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The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 02/08/2012

Matt Baum — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:02:44 +0000

Adventure Time #1 (Cover D)

The Comic Speculator is a blog written by WorthPoint Comic Book “Worthologist” Matt Baum that takes a look at each week’s hot new comics and back issues and the comic market place in general. Prices discussed here are taken from the Overstreet Guide to Comics (OVST), Comicspriceguide.com (CPG) and current online auction sales. Sales numbers and rankings are courtesy of ICV2.com. The codes under the prices of new titles discussed are Diamond Comics order codes that can be used to help your local comic retailer in ordering the issues discussed. If you want to hear what this nerd sounds like you can catch him on his podcast, the Two-Headed Nerd Comicast, where he and his friend Joe discuss the latest comic news, review some new comics, and answer your questions.

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Feb. 8. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

Here’s a list of all the variants shipping from Diamond this week and some info on the hot ones. The variant Ratios (i.e.; 1:10) represent how many of the regular issues the retailer has to order to receive one of the variants. If a ratio is not included it’s because I couldn’t get the information or because the variant is a new printing. The prices I post here are suggested, reasonable prices based on the ratios and may be higher or lower at your comic shop. Click here for this week’s complete shipping list.

AMRYL:

Cavewoman Feeding Grounds #1 (Budd Root Special Edition). Limited to 750 copies.
Cavewoman Feeding Grounds #1 (Budd Root Special Nude Edition). Limited to 750 copies and yep, she’s nekid.

AVATAR

Dicks #1 (John McCrea Classic Black & White Variant Cover), 1:3
Ferals #2 (Gabriel Andrade Slashed Variant Cover), 1:3

BOOM!

Adventure Time #1 (Covers B Jeffrey Brown)

Adventure Time #1 (Covers C Jeffrey Brown)

Adventure Time #1 (Covers B & C Jeffrey Brown), 1:10. These two fit together to make one awesome image. Watch for a $5-$6 cover price.

Adventure Time #1 (Cover D Chris Houghton), 1:25. Great cover here from Chris Houghton, creator of Reed Gunther for Image comics. Watch for a $17-$20 price tag and expect this one to be hot.

Elric The Balance Lost #8 (Cover C Francesco Mattina), 1:10
Peanuts #2 (of 4)(Charles Schultz First Appearance Of Lucy Variant Cover), 1:15

BOUNDLESS:

Lady Death #14 (Michael Dipascale Art Deco Variant Cover), 1:3
War Goddess #5 (Michael Dipascale Art Deco Variant Cover), 1:3

DARK HORSE:

Conan The Barbarian #1 (Becky Cloonan Variant Cover)

Conan The Barbarian #1 (Becky Cloonan Variant Cover), 1:5. Nice variant from Cloonan here. I’m really looking forward to her work on this title. Watch for a $6-$7 price tag.

DC:

Batwoman #6 (Amy Reeder Wraparound Variant Cover)

Batwoman #6 (Amy Reeder Wraparound Variant Cover), 1:25. Again, this one is not a wraparound but a sketch cover. Come on, DC! My copywriting offer stands. I’ll work for free comics even! Watch for an $8-$10 price tag and don’t pay much more because theses sketch variants aren’t selling for much more than that on the back issue market.

Green Lantern #6 (Doug Mahnke Black & White Variant Cover)

Green Lantern #6 (Ivan Reis Variant Cover)

Green Lantern #6 (Doug Mahnke Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200. DC has got to make up its mind with these. Are they going to look like the 1:25 sketch variants that zoom in on part of the cover art or are they going to be straight sketch covers? Which is it going to be, guys? Regardless of their constantly switching design choices, retailers are asking anywhere from $150-$200 for this cover and, like I say every week, it’s way too much. If you need this one you will be able to find it for $100 or less. Copies of the GL #5 1:200 sketch variant are selling for $50-$60 on eBay as I write this. Play it smart and you can get this one for a steal.

Green Lantern #6 (Ivan Reis Variant Cover). Retailers could order this variant based on the lowest-ordered DC New 52 #6 relaunch title for this week. I’m guessing Mr. Terrific is the lowest-ordered at most shops. Stay as close to cover price as possible here. It’s possible that DC printed one of these variants for every issue of Mr. Terrific. Probably not, but the point is these aren’t ratioed variants and most of them are selling for cover price online.

DYNAMIC FORCES

Fall Into Fun Collector’s Set, $50. Limited to 75 copies, but I have no idea what’s in this set. All the solicitation says is “three signed comics (each with DF Certificate of Authenticity), one DF Exclusive edition comic book and mix of 48 great comic books!” So, what’s in it?

Warlord Of Mars #14 (Ale Garza Exclusive Risque Red Cover), $14.99
Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris #9(Ale Garza Exclusive Risque Red Cover), $14.99. Limited to 300 copies.

DYNAMITE

Garth Ennis’ Ninjettes> #1 (Admira Wijaya Virgin Variant Cover), 1:10
Garth Ennis’ Ninjettes #1 (Johnny Desjardins Black & White Variant Cover), 1:15
Kevin Smith’s The Bionic Man #6 (Alex Ross Virgin Variant Cover), 1:15
Kevin Smith’s The Bionic Man #6 (Jonathan Lau Black & White Variant Cover), 1:25
Kevin Smith’s The Bionic Man #6 (Jonathan Lau Variant Cover), 1:10
Kirby Genesis Silver Star #3 (Alex Ross Virgin Variant Cover), 1:10
Kirby Genesis Silver Star #3 (Jae Lee Black & White Variant Cover), 1:15
Kirby Genesis Silver Star #3 (Mark Buckingham Virgin Variant Cover), 1:25
Warlord Of Mars #15 (Ale Garza Risque Art Variant Cover), 1:10
Warlord Of Mars #15 (Stephen Sadowski Mars Red Variant Cover), 1:20

IDW:

Doctor Who Classics Series 4 #1 (of 6)(John Ridgway Variant Cover), 1:10
Dungeons And Dragons #15 (Steve Ellis Variant Cover), 1:10
John Byrne’s Next Men Aftermath #40 (John Byrne Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10
Memorial #3 (of 6)(Michael Wm. Kaluta Variant Cover), 1:10
Snake Eyes #10 (Tom Whalen Vertically Inter-Connected Variant Cover), 1:10

IMAGE:

Darkness #90-#95 Signed Set (Issue 90 signed By Phil Hester), $19.99. Limited to 35 sets.
Echoes Complete Signed Set, $9.99. Limited to 125 sets.

MARVEL:

Deadpool #50 (Blank Variant Cover). Retailers had to exceed their orders of Fear Itself X-Force #1 before they could order as many blank variants as needed at the standard cover price, plus discount. That means don’t pay more than cover for these. Then, go to one of the summer’s many comic book conventions and seek out your favorite Deadpool artist and have them do a sketch on the cover. Then turn around and sell it on eBay for a boat-load of cash. Just make sure someone cool does your sketch.

Deadpool #50 (Nick Bradshaw Variant Cover), 1:50

Deadpool #50 (Nick Bradshaw Variant Cover), 1:50. Bradshaw seems to be taking over Marvel Comics of late with a flood of both variant and regular covers. Watch for this one to go up. Dead seems like it’s going to be pretty huge for Deadpool fans and I’d expect all the covers, regular and variant, to be hot. Watch for a $30-$35 price tag.

Secret Avengers #22 (Gabriel Hardman Variant Cover)

Secret Avengers #22 (Gabriel Hardman Variant Cover), 1:30. Outta nowhere, Marvel hits us with a 1:30 ratio. What the hell? I don’t remember the last time I saw a 1:30 from Marvel. Regardless, Gabriel Hardman is coming up and it’s well deserved. His work on Boom’s Planet of the Apes has been stunning and I’m looking forward to more. I couldn’t help but notice Venom on the cover here, but not the regular cover. Coincidence? Watch for a $15-$17 price tag.

Speculator Picks of the Week

These are comics that could sell out very quickly due to conservative ordering, popular demand, shipping errors or even a robot uprising at the new completely automated Diamond Comics shipping hub. Pick them up while you can or pay too much for them later. . .

Adventure Time #1

BOOM!/KABOOM!
Written by RYAN NORTH
Art by SHELLI PAROLINE and BRANDON LAMB

Solicitation: It’s Adventure Time! Join Finn the Human, Jake the Dog and Princess Bubblegum for all-new adventures through The Land of Ooo. The top-rated Cartoon Network show now has its own comic book! With the show exploding in the ratings, garnering rave online reviews, major cosplay at the San Diego Comic-Con, and huge displays dominating the New York Comic Con, it’s clear fandom is obsessed and 2012 is the Year of Adventure Time! Don’t miss out on this new phenomenon—this first issue is sure to get snapped up!

32 pages
$3.99
Sold Out

Why it’ll go fast: If you haven’t had a chance to catch Adventure Time on the Cartoon Network, do yourself a favor, set your DVRs to record and get ready to laugh. Adventure Time is fun, hilarious, creative, suitable for all-ages and won’t insult you or your little guy’s intelligence. It’s like Dungeons and Dragons for kids staring a kid and his talking, shape-changing dog. I absolutely love it. Because of the buzz behind the show, there’s huge demand for the comic and Adventure Time #1 sold out last week. Already a second printing is being rushed to press and pre-sales on the first-prints are going nuts. We had 10 people at my shop add this comic to their pull-files yesterday alone. Watch for Adventure Time #1 to disappear from shelves very quickly.

Deadpool #50

Written by DANIEL WAY
Art by CARLO BARBERI

Solicitation: Could this be it? Has everyone’s favorite Merc With A Mouth finally made an appointment with Lady Death? This February, witness the biggest change in Deadpool’s life as “DEAD” kicks off in Deadpool #50! From the creative team of Daniel Way & Carlo Barberi, Deadpool’s lease on life is about to expire and those around him are going to feel the consequences, including X-Force! Following the epic battle with his former body parts gone rogue, Wade Wilson makes a monumental decision that will forever change who he is. See how it all goes down this February, in Deadpool #50!

40 pages
$3.99
DEC110676

Why it’ll go fast: This is the beginning of the “Dead” story-line, a four-part story in which Daniel Way is going to kill Deadpool, who we previously thought couldn’t die. See, like Wolverine, he’s got a healing factor that keeps him from dying. Unlike Wolverine, Deadpool’s healing factor is based on a mutated cancer gene, which makes him all bumpy and gross under his mask. Fans are pumped for this one, and so am I, but for a different reason: I haven’t been a fan of Way’s Deadpool and I’m hoping this storyline begins his exit from the title. Admittedly, I’m in the minority here because Way’s Deadpool sells very well for Marvel and there is a ton of buzz behind this storyline. Watch for this one to move quickly, but I don’t see it going for much over $10 for too long after the second printings hit.

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Matt Baum is WorthPoint’s comic book Worthologist. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact Matt or post your question below in the Comic Book Forum in the WorthPoint Forums, located in the Community tab. You can also reply to this article in the “leave a reply box below. If you need more comic-nerd in your life, you can follow Matt on Twitter, where he’s always screaming about something nerd-related. Thanks to all Matt’s new followers and keep the comments coming!

Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint to search its database or use its “Ask A Worthologist” feature. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

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The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 02/01/2012

Matt Baum — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:45:32 +0000

Stitched #1 (Mike Wolfer New York Comic Con Exclusive Edition)

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Feb. 2. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

ASPEN:

Fathom Volume 4 #4 (Cover C Alex Konat Sketch Incentive). Retailers could order three sketch covers for every 12 regular covers ordered.

Haunted City #2 (Cover C Beastly Incentive). Retailers could order three sketch covers for every 12 regular covers ordered.

AVATAR PRESS

Crossed Psychopath #5 (of 7)(Matt Martin Wizard Austin Con Shark Attack Cover), $5.99. Limited to 850 copies and pretty ridiculous.

Crossed Psychopath #7 (of 7)(Gianluca Pagliarani Auxiliary Edition), $3.99. Limited to 1,500 copies and laughably violent.

Stitched #1 (Mike Wolfer New York Comic Con Exclusive Edition), $3.99. Limited to 1,000 copies and I can’t tell what the hell is going on with this one. What am I looking at and where is that hand coming from?

BOOM!

Cliver Barker’s Hellraiser #10 (Cover C Tim Bradstreet), 1:10
Valen The Outcast #3 (Cover C Matteo Scalera), 1:10
Valen The Outcast #3 (Cover D Liam Sharp Negative Variant), 1:20
Valen The Outcast #3 (Cover E Ale Garza Sketch Variant), 1:25

Valen The Outcast #3 (Cover F Joe Jusko 9.8 CBC Variant)

Valen The Outcast #3 (Cover F Joe Jusko 9.8 CBC Variant), 1:50. The CGC Census isn’t listing how many of these were graded, but if we look at the last two issues, that number should be 75 copies. The 9.8 CGC graded issues of #1 and #2 are both selling for at least $200 and don’t look to be slowing down. I couldn’t get numbers on issue #2, but only 26 stores in the U.S. qualified for the graded Jusko variant of #1 and I would expect that number to continue to drop with each issue. That will make each of these 1:50 variants harder to find going forward. Watch these, but also, keep in mind that paying $200 upfront on this variant might not get you any kind of return in the future. Don’t go nuts here. Watch for a $100 price tag, but that could be very hard to find.

BOUNDLESS COMICS

Lady Death #10 (Rafa Lopez Auxiliary Cover), $3.99. Limited to 1,250 copies.
Lady Death #7 (Gabriel Andrade Baltimore Comic Con Cover), $9.99. Limited to 750 copies.
Lady Death #9 (Matt Martin Detroit Comic Con Fanfare Cover), $9.99. Limited to 750 copies. All three of these are not incentive variants; these are extra covers and covers left over from last year’s various comic conventions, so don’t pay more than MSRP if you need any of these covers.

DC:

Action Comics #6 (Andy Kubert Black & White Variant Cover)

Action Comics #6 (Andy Kubert Black & White Variant Cover) 1:200. And we’re back to the original look for the DC 1:200 sketch variants. Because, you know, these weren’t confusing enough when it made the switch to look like the 1:25 variants. Regardless, like every week, I’m going to warn you not to go nuts here. Copies of the 1:200 variant of Action #5 are selling as low as $50. So once again, if you can, watch for a $50-$60 price tag or just wait a couple of weeks and snag one off eBay for that price.

Action Comics #6 (Rags Morales Variant Cover)

Action Comics #6 (Rags Morales Variant Cover). Retailers could order this issue based on the number of the lowest-ordered DC New 52 #6 issue shipping this week (my guess is Men of War). These are not incentive variants so don’t pay much over cover price for this variant; you will be able to find it for cover or close to it somewhere. Side note: Do we know if Superman spent time with the Legion of Superheroes in post relaunch continuity?

Detective Comics #6 (Tony S. Daniel Wraparound Variant Cover)

Detective Comics #6 (Tony S. Daniel Wraparound Variant Cover), 1:25. This one is actually a sketch variant. Watch for a $7-$9 price tag and when your retailer tells you, “That’s insane. Where the heck did you get that price?” You tell them that according to Matt at the Comic Speculator™—a well respected comic book blog brought to you by the good people at WorthPoint—sketch variants of Detective #5 are now selling for less than $10 and haven’t hit the $20 mark since the beginning of January. Then you do a bicep-slap-flip-off gesture for added effect. Unless, that is, you plan on shopping with said retailer again.

