Key Collector Comics

CGC Hottest 10 of 2024

CGC and Key Collector Comics have partnered up to provide collectors with a unique overview of activity on the secondary market.  Featured below is the 2024 Year-End Review of the Key Collector Comics Hot 10 Market Analysis.  Key Issue listed have appeared with the most frequency on the Key Collector Comics Hot 10 throughout 2024.

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Venom #3

Marvel ⋅ 2018

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Venom #3
 
Low
$15
Mid
$50
High
$150

Key Facts

1st full appearance of Knull,the creator of the Symbiote alien race

Knull's first cameo appearance is in Thor: God of Thunder #6

The spiral emblem associated with Knull is a reference to Chthulhu mythology

Knull was the first being that existed in nothingness that preceded the creation of the current Marvel Universe

[September 2024 - the latest Venom trailer revealed Knull to be a villain in the film]

2024 Review

🏆 #10 on the 2024 Year End Hot 10

Appeared on the Hot 10 for 7 weeks

Spent 3 consecutive weeks in the #1 spot

Notable sale: a 9.9 sold for $4,200 in November - the first sale in this grade and the single highest graded copy in existence

Majority of sales occurred in 9.8: 282 sales, the fourth highest quantity of individual copies sold since 2018 – 577 copies in 9.8 sold in 2020

Ungraded Near Mint copies sell for $150 versus the 2024 average CGC 9.8 of $215 (+43%)

Most recent CBCS 9.8 sale $157 versus recent CGC $199 sale (+27%)

9.8 average sale 5 years ago: $215 versus today $70 (+207%)

Did not qualify for the Hottest 10 of 2023

Editorial Summary:

The most recently published book among all of the others that ranked on the list

The introduction of Knull made a late play in the year to qualify as a top book due to a surprise cameo of the symbiote god in Venom 3

Despite an onscreen appearance, the value of the book did not skyrocket as expected due in part to Sony’s handling of the Spider-Man Universe (Madame Web, Morbius, Kraven) but also because the inclusion of Knull seemed like a desperate attempt to increase interest in the franchise by adding the element of impending cosmic horror

The formula of a slow introduction worked for Thanos who first appeared in the Avengers (2012) for a mere 15 seconds

Thanos appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) for about one minute, then another 15 second appearance in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

2018’s Infinity War gave Thanos 31 minutes of onscreen time, more than any other character in the movie (followed by Gamora with 20 minutes)

Six years passed between the introduction of Thanos and the true threat of the antagonist

While this could still happen with Knull, the architecture of his introduction seemed more cosmetic than integral and true success would see the villain crossing over to the MCU to face a larger cast of legacy heroes

Silver Surfer #1

Marvel ⋅ 1968

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Silver Surfer #1
 
Price Trend
Low
$180
Mid
$450
High
$1.8k

Key Facts

First solo ongoing Silver Surfer series

Origin of the Silver Surfer

Origin of the Watchers

1st appearance of Shalla-Bal

Silver Surfer first says, "where soars the Silver Surfer...there must he soar alone!"

[April 2024 - Shalla-Bal portrayed by Julia Garner will be a version of the Silver Surfer in the Fantastic Four film]

2024 Review

🏆 #9 on the 2024 Year End Hot 10

Appeared on the Hot 10 for 9 weeks

Spent 1 week in the #1 spot

Notable sale: a 9.8 of the Boston Pedigree sold for $132,000 and eclipsed the previous $27,000 high from 2007 by +389%

Majority of sales occurred in 5.0: 48 sales – the highest quantity of individual copies sold on record for any year

Ungraded Near Mint copies sell for $350 versus the 2024 average CGC 5.0 of $498 (+42%)

Most recent CBCS 7.5 sale $1,000 versus recent CGC $1,169 sale (+17%)

5.0 average sale 5 years ago: $443 versus today $498 (+12%)

5.0 average sale 10 years ago: $212 in 2014 versus today $498 (+135%)

5.0 average sale 15 years ago: $106 in 2009 versus today $498 (+370%)

Did not qualify for the Hottest 10 of 2023

Editorial Summary:

Ever since Marvel Studios proved how successful they could be in adapting comic book stories into live-action, collectors and fans of all varying degrees of interest expressed interest in the universe’s Silver Surfer

In April 2024, a casting announcement confirmed the Silver Surfer will appear in the Fantastic Four: First Steps film, portrayed by Julia Garner, a female version of the character named Shalla-Bal

Shalla-Bal had never been the Silver Surfer in the mainstream Marvel Universe which could be why Silver Surfer #1 is further down the on the Hot 10 than anticipated

Collectors are generally wary of considerable deviations from source material

It is speculated that Shalla-Bal will be the first herald of Galactus and a more traditional version of the Surfer will follow but any reliable information has yet to be revealed

