COMIC MARKET WATCH 2022 -MULTIVERSE EDITION Part 2

We covered the past for the TV Streaming series so now let’s cover the features.

The Past

Phase 4 was going to be the phase when Black Widow would finally be released in theaters as the film that would lead the new era of Marvel Studios, but a pandemic put a halt to that until Disney decided to keep the people happy and capitalize on the fact that families were staying at home and eating up their streaming service. So instead of releasing Black Widow to empty theaters they thought of the fans and blitzed them with a rearranged schedule that lead with their premiere tv shows and bought time for BW in the hope COVID would subdue and raise box office numbers for its premiere. A duel streaming and feature release was a first for Disney and I think is the eventual future for entertainment. As someone who enjoyed the film in the comfort of my home I hope Marvel does more dual releases, just inform your actors beforehand.

1. Avengers #195 (1980) – First appearance of Taskmaster probably was the biggest and most disappointing comic during Phase 4 as the comic character was gender bent and severely altered from it’s comics persona. Changing it from a man to a woman wasn’t the problem, what did hurt was changing Taskmaster into an obedient robot with no personality. Taskmaster was just a mindless killing machine closer to the T-1000 than the slick mouthed villain that was hoped to be molded into the MCU’s Deadpool. Unless they give us a better rendition this comic doesn’t have a future.

2. Inhumans #5 (1998) – As mentioned previously actors and actresses who nail a side character have the potential to move on and and that’s exactly what Florence Pugh has done with her role as Yelena Belova. She stole the show in Black Widow and has found herself taking the place of Scarlett Johansson whose relationship with Marvel & Disney has probably soured after BW was released in streaming and there was a contract dispute between the two that has since been settled. Pugh has gone on to appear in Hawkeye after she was featured in an post-credits scene in BW with Julia Louis-Dreyfus who we know as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. This all but confirms she will be in the upcoming Thunderbolts which could be Marvel’s answer to DC’s Suicide Squad.

3. Avengers #43 (1967) – The only other comic to survive this film and to be honest was quite surprising it did, was first appearance of Red Guardian. This was the kind of character Marvel typically kills off for dramatic effect but they decided to keep him alive at end of the film and because once again the character is played by an actor that fans love in Stranger Things alum David Harbour, this comic has a chance to survive and be a money maker for phase 4 and beyond. Whose to say he wont appear in the Thunderbolts film or another show? He’s a great actor and brings in viewers so watch for Marvel to take full advantage. This is a rare Silver Age issue that is still affordable and under the radar. High grades are barely commanding four digit prices. Time is now.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was another fun well put together film that at times felt like a lot was being crammed into a small space but ultimately was a great martial arts action film that reminded me of days I used to watch HK action, wire work films of Yuen Woo-ping and early Jackie Chan. Simu Liu was a great choice for Shang Chi and I look forward to seeing him be folded into more films. It’s gonna be really crucial to nail the sequel and rather than another Lord of the Rings epic journey, I’d love to see them use Awkwafina and do their version of something similar to Big Trouble in Little China. Considered a homage to classic Kung Fu films, BTiLC did so by properly casting the biggest Asian stars in the genre at the time. Not to mention it was directed by John Carpenter one of Hollywood’s great directors. The film is one of the few that did it right back then which allows it to still survive in today’s climate.

1. Special Marvel Edition #15 (1973) – The First Appearance of Shang Chi is no longer an easy $150 buy as the book skyrocketed once word of the casting got out. While high grades will cost you $5k and up this is still an affordable book by major key standards when considering low and mid grades. This is a book where prices are still fluctuating even long after the film’s release to streaming. This will not last especially if Shang Chi is given a sequel for Phase 6 or beyond. Eventually the price will stay high as long as Marvel puts Shang Chi in a property.

2. Master of Kung Fu #26 (1975) – The first appearance of Cursed Lotus, Fah Lo Suee the half sister of Shang Chi, is not the first appearance we are looking for, yet. Later renamed Zheng Bao Yu, this character was the basis for Xu Xialing who doesn’t have a true first appearance in the comics. That could and more than likely will change in the future so until it does settle for this issue. Once Xu Xialing is officially introduced, jump on that comic as it will be one of the hottest to debut.