Stormwatch #6 (Miguel Sepulveda Wraparound Variant Cover)

Stormwatch #6 (Miguel Sepulveda Wraparound Variant Cover), 1:25. DC just announced a creator shift on Stormwatch this week and it’s not because the title is a rollicking success. This one could be hard to find on the basis that most shops aren’t ordering the 25 copies needed to qualify for this variant, but that doesn’t mean you need to drop the $25 some retailers are asking. Wait and you can probably get this one for less than $10.

Swamp Thing #6 (Yanick Paquette Wraparound Variant Cover)

Swamp Thing #6 (Yanick Paquette Wraparound Variant Cover), 1:25. Again, this one is a sketch variant, not a wraparound. I’m just throwing this out there, but if DC needs a copywriter/editor/fact-checker-whateva, I’m available [suppressed laughter – Editor]. This is the third error I’ve seen this week. Just sayin’. Yanick Paquette is an amazing artist and I would guess prices on this cover will be a little higher than the other sketch variants shipping this week. Watch for a $12-$15 price tag.

DYNAMIC FORCES

George R.R. Martin’s A Game Of Thrones #1(Alex Ross Signed Exclusive Cover), $29.99. Limited to 150 copies.

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

Kirby Genesis Captain Victory #3 (Alex Ross Negative Variant Cover), 1:10
Kirby Genesis Captain Victory #3 (Alex Ross Virgin Variant Cover), 1:25
Kirby Genesis Captain Victory #3 (Michael Avon Oeming Sketch Variant Cover), 1:15
Kirby Genesis Captain Victory #3 (Michael Avon Oeming Variant Cover), approx 1:10
Warriors Of Mars #1 (Joe Jusko Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10
Warriors Of Mars #1 (Joe Jusko Negative Variant Cover), 1:15

IDW:

Anne Rice’s Servant Of The Bones #6 (of 6)(Jenny Frison Variant Cover), 1:10
Doctor Who #14 (Matthew Dow Smith Variant Cover), 1:10
G.I. JOE #10 (Tom Whalen Vertically Inter-Connected Variant Cover), 1:10
G.I. JOE A Real American Hero #175 (Larry Hama Sketch Variant Cover),
Infestation 2 Transformers #1 (of 2)(Livio Ramondelli Inter-Connected Tentacle Attack), 1:10
Locke And Key Clockworks #4 (of 6)(Gabriel Rodriguez Variant Cover), 1:10
Locke And Key The Guide To The Known Keys (One Shot)(Gabriel Rodriguez 2nd Printing Variant), $3.99

Locke And Key Volume 1 Welcome To Lovecraft HC (Special Edition), $100.
Limited to approximately 500 copies. Apparently this one is mysterious.

Magic The Gathering #1 (of 4)(Christopher Moeller Variant Cover), 1:20

Magic The Gathering #1 (of 4)(Eric Deschamps Variant Cover), 1:10. It’s funny, and I’ll have more about this in my Speculator Picks below, but the big draw here for most Magic fans is the free, exclusive card that only comes with the regular cover of the comic. Not the variants. Weird, right?

IMAGE

Fatale #1 (Sean Phillips 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.50

MARVEL

Avengers X-Sanction #3 (of 4)(Ian Churchill Variant Cover)

Avengers X-Sanction #3 (of 4)(Ian Churchill Variant Cover), 1:50. I always hate it when the Hulk has a gun. Even the Red Hulk. It’s just dumb. Hulk is strongest there is. He doesn’t need a gun. Even if it is a big one. Regardless of Hulks with guns, this is a nice cover and for some reason, it seems a little restrained for Churchill. I could get into this Churchill. I also don’t buy that Cable can just stick a knife into his arm, but that’s a different nerd-rant altogether. We now have two previous X-Sanction 1:50 variants and both are selling for under $25 so watch for a $20-$25 price tag.

Avengers X-Sanction #3 (of 4)(Leinil Francis Yu Variant Cover)

Avengers X-Sanction #3 (of 4)(Leinil Francis Yu Variant Cover), 1:25. The X-Sanction 1:25 variants are part of a four-piece, inter-connected variant that will make a really cool set when the series is complete. That said, people aren’t scrambling to buy these. Copies of the #1 and #2 variant are selling for $10 and sometimes a little less. Watch for a $10-$12 price tag and don’t be afraid to pluck these off eBay if you need them.

Defenders #3 (Adam Kubert Variant Cover)

Defenders #3 (Adam Kubert Variant Cover), 1:25. I love this one. I’m a big Kubert guy (all three of them) and have a serious soft spot for the Silver Surfer, so this one is probably coming home in the new pile. Watch for a $10-$12 price tag.

Defenders #3 (I Am A Defender Variant Cover)

Defenders #3 (I Am A Defender Variant Cover). Retailers had to exceed their orders of Ultimate Spider-Man #3 on this issue and they could order as many I Am A Defender variants as needed. Which, of course, always ends up in mystery pricing. None of these variants are selling for more than $5 online, so try to stick close to that. You might even be able to grab this one for cover price.

Carnage U.S.A. #1 (of 5)(Clayton Crain 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99

Venom #13 (Walt Simonson Variant Cover), 1:50. I know this says Walt Simonson, but I’m not seeing it. I love the guy, but this is unrecognizable. Not bad; just not the Simonson I love. Watch for a $25-$30 price tag and be prepared to pay for this one. All these characters have either seen their sales numbers dropping or, in the case of X-23 and Ghost Rider, their titles canceled. Retailers might be hesitant to order the 50 needed to get this variant, let alone the 100 for the sketch variant.

Venom #13 (Walt Simonson Variant Cover)

Venom #13 (Walt Simonson Sketch Variant Cover), 1:100

Winter Soldier #1 (Gabriele Dell'Otto Variant Cover)

Winter Soldier #1 (Gabriele Dell’Otto Variant Cover), 1:50. Watch for a $20-$25 price tag

Winter Soldier #1 (Joe Kubert Classic Artist Variant Cover)

Winter Soldier #1 (Joe Kubert Classic Artist Variant Cover), 1:25. Nicely executed Silver-Age-war-comic-feel for this one by Kubert senior. Watch for a $10-$12 price tag.

Winter Soldier #1 (Lee Bermejo Sketch Variant Cover)

Winter Soldier #1 (Lee Bermejo Sketch Variant Cover), 1:100. All you need to do to know how amazing Bremejo is at his job is to look at one of his sketch covers. The guy can do this with a pencil. Amazing. Watch for a $45-$50 price tag.

Wolverine And The X-Men #3 (Chris Bachalo 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99

Speculator Picks of the Week

These are comics that could sell out very quickly due to conservative ordering, popular demand, shipping errors or even a complete shutdown of the Eastern Seaboard as New England and New York fans square off in a pre-Super Bowl smack talk-off the likes of which this world has never seen. Pick them up while you can or pay too much for them later . . .

Magic the Gathering #1

IDW
Written by MATT FORBECK
Art by MARTIN COCCOLO

Solicitation: Get ready, Magic: The Gathering fans, there’s a new Planeswalker in town! In search of greater magical knowledge and on the hunt for the people who destroyed his town, Dack Fayden is the greatest thief in the Multiverse. When he gets his hands on his latest prize, though, he has no idea where it will lead him—or to who!

32 pages
$3.99
Sold Out

Why it’ll go fast: Back in the 1990s, you couldn’t wave a light saber in a comic shop without hitting a poly-bagged comic with a collectible card inside. It’s a tried and true practice by publishers and it’s never been more effective than with the new Magic series from IDW. Magic is a playable card game that’s been around for as long as I can remember and continues to be very popular. Whether the fans want to read a comic about their favorite game remains to be seen, but I’m betting the exclusive card drives sales here. #1 is already sold out and the true test will be what ends up on eBay—unopened bagged comics or just the card. IDW has done a fantastic job with their Dungeons and Dragons comics and Magic looks to be of the same quality, so maybe this is another hit. Or maybe it’s a good way for Wizards and IDW to make $3.99 on one card.

Fatale #2

IMAGE
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Art by SEAN PHILLIPS

Solicitation: The second issue of the hottest new series of 2012 is here! In modern times, Nicholas Lash searches for answers about the mysterious woman who ruined his life, while in the mid-1950s, reporter Dominic Raines is drawn down that same murderous path . . . The award-winning team of Brubaker and Phillips keeps the heat on high in this epic horror noir.

32 pages
$3.50
Sold Out!

Why it’ll go fast: Everyone has finally figured out that when Brubaker and Phillips work together, amazing things happen. That means you better have this series on your pull file or you’re not going to find a copy. #1 also sold out before shipping and is already selling for $15 and up for first-printings. Watch for the same to happen here. If you missed #1 and don’t want to shell out 15 bucks, there’s a second printing also shipping this week and it’s definitely worth a read.

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Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint to search its database or use its “Ask A Worthologist” feature. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

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WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 01/25/2012

Matt Baum — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:15:18 +0000

King Conan The Phoenix On The Sword #1 (of 4)(Gerald Parel Variant Cover)

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Jan.25. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

BOOM!

Incorruptible #26 (Cover B Matteo Scalera), 1:10

DARK HORSE:

King Conan The Phoenix On The Sword #1 (of 4)(Gerald Parel Variant Cover), 1:5. Geral Parel has been coming up through the ranks of comic painters for the last couple of years and with this new Conan variant, it might be safe to say he’s arrived. This is textbook fantasy comic painting, cheesy sunset and all. I love it. Watch for a $6-$8 price tag.

DC:

Aquaman #5 (Ivan Reis & Joe Prado Variant Cover), 1:25. Another of the 1:25 sketch variants from DC and I’m still digging on the layouts on these. Sales on the back issue market seem to have flattened out on these variants between $10-$14. Watch for a $10-$12 price tag here but they could go lower in the coming weeks.

Batman The Dark Knight #5 (David Finch & Richard Friend Variant Cover), 1:25. Same deal here as the Aquaman sketch cover, but I will say the Batman sketch covers seem to be selling for more than those of the other DC titles. Probably due to the popularity of the artists drawing them. I would guess this one will perform much like the Tony Daniel Sketch Variant of Detective Comics, which is selling for between $15-$18. Watch for a $12-$15 price tag initially.

Aquaman #5 (Ivan Reis & Joe Prado Variant Cover)

Batman The Dark Knight #5 (David Finch & Richard Friend Variant Cover)

Flash #5 (Francis Manapul Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200. You may notice that unlike the other DC New 52 1:200 sketch variants, this variant looks just like the 1:25 sketch variants. But it’s still a 1:200 variant, which could be upsetting for those collecting the 1:25 sketch variants. I’m getting dizzy just writing this. The point is, I don’t get it. Why switch now? It just don’t make no sense. Regardless, I’m sticking to my “don’t pay the suggested $200 retail price” diatribe because you can get it for at least $100 less.

Flash #5 (Gary Frank Variant Cover)

Flash #5 (Gary Frank Variant Cover). Retailers could order this cover based on their lowest-ordered DC New 52 title for this week. I’m guessing Blackhawks is this week’s big loser (it’s canceled with issue #7). Again, these variants are typically selling for cover price, so DO NOT PAY MORE THAN COVER! Just because your retailer only ordered one copy of Blackhawks #5 does not mean this variant was one per store.

Green Lantern New Guardians #5 (Tyler Kirkham & Batt Variant Cover)

Green Lantern New Guardians #5 (Tyler Kirkham & Batt Variant Cover), 1:25. Like I said, I’ve been digging these variants but is it just me or did they pick a weird part of the cover to focus on?

Justice League #5 (Eric Basaldua Variant Cover)

Justice League #5 (Eric Basaldua Variant Cover), 1:25. Nope, not a sketch variant. This is a different 1:25 variant by Eric Basluda, who is being referred to as E-Bas in some solicitations which makes him sound like a rapper. Basaluda got his start at Image Top Cow working on Witchblade back in the late 1990s. Since then, he’s continued to work with Top Cow and Zenescope and only recently has started working on covers for Marvel and DC. Watch for more from eBay in the future for a $15-$17 price tag.

Justice League #5 (Jim Lee Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200. Yep, two 1:200 sketch variants in one week. This should push the price of both down even more. Like the Flash 1:200 variant, this one has the same look as the 1:25 sketch variants and also leaves me scratching my head wondering why. Again, watch for a $90-$100 price tag.

Superman #5 (George Perez Variant Cover), 1:25
Teen Titans #5 (Brett Booth & Norm Rapmund Variant Cover), 1:25

DYNAMIC FORCES

Uncanny X-Men #544 (Dynamic Forces)(Greg Land Signed Edition) , $19.63. If ordered after FOC (final order cutoff) of Jan. 4, the price goes up to $39.95

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #8 (Ale Garza Variant Cover), 1:15
Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #8 (Tim Bradstreet Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10
Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #8 (Tim Bradstreet Virgin Variant Cover), 1:10
George R.R. Martin’s A Game Of Thrones #5 (Mike Miller Black & White Variant), 1:10
George R.R. Martin’s A Game Of Thrones #5 (Mike Miller Virgin Variant Cover), 1:15
Kirby Genesis #5 (Alex Ross Marvelous Acetate Variant Cover), 1:20
Kirby Genesis #5 (Alex Ross Sketch Variant Cover), 1:25
Kirby Genesis #5 (Ryan Sook Black & White Variant Cover), 1:15
Kirby Genesis #5 (Ryan Sook Variant Cover), 1:10
Last Phantom #11 (Jonathan Lau Variant Cover), 1:15
Last Phantom #11 (Stephen Sadowski Variant Cover), 1:10
Robocop Road Trip #2 (Fabiano Neves Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10
Vampirella #13 (Paul Renaud Blood Red Variant Cover), 1:15
Vampirella #13 (Wagner Reis Black & White Variant Cover), 1:25
Warlord Of Mars Fall Of Barsoom #5 (Francesco Francavilla Variant Cover), 1:10
Warlord Of Mars Fall Of Barsoom #5 (Francesco Francavilla Virgin Variant Cover), 1:20
Warlord Of Mars Fall Of Barsoom #5 (Joe Jusko Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10

FLESK PRODUCTIONS

Naughty And Nice The Good Girl Art Of Bruce Timm HC (Limited Signed Edition), $100. Limited to 1,000 copies.

