3,000 copies. Reprints were scheduled by Dark Horse for #1-3 but they cancelled at the last minute likely to help boost sales of the upcoming graphic novel.
Last of Us American Dreams #1
Last of Us American Dreams #2
Last of Us American Dreams #3
#2 TODD THE UGLIEST KID ON EARTH (Image) #1 hit high of $20 immediately in January week of release and then settled down. Smaller print run. Mini-series #1-4 is sold out and will become ongoing soon from Image with #5 coming out in a month. News of a new tv/movie reported on July 13th made the #1 a super hot comic instantly with sales as high as $40.00 each and sets hitting record highs. #1 and #2 have a 2nd print which are both rarer typically in print run than the originals.
Todd the Ugliest Kid on Earth #1
Todd the Ugliest Kid on Earth #2
Todd the Ugliest Kid on Earth #3
Todd the Ugliest Kid On Earth #4
#3 INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US (DC) – the hottest DC title of 2013 with small print runs and 3rd prints selling out. Peaked in May at $85.00 for set of #1-4 Many sellers with reprint sets that also sell well. #1 2nd printing hit $12.00 #1 $40 #2 $25 #3 $8 #4 $5 #5-6 $4. I predicted this could be a hit when I saw the initial print run numbers so low and yet featuring major characters Batman, Joker, Superman, Wonder Woman etc.
Injustice Gods Among Us #1
Injustice Gods Among Us #2
118, Injustice Gods Among Us, 3, $3.99, DC, 18,068
98, Injustice Gods Among Us, 4, $3.99, DC, 21,669
89, Injustice Gods Among Us, 5, $3.99, DC, 25,215
83, Injustice Gods Among Us, 6, $3.99, DC, 26,011.
#4 PETER PANZERFAUST (Image) #1-9 prices peaked in March. #8 and #9 really hot but less demand for #4-6. One season of the TV series seems guaranteed. #1 hit high of $300 now around $200.00 Current prices #2 $60 / #3 $20 / #4-7 $10 each / #8 $20 / #9 $20. Print runs for #6 7 8 were so low they did not even chart during the month. Note the print run increaes for #10 and then #11.
285 Peter Panzerfaust 1 $3.50 Image 4814 2012 2
276 Peter Panzerfaust 2 $3.50 Image 4416 2012 3
252 Peter Panzerfaust 3 $3.50 Image 5515 2012 4
292 Peter Panzerfaust 4 $3.50 Image 5177 2012 5
283 Peter Panzerfaust 5 $3.50 Image 4546 2012 7
292, Peter Panzerfaust, 9, $3.50, Image, 4,456 2013 1
181, Peter Panzerfaust, 10, $3.50, Image , 10,989 2013 3
123, Peter Panzerfaust, 11, $3.50, Image, 17,683, 2013 6
226, Image Firsts Peter Panzerfaust, 1, $1.00, Image, 8,756, 2013 4
#5 THE WALKING DEAD (Image) #108 1st app Ezekiel and #110 origin and battle of Ezekiel with Michonne. All back issues #1-110 are sold out and bring above cover prices. #92 and #93 extremely hot at $30.00 each. Retailers upped their orders yet again starting with #109 onwards after the sellout of #108. This is the highest print runs have ever been (not counting #100).
The Walking Dead #99
The Walking Dead #99 2nd Print
The Walking Dead #100
117 Walking Dead 100 $3.99 Image 21987 2012 8
70 Walking Dead 100 Chromium Ed. $9.99 Image 30969 2012 7
31 Walking Dead 101 $2.99 Image 51732 2012 8
24 Walking Dead 102 $2.99 Image 53337 2012 9
9 Walking Dead 103 $2.99 Image 74378 2012 10
35 Walking Dead 104 $2.99 Image 57456 2012 11
28 Walking Dead 105 $2.99 Image 57781 2012 12
19, Walking Dead, 106, $2.99, Image, 70,526
21, Walking Dead, 108, $2.99, Image, 67,423
8, Walking Dead, 109, $2.99, Image, 90,362
13, Walking Dead, 110, $2.99, Image, 76,455
13, Walking Dead, 111, $2.99, Image, 74,857
#6 NOWHERE MEN (Image) #1-3 prices had peaked at $40,25,15 in March. Set of #1-5 now sells for $60.00 #1 $30 / #2 $20 / #3 $10 / #4 $3 / #5 $3. Note the print run increases for #4 and then #5. #1 already has a 5th printing – with so many reprints of all issues on the market its hard to sell the reprints at any price currently.
172 Nowhere Men 1 $2.99 Image 11815 2012 11
213 Nowhere Men 2 $2.99 Image 7368 2012 12
209, Nowhere Men, 3, $2.99, Image, 7,421
150, Nowhere Men, 4, $2.99, Image, 13,368
141,Nowhere Men, 5, $2.99, Image, 15,608
#7 EAST OF WEST (Image) #1 Hot as a pre-seller and has stabilized at $7.00. 4th printing already and sets of #1-4 sell really well. This is a rare modern example of a comic with a huge print run that still sells out due to popularity and goes to reprints on every issue. It’s the “2013″ version of Saga in terms of popularity.