Hulk #1

Marvel ⋅ 2008

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Hulk #1
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$75

Key Facts

1st cover appearance of the Red Hulk, General 'Thunderbolt' Ross

Death of Abomination, initially suspected to have been shot to death by the Hulk but later revealed to be murdered by the Red Hulk

1st team appearance of a new Winter Guard roster: Red Guardian, Ursa Major, Crimson Dynamo, Darkstar

⚠️ Debatable Firsts: the interior story is about a murder perpetrated by, who is believed to be the Hulk, Bruce Banner. Doc Samson as an investigator is piecing together what occurred and the panels depict a recreation of events from his point-of-view with the belief that it is Bruce Banner, the green Hulk who is the killer

[October 2022 - Harrison Ford has been cast as General Ross in Thunderbolts / July 2024 - Red Hulk confirmed to appear in Captain America]

2024 Review

🏆 #8 on the 2024 Year End Hot 10

Appeared on the Hot 10 for 8 weeks

Highest ranking: #2 spot in Week 38 Notable sale: a 9.9 Hero Initiative sold for $1,000 and established a new record over the previous $875 high from 2022 (+14%)

Majority of sales occurred in 9.4: 211 sales – the highest quantity of individual copies sold on record for any year

Ungraded Near Mint copies sell for $75 versus the 2024 average CGC 9.8 of $274 (+265%)

Most recent CBCS 9.8 sale $250 versus recent CGC $275 sale (+10%)

9.8 average sale 5 years ago: $143 versus today $274 (+92%)

9.8 average sale 10 years ago: $55 in 2014 versus today $274 (+398%)

9.8 average sale 15 years ago: $27 in 2009 versus today $274 (+915%)

Did not qualify for the Hottest 10 of 2023

Editorial Summary:

While the announcement that Harrison Ford would portray General Thunderbolt Ross after the death of William Hurt did not do much for this issue, promotional teasers of the Red Hulk had a significant effect on elevating the value of this issue

Transformers, The #1

Marvel ⋅ 1984

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Transformers, The #1
 
Price Trend
Low
$18
Mid
$60
High
$180

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Autobots: Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Prowl, Ironhide, Huffer, Cliffjumper, Sideswipe, Hound, Gears, Brawn, Sunstreaker, Bluestreak, Windcharger, Ratchet, Wheeljack, Trailbreaker, Mirage

1st team appearance of the the Decepticons: Megatron, Starscream, Buzzsaw, Thundercracker, Laserbeak, Frenzy, Skywarp, Rumble, Ravage, Soundwave

2024 Review

🏆 #7 on the 2024 Year End Hot 10

Appeared on the Hot 10 for 11 weeks

Spent 4 weeks in the #1 spot

Notable sale: a 9.8 Canadian edition sold for $3,899 outselling the previous high of $2,425 high from 2020 (+61%)

Majority of sales occurred in 9.6: 88 sales – the third highest quantity of individual copies sold on record

Ungraded Near Mint copies sell for $150 versus the 2024 average CGC 9.8 of $1,205 (+703%)

Newsstand (UPC/barcode) editions can sell for 2.5x the amount of Direct editions (Spider-Man head in UPC box)

9.8 average sale 5 years ago: $385 versus today $1,205 (+48%)

9.8 average sale 10 years ago: $280 in 2014 versus today $1,205 (+104%)

9.8 average sale 15 years ago: $217 in 2009 versus today $1,205 (+163%)

Did not qualify for the Hottest 10 of 2023

Editorial Summary:

Without a doubt, the Transformers comic book franchise has benefitted from being published by Image Comics, formerly published by IDW

Image has plans to expand the franchise in 2025 to the middle-grade reader market with Transformers: Worst Bot Ever - Meet Ballpoint

Also in 2025, Image will release hardcover collections of the new Energon shared universe that includes: Transformers, Void Rivals and the G.I. Joe series Duke and Cobra Commander series

Uncanny X-Men #130

Marvel ⋅ 1980

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Uncanny X-Men #130
 
Price Trend
Low
$18
Mid
$60
High
$180

Key Facts

The Dark Phoenix Saga Part 2

1st appearance of Dazzler

2nd appearance of Kitty Pryde

2nd appearance of Emma Frost

1st full appearance of Sebastian Shaw, the Black King

Jean Grey becomes the Black Queen of the Hellfire Club

2024 Review

🏆 #6 on the 2024 Year End Hot 10

Appeared on the Hot 10 for 14 weeks

Spent 2 weeks in the #1 spot

Notable sale: a 9.8 Newsstand edition sold for $2,200 outselling the previous high of $2,100 from 2023 Majority of sales occurred in 9.6: 91 sales – the highest quantity of individual copies sold on record for any year

Ungraded Near Mint copies sell for $200 versus the 2024 average CGC 9.8 of $1,567 (+684%)

