COMIC MARKET ALERT!! 4/17/21!!

Hello Comic Cadets! Who here alongside my bro Ted back after a little hiatus. Got my first dose of that sweet sweet vaccine and like mothers milk it’s rejuvenated hope for all comic lovers and collectors that conventions and movie going may be coming back sooner than we think.

Before we get into the next alert that I know you’re eager to hear I’d like to formally apologize for the delayed alerts and being away. My real job takes up many hours of the day normally and during pandemic it has become an all day thing. Though I’m nearing the end of my seasonal work and will have plenty of time soon I do feel like I’m missing out on many opportunities with the end of WandaVision and Falcon & Winter Soldier. To make up for it I’ve decided to eventually go back and do an overview of the last two shows. I have drafted the March Comic Watch and will just release it along the April Watch after the current Marvel show wraps up. Once again sorry for the delay and thanks for understanding. Now back to the alert!

THE TRUTH

The second to last episode of The Falcon & the Winter Soldier, “Truth”, has aired and just when you think it couldn’t get better it does. After years of Marvel reeling us in and gutting us and then revitalizing us, they’ve now decided to turn up the volume up as an older seasoned and more matured audience settles into this new streaming platform. Think about it- we’ve been watching MCU over a decade and even I was still fresh out of college when Iron Man 1 hit. After a decade of hits that spawned iconic properties like Black Panther and Luke Cage, Falcon & WS have become the latest property to tackle the true life struggle of Black representation not only in the MU and media but in real life as well. The addition and revelation of Isaiah Thomas, the first Black Captain America has opened the door for a 2003 storyline that generated tons of talk and with the current political climate not only may it be the best time for it but it’s also important to have popular media reflect real life onto itself. So many people want to use movies, television and sports as an “escape” and for too long that’s what they have been. It’s time to see them more as an outlet because that’s what they’ve always been. A megaphone where greater issues at large can be brought to the general public in a manner that they can understand and relate with. Those against using creativity as a platform for education and change view entertainment as a depressant meant to dull and numb the senses or a stimulant meant to heighten tension and conflict. To them TV and film is just another pill to swallow in the long list of substances they take and feed to keep the public subdued.

Anticipating interest and reaction it would be a wise play to scoop TRUTH: Red, White and Black #1 (2003) first appearance of Isaiah Bradley. I held back on this because I was thinking he was going to only have that one appearance but when they brought him back for another episode to have him drop one of the most powerful scenes and lines we’ve ever heard in the MCU, I quickly went and found an nice copy. Doesn’t seem like this comic had a high print run and upon the character’s reveal on the show the comic was getting a $75+ new listing. There also seemed to be very few issues at first listed but after this week’s episode the number of listings has spiked and the Bid Now price has settled around $50+.

With Luke Cage out of the picture (for now) and the impact and buzz it would create, I can anticipate a mini series based on the comic in the next phase. Content is king right now so any character with powers or show potential is more than likely going to get a shot. Think of the MCU same way you see the MU. Lots of characters get their short print run or limited series and eventually their own headlining series so now that the MCU has been well established you can expect the same mentality being applied. Lots of small short run mini series and shows. Maybe even straight to Disney+ films. Shorts, cartoon series anything and everything is on the table and for Disney it is now all about keeping viewers glued to the streaming app.

SPOILERS AHEAD

The main comic that broke the net was Strange Tales #159. The Silver Age Dr. Strange/SHIELD shared title was where both characters made their name before breaking out into their own solo titles and it also featured many first appearances of SHIELD villains and cosmic characters. One of which was introduced in episode 5 with a sweet surprise cameo.

Judo Chop!

Appearing as Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine, beloved comedian Julia Louis-Dreyfus seems to be taking up the HYDRA mantel as she steps in to take control of John Walker. After Endgame we kind of forgot about HYDRA and even I thought we prolly wouldnt seem them again for the foreseeable future. That all changed with Dreyfus who may be in line to be a major player in the current and coming phase. Though you can prolly make some good money with a quick first hype sale now since there aren’t many issues listed and GD/VG being above the $100, I would hold on to this one for some time. Maybe we see her again in Black Widow but my guess she will make an appearance in Secret Invasion, Armor Wars or even Captain Marvel 2. When she makes her move to a film that will be the time to sell.

Strange Tales wasn’t as popular as some of the other comic titles so finding high grade copies might be a challenge and if you do after this appearance you can expect to include an arm and a leg. If you see this under $100 scoop it as it will be a nice seller throughout phase 4.

Also be sure to grab Captain America #110 the actual first appearance of Madam Hydra as collectors and fans are already anticipating her eventual reveal in the MCU.

QUICK HITS

Time is running out to buy or sell your Falcon and Winter Soldier related comics. Lots of key issues popped with this series but not many survived. Here is a quick run through:

Captain America #312 First Flag Smasher – This comic should’ve popped but we know lots of comic incels love to hate on gender swaps and female actors. It would be a shame if that is the case as to why comic collectors haven’t given it more attention. Without a comic accurate costume to wow the stickler fans, the ultra picky nerd hasn’t been ranting and raving to boast the character online. Though Erin Kellyman has done a decent job making the character go from doe eyed revolutionary to misguided dangerous threat, I don’t see the character making it past the last episode. Flag Smasher sees his death in Cable & Deadpool #28 so we can all expect the same fate awaits Karli Morgenthau.

SELL

Captain America #341 First Lemar Hoskins as Battlestar – This issue saw a nice jump when ClĂ© Bennett first appeared as the character in episode 2 but with his death in episode 4, everyone dumped the comic as there was no future in it. Or is there? Hoskins was a trainee under Taskmaster in the comics so we may see him again in Black Widow which takes place after Civil War. During that time Hoskins is probably doing service in Afghanistan with John Walker and if Taskmasters survives Black Widow (which we are all hoping) maybe we get a shot of him training the future Battlestar. Highly improbable but never ruled completely out. Dump it as high as you can and scoop a high grade low.

SELL

Captain America #354 First John Walker as US Agent – is in something of a limbo. Depending on the finale this comics future hangs in the balance. I think a lot of fans have grown to love to hate Wyatt Russell’s potrayl of the character and it would be interesting to see him be a Hydra pawn throughout Phase 4 rather than killed off at the end of the series. Marvel has learned that killing off villians really doesnt work out for them especially if it is a great acting job or beloved actor. This can go either way but if you are gonna collect this be sure to get yourself a decent copy.

BUY

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