IDW:

30 Days Of Night #4 (Kieron Dwyer Variant Cover), 1:10
Dead Rising Road To Fortune #3 (of 4)(Dead Rising Game Concept Art Team Variant), 1:10
Godzilla Kingdom Of Monsters #11 (Matt Frank Titanosaurus Variant Cover),1:10
Infestation 2 #1 (of 2)(David Messina Variant Cover), 1:10
Infestation 2 #1 (of 2)(Duane Swierczynski Signed Edition), 1:25
Infestation 2 #1 (of 2)(Joe Phillips Licensed-Character Sketch Variant Cover), 1:50
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6 (Rob Guillory Enter The Dragon Spoof Variant), 1:10
Transformers Robots In Disguise #1 (Dan Khanna Autobot Sketch Variant Cover), 1:50
Transformers Robots In Disguise #1 (Marcelo Matere Wraparound Variant Cover), 1:10

MARVEL:

Alpha Flight #8 (Leinil Francis Yu Variant Cover)

Alpha Flight #8 (Leinil Francis Yu Variant Cover), 1:15. This one could be tough to find, seeing as Alpha Flight has been a pretty big sales disappointment for Marvel, again. And I have to say, I love Yu’s art and Sasquatch is one of my favorite Marvel characters. But I do not love Yu’s Sasquatch. Watch for a $5-$6 price tag.

Avengers Solo #4 (of 5)(Movie Variant Cover), 1:15
Fantastic Four #602 (Kalman Andrasofszky Venom Variant Cover), 1:50

FF #14 (Michael Ryan Venom Variant Cover)

FF #14 (Michael Ryan Venom Variant Cover), 1:50. Not a bad cover but, happy Venom kids? Weird, right? But I love the Venom-Dragon Man. Watch for a $30-$35 price tag.

Mighty Thor #10 (Gerald Parel Venom Variant Cover)

X-Men Legacy #261 (Mirco Pierfederici Venom Variant Cover)

Mighty Thor #10 (Gerald Parel Venom Variant Cover), 1:50. This is another painted Geral Parel variant and, just like the Conan cover he also did this week, it’s amazing. Parel is definitely going to be one to watch this year. Watch for a $30-$35 price tag.

X-Men Legacy #261 (Mirco Pierfederici Venom Variant Cover), 1:50. And one more Venom variant from another of the very talented stable of artists Marvel has been recruiting from Italy. Watch for a $30-$35 price tag.

Speculator Picks of the Week

These are comics that could sell out very quickly due to conservative ordering, popular demand, shipping errors or even registered Republican UPS drivers staying home to try to figure out which one of the two GOP candidates is richer and lying more about the other while trying to cover their own past. Pick them up while you can or pay too much for them later . . .

Grimm Fairy Tales: Alice in Wonderland #1

ZENESCOPE
Written by RAVEN GREGORY
Art by ROBERT GILL

Solicitation: Decades ago, a girl named Alice was sacrificed into the horror-filled realm of Wonderland, but her terrifying and awe-inspiring experiences there have been shrouded in mystery. The one thing known is that her time spent in a world full of insanity left her a broken adult. However, her courageous will to survive is what ultimately saved humanity. Now, the story of Alice’s visit into Wonderland is fully revealed and the truth of the terror will be told in full! From Raven Gregory, Ralph Tedesco and Joe Brusha, the same minds behind Grimm Fairy Tales and Return To Wonderland comes the newest series that Zenescope fans have been waiting for. What every Zenescope fan has been waiting for is finally here! Follow Zenescope back down the rabbit hole and find a world of madness like you have never seen before!

$2.99
Sold Out

Why it’ll go fast: I’m not a big Zenescope reader, due to the cheesecake factor (cheesecake is a term to refer to scantily-clad women in compromising positions), but I can’t deny they have a ravenous fan base that seems to push all its new titles into sellouts. As of writing this, two of the tree covers offered have already sold out and I’m sure the other is soon to go. The early Zenescope Grimm Fairy Tales first printings are starting to sell for alarming prices, with complete runs selling anywhere from $300-$2,875 (1-65 with all variants). Alice is yet another Zenescope title that will be hard to find and sought after later on.

Transformers: Robots in Disguise #1

Written by JOHN BARBER
Art by ANDREW GRIFFITH

Solicitation: The war for Cybertron is over-now the hard part begins! This first of two new ongoing Transformers series offers an excellent jumping-on point and all-new direction as Bumblebee and his fellow Autobots struggle to maintain control of a world without Optimus Prime!

32 pages
$3.99
Sold Out!

Why it’ll go fast: I was as surprised as anyone after reading Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #1 for my Podcast and loving it. Who knew IDW was writing a socio-political drama starring transforming robots from my youth? And no, the storyline has nothing to do with the atrocious summer blockbuster movies. Like More Than Meets the Eye, this new series #1 also sold out before shipping and is going to be hard to find very soon. Already the other series is selling for $5 and up on eBay and I’m guessing this one will be a similar situation. Seriously, IDW’s Transformers series is great. Pick this one up if you can find it.

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Comics Auction Watch – Silver-Age Captain America, Amazing Spider-Man & X-Men

Matt Baum — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:19:23 +0000

UPDATED Wed., Jan 25, 2011 – 4:10 p.m.

The Comic Speculator is a blog written by WorthPoint Comic Book “Worthologist” Matt Baum that takes a look at each week’s hot new comics and back issues and the comic market place in general. Prices discussed here are taken from the Overstreet Guide to Comics (OVST), Comicspriceguide.com (CPG) and current online auction sales. Sales numbers and rankings are courtesy of ICV2.com. The codes under the prices of new titles discussed are Diamond Comics order codes that can be used to help your local comic retailer in ordering the issues discussed

The Back Issue Report

Welcome back true believers. It’s time again to set sail for the treacherous, icy waters of comic book back-issue marketplace in search of the catch of the month. (Today’s writing soundtrack was The Whole Love by Wilco)

Auction Watch!

Comic Link’s January Focused Auction begins closing this week, starting Tuesday, Jan. 24, and there are some amazing Marvel Silver-Age comics up for bid. Here’s a look at some of the most notable Comics up for Auction:

Avengers #4 (Marvel, 1964) CGC 9.4

• Avengers #4 (Marvel, 1964) CGC 9.6: This was the first appearance of Cap with the Avengers and the first Silver-Age retelling of his origin. Cap first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (Timely, 1941) but fell into obscurity in the mid 1950s. This Avengers issue not only reinvigorated Cap’s popularity but set him as one of Marvel’s most important characters. Last summer’s “Captain America: The First Avenger” movie was a huge hit, and with the buzz around the upcoming Avengers movie, you can bet prices on this first Silver-Age Cap appearance will continue to rise. Currently, this auction is sitting at $50,000 with 39 bids, but I’d expect that price to go up considerably before the auction ends Tuesday night just after 9 p.m. EST.

UPDATE: Avengers #4 CGC 9.6 – Sold for $50,000. I was a little shocked with this one but, after checking the CGC census, there is 12 other copies in this same condition. Still, this seems like a steal to me.

Amazing Spider-Man #8 (Marvel, 1964) CGC 9.8

• Amazing Spider-Man #8 (Marvel, 1964) CGC 9.8: This is the highest-graded example of Amazing Spider-Man #8 with only five other copies graded in the same condition (one of which sold for $72,000 on Comic Link in January of 2010. This issue features the Fantastic Four, the Living Brain and Peter Parker’s first fight with his high-school nemesis, Flash Thompson. Currently, this issue is sitting at $20,250 with 40 bids. I’d expect this issue to go for at least $25,000 before the auction ends Tuesday at 7:45 p.m.

UPDATE: Amazing Spider-Man #8 – Sold for $21,250. This was well below where I thought this one would sell but, when talking about early Spidey issues, I guess #8 isn’t a landmark issue (no first appearances or deaths) and 21 grand is nothing to laugh at.

X-Men #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC 8.0

• X-Men #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC 8.0: If there’s such thing as an affordable copy of the first appearance of Marvel’s Mutants, The X-Men, this might be it. With 41 copies of X-Men #1 in CGC graded condition, this issue isn’t exactly a white whale, but high-grade copies of X-Men #1, slabbed and un-slabbed—like this one—are continuing to rise in price. Currently, this copy is sitting at $8,510 with 24 bids, but I would be surprised if it sells for less than $12,000 when the auction ends Wednesday night at just after 11 p.m. EST.

Incredible Hulk #181 (Marvel, 1974) CGC 9.8

• Incredible Hulk #181 (Marvel, 1974) CGC 9.8: And if there’s such thing as a comic most of us will never be able to afford, this copy of the Incredible Hulk #181, the first appearance of Wolverine, in CGC 9.8 condition has to be it. An amazing 50 copies of this issue in CGC 9.8 condition are counted in the CGC census, but that doesn’t stop it from routinely selling as the most expensive Bronze-Age Marvel comic in the world. There was one copy in CGC 9.9 condition—the only in existence—that sold for $150,000 on Comic Link in March of 2011 and since then prices on all high-grade Hulk #181s have been rising. Last December, a copy sold on eBay for $13,499 and previous copies in the same condition have sold for upwards of $15,000. Currently, this issue is sitting at the very low price of $8,096 with 38 bids. I would almost guarantee that price will double before the auction ends just before 8 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 25.

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The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 01/18/2012

Matt Baum — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:21:23 +0000

Batman #5 (Andy Kubert Variant Cover)

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Jan. 18. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

AVATAR

Caligula #6 (of 6)(Jacen Burrows Golden Age Of Rome Variant Cover), 1:3

Crossed Psychopath #7 (of 7)(Jacen Burrows Black & White Retailer Bonus Edition). Retailers had to exceed their orders on Crossed Psychopath #6 and they could order one Black and White variant.

Crossed Psychopath #7 (of 7)(Jacen Burrows Red Crossed Cover), 1:3

BOOM!

Peanuts Happiness Is Warm Blanket Charlie Brown HC (SDCC 2011 Variant), $39.99. Limited to 100 copies.
Planet Of The Apes #10 (Cover C Mitch Gerads), 1:10
Steed And Mrs. Peel #1 (of 6)(Cover B Ian Gibson), 1:10

BROADSWORD COMICS

Tarot Witch Of The Black Rose #71 (Deluxe Edition), $19.99. Limited to 500 copies.

DARK HORSE

Mass Effect Invasion #4 (of 4)(Paul Renaud Variant Cover), 1:5

Animal Man #2 (Travel Foreman 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99

Batman #5 (Andy Kubert Variant Cover). Retailers could order this variant based on their lowest-ordered DCU New 52 relaunch title for this week. I’m guessing this week it’s Blue Beetle. Here’s the thing: the only Image I can find for this cover does not look like an Andy Kubert cover. It’s great but, I’m not sure this is Kubert.

Batman #5 (Greg Capullo Black & White Variant Cover)

Batman #5 (Greg Capullo Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200. Once again retailers all over the net, and possibly at your local comic shop, are trying to sell these variants for $200. But you won’t do it. Why? Because you read this blog and you know you can get this 1:200 variant for half that; because you’re smart and good looking and, dammit, you’re the king of your world. So, of course, you’ll do the right thing and wait patiently until you can snatch one of these off eBay for $100 or even less.

Batman Odyssey Volume 2 #4 (Of 7)(Neal Adams Variant Cover), 1:10
Wonder Woman #5 (Cliff Chiang Variant Cover), 1:25

DYNAMIC FORCES

Wolverine And The X-Men #1 (Dynamic Forces)(Matching Signed Set), $349.99. If ordered after Dec. 20, 2011, this set goes up to $449. Set is two copies: one signed by Stan Lee and one signed by John Romita Sr.

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

Kirby Genesis Dragonsbane #1 (Alex Ross Negative Art Variant Cover), 1:25
Kirby Genesis Dragonsbane #1 (Alex Ross Sketch Variant Cover), 1:15
Kirby Genesis Dragonsbane #1 (Jack Herbert Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10
Kirby Genesis Dragonsbane #1 (Jack Herbert Variant Cover), 1:10
Lord Of The Jungle #1 (Alex Ross Negative Variant Cover), 1:10
Lord Of The Jungle #1 (Alex Ross Sketch Variant Cover), 1:100
Lord Of The Jungle #1 (Lucio Parrillo Virgin Variant Cover), 1:50
Lord Of The Jungle #1 (Ryan Sook Black & White Variant Cover), 1:75
Voltron #2 (Alex Ross /bNegative Variant Cover), 1:25
Voltron #2 (Alex Ross Virgin Variant Cover), 1:10
Voltron #2 (Sean Chen Red Variant Cover), 1:15

IDW

Cobra #9 (Nick Runge Variant Cover), 1:10
Danger Girl Revolver #1 (of 4)(J. Scott Campbell Sketch Variant Cover) 1:25
Ghostbusters #5 (Jose Holder Variant Cover), 1:10
Memorial #2 (of 6)(Michael WM Kaluta Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10

Star Trek #5 (Photo Variant Cover)

Star Trek #5 (Photo Variant Cover), 1:20. The photo variants for this new Star Trek series started out a little slow, but recently seems to be gaining some steam in the back-issue market. Photo variants of #1 and #2 are both selling for $25 and up and #3 and #4 are right behind, selling at the $15-$20 price range. Watch for a $10-$12 price tag.

Star Trek #5 (Sharp Brothers Be A Redshirt Variant Cover)

Star Trek #5 (Sharp Brothers Be A Redshirt Variant Cover), 1:25. This variant was part of contest that fans could enter to have their faces on the cover as a redshirt, (the joke among Trekkies is that the no-name characters that always get killed on away missions wore redshirts). It was a fun idea; the winner gets their face rendered on a redshirt taking a phaser blast for their retailer. Three-hundred copies were printed originally, but 100 went to the winning fan and his or her retailer, and another 100 were given to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, which will sell them to keep representing retailers in legal trouble free of charge. That only leaves 100 variants out there for other retailers to fight over. This one could be worth watching. Expect a $12-$15 price tag.

Star Trek #5 (Tim Bradstreet Sketch Variant Cover),
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (Global Conquest Edition), $3.99
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 (Global Conquest Edition), $3.99
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3 (Global Conquest Edition), $3.99
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 (Global Conquest Edition), $3.99
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 (Global Conquest Edition), $3.99

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series #1 (Raphael)(Global Conquest Edition), $3.99. I couldn’t get much info as to what these Global Conquest Edition reprints were other than they are reprints with very low print runs. Treat them as such, I guess.

MARVEL:

Amazing Spider-Man #678 (Humberto Ramos Venom Variant Cover)

Amazing Spider-Man #678 (Humberto Ramos Venom Variant Cover), 1:50. I’m being told this one is by Ramos, but the cover I found sure doesn’t look like Ramos to me. It’s a fun take on the classic quote from Amazing Spidey #42, but I don’t think this is Ramos. Regardless, watch for a $30-$35 price tag and unlike, the 1:200 variants I yell about so often, expect that price to stay around there or go up slightly in months to come. A few are still selling for less than $30 but seem to be creeping up from there.

Avengers #21 (Carlo Barberi Venom Variant Cover), 1:50

Avenging Spider-Man #3 (Humberto Ramos Amazing Spider-Man 50th Ann Variant)

Avenging Spider-Man #3 (Humberto Ramos Amazing Spider-Man 50th Ann Variant), 1:50. The Amazing Spider-Man 50th Anniversary variants start here with a great one from Humberto Ramos. Watch for a $35-$40 price tag.

Daredevil #8 (Lee Bermejo Variant Cover)

Daredevil #8 (Lee Bermejo Variant Cover), 1:25. This is the second Lee Bremejo variant for the DD/Spidey crossover and I still think his Spider-Man looks weird. Maybe I’m just used to his covers being so much darker. Watch for a $12-$15 price tag.