35, East of West, 1*, $3.50, Image, 49,518
193, East of West, 1 2nd printing $3.50, Image, 9,742
296, East of West, 1 3rd printing, $3.50, Image, 5,024
46, East of West, 2*, $3.50, Image, 41,838
54, East of West, 3*, $3.50, Image, 39,441
#8 HAWKEYE #1-10 The hottest back issue current Marvel title with all issues in multiple printings. #1 and #2 each now settled at about $25.00. Every issue has been reprinted – #1 and #2 on 5th printings. New issues still sell out. It is rare to find a series that issue #10 has a higher print run still than #1.
42 Hawkeye 1 $2.99 Marvel 41952 2012 8
256 Hawkeye 1 $2.99 2nd printing Marvel 6394 2012 9
60 Hawkeye 2 $2.99 Marvel 33563 2012 9
69 Hawkeye 3 $2.99 Marvel 35403 2012 10
66 Hawkeye 4 $2.99 Marvel 34208 2012 11
61 Hawkeye 5 $2.99 Marvel 34385 2012 12
65 Hawkeye 6 $2.99 Marvel 33440 2012 12
57, Hawkeye, 7, $2.99, Marvel, 37,000
56, Hawkeye, 8, $2.99, Marvel, 36,898.
53, Hawkeye, 9, $2.99, Marvel, 39,678.
48, Hawkeye, 10, $2.99, Marvel, 42,090.
50, Hawkeye, 11, $2.99, Marvel, 40,510.
#9 SAGA #1-12 #1 still super hot at about $80 down from peak of $100 – all issues in demand even with high print runs. #12 was hot for a moment when banned by Apple. Print runs have gone up the last 5 issues in a row. #12 has a much larger print run than #1. After The Walking Dead sensation Saga is always Image’s best selling title.
40 Saga 1 $2.99 Image 37641 2012 3
177 Saga 1 $2.99 Image 9641 2012 4
267 Saga 1 $2.99 Image 4484 2012 6
48 Saga 2 $2.99 Image 36885 2012 4
264 Saga 2 $2.99 Image 6252 2012 5
57 Saga 3 $2.99 Image 38895 2012 5
47 Saga 4 $2.99 Image 41143 2012 6
44 Saga 5 $2.99 Image 40556 2012 7
46 Saga 6 $2.99 Image 40584 2012 8
51 Saga 7 $2.99 Image 46971 2012 11
51 Saga 8 $2.99 Image 42324 2012 12
38, Saga, 9, $2.99, Image, 45,629
36, Saga, 10, $2.99, Image, 48,388
33, Saga, 11, $2.99, Image, 50,023
27, Saga, 12, $2.99, Image, 53,339
#10 UBER #0-1-2-3 Sold out printings instantly. Originaly I felt this title was being speculated on too heavily but many sales above cover have proven the demand for this series. I personally believe this is the single best looking comic of 2013 with glossy paper and amazing colors and artwork. Some amazing variant covers make it a big job to collect every cover version of each issue. The first issue was #0 and not #1. #0 is the rare ones to find. #0 has a 2nd printing called “enhanced edition”. Print runs on each individual cover are very low. There are 4 regular covers of each issue so when you take the worldwide print runs you have to divide it by 4 to get the real print run of each cover. This makes it more obvious how rare each individual cover is. In fact there are only about 2,700 copies of each cover of the first issue #0. Diamond monthly rankings for each issue and the combined print run of all the covers
178, Uber, 0, $3.99, Avatar, 10,849
292, Uber, 0 Enhanced Ed, $4.99, Avatar, 5,084
137, Uber, 1, $3.99, Avatar, 16,109
132. Uber, 2, $3.99, Avatar, 16,160
#11 THE SIXTH GUN (Oni) – All 31 issues sold out – many not even on ebay and low print runs. Sold a #1 for $250 in Mid April. #1 now at $90.00. Prices have dropped by about 70% since their peak from April 2013 when the news of the potential TV show was at its highest hype. Still some of the rarest comics to collect will keep prices and sales up on this title. The image speculating boom peaked by April 2013 and orders were raised drastically on issues #30-32 which were the highest since issue #2 three years earlier.
256 Sixth Gun 1 $3.99 Oni 4899 2010 7
249 Sixth Gun 2 $3.99 Oni 5061 2010 7
261 Sixth Gun 3 $3.99 Oni 4105 2010 8
333 Sixth Gun 4 $3.99 Oni 3850 2010 9
298 Sixth Gun 5 $3.99 Oni 3590 2010 10
274 Sixth Gun 6 $3.99 Oni 3589 2010 11
310 Sixth Gun 7 $3.99 Oni 3360 2010 12
239 Sixth Gun 8 $3.99 Oni 3317 2011 1
282 Sixth Gun 9 $3.99 Oni 3279 2011 2
271 Sixth Gun 11 $3.99 Oni 3418 2011 4
296 Sixth Gun 15 $3.99 Oni 3403 2011 9
351 Sixth Gun 16 $3.99 Oni 3442 2011 10
329 Sixth Gun 17 $3.99 Oni 3408 2011 11
277 Sixth Gun 18 $3.99 Oni 3328 2012 1
325 Sixth Gun 19 $3.99 Oni 3183 2012 2
312 Sixth Gun 21 $3.99 Oni 3184 2012 4
343 Sixth Gun 22 $3.99 Oni 3169 2012 5
304 Sixth Gun 23 $3.99 Oni 3204 2012 6
367 Sixth Gun 24 $3.99 Oni 3122 2012 8
326 Sixth Gun 25 $3.99 Oni 3081 2012 9
366 Sixth Gun 26 $3.99 Oni 3043 2012 10
363 Sixth Gun 27 $3.99 Oni 2930 2012 12
358, Sixth Gun, 28, $3.99, Oni, 2,901
338, Sixth Gun, 29, $3.99, Oni, 3,097
306, Sixth Gun, 30, $3.99, Oni, 4,227
325, Sixth Gun, 31, $3.99, Oni, 4,350
300, Sixth Gun, 32, $3.99, Oni, 4,277
#12 BATMAN #1 5 7 9 – sold out issues averaging $20-$30 each and #1 sells for $50.00. Complete sets of #1-10 bring $150.00. Batman is the #1 selling regular monthly comic book these days and it is the most valuable “complete set” of all current titles.
