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Nick’s Picks 168

Nick’s Picks 168

A curated blend of comic book speculation and trivia compiled by the owner of Key Collector Comics. FULL-ACCESS to Key Collector for $1.99 per month. Save 15% when you SUBSCRIBE for one year.

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Juke Box Comics #4

Eastern Color ⋅ 1948

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$25

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$75

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$245

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Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Three Stooges: Moe, Larry, Curly

⚠️ Misconception: Three Stooges #1 (February 1949) is widely considered the first appearance of the Three Stooges despite this issue's publications six months prior

Nick's Picks

Many resources for comic info cite the first appearance of the Stooges on their 1953 series but multiple panels in this affordable issue show an unmistakable depiction of the trio - tap cover and swipe to view secondary image

Search Category MISCONCEPTIONS and BUYER BEWARE for more issues like this

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Three Stooges: Moe, Larry, Curly

⚠️ Misconception: Three Stooges #1 (February 1949) is widely considered the first appearance of the Three Stooges despite this issue's publications six months prior

Nick's Picks

Many resources for comic info cite the first appearance of the Stooges on their 1953 series but multiple panels in this affordable issue show an unmistakable depiction of the trio - tap cover and swipe to view secondary image

Search Category MISCONCEPTIONS and BUYER BEWARE for more issues like this

Terry-Toons Comics #16

Timely ⋅ 1944

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$50

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$150

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$500

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Full-page advertisement for Mighty Mouse theatrical shorts, published nearly two years prior to the character's first in-story appearance in Terry-Toons Comics #38 - tap cover and swipe to view the ad

Nick's Picks

For the mightiest of Mighty Mouse fans, there is a substantial advertisement in comics that preceded his first appearance that could be found in this issue

Search Category ADVERTISEMENTS or CHARACTER PREVIEW for pre-first appearance publications of characters yet to be revealed in story

Key Facts

Full-page advertisement for Mighty Mouse theatrical shorts, published nearly two years prior to the character's first in-story appearance in Terry-Toons Comics #38 - tap cover and swipe to view the ad

Nick's Picks

For the mightiest of Mighty Mouse fans, there is a substantial advertisement in comics that preceded his first appearance that could be found in this issue

Search Category ADVERTISEMENTS or CHARACTER PREVIEW for pre-first appearance publications of characters yet to be revealed in story

Void Rivals #1

Image ⋅ 2023

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Introduction of the Energon Universe, the shared universe of G.I. Joe and Transformers under Image

1st appearance of Darak, an Agorrian

1st appearance of Solila, a Zertonian

Nick's Picks

Named after the primary fuel of the Transformers, the shared Energon Universe (Transformers/G.I. Joe/ Void Rivals) introduced here has only gained momentum and will continue for the unforeseen future with big plans that will be revealed in the Free Comic Book Day Energon Universe special

Key Facts

Introduction of the Energon Universe, the shared universe of G.I. Joe and Transformers under Image

1st appearance of Darak, an Agorrian

1st appearance of Solila, a Zertonian

Nick's Picks

Named after the primary fuel of the Transformers, the shared Energon Universe (Transformers/G.I. Joe/ Void Rivals) introduced here has only gained momentum and will continue for the unforeseen future with big plans that will be revealed in the Free Comic Book Day Energon Universe special

Amazing Spider-Man #258

Marvel ⋅ 1984

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$35

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Key Facts

Reed Richards discovers Spider-Man's black costume is an alien symbiote

Debut of Spider-Man’s Bombastic Bag Man costume, a temporary disguise consisting of a Fantastic Four uniform with a brown paper bag for a mask

Nick's Picks

With both symbiotes and the Fantastic Four speculated to enter the mainstream Marvel Cinematic Universe, events from this issue could occur

Key Facts

Reed Richards discovers Spider-Man's black costume is an alien symbiote

Debut of Spider-Man’s Bombastic Bag Man costume, a temporary disguise consisting of a Fantastic Four uniform with a brown paper bag for a mask

Nick's Picks

With both symbiotes and the Fantastic Four speculated to enter the mainstream Marvel Cinematic Universe, events from this issue could occur