Invincible Iron Man #512 (Larry Stroman Venom Variant Cover)

Invincible Iron Man #512 (Larry Stroman Venom Variant Cover), 1:50. Love this one! This is a great Venom variant by Stroman. I love the way the symbiote is coming out of the armor rather than making the armor look scary. Watch for a $25-$30 price tag.

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #6 (Mark Bagley Variant Cover)

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #6 (Mark Bagley Variant Cover), 1:50. This is a fantastic variant by Bagley in memory of Ultimate Peter Parker. The doves are a nice touch (*sniff, sniff*). Watch for a $25-$30 price tag.

Uncanny X-Force #20 (Paul Renaud Venom Variant Cover)

Uncanny X-Force #20 (Paul Renaud Venom Variant Cover), 1:50. This is another nice one but, is it just me, or does it look like these three are transforming into Venom outside Superman’s Fortress of Solitude? Watch for a $25-$30 price tag.

Uncanny X-Men #5 (Greg Horn Venom Variant Cover), 1:50
Venom #12 (Mike Del Mundo Venom Variant Cover), 1:50
Wolverine And The X-Men #2 (Chris Bachalo 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99

Speculator Picks of the Week

These are comics that could sell out very quickly due to conservative ordering, popular demand, shipping errors or even the Occupy Diamond Comics movement amping up its protests and forming human chains to block UPS pick-ups. Pick them up while you can or pay too much for them later . . .

Prophet #21

IMAGE
Written by BRANDON GRAHAM
Art by SIMON ROY
Covers by MARION CHURCHLAND and ROB LIEFELD

Solicitation: The distant future Earth is inhabited by alien settlers that feed off of the ape-men mankind has devolved into. John Prophet awakes from cryosleep on a mission to restart the human empire.

32 pages
$2.99
Sold Out

Why it’ll go fast: There’s huge buzz on the net about this one. Prophet was originally the creation of Rob Liefeld during the early days of Image Comics and Liefeld’s Extreme Comics imprint. The original story wasn’t very good, or even very clear for that matter. Prophet was similar to Cable, also created by Liefeld but lost to Marvel when he left for Image, a time-traveling solider with huge guns and lots of bandoliers and pouches. Unlike Cable Prophet was a far more violent and had a penchant for quoting the book of revelation. Other than that there wasn’t much story to catch up on. Prophet #21 picks up the numbering where the last series left off but looks to be an entirely new take on the character with a Sci-Fi-via-1980s-Heavy Metal-comics vibe. Rich Johnston over at Bleeding Cool.com (staple reading for comic fanboys) called this new take on the character “Terminator meets Twelve Monkeys” and “What Avatar could have been.” The new series finds John Prophet in the far future battling for the remnants of humanity in a strange world and it looks very cool. This one sold out before shipping so grab what you can find.

Daredevil #8

MARVEL
Written by MARK WAID
Art by PAOLO RIVERA

Solicitation:

• Spider-Man and Daredevil Team Up part two!
• Picks up where Amazing Spider-Man #677 left off.
• The next great love triangle of the Marvel U continues here.

32 pages
$2.99
Sold out

Why it’ll go fast: First of all, Marvel, the bullet-point solicitations have got to go. They make you look lazy. If you need a guy to write copy, I’m available and cheap, (just ask my WorthPoint masters) [He’s right; Matt works for a pittance. — WorthPoint Master]. Now back to our story. Mark Waid’s Daredevil was one of the most critically acclaimed comics of 2011 and for good reason. It’s some of the best DD stuff that’s ever been printed. This one sold out before shipping—which hasn’t happened to DD since its #1 relaunch issue—on the weight of the Amazing Spider-Man readers who want to see what happens next. More people read Spidey than DD so, boom! Instant sellout. Now, hopefully, that translates into even higher sales for DD, but that remains to be seen. For now, this could be a tough issue to find and really is a must-buy even if it never sells for more than cover price.

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The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 01/11/2012

Matt Baum — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:43:50 +0000

Lobster Johnson The Burning Hand #1

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Jan. 11. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

BOOM!

Stan Lee’s Soldier Zero #1/The Traveler #1/Starborn #1 Signed Variant Set, $399.99. This was a set of three CGC-graded and signed comics. Diamond only had nine sets and they sold out, which at $400, a shot is pretty shocking.

DARK HORSE:

Lobster Johnson The Burning Hand #1 (Mike Mignola Variant Cover), $3.50 1:5. Another creepy variant from Mignola, and I love it, but it does seem like the last few covers we’ve seen from him have a lot of negative space. Like, maybe he didn’t finish the bottom third of the cover. Just sayin’. Watch for a $4-$5 price tag.

DC:

Batwoman #5 (J.H. Williams III Variant Cover), 1:25

Batwoman #5 (J.H. Williams III Variant Cover), 1:25. More 1:25 sketch variants from DC this week. This one really shows how talented Williams is. Even stripped of color, his art looks organic and soft. I’m really digging these sketch variants and they seem to be selling well online , the same as copies of the Stormwatch, Swamp Thing and Detective sketch variants, which are selling for $15 and up. Watch for a $10-$12 price tag.

Green Lantern #5 (Doug Mahnke Black & White Variant Cover)

Green Lantern #5 (Mike Choi Variant Cover)

Green Lantern #5 (Doug Mahnke Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200. Is this warning getting as old for you as it is for me? DON’T pay more than $100 for this variant. Yes, several retailers are asking $200 and yes, you will find a couple that sell for $200, but the vast majority of these variants will sell for just under $100 and probably won’t be selling for much more than that anytime soon. The weird thing here is that the 1:200 variant is not just a sketch version of the regular cover, but looks like the 1:25 sketch variants, which is much cooler but still not worth $200.

Green Lantern #5 (Mike Choi Variant Cover). Retailers could order this variant based on their lowest-ordered DC #5 issue shipping this week. I’m guessing at most shops that will be Resurrection Man #5. A lot of shops are selling these variants for cover price and that’s probably what you should be paying if you need this variant.

Shade #4 (of 12)(Darwyn Cooke Variant Cover)

Shade #4 (of 12)(Darwyn Cooke Variant Cover), 1:10. Darwyn Cooke is the guest artist on this issue and he supplied a sexy, Art Deco variant cover as well. Cooke is one of the best in the business and people will be snatching up this variant on Wednesday. Watch for a $6-$8 price tag and expect this one to go up in the weeks ahead.

DYNAMIC FORCES

Avenging Spider-Man #1 (Dynamic Forces)(Ken Haeser Remarked Edition), $49.99. Limited to 115.
Flash Gordon Zeitgeist #1 (Dynamic Forces)(Alex Ross Exclusive Virgin Cover), $12.99. Limited to 250.
Vampirella #12 (Dynamic Forces)(Paul Renaud Virgin Exclusive Cover), $7.99 1:25. Retailers had to order 25 of the regular Vampirella #12 and they could order one of the DF variants.
Vampirella Annual #1 (Dynamic Forces)(Lucio Parrillo Exclusive Red Cover), $14.99. Limited to 200.
Wolverine And The X-Men #1 (Dynamic Forces)(John Romita Sr. Signed Edition) , $50. Limited to 65, but why it’s signed by JR SR is a mystery?

DYNAMITE:

Vampirella #1 (1969 Commemorative Gold Foil Edition), $39.99. Limited to 115.

IDW:

Cobra Annual 2012 The Origin Of Cobra Commander (Cover B Robert Atkins), 1:10
Cobra Annual 2012 The Origin Of Cobra Commander (Robert Atkins Model Sheet Turnaround Variant Cover), 1:50
Doctor Who #13 (Matthew Dow Smith Variant Cover), 1:10
G.I. JOE A Real American Hero #174 (Cover A Herb Trimpe), 1:10
G.I. JOE A Real American Hero #174 (Larry Hama Sketch Variant Cover), 1:10
H.P. Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror #4 (of 4)(Nick Percival Variant Cover), 1:10
H.P. Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror #4 (of 4)(The Hound Prose Chapbook), 1:20
Snake Eyes #9 (Nick Runge Variant Cover), 1:10
Transformers More Than Meets Eye #1 (Alex Milne Wraparound Variant Cover), 1:10
Transformers More Than Meets Eye #1 (Josh Burcham Decepticon Sketch Variant), 1:50

IMAGE:

Epoch #1 (of 5)(Paolo Pantalena SDCC 2011 Exclusive Variant Cover), $10. Limited to 100
Witchblade #146 (Kalman Andrasofszky SDCC 2011 Exclusive Variant Cover), $10. Limited to 500

MARVEL:

Amazing Spider-Man #677 (Lee Bermejo Variant Cover)

Amazing Spider-Man #677 (Lee Bermejo Variant Cover), 1:25. Bemejo does an amazing job drawing characters like Daredevil and Batman, but his Spider-Man . . . a little wonky, right? Watch for a $13-$15 price tag.

Brilliant #2 (David Mack Variant Cover)

Brilliant #2 (Michael Avon Oeming Variant Cover)

Brilliant #2 (David Mack Variant Cover), 1:25. Nice David Mack variant here, but it’d be even nicer if the guy would start drawing comics again. Regardless, watch for a $15-$17 price tag.

Brilliant #2 (Michael Avon Oeming Variant Cover), 1:15. Always love Oeming’s work. Guy is solid and, if you’re not reading his Powers title, you’re missing out. Watch for a $7-$9 price tag.

Captain America #7 (Mike Perkins Venom Variant Cover)

Captain America #7 (Mike Perkins Venom Variant Cover), 1:50. Another great Venom variant here. Mike Perkins has been doing a great job on the Marvel 1:50 variants and this one is guaranteed to scare the kiddies. Nicely done, sir. Watch for a $25-$30 price tag.

Incredible Hulk #4 (Mike Del Mundo Venom Variant Cover), 1:50. This one is a little wacky but still cool. I dig Del Mundo’s color palate here. Watch for a $30-$35 price tag.

Journey Into Mystery #633 (TBA Venom Variant Cover)

Journey Into Mystery #633 (TBA Venom Variant Cover), 1:50. All of these have been really great. But this could be the first hard-to-find Venom variant. Journey Into Mystery is an excellent comic but isn’t being ordered as highly as the other titles with Venom variants this week. Watch for a $40-$45 price tag and start reading this title. It’s excellent!

New Avengers #20 (TBA Venom Variant Cover), 1:50. Marvel is normally really good about crediting the artists on their variants, but not this week. This one looks like Camuncoli to me but I can’t be certain. Regardless, it’s great and shouldn’t be too tough to find. Watch for a $25-$30 price tag.

Scarlet Spider #1 (Blank Variant Cover),

Scarlet Spider #1 (Mark Bagley Variant Cover)

Scarlet Spider #1 (Ryan Stegman Variant Cover)

Scarlet Spider #1 (Mark Bagley Variant Cover), 1:25. This is a very solid Bagley variant. It’s funny; I had to hunt this cover image down and had written a scathing critique of what I thought was this variant cover (an image of the old Scarlet Spider hooded sweatshirt burning). So, great effort here, Mark. Sorry I doubted ya. Watch for a $15-$18 price tag.

Scarlet Spider #1 (Ryan Stegman Variant Cover), 1:15. Turns out the Stegman variant was the weak one, which is too bad, because this guy is great. I get it. The Scarlet Spider used to wear a sleeveless hooded sweatshirt (hey, it was the ’90s) but this is weak. On the “Do I Need It?” scale, this one ranks as a “no.” If you do, watch for a $7-$9 price tag, but if you wait you can definitely get it cheaper.

Scarlet Spider #1 (TBA Venom Variant Cover)

Scarlet Spider #1 (TBA Venom Variant Cover), 1:50. This is another great Venom variant that could be tough to find. Time will tell how well-ordered this title was but I don’t see a lot of shops ordering the 50 necessary to get the Venom variant. Also, like the Journey Into Mystery and New Avengers Venom variants, has no artist credited. Thanks Marvel, trying to write a blog here. Watch for $35-$40 price tag.

Secret Avengers #21 (Khoi Pham Venom Variant Cover), 1:50. This is one is by Khoi Pham and I only know that from reading his signature on the cover. Again, thanks a lot, Marvel. I dug Pham’s work on the Age of X crossover and am glad to see him getting more work. Watch for a $30-$35 price tag here.

Wolverine #300 (Blank Variant Cover),

Wolverine #300 (Geof Darrow Wraparound Variant Cover)

Wolverine #300 (Geof Darrow Wraparound Variant Cover), 1:25. Geoff Darrow is so amazing at what he does. I don’t have the words. This guy needs to be more famous because he’s one of the best out there. Watch for a $15-$17 price tag and watch for it to go up from there.

Wolverine #300 (Jim Cheung Variant Cover)

Wolverine #300 (Jim Cheung Variant Cover), 1:50. Jimmy Cheung is another master, and even thought it’s just a head shot, this is a great-looking variant. Watch for a $30-$35 price tag.

Wolverine And The X-Men #4 (Mark Brooks Venom Variant Cover)

Wolverine And The X-Men #4 (Mark Brooks Venom Variant Cover), 1:50. Nice Venom variant by Mark Brooks and again, had to hunt for the artist info. This one should be pretty easy to find with the high sales on this new X-series. Watch for a $30-$35 price tag.

X-Factor #230 (Nick Bradshaw Variant Cover)

X-Factor #230 (Nick Bradshaw Variant Cover), 1:15. This is the final variant in the Bradshaw Regenesis triptych and the final of the Regenesis team variants. And it’s pretty nifty, too. I like this Bradshaw kid, although it still seems like he’s directly channeling Arthur Adams. Watch for an $8-$10 price tag and, for the love of Pete, if you’re not already, start reading Peter David’s X-Factor. It’s so darn good!

RZG:

Phazer #1 (Jim Steranko Signed Incentive Cover), 1:10

Speculator Picks of the Week

These are comics that could sell out very quickly due to conservative ordering, popular demand, shipping errors or even UPS drivers heading to various Spring Break locales early, tricked by the unusually warm winter weather we’re having. Pick them up while you can or pay too much for them later . . .

Transformers More than Meets the Eye #1

IDW
Written by JAMES ROBERTS
Art by NICK ROCHE

Solicitation: The ultimate Transformers saga begins here! This second, all-new ongoing Transformers title reunites the fan-favorite creative team behind Last Stand of the Wreckers and sends the Transformers on an epic quest to the farthest reaches of the Transformers Universe and beyond! The adventure starts here!

32 pages
$3.99
Sold Out

Why it’ll go fast: I don’t read IDW’s Transformers but have it on good authority (from serious Transformer geeks) that they have been doing amazing work on this property. There was a recent shake up within the ranks—Optimus Prime died—and there’re no Autobots or Decepticons any longer. Just Transformers, looking for their mysterious origins. Sales online of the IDW regular Transformers ongoing have been solid and the most recent story seemed to whip fans into a frenzy. Watch for this issue to go quick and don’t expect any more first printings anytime soon. More than Meets the Eye sold out before shipping so grab yours quick.