#13 SIX GUN GORILLA (BOOM) New on the list. New #1 issue of mini-series based on golden age character quickly sold out and selling at $10.00 within a week of release.
227, Six Gun Gorilla, 1, $3.99, Boom, 7,730
#14 POLARITY #1-4 Mini-series. Extremely well reviewed caused a sellout on this small print run title written by a rock musician from Say Anything. Small print run instantly to a 2nd printing. #1 sells for $10
225, Polarity, 1, $3.99, Boom, 7,459
250, Polarity, 2, $3.99, Boom, 6,957
247, Polarity, 3, $3.99, Boom, 6,436
#15 THIEF OF THIEVES #1-12 Early issues still super hot – value peaked in January but still selling well
112 Thief of Thieves 1 $2.99 Image 17877 2012 2
126 Thief of Thieves 2 $2.99 Image 14286 2012 3
135 Thief of Thieves 3 $2.99 Image 13644 2012 4
137 Thief of Thieves 4 $2.99 Image 17774 2012 5
116 Thief of Thieves 5 $2.99 Image 19833 2012 6
111 Thief of Thieves 6 $2.99 Image 19733 2012 7
139 Thief of Thieves 7 $2.99 Image 18266 2012 8
134 Thief of Thieves 8 $2.99 Image 17070 2012 9
144 Thief of Thieves 9 $2.99 Image 16645 2012 10
136 Thief of Thieves 10 $2.99 Image 16424 2012 11
132 Thief of Thieves 11 $2.99 Image 15605 2012 12
135, Thief of Thieves, 12, $2.99, Image, 14,974
135, Thief of Thieves, 13, $2.99, Image, 15,201
129, Thief of Thieves, 14, $2.99, Image, 16,938.
#16 DETECTIVE COMICS #1 (DC 2011) 1st print sold out title re-start $25.00
#17 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (Marvel 2008) Entire run is super hot due to interest in upcoming movie. #1 hit high of $75 a month ago and now settled closer to $25 however all non-key issues bring anywhere from $5 to $15 each.
#18 GAMBIT (Marvel 2012) New ongoing series popular #1 $8 #2 $5 but #3 sold out everywhere and current asking price from only online copy is $50.00 !!
47 Gambit 1 $2.99 Marvel 40418 2012 8
70 Gambit 2 $2.99 Marvel 32336 2012 8
79 Gambit 3 $2.99 Marvel 28530 2012 9
92 Gambit 4 $2.99 Marvel 27828 2012 10
84 Gambit 5 $2.99 Marvel 26723 2012 11
86 Gambit 6 $2.99 Marvel 25522 2012 11
89 Gambit 7 $2.99 Marvel 23978 2012 12
#19 ADVENTURE TIME – animated cartoon series – numerous printings now. #1 is truly rare – no sellers on ebay even have a copy for sale. $50 to $100 per copy of #1 first print. #2 currently in the $20-30 range. #3 $10. #1-6 have been reprinted with connecting cover image. #1-6 and #9-10 sold out from diamond.
187 Adventure Time 1 2nd printing $3.99 Boom 8523 2012 3
153 Adventure Time 1 $3.99 Boom 12392 2012 2
190 Adventure Time 2 2nd printing $3.99 Boom 8864 2012 4
157 Adventure Time 2 $3.99 Boom 11329 2012 3
111 Adventure Time 3 $3.99 Boom 17131 2012 4
125 Adventure Time 4 $3.99 Boom 20289 2012 5
110 Adventure Time 5 $3.99 Boom 20889 2012 6
110 Adventure Time 6 $3.99 Boom 19767 2012 7
130 Adventure Time 7 $3.99 Boom 19423 2012 8
117 Adventure Time 8 $3.99 Boom 19755 2012 9
121 Adventure Time 9 $3.99 Boom 20636 2012 10
94 Adventure Time 10 $3.99 Boom 23656 2012 11
212 Adventure Time Cover Showcase One Shot $3.99 Boom 7478 2012 12
102 Adventure Time Fionna & Cake 1 $3.99 Boom 20290 2012 12
102 Adventure Time Marceline Scream Queens 1 $3.99 Boom 21182 2012 7
#20 RACHEL RISING (Abstract) #1-16 TV announcement this week helped drive demand up as Diamond sold out of even the current issue not yet out this week. #1 hitting $200.00 peak around May 1st. Many issues still available direct from publisher website at cover. #1 settled down now to about $50.00. Sellers hyping rarity of 2nd and 3rd printings and getting high amounts as well.