Fantastic Four: Life Story #1

Marvel ⋅ 2021

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Six-issue limited series that explores the lives of the Fantastic Four as they age in real time throughout the decades beginning in the 1960s while Reed obsessively prepares for the arrival of Galactus

[April 2024 - one of five issues Marvel Studios released in a list of comic books to read prior to the premiere of the Fantastic Four film]

Nick's Picks

Last year in April, Marvel released a must-read list of comics in preparation for the movie and along with the classics, this issue was also included and serves as a good snapshot of the team history

Search Category FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS for more issues both speculated and confirmed, related to the film

Key Facts

Six-issue limited series that explores the lives of the Fantastic Four as they age in real time throughout the decades beginning in the 1960s while Reed obsessively prepares for the arrival of Galactus

[April 2024 - one of five issues Marvel Studios released in a list of comic books to read prior to the premiere of the Fantastic Four film]

Nick's Picks

Last year in April, Marvel released a must-read list of comics in preparation for the movie and along with the classics, this issue was also included and serves as a good snapshot of the team history

Search Category FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS for more issues both speculated and confirmed, related to the film

Fantastic Four #47

Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2022

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$12

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Variant cover art by Russell Dauterman

Nick's Picks

Sue Storm will likely be the main focus of Fantastic Four: First Steps and this variant is inexpensive compared to others in Dauterman's series of alternate costumes

Search the Category COSTUME VARIANTS for Dauterman's theme

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Russell Dauterman

Nick's Picks

Sue Storm will likely be the main focus of Fantastic Four: First Steps and this variant is inexpensive compared to others in Dauterman's series of alternate costumes

Search the Category COSTUME VARIANTS for Dauterman's theme

Invisible Woman #1

Marvel ⋅ 2019

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Key Facts

First solo limited series featuring the Invisible Woman

Nick's Picks

Another issue that will pick up some demand based on the increasing hype for the Fantastic Four movie in July

Key Facts

First solo limited series featuring the Invisible Woman

Nick's Picks

Another issue that will pick up some demand based on the increasing hype for the Fantastic Four movie in July

Batman #386

DC ⋅ 1985

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Mid

$20

High

$75

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Key Facts

1st appearance of Black Mask, a crime boss who wore a mask carved from the casket lid of his deceased father

Nick's Picks

Absolute Batman is a phenomenal reminder that Black Mask, whose darkness is perfect for a Batman movie, is a terrifying villain that has yet to make a live-action appearance

Key Facts

1st appearance of Black Mask, a crime boss who wore a mask carved from the casket lid of his deceased father

Nick's Picks

Absolute Batman is a phenomenal reminder that Black Mask, whose darkness is perfect for a Batman movie, is a terrifying villain that has yet to make a live-action appearance

Punisher #218

Marvel ⋅ 2018

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$15

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$50

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Key Facts

1st cameo appearance of the Punisher War Machine armor

Legacy numbering based on #1 of the 1987 series continues with #218 thru #228

[Aug 2019 - Overheard at Boston Comic Con: Jon Bernthal's Punisher could return to the MCU in the Punisher War Machine armor]

Nick's Picks

Way back in 2019, an inside source was told during the Baltimore Comic Con that Marvel has plans for the Punisher that is inspired by this war armor's design and though many things may have changed, the rumor is still a possibility considering Charlie Cox's 'we need an army' line in Daredevil: Born Again

Search Category THE SPEC DECK for more issues of upcoming movies, TV or comics that could potentially introduce a new character or other insider knowledge passed along to Key Collector Comics

Key Facts

1st cameo appearance of the Punisher War Machine armor

Legacy numbering based on #1 of the 1987 series continues with #218 thru #228

[Aug 2019 - Overheard at Boston Comic Con: Jon Bernthal's Punisher could return to the MCU in the Punisher War Machine armor]

Nick's Picks

Way back in 2019, an inside source was told during the Baltimore Comic Con that Marvel has plans for the Punisher that is inspired by this war armor's design and though many things may have changed, the rumor is still a possibility considering Charlie Cox's 'we need an army' line in Daredevil: Born Again

Search Category THE SPEC DECK for more issues of upcoming movies, TV or comics that could potentially introduce a new character or other insider knowledge passed along to Key Collector Comics

Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu #32

Marvel ⋅ 1977

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$18

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$75

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Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Daughters of the Dragon: Colleen Wing and Misty Knight

Nick's Picks

Part of the army in Daredevil season two could be the Daughters of the Dragon

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Daughters of the Dragon: Colleen Wing and Misty Knight

Nick's Picks

Part of the army in Daredevil season two could be the Daughters of the Dragon

Dark Reign: Mr. Negative #1

Non-Key

Marvel ⋅ 2009

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Nick's Picks

There is a lot of speculation that Mr. Negative will be a villain in Brand New Day and here is his first and only series

Nick's Picks

There is a lot of speculation that Mr. Negative will be a villain in Brand New Day and here is his first and only series

28 Days Later #1

BOOM! ⋅ 2009

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$30

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Key Facts

Premiere issue of a series that connects the movie '28 Days Later' with the sequel '28 Weeks Later'

[January 2024 - Sony acquired the rights to the sequel]

Nick's Picks

28 Years Later dropped a new trailer for the June 20th film

Search Category 1ST SEEN ONSCREEN for more adaptions of movies and TV into comics

Key Facts

Premiere issue of a series that connects the movie '28 Days Later' with the sequel '28 Weeks Later'

[January 2024 - Sony acquired the rights to the sequel]

Nick's Picks

28 Years Later dropped a new trailer for the June 20th film

Search Category 1ST SEEN ONSCREEN for more adaptions of movies and TV into comics

Green Lantern #25

DC ⋅ 2007

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$35

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Key Facts

1st full appearance of the Scarred Guardian, a Guardian of the Universe

1st cameo appearance of Atrocitus and the Red Lantern Corps

1st cameo appearance of Larfleeze and the Orange Lantern Corps

1st cameo team appearance of the Blue Lantern Corps

1st cameo appearance of Munk and the Indigo Lantern Corps

1st cameo team appearance of the Black Lantern Corps

Death of Anti-Monitor

Cameo appearance in background of an Alien Xenomorph, Predator and the Pale Man from Pan's Labyrinth as various Lanterns

[April 2025 - Paul Ben-Victor casting as Antaan has caused speculation that it might be Atrocitus]

Nick's Picks

Some early speculation that the newest casting of Paul Ben-Victor as Antaan for DC's 'Lanterns' HBO show could be Atrocitus

Search Category GREEN LANTERN CORPS for for members of the force who have appeared in at least 15 issues

Key Facts

1st full appearance of the Scarred Guardian, a Guardian of the Universe

1st cameo appearance of Atrocitus and the Red Lantern Corps

1st cameo appearance of Larfleeze and the Orange Lantern Corps

1st cameo team appearance of the Blue Lantern Corps

1st cameo appearance of Munk and the Indigo Lantern Corps

1st cameo team appearance of the Black Lantern Corps

Death of Anti-Monitor

Cameo appearance in background of an Alien Xenomorph, Predator and the Pale Man from Pan's Labyrinth as various Lanterns

[April 2025 - Paul Ben-Victor casting as Antaan has caused speculation that it might be Atrocitus]

Nick's Picks

Some early speculation that the newest casting of Paul Ben-Victor as Antaan for DC's 'Lanterns' HBO show could be Atrocitus

Search Category GREEN LANTERN CORPS for for members of the force who have appeared in at least 15 issues

	Publisher	Low	Mid	High
Juke Box Comics #4	Eastern Color	$25	$75	$245
Terry-Toons Comics #16	Timely	$50	$150	$500
Void Rivals #1	Image	$1	$2	$4
Amazing Spider-Man #258	Marvel	$3	$9	$35
Fantastic Four: Life Story #1	Marvel	$1	$2	$5
Fantastic Four #47	Marvel	$1	$3	$12
Invisible Woman #1	Marvel	$1	$2	$4
Batman #386	DC	$5	$20	$75
Punisher #218	Marvel	$5	$15	$50
Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu #32	Marvel	$5	$18	$75
Dark Reign: Mr. Negative #1	Marvel	$1	$2	$4
28 Days Later #1	BOOM!	$3	$9	$30
Green Lantern #25	DC	$3	$9	$35

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