Scarlet Spider #1

Marvel
Written by CHRIS YOST
Art by RYAN STEGMAN

Solicitation: Spinning out of Spider-Island, the secrets of the brand new Scarlet Spider stand revealed in 40 pages! Who is the new webbed-wonder? And why has he come to face corruption in Houston, Texas?

32 pages
$3.99
Sold Out!

Why it’ll go fast: Call this one the Spidey spin-off least likely to succeed but is, somehow, still great. I got to read a preview for this issue and was shocked how much I liked it. Especially Stegman’s art. He’s not flashy but very solid and perfect for a Spidey-title (and yes I’m aware this is a different character, but they both swing on webs). Yost is a solid writer but Scarlet Spider could be a challenge for him down the line. Like I said, this is a very strong first issue but I want to see how they keep me coming back without making this another Spider-Man story. Marvel had to have been shocked when #1 sold out before shipping but. If it was smart here, I’m guessing the print-run was relatively low. Watch for the buzz on #1 to be very good and push prices high in the first week.

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The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 01/04/2012

Matt Baum — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:31:30 +0000

Ferals #1 (Gabriel Andrade Slashed Variant Cover)

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Jan. 4. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

ASPEN

Scourge #6 (Infected Variant Cover). Retailers could order three Infected variants for every 10 regular covers ordered.

AVATAR:

Ferals #1 (Gabriel Andrade Slashed Variant Cover). For every three of any of the regular Ferals covers retailers could order one Slashed variant. But, come on. Look at this cover. I would call this a variant in only the loosest sense of the word. It’s the regular cover with claw marks. This reminds me of the 1990’s Chaos Comics variants, where a different colored title was considered a variant cover.

BOOM!

Clive Barker’s Hellraiser #9 (Cover C Nick Percival), 1:10
Elric The Balance Lost #7 (Cover C Francesco Mattina), 1:10

Peanuts #1 (of 4)(Charles Schultz First Appearance Of Charlie Brown Variant Cover)

Peanuts #1 (of 4)(Charles Schultz First Appearance Of Charlie Brown Variant Cover), 1:30. This variant cover was added not long ago and will probably be fairly hard to find. The cover features Schultz’s first printed Charlie Brown image. Watch for a $25-$30 price tag.

Valen The Outcast #2 (Cover C Matteo Scalera), 1:10
Valen The Outcast #2 (Cover D Liam Sharp Negative Cover), 1:20
Valen The Outcast #2 (Cover E Ale Garza Sketch Cover), 1:25
Valen The Outcast #2 (Cover H Joe Jusko CGG 9.8 Virgin Variant Cover), 1:50

BOUNDLESS:

Lady Death #13 (Michael Dipascale Art Deco Variant Cover), 1:3

DARK HORSE:

Goon #37 (Eric Powell Variant Cover)

Goon #37 (Eric Powell Variant Cover), 1:10. All these Dark Horse 25th Anniversary covers have been really nice-looking variants and, of course, Eric Powell’s is no exception. Love it! Watch for a $6-$8 price tag.

DC:

Action Comics #5 (Andy Kubert Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200. I’m not saying go nuts here—don’t go nuts here—but if this issue does turn out to be the new origin of Superman, it could be a hot one. That is not to say that you need this 1:200 variant but it could see a slightly higher price point than the other 1:200 New DCU variants. Watch for a $100-$130 price tag. And again, don’t go nuts here.

Action Comics #5 (Rags Morales Variant Cover)

Action Comics #5 (Rags Morales Variant Cover). I love Rags, I really do, but is it just me, or does Krypto look like a werewolf here? There’s something a little too human about his face. Maybe Rags can’t draw dogs? But I digress. Retailers can order this cover based on their lowest ordered New DCU title shipping this week. My guess is it’ll be a close one between OMAC and Static Shock. Again, don’t pay for this one like a ratioed variant. A lot of shops are selling these for cover price and that’s probably where they should be. Later on, I can see them going for more, maybe.

Detective Comics #5 (Tony S. Daniel Variant Cover)

Detective Comics #5 (Tony S. Daniel Variant Cover), 1:25. This is a great-looking Tony Daniel sketch variant but not a sketch version of the regular cover. Which is interesting and not something that we see too often. It looks like this a new series of variants featuring an artist sketch and the title in the grey and red bar. I’ve been critical of Tony Daniel’s writing on my podcast for a while now but can’t deny the guy’s art talent. He’s amazing and this is a very cool variant (I’m making a conscious effort to be nicer this year). Watch for a $15-$17 price tag.

Justice League #1 (Jim Lee & Scott Williams 5th Printing Variant Cover), $3.99

Stormwatch #5 (Miguel Sepulveda Variant Cover)

Stormwatch #5 (Miguel Sepulveda Variant Cover), 1:25. This is another in the New DCU Sketch Variants featuring a different sketch cover than the regular one. I’m digging the design on these. Watch for a $15-$17 price tag.

Swamp Thing #5 (Yanick Paquette Variant Cover), 1:25. This one looks like it might be a sketch version of some of the interior art. Which leads me to believe they all might be (no one at DC will answer my tweets, and I’m important, right?). Watch for a $15-$17 price tag.

Sweet Tooth #29 (Travel Foreman Variant Cover)

Sweet Tooth #29 (Travel Foreman Variant Cover), 1:10. And it’s official: Travel Foreman can make anything look creepy. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t remember a lot of Vertigo variants coming out, other than American Vampire variants. Regardless, Foreman is great and this variant could be hard to find. Sweet Tooth does well in TPB sales but is a relatively low selling comic book.

DYNAMIC FORCES

Avengers 1959 #1 (of 5)(Dynamic Forces)(Howard Chaykin Signed Edition) , $19.59. Limited to 100 copies.
Cornucopia Comics Collectors Set (Dynamic Forces), $49.99. Limited to 100 copies.
Uncanny X-Men #544 (Dynamic Forces)(Stan Lee Signed Edition) , $299.99. Limited to 50 copies.
Voltron #1 (Dynamic Forces)(Alex Ross Exclusive Virgin Cover). Limited to 150 copies.

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

Flash Gordon Zeitgeist #2 (Alex Ross Virgin Variant Cover), 1:10
Flash Gordon Zeitgeist #2 (Francesco Francavilla Variant Cover), 1:10
Flash Gordon Zeitgeist #2 (Francesco Francavilla Virgin Variant Cover), 1:15
Flash Gordon Zeitgeist #2 (Paul Renaud Black & White Variant Cover), 1:25
Lone Ranger #1 (Alex Ross Blue Variant Cover), 1:25
Lone Ranger #1 (Alex Ross Negative Art Variant Cover), 1:10
Lone Ranger #1 (Francesco Francavilla Virgin Variant Cover), 1:15
Robocop Road Trip #1 (Fabiano Neves Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10
Vampirella Vs Dracula #1 (of 6)(Joseph Michael Linsner Negative Variant Cover), 1:20
Vampirella Vs Dracula #1 (of 6)(Joseph Michael Linsner Sketch Variant Cover), 1:10
Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris #9 (Ale Garza Risque Art Variant Cover), 1:20
Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris #9 (Paul Renaud Martian Red Variant Cover), 1:10

IDW

Cold War #4 (John Byrne Variant Cover), 1:10
G.I. JOE #9 (Nick Runge Variant Cover), 1:10
Godzilla Legends #3 (of 5)(Arthur Adams Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10
Jurassic Park Dangerous Games #5 (of 5)(Jeff Zornow Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10
True Blood The French Quarter #5 (of 6)(Joe Corroney Sketch Variant Cover), 1:20
True Blood The French Quarter #5 (of 6)(Photo Variant Cover), 1:10

IMAGE

Artifacts #13 (Dale Keown Sketch Variant Cover), 1:50

Artifacts #13 (Comics Pro Variant Cover). ComicsPRO members (an association for comic book retailers) could order as many as they needed and all other retailers could order one.

Artifacts Playing Card Set #13 (of 13)(Retailer Incentive), 1:5

MARVEL

Avengers X-Sanction #2 (of 4)(Leinil Francis Yu Variant Cover), 1:25

Avengers X-Sanction #2 (of 4)(Stephen Platt Variant Cover)

Avengers X-Sanction #2 (of 4)(Stephen Platt Variant Cover), 1:50. Two more X-Sanction variants for the second part of this mini-series and both are great. Yu is in rare form, as always [which is not all that rare, then, is it? – Editor], watch for a $16-$18 price tag, and Stephen Platt is still insane, Watch for a $30-$35 price tag. By the way, where the hell has Platt been and why is he not drawing more? I’ll take anything at this point. He’s one of the few ’90s Image guys that still holds up.

Defenders #2 (I Am A Defender Variant Cover)

Defenders #2 (Chris Stevens Venom Variant Cover)

Defenders #2 (I Am A Defender Variant Cover). Retailers had to exceed their orders of Ultimate Spider-Man #2 and they could order all they needed of this cover. Which makes pricing difficult, at best. Watch for a $4-$6 price tag.

Defenders #2 (Mark Bagley Variant Cover), 1:25

Defenders #2 (Chris Stevens Venom Variant Cover), 1:50. Marvel’s new series of 1:50 variants features your favorite heroes wearing the Venom symbiote. I have to admit, the idea sounded stupid, but this variant is actually pretty cool. These could turn out to be a fun variant set and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Venom fans snatching up the whole set.

Uncanny X-Force #18 (Jerome Opena 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99

X-Men #23 (John Tyler Christopher Venom Variant Cover)

X-Men #23 (John Tyler Christopher Venom Variant Cover), 1:50. This is another surprisingly cool Venom variant featuring the current cast of the adjective-less (and arguably pointless) X-Men book. Watch for a $30-$35 price tag.

Speculator Picks of the Week

These are comics that could sell out very quickly due to conservative ordering, popular demand, shipping errors or even UPS . . . Sorry, I’m ranting . . . Pick them up while you can or pay too much for them later . . .

Fatale #1

IMAGE
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Art by SEAN PHILLIPS

Solicitation: Guns! Sex! Secret cults! And monsters! Nothing the best-selling and award-winning creators of Sleeper, Criminal and Incognito have done so far will prepare you for the explosive debut of Fatale! A reporter in 2012 stumbles on a secret that leads him down the darkest path imaginable . . . to a seductive woman who’s been on the run since 1935, a mobster who may be an immortal demon monster, and the stories of all the doomed men who’ve been caught in their decades-long struggle. Fatale blends noir and horror to tell a riveting epic unlike anything you’ve seen before.

32 pages
$3.50
Sold Out

Why it’ll go fast: If you don’t like what Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips do together when they collaborate, you might not like comics. These are two of the best creators in the business and when they come together, we get Eisner-winning Crime/Noir comics like Criminal and Icognito. This is a must read and it’s already sold out at Diamond so what shows up at your shop on Wednesday is all you’ll find of the first-printings of #1. GO BUY THIS! Fatale looks to be great and I expect #1 to be very hard to find very quickly.

Peanuts #1 of 4

Written by CHARLES SCHULTZ and Various
Art by VICKI SCOTT and Various

Solicitation: Happiness is a monthly comic book series, Charlie Brown! Peanuts came to KABOOM! last spring in its first graphic novel, “Happiness Is A Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown.” Now, Snoopy and the gang are back in monthly comic books with an all new #1 issue! The series kicks off with new original stories seen here for the first time along with some of your favorite classic Peanuts Sunday strips. Featuring a cover by Charles Schulz himself! Don’t miss Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the rest of Charles Schulz’s timeless characters every month at KABOOM.

32 pages
$3.99
NOV110837

Why it’ll go fast: You know who’s not going to buy this comic? Jerks, and that’s about it. If you read comics and you don’t like Charles Schultz’s Charlie Brown, you are a jerk! This is irresistible and maybe review proof. I’ll find out this week on my show. At first, I was hesitant when BOOM! announced new Charlie Brown comics, but after reading the Happiness is a Warm Blanket Charlie Brown TPB, I changed my tune. BOOM! looks to be handling this property with the utmost respect and reverence for the original Schultz material. Don’t be a jerk; buy this one.

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The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 12/28/2011

Matt Baum — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 17:21:22 +0000

Ducktales #1 (8-Bit SDCC 2011 Variant Cover)

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Dec. 28. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

ASPEN

Fathom Volume 4 #3 (Cover C Alex Konat Sketch Variant). For every 15 copies ordered retailers could order up to three sketch variants.

AVATAR:

Crossed Psychopath #6 (of 7)(Matt Martin Auxiliary Cover), $3.99. Limited to 1,500 copies and pretty gross.

BOOM!

Ducktales #1 (8-Bit SDCC 2011 Variant Cover), $9.99. I love this variant! Nicely done, Boom! It is, however, listed as sold out, so good luck finding one. Limited to 25 copies and there are currently none on eBay.

Incorruptible #25 (Cover C Dan Panosian), 1:10

BOUNDLESS:

Art Of Lady Death Volume 1 HC (Richard Ortiz SDCC Edition Cover), $49.99. Limited to 350 copies.
Lady Death #7 (Rafa Lopez Fan Expo Cover), $9.99. Limited to 750 copies and drawn from a bizarre perspective.
Lady Death #9 (Gabriel Andrade Auxiliary Cover), $3.99. Limited to 1,500 copies.
Lady Death Origins Annual #1 (Matt Martin Auxiliary Cover), $4.99. Limited to 1,250 copies.
War Goddess #3 (Clint Hillinski Auxiliary Cover), $3.99. Limited to 1,000 copies.

DARK HORSE:

Guild Zaboo #1 (One Shot)(Georges Jeanty Variant Cover)

Guild Zaboo #1 (One Shot)(Georges Jeanty Variant Cover), $3.50 1:5. I like Jeanty, a lot; he’s a talented guy. But how anyone can resist the regular Evan Dorkin cover of this one is beyond me. Watch for a $5-$6 price tag.

DC:

Flash #4 (Francis Manapul Black & White Variant Cover), $2.99, 1:200

Flash #4 (Eric Basaldua Variant Cover), $2.99. Retailers could order this variant based on their orders for the lowest-ordered DC new 52 #4 title shipping this week (I swear I’ve written this sentence 70 times and I still can’t find a good way to word it). I’m guessing this week’s lowest ordered is Voodoo. So don’t pay for this one, like a ratioed variant. Stick close to cover price if you can. Otherwise, watch for a $5 price tag.