186 Rachel Rising 1 $3.99 Abstract 10989 2011 8
206 Rachel Rising 2 $3.99 Abstract 8189 2011 9
196 Rachel Rising 3 $3.99 Abstract 8872 2011 11
269 Rachel Rising 4 $3.99 Abstract 4331 2011 12
241 Rachel Rising 4 $3.99 Abstract 4737 2012 1
258 Rachel Rising 5 $3.99 Abstract 4180 2012 1
296 Rachel Rising 5 $3.99 Abstract 4412 2012 2
189 Rachel Rising 6 $3.99 Abstract 8399 2012 3
199 Rachel Rising 7 $3.99 Abstract 8210 2012 4
224 Rachel Rising 8 $3.99 Abstract 8103 2012 5
203 Rachel Rising 9 $3.99 Abstract 8194 2012 7
223 Rachel Rising 10 $3.99 Abstract 8330 2012 8
219 Rachel Rising 11 $3.99 Abstract 7915 2012 9
219 Rachel Rising 12 $3.99 Abstract 7987 2012 10
205 Rachel Rising 13 $3.99 Abstract 7782 2012 12
#21 REVIVAL (Image) #1-10 Early issues still hot but definitely cooled in value from Jan/Feb peak of #1 $45.00
120 Revival 1 $2.99 Image 18039 2012 7
198 Revival 2 $2.99 Image 10486 2012 8
153 Revival 3 $2.99 Image 13943 2012 9
155 Revival 4 $2.99 Image 15251 2012 10
154 Revival 5 $2.99 Image 14098 2012 11
114, Revival, 6, $2.99, Image, 17,396
124, Revival, 7, $2.99, Image, 16,639
124, Revival, 8, $2.99, Image, 17,082
121, Revival, 9, $2.99, Image, 16,977
134, Revival, 10, $2.99, Image, 16,314
153, Revival, 11, $2.99, Image, 13,536
#22 THINK TANK (Image) #1-5. #1 sold out immediately and no one seems to have a copy. 2nd printings are more common. #1 1st in the $15-20 range. News of a new movie broke this week which might push prices up.
263 Think Tank 1 $3.99 Image 6502 2012 8
272 Think Tank 2 $3.99 Image 5713 2012 9
297 Think Tank 3 $3.99 Image 5279 2012 10
288 Think Tank 4 $3.99 Image 4656 2012 11
#23 WILD BLUE YONDER (IDW) #1 and #2 both sold out instantly 2013 – brand new release sold out instantly and regular cover bringing above cover quickly.
184, Wild Blue Yonder, 1, $3.99, IDW, 10,840
#24 X-FILES SEASON 10 #1 and #2 both sold out instantly (IDW) #1 2013 – brand new release sold out instantly and regular cover bringing a bit above cover.
94, X-Files Season 10, 1, $3.99, IDW, 24,270
#25 HALF PAST DANGER #1 and #2 sold out 1st printings instantly. Some retailers charge more.
249, Half Past Danger, 1, $3.99, IDW, 7,048
283, Half Past Danger, 2, $3.99, IDW, 4,967
#26 EXTINCTION PARADE (Avatar) 4 different covers – high quality format similar to Uber. Online pre-sales were doing well above cover. Print run of each cover was less than 5,000 each.
136, Extinction Parade, 1, $3.99, Avatar, 16,061
#27 NIGHTWING #4 (DC) 2011 – hot key issue from this Robin/Batman series. $25.00 for this key issue.
27, Nightwing, 4*, $2.99, DC, 51,668
#28 BATGIRL #13 – death of family storyline – these sold out and huge price increases in some areas up to $30
#29 BATMAN #13 / death of family storyline – these sold out and huge price increases in some areas up to $40
#30 HOAX HUNTERS (Image) this title was cover price material until a TV show proposal shot prices way up on all issues. #0 and #1 are extremely hot and hit $30 each.
248 Hoax Hunters 0 $2.99 Image 5779 2012 3
230 Hoax Hunters 1 $2.99 Image 6973 2012 7
300 Hoax Hunters 3 $2.99 Image 4404 2012 9
#31 LAZARUS #1 (IMAGE 2013) New ongoing series #1 first print sold out instantly late June 2013. Some asking above cover.
34, Lazarus, 1, $2.99, Image, 48,030
#32 MIND MGMT (Dark Horse) #1-10 #1 is really the only valuable issue at $40 but easy to sell sets at $80. Very low print run.
262 Mind Mgmt 0 $2.99 Dark Horse 5526 2012 11
236 Mind Mgmt 1 $3.99 Dark Horse 7537 2012 5
266 Mind Mgmt 2 $3.99 Dark Horse 5566 2012 7
292 Mind Mgmt 3 $3.99 Dark Horse 5579 2012 8
286 Mind Mgmt 5 $3.99 Dark Horse 5017 2012 9
#33 FIVE GHOSTS – HAUNTING OF FABIAN GRAY (Image) Mini series #1 and #2 sold out and 2nd printings – rumour of ongoing series. #1 at $7.00
152, Five Ghosts Haunting of Fabian Gray, 1, $3.50, Image, 13,163
152, Five Ghosts Haunting of Fabian Gray, 2, $2.99, Image, 13,127
162, Five Ghosts Haunting of Fabian Gray, 3, $2.99, Image, 13,153
175, Five Ghosts Haunting of Fabian Gray, 4, $2.99, Image, 11,357
#34 SPAWN #9 (Image 1993) 20 year old comic features 1st appearance of Angela by Neil Gaiman which enters the Marvel Universe this week in Age Of Ultron #10. Common book prices are anywhere from $2 to $100 a copy
#35 DAREDEVIL #1-4 (Marvel 2011) Early issues sold out and on average $10.00 each !