3. Tales to Astonish #90 (1967) – Normally, I don’t do an issue twice, but I’m compelled to do so now only because there really wasn’t anything else that survived the film! All the other characters with any potential were killed off and this being the first appearance of the Abomination, one can expect this book to be pretty hot in the next couple of months. Maybe one of the hottest.

While many want to claim Eternals was Marvel’s first official flop, I can make the argument it was one of its best films. The ending alone is enough to get me to watch the whole thing and its tempered pacewas just a different kind of superhero film. The VFX were some of the best yet and it will be interesting to see how this team gets folded into this saga. Regardless of what the haters think, Marvel will probably not give up on this franchise and actually force fans to watch and eventually fall in love with it. The did it with Guardians, they can do it with this. It just might take a different approach or maybe a new director and writer.

1. Eternals #1 (1976) – First appearance of Eternals has been a great book to collect during the past and present saga. It created a lot of profit and even is one of the few books where if you’re lucky, you just might score one with a Jack Kirby signature on the front page. Even with a decent film attached the comic could not survive fans disinterest in the characters and the book saw a significant decrease once the movie came out. If you didn’t sell then it might be super difficult selling this book now to gain a profit. Hold this issue and wait to see what is done with the franchise.

2. Eternals #2 (1976) – A great under the radar key that no one is thinking about offers the first full appearance of the Celestials who ultimately stole the show in Eternals. With word that Marvel has trademarked the title Celestials: End of Time one has to wonder if that will be the sequel to Eternals, a new series or feature, or something else entirely different. Either way Celestials will be big players in the future of Marvel especially as we get deeper into the cosmos.

3. Avengers #48 (1967) – The Silver Age first appearance of the third Black Knight is one of the fastest rising books. Though the characters was somewhat of an afterthought in Eternals, he was played by fan favorite Kit Harington who is always a pleasure to watch. Remember the formula, good casting as well as another recent trademark (Black Knight: Origins) equals a really tough book to score if you didn’t do so already. The only hope you have is to scoop the book is before a film or show is announced or he has an appearance in another franchise. Out of sight, out of mind, out of pocket, in your collection.

I should be able to talk about how Spider-Man: Now Way Home made all these Spider-Man books blow up but on the contrary. IMO, as a huge Spider-Man fan, I feel the film hurt the overall value of Spider-Man comics. Sony has been desperate to bring Sinister Six in some incarnation to the big screen rather than keep exploring the single villain formula, until they get it right. They wanted to create something of their own Avengers: Endgame and their Sony/Marvel bastard child of Oscorp left more questions than answers. What felt as a attempt to sell box sets made me start to wonder if it’s time Sony gave up the rights to Spider-Man. They are killing every single character in the Spider-Man universe and if they aren’t put in check, will have wasted an entire catalog of great stories and characters just to keep making the same Sony executive a ton of money. Know this, Spider-Man comics will never reach their true potential as long as Sony has a hand in making their films. Watch and see when X-Men films are finally made by Marvel what that does to the value of X-Men comics. You actually don’t have to wait, just go look at the Fantastic Four.

1. The Amazing Spider-Man Annual #1 (1964) – First appearance of Sinister Six is not a book that is easily attainable. Hard to find and now nuclear in price, the first hints of a Sinister Six team go back to the Amazing Spider-Man franchise that sent this book soaring to be one of the most sought after. Only on here because in terms of grails it is still lower in price compared to others and is still hindered by Sony’s ownership, I want to think it’s an attainable book for the average collector. Good luck.

2. The Amazing Spider-Man #238 (1983) – Though not a character in the film there were hints that were more like jokes about Ned’s future as Peter’s best friend and the villain known as Hobgoblin. With the fact that all of the world has forgotten who Peter Parker is the door is now open for Ned to become an evil villain. Why not? In the MCU he and MJ are still friends and whose to say he doesn’t have feelings for her? Peters inability to keep away from Mary Jane will eventually lead them to cross paths and this time it could cause the jealousy and pain needed to eventually create Hobgoblin. It’s going to be difficult to bring a proper incarnation of Green Goblin now that Sony has rendered the character useless along with the other great Spider-Man characters, so there will be a need to fill that goblin glider addiction. Word has it the future does not look bright for Spidey as Sony seeks to start making major creative changes to characters as that they try have their own version of the MCU. If what they say is true about Kraven and Madame Web reveals itself to be another sham, Sony will fall back to what it feels comfortable doing which is the Green Goblin storyline and Mary Jane love arch. They know nothing else. They’ll swap out Green for Hob and turn our lovable guy in a chair into a guy on a glider. BONUS: Try to score this issue with the Tattooz insert in place.

3. Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2 (1964) – Though this book does have a first appearance in that of Xandu an evil sorcerer, the more important thing is that this comic is the first meeting between Spider-Man and Doctor Strange. Illustrated by both characters creator, Steve Ditko, this issue is one of the few annuals that hold a lot of significance that people don’t really think about. Overlooked and still affordable this is a great ASM annual to add to the collection if you can’t score the number 1.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness was one of those Marvel films that will garner a ton of debate between fans for years to come. Overall a great, fun film that had Raimi’s signature all over it, I and many came away disappointed with some of the film’s decisions. Specially everything involving Elizabeth Olsen and her character Scarlet Witch. Many had hoped to see her actually team up with Strange and unleash her new powers but all that was quickly snuffed out ten minutes in when she reveals herself to be the main antagonist. From then on while trying to focus on the film fans are left wondering why this was done and I ultimately couldn’t shake it. After seeing our favorite Avenger commit suicide, it was a sad and twisted way to end the tortured character and with the MCU’s Reverse Bucky Plus Coulson Policy, there really is a good chance we won’t see her back anytime soon. Maybe in the new show Agatha: Coven of Chaos we will see Scarlet Witch brought back it really doesn’t make sense with the way they tuned her into a supervillain. She wasn’t just robbing a bank, she became a threat to the existence of reality. That’s Thanos level. While recent revelations in comics point to Wanda having the ability to resurrect herself, that may or may not come into play especially with the MCU treading further into the Multiverse for now.

1. Fantastic Four #46 (1961) – First appearance of Black Bolt along with the other Inhuman first appearances saw themselves reach new record breaking prices when the Inhumans show was announced and scheduled to premiere but after it did and revealed the significant difference in quality between Marvel TV and Marvel Studios, the comics took a nosedive and were some of the biggest crashes in collecting. Though Agents of SHIELD did it’s best to keep Inhumans relevant and alive, the power of Marvel Studios could not be matched and collectors and fans moved away from the characters as it seemed there was no plan of bringing them back. That all changed with DS:MoM when Black Bolt in his original costume, showed up alongside Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four. It was a major shock and a major boost to the prices of the related comics. Not only did it show fans that Marvel Studios is not going to let any of characters remain in limbo but they are going to do them right and exactly how Marvel intends them to be.

2. New Avengers #7 (2005) – First appearance of the illuminati – With major Marvel characters being revealed I could’ve gone several ways with what comic to include here. Since Captain Carter was attached to What If? and there are more comics to point to, rather than do another repeat listing I went with the first appearance of the Illuminati as their appearance laid the groundwork for the future of the 616. We didn’t just see another universe, we saw the future. Kang and Secret Wars may be the focus of the current saga but eventually the Illuminati will be created in our Marvel Universe and this comic will be much harder to find.

3. Vengeance #1 (2011) – If I had to pick I’d be very tempted to name this comic the MVP of the not only Phase 4, but of all the years and sagas and comics thus far. No book in my opinion has commanded such a strong price and been able to sustain it than this one. It was only now after the films release the comic has seen a decline in price. Chavez is one of many new LGBTQ+ characters Marvel is pushing to the front and she is one of the few Latin characters in the Marvel universe and comics in general. Not only that, retailers only ordered 25,000 copies making Vengeance #1 one of the hardest comics to find. Notoriously impossible to win in an online auction, there’s a good bet you will overpay for this book which is what keeps it at the top of the collecting list.