DYNAMIC FORCES

Warlord Of Mars #13 (Dynamic Forces)(Ale Garza Martian Red Risque Exclusive Cover), $14.99

DYNAMITE ENT:

George R.R. Martin’s A Game Of Thrones #4 (Alex Ross Virgin art variant). 1:25
George R.R. Martin’s A Game Of Thrones #4 (Alex Ross Negative art variant), 1:50
George R.R. Martin’s A Game Of Thrones #4 (Mike S. Miller Virgin Variant Cover), 1:75
Kirby Genesis Captain Victory #2 (Alex Ross Negative Art Variant Cover), 1:10
Kirby Genesis Captain Victory #2 (Alex Ross Virgin Variant Cover), 1:25
Kirby Genesis Captain Victory #2 (Michael Van Oeming Black & White Variant Cover), 1:15
Kirby Genesis Captain Victory #2 (Michael Van Oeming Variant Cover), 1:10
Warlord Of Mars #14 (Ale Garza Risque Art Variant Cover), 1:15
Warlord Of Mars #14 (Lucio Parrillo Variant Cover), 1:15
Warlord Of Mars #14 (Stephen Sadowski Martian Red Variant Cover), 1:20

IDW:

30 Days Of Night #3 (Kelley Jones Variant Cover), 1:10
Anne Rice’s Servant Of The Bones #5 (of 6)(Jenny Frison Variant Cover), 1:10
Dungeons And Dragons #14 (Steve Ellis Variant Cover), 1:10
Joe Hill’s Cape #3 (of 4)(Zach Howard Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10
Monocyte #2 (of 4)(Bill Sienkiewicz Variant Cover), 1:10
Star Trek #4 (Photo Variant Cover), 1:20
Star Trek #4 (Tim Bradstreet Variant Sketch Cover), 1:10
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series #2 (Michelangelo)(David Peterson Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series #2 (Michelangelo)(Kevin Eastman Re-Mastered Original Michelangelo Micro-Series “Retro” Variant Cover), 1:25

IMAGE:

Artifacts #12 (Foil Artifact Symbol Variant Cover), 1:100
Artifacts #12 (Greg Horn Sketch Variant Cover), 1:50
Artifacts Playing Card Set #12 (of 13)(Retailer Incentive), 1:5

MARVEL:

Avengers Solo #3 (of 5)(Movie Variant Cover), 1:15. This one features Scarlett Johansen as your Black Widow. I say “your” because she’s certainly not who I would’ve picked. Watch for a $7-$10 price tag.

Avengers X-Sanction #1 (of 4)(Ed McGuinness 2nd Printing Sketch Variant Cover A), $3.99
Avengers X-Sanction #1 (of 4)(Ed McGuinness 2nd Printing Sketch Variant Cover B), $3.99

Captain America #6 (Gerald Parel Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover)

FF #13 (Giuseppe Camuncoli Connecting Variant Cover)

Captain America #6 (Gerald Parel Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:50. This is a fantastic homage to John Byrne’s cover of Uncanny X-Men #141 (1981) and exactly what Marvel should have been doing with all its 50th-anniversary variants. Love this one. Watch for a $25-$30 price tag.

FF #13 (Giuseppe Camuncoli Connecting Variant Cover), 1:20. This is the second half of the Camuncoli variant that started on the cover of last week’s Fantastic Four #601 and it’s unbearably cool. Watch for a $6-$8 price tag.

Incredible Hulk #2 (Marc Silvestri 2nd Printing Cover), $3.99

Kick-Ass 2 #6 (of 7)(Photo Variant Cover), 1:15. I don’t get it. The choice to do photo variants featuring people who weren’t in the movie, that is. This doesn’t do anything for me. And most fans seem uninterested, with previous photo variants selling for near cover.

Speculator Picks of the Week

These are comics that could sell out very quickly due to conservative ordering, popular demand, shipping errors or even UPS drivers, frustrated by global climate change causing the mildest winter the Midwest has ever seen, creating shipping delays of their own to restore the natural order. Pick them up while you can or pay too much for them later . . .

Iron Man 2.0 #12

Marvel
Written by NICK SPENCER
Art by ARIEL OLIVETTI

Solicitation: The world is in the balance as War Machine races to take down global terrorist Palmer Addley once and for all! It’s an all-or-nothing battle of wills as Rhodey presses every advantage, tests every skill and depends on every relationship to finally outsmart, outfight and outlast his greatest enemy and become the 21st-century War Machine . . . or die trying!

32 pages
$2.99
OCT110655

Why it’ll go fast: Iron Man 2.0 was Nick Spencer’s (Morning Glories, Image) first Marvel ongoing series and it should have been a hit. But—blame it on Fear Itself, or maybe James Rhodes just isn’t ready for the big time—12 issues later, the comic is canceled. Which is really too bad, because this was a great series. I still believe in Nick Spencer, and when he does blow up at Marvel, nerds will go back to this series and realize they were wrong for ignoring Iron Man 2.0. When that happens, I would expect the last few issues to be very hard to find. Marvel tends to ramp down its print-runs on titles that get the axe, so I would guess this issue will have the lowest run. It might not sell out quick, and this is all contingent on Spencer finding a title he can sell to readers, but I do see this one being hard to find later. I’m going to miss this series.

Witch Doctor: Resuscitation One-Shot

Written by BRANDON SEIFERT
Art by LUKAS KETNER

Solicitation: You wake up in a bathtub of ice with a surgical incision on your side . . . but the hospital says you’ve still got two kidneys! Where do you go for a second opinion? Where else, but Dr. Vincent Morrow, the Witch Doctor! Summer’s medical horror smash hit returns with a tale of black magic and organ-swapping. And it’s a great jumping-on point for new readers, so don’t miss out—ask your retailer to preorder a copy for you!

“If you’re not checking out Witch Doctor, you need to do so, STAT!” — Ain’t It Cool News

32 pages
$2.99
OCT110447

Why it’ll go fast: The first Witch Doctor mini-series from this year was a smash hit for Image that saw first printings of #1 selling for more than $20. Retailers will probably be a little more prepared this time, but I still see this one-shot going fast. By the way, Ain’t It Cool News isn’t kidding. This comic is a really fun read. I gave the first issue a glowing review on my podcast and plan to mention Witch Doctor next week on our best of the year show. Imagine Doctor House meets Doctor Strange. Pick this one up!

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The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 12/21/2011

Matt Baum — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:23:26 +0000

Batman #4 (Mike Choi Variant Cover)

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Dec. 21. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

ASPEN

Lady Mechanika #3 (Cover C Joe Benitez Sketch Variant). Retailers could order three Benitez sketch variants for every 15 regular covers ordered.

Lady Mechanika #3 (Cover D Billy Tan Sketch Variant). Retailers could order two Tan sketch variants for every 15 regular covers.

BOOM!

Ducktales #1 (SDCC 2011 Get-A-Sketch Variant Cover). This is a blank cover Comicon special, which is kind of amazing that they’re still trying to get rid of this stuff from last summer’s show. Stock was listed as low but is now sold out.

Planet Of The Apes #9 (Cover C Scott Keating), 1:10

DARK HORSE

Mass Effect Invasion #3 (of 4)(Paul Renaud Variant Cover), 1:5

Batman #4 (Mike Choi Variant Cover). This was initially solicited as an Andy Kubert cover but at some point became a nice-looking Mike Choi variant. Retailers could order this variant based on their lowest-ordered DC New 52 #4 title shipping this week. I’m guessing this week’s lowest ordered is Captain Atom for most shops. Remember not to pay for too much for these. A lot of shops, mine included, sell these variants for cover price.

Batman #4 (Greg Capullo Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200. I took last week off from warning you guys away from DC 1:200 variants but I’m back on duty: DON’T PAY $200 FOR THIS ONE! You can get it cheaper. I promise. Just wait and prices will tumble on all these 1:200s. Currently most of these (DC has been shipping 1:200 variants for all its core Justice League character comics) are selling for less than $100. Just wait and you can get these for a steal.

Batman Odyssey Volume 2 #3 (of 7)(Neal Adams Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10
Detective Comics #1 (Tony S. Daniel 4th Printing Variant Cover), $2.99

Justice League #4 (Jim Lee Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200. See the Batman #4 Sketch Variant above.

Justice League #4 (Andy Kubert Variant Cover)

Justice League #4 (Andy Kubert Variant Cover), 1:25. Recognize this cover? You should, because Jim Lee just did one exactly like it four months ago. I dig it when creators pay homage to others by recreating their covers, but we just saw this one. Come on, Andy. Watch for a $15-$17 price tag.

DYNAMIC FORCES

Daredevil #1 (Dynamic Forces)(John Romita Sr. Signed Edition), $69.99. Limited to 55 copies.
Daredevil #1 (Dynamic Forces)(Mark Waid Signed Edition), $19.62. Limited to 150 copies.
Incredible Hulks #635 (Dynamic Forces)(Ken Haeser Remarked Edition), $49.99. Limited to 55 copies.
Invaders Now #5 (of 5)(Dynamic Forces)(Alex Ross Exclusive Cover), $14.99. Limited to 110 copies.
Justice League International #1 (Dynamic Forces)(Dan Jurgens Signed Edition), $29.99. Limited to 100 copies.
Kirby Genesis Captain Victory #1 (Alex Ross Virgin Exclusive Cover), $10. Limited to 200 copies.
Punisher #1 (Dynamic Forces)(John Romita Sr Signed Edition), $19.74. Limited to 375 copies.
Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris #8 (Ale Garza Martian Red Risque Exclusive Cover), 1:10
X-Men #1 (Dynamic Forces)(Ken Haeser Sketch Edition), $49.99. Limited to 88 copies.

DYNAMITE

Dark Shadows #2 (Francavilla Francavilla Virgin Variant Cover), 1:10
Kevin Smith’s The Bionic Man #5 (Alex Ross Virgin Variant Cover), 1:15
Kevin Smith’s The Bionic Man #5 (Jonathan Lau Black & White Variant Cover), 1:25
Kevin Smith’s The Bionic Man #5 (Jonathan Lau Variant Cover), 1:10
Vampirella #12 (Alex Ross Virgin Variant Cover), 1:10
Vampirella #12 (Paul Renaud Blood Red Variant Cover), 1:25
Vampirella #12 (Wagner Reis Black & White Variant Cover), 1:15

IDW

Cobra #8 (David Williams Variant Cover), 1:10
Dungeons And Dragons The Legend Of Drizzt #4 (of 5)(‘Monster Of The Month’ Variant Cover), 1:10
G.I. JOE A Real American Hero #173 (Larry Hama Sketch Variant Cover), 1:10
Ghostbusters #4 (Erik Burnham Variant Cover), 1:10
Godzilla Kingdom Of Monsters #10 (Matt Frank ‘Hedorah’ Variant Cover), 1:10
Memorial #1 (of 6)(Chris Roberson Signed Edition), 1:10
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 (Kevin Eastman Variant Cover), 1:10
Transformers The Death Of Optimus Prime (One Shot)(125 IDW Transformers Covers Wrapround Variant Cover), 1:20
Transformers The Death Of Optimus Prime (One Shot)(Livio Ramondelli Variant Cover), 1:10

MARVEL

Avengers #20 (Paolo Rivera Fantastic Four 50th Anniversary Variant Cover)

Daredevil #7 (Alex Maleev Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover)

Avengers #20 (Paolo Rivera Fantastic Four 50th Anniversary Variant Cover). Retailers needed to exceed their orders for Avengers #15 with this issue and they could order all they need of this variant. #15 was a Fear Itself tie-in, so it was probably ordered higher than usual, but that doesn’t mean this variant will be impossible to find. Watch for a $5-$7 price tag.

Daredevil #7 (Alex Maleev Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:50. This is Alex Maleev aping the cover of Amazing Fantasy #15 (1st app Spider-Man, Marvel. 1962) and it’s fun . . . Kind of weird-looking, but this kind of stuff is not exactly in Maleev’s wheelhouse. Watch for a $30-$40 price tag.

Fantastic Four #601 (Giuseppe Camuncoli Connecting Variant Cover)

Fantastic Four #601 (Ron Garney Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover)

Fantastic Four #601 (Giuseppe Camuncoli Connecting Variant Cover), 1:20. This is the first of a two-part interconnecting variant cover series by Camuncoli that finishes on next month’s FF #13 and it’s unbearably cool. Camuncoli is coming up, big time; I would guess 2012 is his year to break out. Watch for a $12-$14 price tag.

Fantastic Four #601 (Ron Garney Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:50. Love this one! This is Garney paying homage to a classic Incredible Hulk cover, #377, and he nailed it. There should have been an editorial mandate stating that all these Marvel 50th anniversary variant artists should have to pick their favorite classic Marvel cover and recreate it. Nicely done here, Garney. Watch for a $35-$40 price tag.

New Mutants #35 (Jason Pearson Variant Cover), 1:15

Uncanny X-Force #19 (Nick Bradshaw Variant Cover)

Uncanny X-Force #19 (Nick Bradshaw Variant Cover), 1:15. This is the second to last piece in the Bradshaw X-Men Regenesis four-part interconnecting cover variant series. Watch for a $6-$8 price tag.

Uncanny X-Force #19 (Spoiler Variant Cover), 1:25
Uncanny X-Men #1 (Carlos Pacheco 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99

Speculator Picks of the Week

These are comics that could sell out very quickly due to conservative ordering, popular demand, errors or even a strike by the Diamond Comics Elves at the shipping warehouse until their masters agree to treat them with the same respect the chimps in the shipping department get. Pick them up while you can or pay too much for them later . . .

The Activity #1

IMAGE
Written by NATHAN EDMONDSON
Art by MITCH GERADS

Solicitation: The evolution of global warfare necessitates the evolution of special forces to rise and meet the call. The U.S Army has therefore looked to its last secret special operations tribe, the Intelligence Support Activity, or Gray Fox. Within Gray Fox is a team of elite men and women whose mission is flexible, whose technology is bleeding edge, and whose execution is precise and lethal. They are Team Omaha, and they serve The Activity.

32 pages
$3.50
OCT110438

Why it’ll go fast: This is the new series from Nathan Edmondson, who wrote the surprise hit Who is Jake Ellis for Image (it was awesome) and is currently writing Grifter for DC (not so awesome). Edmondson seems to be one of those writers who operates best in his own sandbox. And, as we saw with Who is Jake Ellis, the guy can write international-spy-intrigue very well. Mitch Gerads is another name that seems to be popping up all over the place. He’s got a very realistic style that reminds me of a more refined Cully Hamner (The Sade, Red, DC). This one isn’t sold out yet but I expect it to move very quickly once the buzz gets out.

Dark Horse Presents #7

Dark Horse
Written by MIKE MIGNOLA and various
Art and Cover MIKE MIGNOLA and various

Solicitation: Mike Mignola’s Hellboy is the centerpiece for the 7th All-Star issue of Dark Horse Presents! In addition, this issue packs the beginnings of two new stories—200 People to Kill and Skultar, a brand-new Age of Reptiles story by Ricardo Delgado, a new Skeleton Key story by Andi Watson, and continuing stories by Howard Chaykin and Neal Adams!

80 pages
$7.99
OCT110050

Why it’ll go fast: If retailers didn’t pay attention to their Previews order book they may have missed that DHP #7 features a new Hellboy story written and drawn by his creator, Mike Mignola. And it’s been a while since we’ve seen Mignola on art duties. With a $7.99 price tag, a lot of retailers may have been sheepish when ordering #7. But when it sells out, they’ll come crying for re-orders only to find it sold out.