6 Daredevil 1 $3.99 Marvel 64866 2011 7
32 Daredevil 2 $2.99 Marvel 40990 2011 8
64 Daredevil 3 $2.99 Marvel 39477 2011 9
61 Daredevil 4 $2.99 Marvel 40311 2011 9
55 Daredevil 5 $2.99 Marvel 39413 2011 10
58 Daredevil 6 $2.99 Marvel 38302 2011 11
45 Daredevil 7 $2.99 Marvel 38824 2011 12
#36 BATMAN INCORPORATED (DC) #8 Death of Robin hit about $13 now settled at $5.99
29, Batman Incorporated, 8, $2.99, DC, 55,414
69, Batman Incorporated, 8, 2nd printing $2.99, DC, 34,679
#37 MANHATTAN PROJECTS (Image) #1-10 All issues sell well but way down from Jan peaks #1 was at $90 now at $30. Title is steady sales as print run of #12 is about the same as #1.
102 Manhattan Projects 1 $3.50 Image 17955 2012 3
121 Manhattan Projects 2 $3.50 Image 15697 2012 4
136 Manhattan Projects 3 $3.50 Image 18001 2012 5
124 Manhattan Projects 4 $3.50 Image 18544 2012 6
117 Manhattan Projects 5 $3.50 Image 18398 2012 7
127 Manhattan Projects 6 $3.50 Image 17981 2012 9
127 Manhattan Projects 7 $3.50 Image 17543 2012 11
113 Manhattan Projects 8 $3.50 Image 17028 2012 12
262 Manhattan Projects 1 rep $3.50 Image 5213 2012 4
119, Manhattan Projects, 9, $3.50, Image, 17,229
125,Manhattan Projects, 10, $3.50, Image, 17,028
116, Manhattan Projects, 11, $3.50, Image, 17,517
129, Manhattan Projects, 12, $3.50, Image, 17,076
#38 PROPHET #21 (IMAGE 2012) Sold out immediately in early 2012 – hot issue at $15.00
219 Prophet 21 $2.99 Image 6029 2012 1
257 Prophet 22 $2.99 Image 6030 2012 2
232 Prophet 23 $2.99 Image 6289 2012 3
228 Prophet 24 $2.99 Image 6639 2012 4
#39 NONPLAYERS #1 (IMAGE 2011) Only 1 issue came out but it sold out before release – still rare $25.00
218 Nonplayer 1 $2.99 2nd print Image 5956 2011 5
171 Nonplayer 1 $2.99 Image 8869 2011 4
#40 CHEW (IMAGE 2009) #1 is down to about $200.00 from a high of $400.00 Earliest issues still bring decent $$.
287 Chew 1 $2.99 Image 4576 2009 9
246 Chew 1 $2.99 Image 5246 2009 6
247 Chew 2 $2.99 Image 6731 2009 7
142 Chew 3 $2.99 Image 13748 2009 8
169 Chew 4 $2.99 Image 12284 2009 9
142 Chew 5 $2.99 Image 13490 2009 10
144 Chew 6 $2.99 Image 13133 2009 11
156 Chew 7 $2.99 Image 12902 2009 12
137 Chew 8 $2.99 Image 12727 2010 1
143 Chew 9 $2.99 Image 12867 2010 3
127 Chew 10 $2.99 Image 13335 2010 4
#41 ANIMAL MAN #1 (DC 2011) 1st print sold out title re-start $15.00 for a while was most valuable new 52 #1.
#42 JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 (DC 2011) 1st print sold out title re-start $15.00
#43 JUSTICE LEAGUE COMBO PACK COVER (DC 2011) 1st print sold out title re-start $12.00
#44 CATWOMAN #13 / death of family storyline – these sold out and huge price increases in some areas up to $15
#45 MORNING GLORIES – early issues sold out and popular back issues.
167 Morning Glories 1 $3.99 Image 8687 2010 8
218 Morning Glories 2 $3.50 Image 8265 2010 9
156 Morning Glories 3 $3.50 Image 11258 2010 10
151 Morning Glories 4 $3.50 Image 11292 2010 11
167 Morning Glories 5 $3.50 Image 11193 2010 12
121 Morning Glories 6 $3.50 Image 10795 2011 1
155 Morning Glories 7 $2.99 Image 11037 2011 2
180 Morning Glories 8 $2.99 Image 10809 2011 3
143 Morning Glories 9 $2.99 Image 10975 2011 4
172 Morning Glories 10 $2.99 Image 11385 2011 6
192 Morning Glories 11 $2.99 Image 10653 2011 8
176 Morning Glories 12 $2.99 Image 10537 2011 9
205 Morning Glories 13 $2.99 Image 10094 2011 10
183 Morning Glories 14 $2.99 Image 9850 2011 11
166 Morning Glories 15 $2.99 Image 9565 2012 1
#46 FABLES (DC/Vertigo) Long running ongoing series recently announced of potential tv/movie so already expensive #1 selling out at bout $70.00 first printings. Series has over 120 issues so lots to collect.
#47 LOCKE AND KEY (2008) Talk of a new movie based on this already hot comic from 2008.
#48 MULTIPLE WARHEADS #1 (ONI 2008) Rare first issue still popular – $32.00
#49 DEADPOOL (MARVEL) 2012 #1 – all early issues sold out. #1-3 commanding a bit over cover.