There are 442 copies graded 9.8 on the CGC census versus only 5 copies in 9.8 on the CBCS census

9.8 average sale 5 years ago: $738 versus today $1,567 (+112%)

9.8 average sale 10 years ago: $320 in 2014 versus today $1,567 (+390%)

9.8 average sale 15 years ago: $319 in 2009 versus today $1,567 (+390%)

Ranked #4 on the Hottest 10 of 2023

Editorial Summary:

In 2024 it seemed that every collector wanted a small piece of Taylor mania as rumors of Swift would appear in Deadpool & Wolverine as the mutant Dazzler

Speculation intensified after Swift appeared with Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman and director Sean Levy at a Kansas City Chiefs game

Marvel stoked suspicion by releasing a Dazzler limited series and featuring the character on variants across multiple titles

Despite speculation falling flat, the value of X-Men #130 remains strong with a 90-day average in 9.8 of $1,402

Dazzler is still a viable character for the MCU to utilize in future projects, especially with the introduction of the X-Men

Uncanny X-Men #266

Marvel ⋅ 1990

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Uncanny X-Men #266
 
Price Trend
Low
$15
Mid
$50
High
$150

Key Facts

2nd appearance and first cover of Gambit

1st chronological appearance of Gambit in-story / in-continuity

X-Men Annual #14 went on sale three weeks before this issue and is often considered the first cameo appearance of Gambit

This would imply that his appearance is brief though he appears in 15 panels throughout X-Men Annual #14 with at least 10 instances of dialogue

Tap cover and swipe left to view images where Gambit is the main or partial focus of the sequence in X-Men Annual #14

Uncanny X-Men #266 was written as if it were to be published prior to the annual, therefore #266 would be the first chronological appearance of Gambit in-story (or in-continuity)

CGC, the grading certification company for comic books, recognizes Uncanny X-Men #266 as the first full appearance of Gambit

2024 Review

🏆 #5 on the 2024 Year End Hot 10

Appeared on the Hot 10 for 15 weeks

Notable sale: a 9.6 with a Mark Jewelers ad sold for $2,150 and established a new record over the previous $2,034 high from 2022

Majority of sales occurred in 9.6: 357 sales - the highest quantity of individual copies sold in 9.6 on record for any year

Ungraded Near Mint copies sell for $150 versus the 2024 average CGC 9.8 of $591 (+294%)

9.8 average sale 5 years ago: $388 versus today $591 (+52%)

9.8 average sale 10 years ago: $251 in 2014 versus today $591 (+135%)

9.8 average sale 15 years ago: $185 in 2009 versus today $591 (+219%)

Did not qualify for the Hottest 10 of 2023

Editorial Summary:

Nearly two decades have passed since X-Men: The Last Stand premiered in theaters, the movie that was supposed to introduce Channing Tatum as Gambit but the character had been written out of the screenplay

Deadpool & Wolverine served fans a self-deprecating version of Gambit that was well received in the context of the film

There remains solid potential for this book's value proposition as Marvel Studios eyes the future of the universe with the introduction of the X-Men

Incredible Hulk #340

Marvel ⋅ 1988

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Incredible Hulk #340
 
Price Trend
Low
$20
Mid
$80
High
$275

Key Facts

Iconic cover art by Todd McFarlane

2024 Review

🏆 #4 on the 2024 Year End Hot 10

Appeared on the Hot 10 for 18 weeks

Spent 2 weeks in the #1 spot

Notable sale: a 9.6 with a Mark Jewelers ad sold for $2,573, one of only two sales on record for this grade

Majority of sales occurred in 9.4: 159 sales – the highest quantity of individual copies sold on record for any year

Ungraded Near Mint copies sell for $300 versus the 2024 average CGC 9.8 of $979 (+226%)

Most recent CBCS 9.8 sale $875 versus recent CGC $910 sale (+4%)

9.8 average sale 5 years ago: $385 versus today $979 (+154%)

9.8 average sale 10 years ago: $237 in 2014 versus today $979 (+313%)

9.8 average sale 15 years ago: $220 in 2009 versus today $979 (+345%)

Did not qualify for the Hottest 10 of 2023

Editorial Summary:

While all of the other top Hot 10 books of 2024 can draw a direct line to the power of a blockbuster movie, Hulk #340’s success this year is not as simple to discern the root cause

True it was homaged for a split second in Deadpool & Wolverine but the book first landed on the Hot 10 in May, two months prior to the movie’s premiere

McFarlane himself can take credit for the issue’s success as his status in the heart of collectors has not wavered since becoming a pioneering force within the hobby during the mid-80s

Todd’s balance of professionalism, dedication to the medium, advocacy for stores and positivity toward secondary market resale value is the hallmark of a man whose influence on the hobby is up there with Stan Lee