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The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 12/14/2011

Matt Baum — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:12:55 +0000

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Dec. 14. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

AVATAR:

Stitched #2 (Movie Photo Variant Cover), 1:3

BOUNDLESS:

War Goddess #4 (Michael Dipascale Art Nouveau Variant Cover), 1:3

DARK HORSE:

Star Wars Agent Of The Empire Iron Eclipse #1 (of 5)(Dave Wilkins Variant Cover)

Strain #1 (of 11)(Steve Morris Variant Cover)

Star Wars Agent Of The Empire Iron Eclipse #1 (of 5)(Dave Wilkins Variant Cover), 1:5. Dave Wilkins is a relatively newcomer to the comics world but I can’t wait to see more form him based on this variant. Watch for a $5-$6 price tag.

Strain #1 (of 11)(Steve Morris Variant Cover), 1:5. Steve Morris has been providing Dark Horse with amazing painted covers for the last year and there isn’t one that didn’t impress me, including this really scary-looking cover. Keep them coming, Steve. Watch for a $5-$6 price tag.

DC:

Green Lantern #4 (Doug Mahnke Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200

Green Lantern #4 (Francis Manapul Variant Cover)

Shade #3 (of 12)(Cully Hamner Variant Cover)

Green Lantern #4 (Francis Manapul Variant Cover). Retailers could order this variant based on their orders for the lowest-ordered DC New 52 #4 issue shipping this week. My guess is Mister Terrific. I love this Manapul cover. He’s quickly establishing himself as one of DC’s best. Watch for a $5-$6 price tag and remember this is not a ratioed variant, so don’t pay for it like one.

Shade #3 (of 12)(Cully Hamner Variant Cover), 1:10. I’ve been a big fan of Hamner’s for years and it’s great to see him finally getting higher profile jobs at DC. That said, it’s hard to pick between his and Tony Harris’ covers. Watch for a $7-$8 price tag

DYNAMIC FORCES

Warlord Of Mars #12 (Ale Garza Martian Red Risque Exclusive Cover), $14.99. Limited to 400

DYNAMITE:

Danger Girl And The Army Of Darkness #4 (0f 6)(J. Scott Campbell B&W Variant) 1:10
Danger Girl And The Army Of Darkness #4 (of 6)(Paul Renaud B&W Variant) 1:15
Kirby Genesis Silver Star #2 (Alex Ross Virgin Variant Cover), 1:25
Kirby Genesis Silver Star #2 (Jae Lee Black & White Variant Cover), 1:15
Kirby Genesis Silver Star #2 (Mark Buckingham Virgin Variant Cover), 1:10
Red Sonja #60 (Fabiano Neves Virgin Variant Cover), 1:20
Red Sonja #60 (Walter Geovani Black & White Cover), 1:10
Warlord Of Mars #13 (Ale Garza Risque Art Variant Cover), 1:15
Warlord Of Mars #13 (Lucio Parrillo Variant Cover), 1:15
Warlord Of Mars #13 (Stephen Sadowski Martian Red Variant Cover), 1:20

IDW:

Dead Rising Road To Fortune #3 (of 4)(Dead Rising Concept Art Team Variant) 1:10
Doctor Who #12 (Paul Grist Variant Cover), 1:10
Godzilla Legends #2 (of 5)(Arthur Adams Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10
Hawken #2 (of 6)(Tim Truman ‘Penny Dreadful’ Variant Cover), 1:10
Locke And Key Clockworks #3 (of 6)(Gabriel Rodriguez Variant Cover), 1:10
Snake Eyes #8 (Tom Feister Variant Cover), 1:10
Star Trek Legion Of Super-Heroes #3 (of 6)(Gabriel Rodriguez Variant Cover), 1:10

IMAGE:

Walking Dead Rise Of The Governor Deluxe Slipcased HC (Signed & Numbered Limited Edition), $124.99. Limited to 500
Witchblade #150 (J. Scott Campbell Sketch Variant Cover), 1:25
Witchblade #150 (Michael Broussard Sketch Variant Cover), 1:10

MARVEL:

Avengers X-Sanction #1 (of 4)(Blank Variant Cover), $3.99
Avengers X-Sanction #1 (of 4)(Bryan Hitch Wanted Comic Shop Variant Cover)

Avengers X-Sanction #1 (of 4)(Ed McGuinness Variant Cover)

Avengers X-Sanction #1 (of 4)(Joe Quesada Variant Cover)

Avengers X-Sanction #1 (of 4)(Carlo Pagulayan Battle Comic Shop Variant Cover). Retailers had to order at least 500 of these and they could have the name of their shop printed on the cover. As far as price, if I’m a retailer that ordered 500 copies of this variant you better believe I’d be selling it for cover price.

Avengers X-Sanction #1 (of 4)(Ed McGuinness Variant Cover), 1:15
Avengers X-Sanction #1 (of 4)(Leinul Yu Variant Cover), 1:25
Avengers X-Sanction #1 (of 4)(Joe Quesada Variant Cover), 1:100

Avengers X-Sanction #1 (of 4)(Leinul Yu Variant Cover)

Avengers X-Sanction #1 (of 4)(Joe Quesada Sketch Variant Cover), 1:200. X-Sanction is the beginning of the beginning of next year’s Avengers vs. X-Men event. The comics world is just crazy about preludes; any more, it seems, if your comic isn’t part of an event then it’s the prelude to one. So, as usual, there’s plenty of variants to choose from. All featuring Cable pounding on Cap or all the Avengers. Watch for these price ranges:

1:15 – $6-$8
1:25 – $12-$15
1:100 – $35-$40
1:200 – $125-$140

Carnage U.S.A. #1 (of 5)(Humberto Ramos Variant Cover), 1:100. This one might be aiming a little high. I wouldn’t expect to see too many shops ordering the 100 copies needed to get one of these unless it was pre-ordered. And if it was, be prepared to pay for it. Watch for a $70-$80 price tag.

Fear Itself The Fearless #1 (of 12)(Marc Silvestri 2nd Printing Variant Cover A), $2.99
Fear Itself The Fearless #1 (of 12)(Marc Silvestri 2nd Printing Variant Cover B), $2.99
Incredible Hulk #1 (Marc Silvestri 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99

Uncanny X-Force #18 (Spoiler Variant Cover), 1:25. I’m not sure what the spoiler is here, other than maybe the good guys win. But really, I think we saw that one coming. Everyone knew Nightcrawler was coming back, so not much of a spoiler there. I love Rafael Grampa and this cover is one of his best yet. Watch for a $13-$15 price tag.

Speculator Picks of the Week

These are comics that could sell out very quickly due to conservative ordering, popular demand, shipping errors or even UPS . . . sorry, I’m ranting. Pick them up while you can or pay too much for them later . . .

Carnage USA #1

Marvel
Written by ZEB WELLS
Art by CLAYTON CRAIN

Solicitation: Welcome To Carnage U.S.A.—The Ultimate Red State! Carnage’s maniacal reign of terror continues, courtesy of the critically acclaimed creative team of Zeb Wells and Clayton Crain! Spider-Man and the Avengers must go on a brutal hunt to capture Cletus Kasaday before a small town in the American heartland falls under his mass-murdering spell! Buckle in and prepare for a violence packed adventure! Carnage U.S.A. wants YOU this December!

32 pages
$3.99
OCT110632

Why it’ll go fast: Carnage is one those characters with a cult following. To me, he’s always been a Venom knockoff, but I admit he was created during a time I wasn’t reading Spidey, so I might not have the full skinny on him. Regardless, I’m guessing most retailers ordered lighter on this one due to the $3.99 price tag and the general tendency of mini-series to sell less than regular issues. When the comic sells out from the shelves before Friday, watch for the re-orders to come in fast and furious. If Carnage does go fast, and it should base on the popularity of the character and writer Zeb Wells high-profile job on the Avenging Spider-Man, this one could spike in price but I don’t see it being a long-term performer. Get in and get out on Carnage USA #1.

X-Force #18

Marvel
Written by RICK REMENDER
Art and Cover by JEROME OPENA

Solicitation: Rick Remender (Venom, Fear Agent), Jerome Opeña (Punisher, Fear Agent) and Dean White (Avengers, Amazing Spider-Man) bring you a tale of devastation, bravery and salvation.

32 pages
$2.99
Sold Out!

Why it’ll go fast: I challenge you to find a book with a creative team better than this one. X-Force has been fantastic since issue one and this Dark Angel storyline has been the best yet. Something big is going to happen in this issue. No spoilers here, but my guess is there’s a major death and a return in this issue. I’m not the only one who agrees. Retailers ordered this issue into sell out status before it shipped. Watch for X-Force #18 to be a key issue in what has become an amazing run.

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The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 12/07/2011

Matt Baum — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:00:21 +0000

Irredeemable #32 (Cover C Dan Panosian Plutonian Vs Max Damage)

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Dec. 7. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

BOOM!

Clive Barker’s Hellraiser #8 (Cover C Tim Bradstreet), 1:10
Elric The Balance Lost #6 (Cover C Francesco Mattina), 1:10

Irredeemable #32 (Cover C Dan Panosian Plutonian Vs Max Damage), 1:10. These are listed as a Rare Fight Poster Cover and have their own Diamond code but they are a 1:10 variant. Every publisher does it a little different, I guess. Watch for a $6-$8 price tag.

Planet Of The Apes #4 (SDCC 2011 Photo Variant Cover), $9.99. Limited to 250 copies.

Valen the Outcast #1 (Cover E Chad Hardin)

Valen the Outcast #1 (Cover D Trevor Hairsine Sketch Cover)

Valen the Outcast #1 (Cover F Ale Garza Sketch Cover)

Valen the Outcast #1 (Cover E Chad Hardin), 1:25
Valen the Outcast #1 (Cover D Trevor Hairsine Sketch Cover), 1:50
Valen the Outcast #1 (Cover F Ale Garza Sketch Cover), 1:75

Valen the Outcast #1 (Cover G Joe Jusko CGG 9.8 Virgin Variant Cover), 1:200. BOOM traditionally hits collectors with a ton of covers for their new series, and Valen is no exception. If you ask me, it might be aiming a little high on the 1:200 variant, but 9.8 CGC variant certainly does sweeten the deal. Will it sell for more than the $200 retailers will be asking for it? It’s possible, but I doubt it. And if you do want this one you’ll be paying every bit of that $200, as most retailers in their right minds aren’t going to take the risk on ordering 200 copies of Valen without getting their money’s worth out of this variant. All of these variants will be pricey, due to Valen being an unknown title. So if you need any of these, be prepared to pay top dollar for them.

BOUNDLESS:

Lady Death #12 (Michael Dipascale Art Deco Cover), 1:3

Action Comics #4 (Mike Choi Variant Cover)

DC:

Action Comics #4 (Mike Choi Variant Cover). Retailers could order this variant based on the lowest-ordered DC New 52 #4 title shipping this week. I’m guessing it’s Static Shock this time around. Make sure to pay premium prices for this one; this is not a ratio-ed variant, meaning don’t pay more than $5. Just because your retailer only ordered two copies of Static Shock doesn’t mean this is a two-per-store variant.

Action Comics #4 (Rags Morales Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200. DC’s 1:200 variants have taken a nose dive in price, which is strange because order numbers are definitely going down since the first issues, making them harder to find. Regardless, prices are way down. 1:200 variants of Batman #2 and #3 are selling for $100 or less, all three Flash 1:200 variants recently sold for $255, and even the highest-selling #1 issues are only selling for $150—still expensive but not the $200 price point a lot of retailers are asking. If you need this one, watch for a $100 price tag but you can probably get it for less.

DYNAMIC FORCES

FF #1 (Dynamic Forces)(Ken Haeser Remarked Cover), $89.99. Limited to 45 copies and remarked by a creator that had nothing to do with the title. Haeser is currently the writer and artist of the Living Corpse Exhumed for Dynamite. I don’t get it, either.

Kirby Genesis Silver Star #1 (Dynamic Forces)(Alex Ross Exclusive Virgin Cover), $5. No order restrictions.

X-Men #1 (Dynamic Forces)(Ken Haeser Remarked Cover CGC Graded), $129.99. Limited to 25 copies. Again with the Ken Haeser and again on a title he has nothing to do with but this time for $129.99. What the hell?

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #7 (Ale Garza Risque Variant Cover), 1:15
Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #7 (Ale Garza Variant Cover), 1:15
Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #7 (Jonathan Lau Variant Cover), 1:10
Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #7 (Tim Bradstreet Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10
Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #7 (Tim Bradstreet Virgin Variant Cover), 1:20
Total Recall #4 (of 4)(Cezar Razek Variant Cover), 1:5
Voltron #1 (Alex Ross Negative Variant Cover), 1:35
Voltron #1 (Alex Ross Virgin Variant Cover), 1:10
Voltron #1 (Sean Chen Fiery Red Variant Cover), 1:25
Voltron #1 (Wagner Reis Black & White Variant Cover), 1:15

IDW:

Cold War #3 (John Byrne Variant Cover), 1:10
Eternal Descent Volume 2 #2 (of 6)(Gus Photo Variant Cover), 1:10
G.I. JOE #8 (Tom Feister Cobra Commander Revealed Variant Cover), 1:10
H.P. Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror #3 (Prose Chapbook Volume 3 Of 3), 1:20
H.P. Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror #3 (of 4)(Nick Percival Variant Cover), 1:10
Jurassic Park Dangerous Games #4 (of 5)(Jeff Zornow Black & White Variant), 1:10
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series #1 (Raphael)(David Peterson Black & White Variant), 1:10
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Micro-Series #1 (Raphael)(Kevin Eastman Re-Mastered Original Raphael Micro-Series Cover), 1:25
Transformers #31 (Trevor Hutchison Variant Cover), 1:10
True Blood The French Quarter #4 (of 6)(Joe Corroney Sketch Variant Cover), 1:10
True Blood The French Quarter #4 (of 6)(Photo Variant Cover), 1:20

MARVEL:

Avenging Spider-Man #2 (Ed McGuinness Variant Cover), 1:25. Most collectors will probably be perfectly happy with the Joe Mad cover of this one, but hardcore McGuinness collectors will want to watch for a $12-$15 price tag.

Defenders #1 (I Am A Defender Variant Cover)	Defenders #1 (Neal Adams Variant Cover)
Defenders #1 (Stuart Immonen Variant Cover)	Defenders #1 (Neal Adams Inked Variant Cover)

Defenders #1 (Blank Variant Cover), $3.99

Defenders #1 (I Am A Defender Variant Cover). Retailers had to exceed their orders on Ultimate Spider-Man #1 with this issue and they could order all they need of this variant. There might not be many out there but try not to pay more than cover price.

Defenders #1 (Neal Adams Variant Cover), 1:25. Watch for a $13-$15 price tag.

Defenders #1 (Stuart Immonen Variant Cover), 1:50. I love this variant. Mainly because I’m a huge Doc Strange fan but Immonen did a great job here. Watch for a $25-$30 price tag.

Defenders #1 (Neal Adams Inked Variant Cover), 1:200. And this is the big one. Retailers are asking $200 and up, as usual, for this one but don’t do it. You can probably find this variant for closer to $100 if you need it and I don’t see this one selling for much more than that any time soon.

Speculator Picks of the Week

These are comics that could sell out very quickly due to conservative ordering, popular demand, shipping errors or even UPS drivers taking Tuesday off to wait for the Skyrim download that will fix last week’s patch that ruined everything. Pick them up while you can or pay too much for them later . . .