The Present

Thor: Love & Thunder is the best movie of Phase 4. Hands down. While critics and anti-wokers are growing tired of Taika Waititi’s antics (2 films in and people are complaining, WTF?), we true Marvelites are absolutely head over heels for this combination of he and Hemsworth. I and the entire theater laughed out loud throughout the film and even I was surprised when the audience broke out into applause at the end. I was caught off guard because in reality I wanted to clap but I remembered that GIECO commercial where they guy is showing people how not to be like their parents and there’s that one gag where they clap in the theater and he goes “No one from the movie is here.” I actually thought of that and hesitated and then the whole theater started applauding. I was so pissed that I didn’t clap. You’re not just praising the filmmakers when American audiences applaud, you are praising the experience- the theater, the ticket guy, the person going to clean up the nachos from the floor- as well as the filmmakers. Applauding is an American trait, but if you’ve ever seen a CAM film, you know cheering for films doesn’t just happen in the US. Audiences worldwide love the theater experience and if a film hits, people are going to cheer. This movie was a great ride and awesome entry into phase 4 and it’s a shame that Natalie Portman’s character of Jane Foster was ultimately unable to survive. It’s comforting knowing she’s in a good place in Valhalla but could there be a chance for her to come back? Hopefully. Until then I’ll be looking forward to the next Thor films which should be immediately put into production.

1. Thor #1 (2014) – In the end, the first female Thor in Marvel canon didn’t reach the levels of other Modern Age first appearances and with Jane Foster’s end it seems that the book will probably never reach its full potential. If Marvel decided to bring Portman back or give her a series, that would ignite the book once again but right now, it’s just a good comic to have in the collection. It’s a great cover, great interior artwork and beautifully written but otherwise this book along with all the other female Thor firsts havee joined Foster in the afterlife.

2. Journey into Mystery Annual #1 (1965) – The introduction of the Gods in the MCU really opened the door for a whole new world of Thor issues and it’s going to be fun to watch where the franchise goes from here. Casting Russel Crowe as Zeus was a great move but I immediately was like there goes that idea when he was killed. It was good to see Marvel reassure fans and collectors that the character is going to always have a spot in the MCU and now that Hercules has been folded into the mix the next era of Thor is going to be fun to watch.

3. Thor Annual #5 (1976) – First Appearance of Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder wasn’t the book I originally was going to throw on here but they were so hilarious in the movie that I couldn’t help myself. I also took into account that these characters were going to stick around while the others weren’t books that would carry over through the entire saga. It’s a fun, novelty book that has a high level of collectability and will be bought and sold for years to come.

The Future:

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will be the final film of Phase 4 and the recent trailer that has dropped has revealed some but very little about the direction the franchise will go after the passing of Chadwick Boseman. Could Letitia Wright be in line to dawn the Black Panther uniform or will online nutjob conspiracy theories be correct in thinking it’s Killmonger come back from the dead? We will have to wait and see so in the meantime focus on what the trailers have to offer and go from there.

1. Sub-Mariner #1 (1968) – First Namor solo in the Silver Age and origin of Namor is a great first big key for starter collectors as a low grade will probably run you close to $500 right now but that price won’t last. It’s a book that all major collectors covet because Namor is one of the few Marvel characters that can be traced back to the Golden Age. His first appearance in Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1, a comic from 1939, went for $27,500 in 2017 for a CGC 3.5. Collectors on a budget will probably never even see this comic in their lifetime, let alone hold one. So instead focus on his Silver Age appearances which are great comics to own and a lot easier to find. For now.

2. Ultimates #1 (2015) – First appearance of Ayo of the Dora Milaje, is a great book to scoop. Though an unnamed appearance, the character’s appearances in more and more properties is a big deal for collectors who want more Wakanda related characters to read about and collect their issues. Her appearance on Falcon and Winter Soldier could’ve earned her a spot in that list but I decided to save it for this film on the assumption she will have a bigger role.

3. Black Panther #1 (1998) – The first appearance of Okoye and Nakia is now the most important comics related to Black Panther. A lot will depend on the direction Marvel decides to take the franchise but it’s never a coincidence when they use a title directly pulled from the comics. It will be interesting if they decide to go that route and [POSSIBLE SPOILER] a villain but I don’t think it will be [SPOILER] but instead someone else more prominent that stands out in the trailer if you know what I mean. Let’s see. This is going to be an interesting movie because nobody knows what to expect and that’s going to make or break some of these issues and many others for years to come.

Join me for Part 3 where we will dive into Phase 5 TV series and the best comics to collect!