His iconic work is consistently in demand and surges with even more collective interest as his contributions seep into the mainstream

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8

Marvel ⋅ 1984

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Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8
 
Low
$18
Mid
$60
High
$180

Key Facts

"Secret Wars" part 8

Origin of the black symbiote costume that later bonds with Eddie Brock to become Venom

2nd appearance of Spider-Woman, Julia Carpenter

2024 Review

🏆 #3 on the 2024 Year End Hot 10

Appeared on the Hot 10 for 21 weeks

Spent 9 weeks in the #1 spot

Notable sale: a 9.9 sold for $10,800 in April, the second highest in grade behind 2019’s high of $16,800

Majority of sales occurred in 9.6: 408 sales – the highest quantity of individual copies sold on record for any year

Ungraded Near Mint copies sell for $175 versus the 2024 average CGC 9.6 of $259 (+48%)

Most recent CBCS 9.8 sale $425 versus recent CGC $455 sale (+7%)

9.8 average sale 5 years ago: $271 versus today $490 (+81%)

9.8 average sale 10 years ago: $212 in 2014 versus today $490 (+131%)

9.8 average sale 15 years ago: $78 in 2009 versus today $490 (+528%)

Did not qualify for the Hottest 10 of 2023

Editorial Summary:

Having potential in multiple franchises – Sony’s Spider-Man Universe and the Marvel Cinematic Universe has energized interest in Secret Wars #8 like never before. Venom 3 affected this issue substantially, evidenced by the increase in demand and price paid for this Key Issue in the second half of 2024

With early rumors that symbiotes will be featured in the fourth Spider-Man movie and the potential of Knull, the god of symbiotes crossing over to the MCU, symbiote-related Key Issues are poised for a strong 2025 and beyond

Wolverine #1

Marvel ⋅ 1982

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Wolverine #1
 
Price Trend
Low
$12
Mid
$40
High
$130

Key Facts

First solo Wolverine title

1st cameo appearance of Yukio

First use of the phrase, 'I'm the best there is at what I do'

2024 Review

🏆 #2 on the 2024 Year End Hot 10

Appeared on the Hot 10 for 27 weeks

Spent 10 weeks in the #1 spot

Notable sale: a 10.0 sold for $27,000 in June beating the previous high of $15,535 from 2009

Majority of sales occurred in 9.8: 334 sales – the highest quantity of individual copies sold on record for any year

Notable sale: a 10.0 sold for $27,000 in June beating the previous high of $15,535 from 2009

Ungraded Near Mint copies sell for $175 versus the 2024 average CGC 9.8 of $595 (+204%)

Most recent CBCS 9.8 sale $386 versus recent CGC $500 sale (+30%)

9.8 average sale 5 years ago: $271 versus today $595 (+57%)

9.8 average sale 10 years ago: $212 in 2014 versus today $595 (+181%)

9.8 average sale 15 years ago: $200 in 2009 versus today $595 (+198%)

Ranked #1 on the Hottest 10 of 2023

Editorial Summary:

There is no doubt that the Deadpool & Wolverine film captured the interest of collectors who engage with varying degrees in the hobby

Key Issues of secondary importance to the history of the character become increasingly popular when the first appearance is beyond the average budget

As comic book news continues to affect values, it is worth considering which secondary Key Issues might increase in demand after the initial rush for the first appearance subsides

New Mutants #98

Marvel ⋅ 1991

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New Mutants #98
 
Low
$40
Mid
$120
High
$400

Key Facts

1st appearance of Deadpool, a subject of the Weapon X program

1st appearance of Copycat, impersonating Domino

1st appearance of Gideon, a member of The Externals

2024 Review

🏆 #1 on the 2024 Year End Hot 10

Appeared on the Hot 10 for 29 weeks

Spent 8 weeks in the #1 spot

Majority of sales occurred in 9.6: 432 sales – the fourth highest quantity of copies sold annually on record

Ungraded Near Mint copies sell for $325 versus the 2024 average CGC 9.6 of $509 (+57%)

Most recent CBCS 9.6 sale $400 versus recent CGC $452 sale (+13%)

9.6 average sale 5 years ago: $324 versus today $509 (+57%)

9.6 average sale 10 years ago: $321 in 2014 versus today $509 (+59%)

9.6 average sale 15 years ago: $89 in 2009 versus today $509 (+472%)

Ranked #2 on the Hottest 10 of 2023

Editorial Summary:

Production of the first Deadpool movie released in 2016 was first announced to the public in 2014

The difference in sale price after the announcement shows how impactful the film was for New Mutants #98

Demand for graded copies have consistently been 3x greater than prior to 2014

The franchise has created stability in the value of this book’s average sale for the past decade and it is unlikely that the value will experience any significant decrease

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