4 Deadpool 1 $2.99 Marvel 118976 2012 11
21 Deadpool 2 $2.99 Marvel 67421 2012 11
25 Deadpool 3 $2.99 Marvel 60215 2012 12
#50 DJANGO UNCHAINED (DC) #1-3 1st prints sold out – movie adaptation. #1 and #2 demand higher prices.
161 Django Unchained 1 $3.99 DC 11795 2012 12
#51 TWELVE REASONS TO DIE (Black Mask) #1 – Ghostface Killah famous rapper presents his own comic storyline.
183, 12 Reasons To Die, 1, $3.50, Black Mask, 11,834
#52 THE ACTIVITY (Image) #1-11 Hot in the past month #1 at $20
253 Activity 1 $3.50 Image 5269 2011 12
270 Activity 2 $3.50 Image 3512 2012 1
#53 THE DAMNED (Oni) #1-5 Generally #1 is a $50 book but a #3 hit $100 earlier in April on ebay. Author of Sixth Gun
238 Damned 1 $3.50 Oni 2989 2006 10
294 Damned 3 $3.50 Oni 2116 2006 12
273 Damned 5 $3.50 Oni 1892 2007 3
#54 THE STRAIN (Dark Horse) 12 issue mini-series becomes due to potential TV series.
128 Strain 1 $1.00 Dark Horse 16023 2011 12
191 Strain 2 $3.50 Dark Horse 7650 2012 1
228 Strain 3 $3.50 Dark Horse 7384 2012 2
220 Strain 4 $3.50 Dark Horse 6767 2012 3
236 Strain 5 $3.50 Dark Horse 6054 2012 6
262 Strain 6 $3.50 Dark Horse 5742 2012 7
300 Strain 7 $3.50 Dark Horse 5376 2012 8
289 Strain 8 $3.50 Dark Horse 4977 2012 9
#55 SUPERMAN #1 New 52 issue multiple printings currently at $15.00
#56 HELHEIM (Oni) #1-5 #1 quickly hit $8 and stablized. 2nd printing of #1 may prove to be more valuable than the 1st printing.
171, Helheim, 1, $3.99, Oni, 11,877
189, Helheim, 2, $3.99, Oni, 10,256
207, Helheim, 3, $3.99, Oni, 10,118
215, Helheim, 4, $3.99, Oni, 8,432.
#57 STAR WARS #1 Reached up to $30 week of release but now at $10 but still popular. Sets #1-6 sell for $26
#58 SWAMP THING #1 (DC 2011) New 52 issue multiple printings currently at $9.00
#59 ACTION #1 (DC 2011) 1st print sold out title re-start $8.00
#60 AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #15.1 & #16 (Marvel) sold out early Death of Peter Parker storyline – sales peaked in Jan 2013
#61 DAREDEVIL #21 & #22 (Marvel) sold out early Death of Peter Parker storyline – sales peaked in Jan 2013
#62 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (Marvel) 698-700 Death of Peter Parker storyline super hot in January – still popular due to storyline continuing in Superior-Spiderman
29 Amazing Spider-Man 697 $3.99 Marvel 59872 2012 11
13 Amazing Spider-Man 698 $3.99 Marvel 81342 2012 11
14 Amazing Spider-Man 699 $3.99 Marvel 74904 2012 12
18 Amazing Spider-Man 699.1 $2.99 Marvel 66245 2012 12
1 Amazing Spider-Man 700 $7.99 Marvel 200966 2012 12
#63 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #600 (MARVEL 2009) Had already sold out but then began the new death of Peter Parker storyline.
#64 SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #1-10 every issue seems to sell out at retail and gets a 2nd printing but not going up in value due to large print runs. Peter Parker ghost gone in #9 – series might last longer than originally expected. Readers very happy with this series.
#65 SEX #1-3 (Image) Lots of demand for #1 in pre-sale but has cooled down. #1-2 sell for $8.99 as set.
#66 MASS PROJECT / FABULOUS KILLROYS FCBD – 1st appearance of Killroys based on the My Chemical Romance rock band characters hit a high of $33.00 the week of release of the free comic. New ongoing series starts in June. Market now flooded doesnt sell for $3.00
#67 DREAM MERCHANT #1 (IMAGE) New miniseries sold out quickly.
#68 FATALE (Image) #1-10 Only #1 has a high price tag – has cooled at $20
90 Fatale 1 $3.50 Image 20515 2012 1
100 Fatale 2 $3.50 Image 20315 2012 2
89 Fatale 3 $3.50 Image 20222 2012 3
90 Fatale 4 $3.50 Image 22804 2012 4
114 Fatale 5 $3.50 Image 22484 2012 5
105 Fatale 6 $3.50 Image 21828 2012 6
121 Fatale 7 $3.50 Image 21369 2012 8
122 Fatale 8 $3.50 Image 20542 2012 10
129 Fatale 9 $3.50 Image 19345 2012 10
118 Fatale 10 $3.50 Image 18819 2012 11
111 Fatale 11 $3.50 Image 18055 2012 12
270 Fatale 1 rep $3.50 Image 5506 2012 2
#69 LIFE WITH ARCHIE #16 Marriage of gay male Kevin Keller in oversized comic. Instant sellout in 2012 and still at $15.00
297 Life With Archie 16 $3.99 Archie 2802 2012 1
#70 POWERS BUREAU (MARVEL) 2013 – interestingly this is a poor seller for Marvel but due to that the print run is so bad that copies have sold out and gone to second printing make some collect 1st print runs of this series above cover.
