Journey Into Mystery Annual #1

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Release Year: 1965
Recent Value: 7.0 sold for $1,050
Key Reason: First Appearance of Hercules and Zeus

Journey Into Mystery Annual #1 has jumped in value after the reveal of Hercules in the post-credit scene of Thor: Love and Thunder. Zeus also appeared in the film. We likely will see this book rise in value even more due to the future of Hercules in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso) has been cast as Hercules.

Marvel trademark filings in July has rumors swirling on the importance of Hercules moving forward. Trademark was filed for Hercules: Rise of the Gods among others. Journey Into Mystery Annual #1 could rise even more with an official announcement in the future.

Each month we pick our favorite hot comics of the moment. Here is the comics that jumped into the spotlight for the month of June!

Spectacular Spider-Man #98

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Release Year: 1985
Recent Value: 9.8 sold for $600
Key Reason: First Appearance of The Spot

Spectacular Spider-Man #98 has jumped in value due to news that The Spot will appear as the villain in Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse in 2023.

The Boys #1

Publisher: WildStorm Productions (DC)
Release Year: 2006
Recent Value: 9.8 sold for $425
Key Reason: First Issue of The Boys

The Boys #1 returned to a higher value after the premiere of season three of the Amazon Prime series.

Spawn #38

Publisher: Image Comics
Release Year: 1995
Recent Value: 9.4 sold for $40
Key Reason: First Appearance of Cy-Gor

Attention was on Spawn #38 as Todd McFarlane announced plans to bring an animated RAW10 show to television. Cy-Gor is the only Spawn character to appear in the toy line.

Amazing Spider-Man: The Movie #1

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Release Year: 2012
Recent Value: High grades sold for $125
Key Reason: Andrew Garfield/Emma Stone Photo Cover

Andrew Garfield has a CGC signing coming up and the theory is people want this Amazing Spider-Man movie comic to get it signed. No other reason can be determined for this book’s spike in value.

Incredible Hulk #449

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Release Year: 1997
Recent Value: 9.8 sold for $650
Key Reason: First Appearance of The Thunderbolts

The super secret Marvel film, Thunderbolts, now has a director and writer. This news made the market go crazy for this first appearance of the group Thunderbolts. Although, this iteration of the group is not likely to be the group on screen.

The connection between the comic book world and the world of tv and film has grown over the last number of years. This connection has added to the world of speculation comics and trying to find the right book to invest in can be hard.

Speculation comics, also known as spec books, are comics with the possibility to increase in value due a number of factors. The biggest factor as of late is rumors of a tv show or movie being made to feature the story or character in the book. Other factors include limited printings, errors, ratio variants and more.

Here is a list of affordable (under $100) speculation comics to invest in right now. However, we always suggest you only collect speculation comics you like with the possibility these books don’t turn out to be valuable.

Secret War #2 (2004)

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Gabriele Dell’Otto
Current High Grade Raw Value: $20

First appearance of Quake (Daisy Johnson). The character Quake, played by Chloe Bennet, was introduced on tv screens in the Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. ABC series. Rumor is that Quake is expected to appear in upcoming Secret Invasion Disney+ series with Bennet reprising her role.

We Live #1 (2020)

Publisher: AfterShock Comics
Writer: Roy Miranda
Artist: Inaki Miranda
Current High Grade Raw Value: $25

We Live is a five-part series put out by AfterShock Comics. The first issue has jumped in value due to the rumors out of MegaCon that Hulu is developing a television series based on the comic book.

Marvel Holiday Special #1 (1991)

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Various Writers
Artist: Arthur Adams
Current High Grade Raw Value: $10

In this Holiday Special issue, Santa Claus is revealed to be an Omega Level Mutant. The theory is James Gunn might introduce Mr. Claus during his Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special being released in late 2022 on Disney+.

Black Panther #3 (2022)

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: John Ridley
Artist: Alex Ross
Current High Grade Raw Value: $40

On top of Black Panther #3 being the milestone 200th issue, it also marks the first appearance of Tosin Oduye a young man from a village that shuns Wakandan tech. Tosin is expected to show up in future comics and possible tv or film projects.

Batman #6 (2012)

Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Greg Capullo
Current High Grade Raw Value: $60

I mean do we need another reason to purchase a Greg Capullo / Scott Snyder Batman issue? This issue marks the first appearance of the Court of Owls. Speculation has an appearance in Batgirl on HBO Max and as the villain of the Batman in the sequel to Robert Pattison‘s The Batman.

Amazing Spider-Man #365 (1992)

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: David Michelinie
Artist: John Romita Sr.
Current High Grade Raw Value: $25

Somewhat of a controversial issue. CGC, the leader in comic book grading, has labeled this issue as the first appearance of Spider-Man 2099. Others disagree as the first appearance is in the five-page preview of the forthcoming Spider-Man 2099 #1 issue. The first appearance of Spider-Man 2099 could be big due to his teased post-credit appearance in Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (2018) film. He is expected to play a big role in the sequel, Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse due out in 2023.

Both ASM #365 and Spider-Man 2099 #1 are $25 books, so you pick which will be the better investment or just do what I do and collect both. Also, ASM #365 is the 30th Anniversary of Spider-Man book.

Marvel Point One #1 (2011)

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Adam Kubert
Current High Grade Raw Value: $30

The first appearance of Sam Alexander as Nova. Deadline reported in March 2022 a Nova project is in the works. Wether it will be a feature film or television show is yet to be announced. Additionally, will they focus on Richard Rider as Nova or go more current with Alexander. Our theory is BOTH versions of Nova will appear in whatever project comes out. This also makes Nova #11 (2016) a great pick up, as this is the first meeting of the two.

Nova could be big in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and this could a huge in the world of speculation comics.

New Avengers #40 (2008)

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Aleksi Briclot
Current High Grade Raw Value: $30

First character appearance of Skrull Queen Veranke. Rumor has it Emilia Clarke has been cast in the role of Veranke for the upcoming Secret Invasion Disney+ series.

Marvel Super-Heroes #8 (1991)

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Artist: Erik Larsen
Current High Grade Raw Value: $100

First appearance of Squirrel Girl. Milana Vayntrub has been voicing Squirrel Girl for some time now in the Marvel Rising franchise and the Marvel and Sirius XM’s Squirrel Girl: The Unbeatable Radio Show podcast. However, the success and popularity of the character and her appeal to the young adult crowd is a FAVORITE for a bigger role longterm in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and putting your bets in this book is a great idea.

There was a New Warriors tv show in production and set to air on Freeform in 2018, but the series was officially cancelled for a number of reasons in 2019. Vayntrub was set to reprise her role as Squirrel Girl. This does not mean there isn’t a future for the character on the screen. Let the speculation begin!

Plus side, the value of this book is not expected to drop anytime soon.

Star Wars: The High Republic #1 (2021)

Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Cavan Scott
Artist: Phil Noto
Current High Grade Raw Value: $15

The Star Wars franchise is doing very well on Disney+ currently and Lucasfilms continues to go back to the well of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. However, in the near future they will have to go another direction and that direction could very well be The High Republic.

This first issue features first appearances of Keeve Trennis, Sskeer, Estala Maru, and Avar Kriss, plus cameos of Burryaga Agaburry and Elzar Mann. All characters who could make an appearance on the small or large screens.

Betting on this book or even IDW’s Star Wars Adventures: The High Republic #2 for the appearance of Marchion Ro is a great speculation bet in most comic book minds.