#71 BATGIRL #1 (DC 2011) 1st print sold out title re-start $8.00
#72 JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1 (DC 2011) 1st print sold out title re-start $6.00
#73 THE TEST #1 One shot doing well in the $10-20 range in first week of hype. This one did not even chart Top 300 low sales
#74 PILOT SEASON DECLASSIFIED #1 One shot featuring The Test also doing well in the $10-20 range in first week of hype
292 Pilot Season Declassified 2011 One Shot $1.00 Image 3462 2011 9
#75 OCCUPY COMICS #1 (Black Mask) #1 sold out issue based on the writings and thoughts of top comic industry people small print run on a issue dealing with the Occupy Wall Street theme.
#76 RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #13 (DC) Batman Death in the Family storyline die-cut cover
#77 CLONE (IMAGE 2012) Just today on July 15th 2013 it was announced that it is possible a new tv/movie is in the works based on this comic. Prices have not yet gone up but demand and hype is growing as the cheapest copies online were getting bought up today.
#78 GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (MARVEL 2013) New ongoing series – new movie in the works for next year. Early issues #0.1, 1, 2 had very high print runs and then retailers pulled back. Issues #3 and #4 instantly sold out and both have 2nd printings.
#79 DEVIL MAY CRY – THE CHRONICLES OF VERGIL #1 (Titan) Sold out and up in value with some retailers
#80 REGULAR SHOW #1 many variant covers sold out even with higher print run. Box edition of #1 covers still currently available at Diamond.
#81 ARCHIE (Archie) #641-644 4 part series with Glee TV Show cast guest appears – small print runs and tv show tie-in with movie stars
#82 STAR TREK: COUNTDOWN TO DARKNESS – preview to 2013 movie. Sold out – sets sell above cover.
#83 FCBD – 52 different comics were given away on May 4th 2013 for free comic book day. A lot of high prices realized the week of release. All prices have now cooled but due to not being shelved properly random various issues sell well at different times.
#84 ALPHA BIG TIME #0.1 (Marvel 2013) Debut issue is a reprint but debuted before #1 and is now sold out and features Spider-man. Future potential !
#85 BATMAN #18 / DETECTIVE #18 – Requiem death of Robin storyline sold out
#86 STORMWATCH #1 (DC 2011) 1st print sold out title re-start $6.00 Had hit high of $15.00 shortly after release.
#87 THOR GOD OF THUNDER #4 (Marvel) sold out issue with 2nd printing. Fall of Thor ?
#88 HAPPY (IMAGE) 2013 mini series by Grant Morrison – early issues sold out and reprinted. Early markups for #1.
#89 THE BOUNCE (IMAGE) Creator owned superhero title from last month actually sold out some places and some dealers marked up slightly.
#90 BREATH OF BONES – A TALE OF THE GOLEM #1 (DARK HORSE) New Steve Niles mini-series issue sold out some places and some sellers asking above cover.
#91 SEA BEAR AND GRIZZLY SHARK #1 (2010) Small print run always sells higher when appears $6.00 currently.
288 Sea Bear & Grizzly Shark 1 $4.99 Image 4932 2010 6
#92 BRAVEST WARRIORS (KABOOM) #1 1st issue sold out based on animated tv series. Small price increase.
160 Bravest Warriors 1 $3.99 Boom 14866 2012 10
164 Bravest Warriors 2 $3.99 Boom 12900 2012 11
179 Bravest Warriors 3 $3.99 Boom 10229 2012 12
#93 BEDLAM #1-5 #1 had reached $10 but now is back to cover price
110 Bedlam 1 $3.50 Image 22736 2012 10
120 Bedlam 2 $3.50 Image 18583 2012 11
291 Bedlam 1 rep $3.50 Image 4567 2012 11
#94 HELL YEAH (IMAGE 2012) #1 sold out has dropped back to cover price
#95 SUPERBIA (IMAGE 2012) #1 has dropped back to cover price.
#96 CROSSED PSYCHOPATH #1-7 issues were much hotter and way above cover in 2012. Prices have dropped down.
#97 DOCTOR WHO PRISONER OF TIME #1-4 First issues sold out and I did sell some #1′s above guide but some sellers still selling them at cover. Variant covers sell really well on ebay when initially released!
#98 SUICIDE RISK #1 (BOOM) #1 sold out 1st printing. Some retailers charge more.
#99 DREAM THIEF #1 (DARK HORSE) #1 sold out 1st printing. Some retailers charge more.
#100 LIL’ DEPRESSED BOY (IMAGE 2011) Very small print runs caused a big price increase on this scarce title.
280 Lil Depressed Boy 1 $2.99 Image 3339 2011 2
296 Lil Depressed Boy 3 $2.99 Image 2808 2011 4
Thanks to John Jackson Miller at www.comichron.com for the initial Diamond sales figures data
You can see complete monthly Diamond sales chart data and more stats at his site !
I am always happy to hear your comments and thoughts/criticisms on any of my posts.
Terry Hoknes (author) of Hoknes Comics loves analyzing statistics and watching the growth and fall of comic titles over a period of time. He sells all of the latest hot back issue secondary market new comics and all new Diamond products at www.HoknesComics.com and also self-publishes a series of books called “Investing In Comic Books” that focus on the Golden, Silver and Bronze ages of comics. hoknes@hotmail.com
I found (7) copies of Strain #1 for $1.00 each at my LCBS yesterday. Needless to say, I snatched them all up like a greedy b@$tard. Would you consider these a rare and good find? Since then, I’ve been covering 2 states this week (in and out of comic book stores) during my travels. It’s been fun and crazy.
I managed to find a 2nd printing of Think Tank #1 and several copies of Clone #1 (1st printing). I then went and got 2 runs of (Number 13 1-4). It’s been a tough week. Moving forward is easier, but hunting for back issues following announcements can be crazy. I got caught up in the heat and I’m glad I got what I got, and it’s fun, but It’s good to breathe every now and then.
Unfortunately, I did not get “The Last of Us”. Would you recommend to pick up the 2nd or 3rd printings? Do you anticipate the values to drop on this series since it’s based on a video game? What about Mass Effect? I’m thinking Halo maybe the next hit, but I don’t know.
September is going to insane…
There will not be any other reprints of The Last of Us American Dreams besides the second prints that came out for #1. You see any of the first three issues, buy them and flip them. Great score on the Clones by the way.
Today I got :
Last of Us American Dreams #2
Strain #1
Strain #1 1 in 5 variant
Watson and Holmes cover a and b
Clone #1 Charles Adlard Variant x 5
Avengers #257 (first Nebula who will be in the Guardians of the Galaxy Movie)
Yesterday I was in four shops and got:
Clone #1 x 15 copies (bring on the show)
A few Skywald horror mags for my personal collection
16 copies of clone #1!? :-o. Man, I thought I was insane. Sometimes I get attitudes from these cashiers because they identify me as a speculator and think I’m “pimping” out their merchandise in the secondary market. I guess I can’t blame them. Do you run into this?
I’m a fan of (Third Eye Comics/MD), and their staff is really nice. No attitude there. This store is one of my favorites. They sell phantom variants at cover price and sponsor signing events. They had the “Five Ghosts” signing. They’re having the Burning Orphanage signing, and Rat Queens signing. I’m hoping to incorporate some Peter Panzerfaust signings during that upcoming session. I got some really nice back issues between their two locations. I’m sure you’ve cleaned them out too.
I also went to (Laughing Ogre Comics/Phoenix) of Va…nice collection there too…but, their not the friendliest with speculators. I did get the Watson and Holmes A, B, and C from here. I managed to pick up multiple first and 2nd printings of Todd the Ugliest kid on Earth too. I basically cleaned them out. Good inventory of small prints here.
I went to this other store in MD (House of Pop Culture) today and picked up Batman Variant #7 new 52 (first appearance of Harper Rowe) and Batman variant #655 (first Damian Wayne) outside of graphic novel. Prices were good and employee was nice. I also found another copy of Clone #1 and Number 13 #1. I was surprised.
Big Comics in Va is nice too. I like how they have their back issues conveniently on the shelves. It makes it easy to go through without going through storage boxes. I haven’t been to the location in MD College Park.
And I’m through for a while….lots of driving on 95. I had to go for work, so I searched out local stores whenever I have to travel to make the most of the situation.
Please keep us up to date with strain, think tank, clone, number 13, todd, peter panzerfaust, and any other tv show/movies that caused this craze. :-). Cool!
I have been to Big Planet Comics in College Park, I go there quite often. Also I hit Alliance Comics in Silver Spring. I go to almost all the signings at Third Eye. They are a quality shop and by far the best in Maryland. The owner knows what he is doing. There is a small place in Annapolis too, called capital comics. They are small but I have found a lot of good buys there
Last Of Us 3rd printings are coming out right away. I personally think now is the wrong time to pay above cover for Last Of Us as I believe personally that it has peaked as the issue ends this week and there are more copies than ever for sale online.
Watson & Holmes also peaked very quickly with crazy sales the first week but havent noticed as much interest again since the market is full of copies.
The Strain – has also peaked for the time being.
Clone #1 still has potential but beware any other issues as they are actually still available for order at every comic shop. If the TV show is a reality of course that will help drive up the prices.
I will be posting my newest market report in 3 days !!!
I keep hearing about the 2nd prints of 2 and 3 but have not seen them. Prices have sipped on number 3 but I am still getting $16 for number 2. As for Watson and Holmes yes it jumped up to crazy amounts but I have sold 3 sets of 1a and b for $24.99 this weekend.
Sent from my iPhone
Oh and just sold the Strain #1 variant for $35.
Here’s a question. How does the current market compare to the market of 2005-2010? Do any of these books retain values above cover price?
Comic Lord – i am busy researching every single comic published between 1980 and 1999 from DC and Marvel to see just how many comics will hold their value or stay above cover price. So far I can say that for the 1980’s about 9% of all DC/Marvel comics are worth $10.00 or more which is not a lot of money but is 10x original cover price.
Thanks Hoknes. I wish I could go back and see what I was selling from that time period. I used to sell a lot on yahoo auctions back in the day, and then in the early parts of the 2000’s sold a lot on ebay. Especially signed and sketched covers.
Hokness, Comicflipper – Thanks. Your numbers are solid! I was curious to learn about the history of speculation moving forward. You made a good point about the print runs and everyone now keeping comics. If I could go back in time and grab a rack of action comics and detective comics, I would!
Another idea came to me involving the transition from print to digital. Perhaps there will be more demand of the current modern comic once the medium is majority digital (if and when that happens).
So far they say digital comics has BOOSTED sales for print copies. If digital takes over print then yes print runs would go down and comics would sell out quicker.