Voltron #1

Dynamite Entertainment:
Written by BRANDON THOMAS
Art by ARIEL PADILLA
Cover by ALEX ROSS and others

Solicitation: Ultimate victory has never been closer for the Voltron Force. King Zarkon’s brutal regime has been pushed to the edges of the galaxy, left to wage a series of desperate and losing battles to claim innocent victims while they still can. But Zarkon knows something—a secret about Voltron more than a hundred years old that could change everything for the Galaxy Alliance. This isn’t the Voltron we all know, but one redefined and re-imagined by those he and his adventures have inspired over the years. This is Generation Voltron . . .

32 pages
$3.99
OCT110972

Why it’ll go fast: For a lot of children of the 1980s, Voltron was their first exposure to the Giant Robot mang genre, also known as Super Robot Mecha. Not me. I’m ancient, so I remember Mazinger Z and the Shogun Warriors of the late 1970s. [How about Ultraman? – Even-Ancienter Ed.] Don’t get me wrong, I loved Voltron, too, and would love to read a good Voltron comic. Voltron is a timeless property and seems to sell well every time a new incarnation pops up. This time it’s back to the basics with the original Voltron and I’m betting the first printing sells pretty fast. Especially due to the fact that Dynamite doesn’t print huge runs. Voltron might need some good buzz online before it sells out but I still expect it to be out of print by next week.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Micro-series #1 Raphael

IDW
Written by BRIAN LYNCH
Art by FRANCO URRU
Covers by DAVID PETERSON and FRANCO URRU (4:1 Peterson to Franco)

Solicitation: Following in the tradition of the original TMNT microseries comes the first of four stand-alone tales centering on each Turtle. Raphael’s place in the world is uncertain and he can’t shake the feeling that he’ll always be an outsider. That changes when he finds another mutant, the arctic fox Alopex, who may have a new clue pertaining to the Turtles origin. Unfortunately, she’s too busy being hunted alive to share the info! Will Raphael and his new friend survive the night? The Angel: After the Fall team of Brian Lynch and Franco Urru reveal all! Well, some, anyway!

32 pages
$3.99
SEP110280

Why it’ll go fast: TMNT has been a fantastic seller for IDW with issues #1 through #3, selling out their first-printings almost instantly. I’m guessing the print-run on this issue will be even lower than the regular series and will sell out even faster. Watch for the variant covers on this issue to also sell quickly. Ninja Turtles seems to be a winner for IDW and will probably continue to do well in the back issue market for the foreseeable future. Low print runs plus popular characters and quality story has been the formula for most of IDW’s successes.

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The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 11/30/2011

Matt Baum — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:47:22 +0000

Batman Odyssey Volume 2 #2 (of 7)(Neal Adams Black & White Variant Cover)

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Nov. 30. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

Remember, this is a fifth week so the list may look a little sparse.

ARCHIE:

Archie #627 (Francesco Francavilla Variant Cover)(Archie Meets KISS Part 1). Listed as a variant but no ratio information available. I’m guessing this was a 50/50 spilt.

BOOM!

Decision 2012 Sarah Palin #1 (Cover B Jeffrey Spokes Superhero Variant), 1:10

DC:

Batman Odyssey Volume 2 #2 (of 7)(Neal Adams Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10. I had to stare at this one for a few seconds before the image popped out. This story has not been very well received, but you’ve got to give Adams props for drawing the hell out it. Watch for a $5-$7 price tag.

Uncharted #1 (of 6)(Adam Hughes Variant Cover), 1:10

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT:

Flash Gordon Zeitgeist #1 (Alex Ross Negative Art Variant Cover), 1:25
Flash Gordon Zeitgeist #1 (Alex Ross Sketch Variant Cover), 1:100
Flash Gordon Zeitgeist #1 (Francesco Francavilla Retro Original Art Variant Cover), 1:50
Flash Gordon Zeitgeist #1 (Francesco Francavilla Wraparound Variant Cover), 1:10
Flash Gordon Zeitgeist #1 (Paul Renaud Black & White Variant Cover), 1:75
Flash Gordon Zeitgeist #1 (Wagner Reis Variant Cover), 1:25
George R.R. Martin’s A Game Of Thrones #3 (Mike Miller Negative Art Variant Cover), 1:25
George R.R. Martin’s A Game Of Thrones #3 (Mike Miller Virgin Variant Cover), 1:15
Warlord Of Mars #9 (Wagner Reis Risque Red Re-Order Variant Cover),
Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris #5 (Arthur Adams Martian Green Risque Re-Order Variant Cover)
Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris #6 (Ale Garza Earth Blue Risque Re-Order Variant Cover)

Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris #6 (Ale Garza Martian Red Risque Re-Order Variant Cover). All these “re-order variants” are basically new printings with different covers and can be ordered normally. Don’t pay any more than cover price.

Warlord Of Mars Fall Of Barsoom #4 (Francesco Francavilla Variant Cover), 1:10
Warlord Of Mars Fall Of Barsoom #4 (Francesco Francavilla Virgin Variant Cover),1:25
Warlord Of Mars Fall Of Barsoom #4 (Joe Jusko Black & White Variant Cover), 1:15

IDW:

Cobra #7 (Ben Templesmith Variant Cover), 1:10
Jack Avarice Is The Courier #5 (of 5)(Chris Madden Sketch Variant Cover) 1:10
Infestation 2 Ashcan (Promotional Item),
Star Trek #3 (Photo Variant Cover), 1:20
Star Trek #3 (Tim Bradstreet Sketch Variant Cover), 1:10

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 (Fred Hembeck Variant Cover)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 (Fred Hembeck Variant Cover), 1:25. If it were up to me, Fred Hembeck would be a rich man. I loved his Peter Porker the Amazing Spider-Ham when I was a kid and I love his TMNT variants. There’s nothing flash going on here, just wacky Hembeck art. Watch for a $12-$15 price tag. And I’m not kidding; if I come into a large amount of money, Fred Hembeck will never have to work again. Unless he wants to, of course.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4 (Kevin Eastman Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10

IMAGE:

Complete Invincible Library Volume 3 HC (Limited Signed & Numbered Edition)

Complete Invincible Library Volume 3 HC (Limited Signed & Numbered Edition), $175. Limited to 150. It’s hard to know if these will be worth it in the long run but, when I see a print run that low, it’s hard not to get excited. Especially because these are gorgeous hardcover collections.

MARVEL:

Brilliant #1 (Mark Bagley 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.95
FF #12 (Gabrielle Dell’Otto Variant Cover),

FF #12 (Skottie Young Fantastic Four 50th Anniversary Variant Cover)

Herc #10 (Last Issue)(Mike Oeming Variant Cover)

FF #12 (Skottie Young Fantastic Four 50th Anniversary Variant Cover). Unlike the other FF 50th anniversary covers, this one does not have a 1:50 ratio, which is weird. Why change it now? Retailers had to exceed their orders of FF#6 with this issue and they could order all they need of this variant. Why #6? Sure it was the return of Black Bolt, but it wasn’t that big of a deal. I don’t get it. Regardless, watch for a $5-$7 price tag.

Herc #10 (Last Issue)(Mike Oeming Variant Cover), 1:15. This is a great cover by Omeing and, had Marvel been thinking, he would have been a great artist for this series and it might not be cancelled. This is the final issue, by the way, and to be honest, I didn’t love this Hercules series as much as the last one. Writers Pak and Van Lente just seemed to lose steam after the Chaos War crossover. I’ll miss you, Herc. Watch for a $7-$9 price tag.

Thunderbolts #166 (Paul Renaud Marvel Comics Anniversary Variant Cover)

Ultimate Comics The Ultimates #4 (Chris Stevens Marvel 50th Anniversary Variant)

Thunderbolts #166 (Paul Renaud Marvel Comics Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:50

Ultimate Comics The Ultimates #4 (Chris Stevens Marvel 50th Anniversary Variant), 1:50. Both of these are really unimpressive. There’s something weird about Renaud’s Cap costume on the Thunderbolts cover (what’s with that neckline?) and the Stevens cover of Ultimates #4 is a fun Secret Wars homage but it’s just plain bad. I would think Marvel would’ve tried a little harder for its 50th anniversary. Thunderbolts is a low-ordered title that’s been dropping in sales (October’s #164 checked in at the 105th-spot on the top 300, which was down eight spots from September), so expect this variant to be hard to find. Watch for a $25-$30 price tag. Ultimates is a top #50 seller, so this variant should be easier to find. Watch for a $20-$25 price tag.

Uncanny X-Men #2 (Billy Tan Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover)

Uncanny X-Men #2 (Billy Tan Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:50. Help me out here, Marvel nerds: I’m having a tough time placing what cover this variant pays homage too. Nicely done by Tan, though. This is much more in the vein of what I was thinking for a 50th anniversary cover. Watch for a $20-$25 price tag.

Uncanny X-Men #544 (Greg Land 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
X-Men Legacy #259 (David Yardin Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:50
X-Men Legacy #259 (Nick Bradshaw Regenesis Gold Variant Cover), 1:15

Speculator Picks of the Week

These are comics that could sell out very quickly due to conservative ordering, popular demand, shipping errors or even UPS drivers occupying the Superdome in New Orleans in protest of an LSU vs. Alabama National Championship game and refusing to leave until the NCAA sets up a college football playoff system. It’s barely a sport at this point. The Miss America Pageant is more competitive and fair than college football. It’s laughable! Sorry I’m ranting. Pick them up while you can or pay too much for them later . . .

Uncharted #1

DC:
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art by SERGIO SANDOVAL
Cover by TONY HARRIS

Solicitation: The critically acclaimed and best-selling PlayStation 3 video game jumps onto the comic page, featuring an all-new, action-packed story written by Joshua Williamson (Superman/Batman) with fantastic covers by the legendary Tony Harris. It’s just in time for the highly anticipated Uncharted #3: Drake’s Deception coming in November! A quest for the legendary “Amber Room” launches Nathan Drake on a journey to the center of the earth. As enemies from Sir Francis Drake’s past come for revenge on his descendant, Drake must use all the skills at his disposal to stay one step ahead of the game!

32 pages
$2.99
SEP110213

Why it’ll go fast: This is another video game-inspired comic that will force comic shops to fight for copies with video game retailers. Uncharted is one of Sony PlayStation’s highest-selling titles with a pretty solid storyline that should lend itself nicely to a comic adaptation. Watch for copies to go fast. Not as fast as the video game, but I’ll bet it sells out by next week. Nice covers by both Tony Harris and Adam Hughes on this one too.

The Haunt #19

IMAGE
Written by JOE CASEY
Art and Cover by NATHAN FOX

Solicitation: An all-new creative team kicks off with a bold new direction! Brothers Daniel and Kurt Killgore have shared an ominous power, but things begin to unravel—for both of them—when a past tragedy comes back to haunt them. All-new action! All-new enemies! The new nightmare begins . . . now!

32 pages
$2.99
JUL110423

Why it’ll go fast: The Haunt is about to get weird. The kind of weird that only Joe Casey can provide. Casey has worked on a myriad of titles for Marvel, DC, Image and just about every other publisher you can think of. His two recent works, Godland and Butcher Baker the Righteous Maker (both for Image), have been two of most bizarre and best-reviewed yet. Casey is also one of the creators behind Man of Action Studios, which created Ben 10 and Generator Rex cartoon shows for the Cartoon Network. I love Casey’s writing and Nathan Fox’s frantic art style should be perfect for the Haunt’s new direction. I’d expect this one to sell out when the reorders come in next week.

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The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 11/23/2011

Matt Baum — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 14:24:33 +0000

Flash #3 (Jim Lee Variant Cover)

The Comic Speculator is a blog written by WorthPoint Comic Book “Worthologist” Matt Baum that takes a look at each week’s hot new comics and back issues and the comic market place in general. Prices discussed here are taken from the Overstreet Guide to Comics (OVST), Comicspriceguide.com (CPG) and current online auction sales. Sales numbers and rankings are courtesy of ICV2.com. The codes under the prices of new titles discussed are Diamond Comics order codes that can be used to help your local comic retailer in ordering the issues discussed. If you want to hear what this nerd sounds like you can catch him on his podcast, the Two-Headed Nerd Comicast, where he and his friend Joe discuss the latest comic news, review some new comics, and answer your questions.

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Nov. 23. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

ABSTRACT STUDIOS

Rachel Rising #1 (Red 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99

AMRYL ENTERTAINMENT:

Cavewoman Cover Gallery #4 (Special Edition). Limited to 750 copies.

APOSTLE ARTS:

Billy Tucci A Child Is Born (One Shot)(Billy Tucci Variant Cover), 1:10. Yep, Billy Tucci, the guy who gave us the slutty Japanese assassin Shi is now doing an illustrating the story of the birth of Christ. Go figure . . .

ASPEN:

Executive Assistant Iris Volume 2 #5 (Cover C Sketch Variant). Retailers could order three sketch variants for every 10 regular copies ordered.

AVATAR:

Caligula #5 (of 6)(Jacen Burrows Golden Variant Cover), 1:5

BOOM!

Decision 2012 Ron Paul #1 (Cover B Jeffrey Spokes Superhero Variant), 1:10

BOUNDLESS:

Art Of Lady Death Volume 1 HC (Richard Ortiz Signed Wizard World Chicago Cover), $49.99. Limited to 350 copies.
Lady Death #7 (Gabriel Guzman Wizard World Chicago Cover), $9.99. Limited to 750 copies.
War Goddess #2 (Clint Hilinski Auxiliary Cover), $3.99. Limited to 1,000 copies.

DC:

Animal Man #1 (Travel Foreman 3rd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99

Flash #3 (Francis Manapul Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200. Time for the weekly “don’t pay too much for this one” rant. I saw one instance of a copy selling for $135 on eBay, but everything else was less than $100and there’s still plenty to choose from. So, without screaming, stay under $100 here. Watch for an $80-$90 price tag.

Flash #3 (Jim Lee Variant Cover). Retailers could order this variant equal to the lowest ordered New 52 #3 issue shipping this week. I’m guessing it’s Blackhawks, so don’t let sellers trick you into paying for this one like it’s a ratio variant. Just because your retailer only ordered five copies of Blackhawks and therefore can only order five copies of this variant doesn’t make it anymore rare. Watch for a $5-$7 price tag.

Shade #2 (of 12)(Cully Hamner Variant Cover), 1:10

DYNAMIC FORCES

Justice League #1 (Dynamic Forces)(Scott Williams Signed Edition), $29.99. Limited to 225 copies.

Living Corpse Exhumed #1 (of 6)(Dynamic Forces)(Ken Haeser & Buz Hasson Signed Cover), $19.99. Very limited to 25 copies.

Living Corpse Exhumed #1 (of 6)(Dynamic Forces)(Ken Haeser Authentix Edition With Hand-Drawn Corpse Sketch), $49.99. Also limited to 25 copies.

X-Men #1 (Dynamic Forces)(Ken Haeser Wolverine Remarked Edition), $49.99. Limited to 75 copies. Listed as Ken Haeser but Diamond lists the artist as Joe Rubinstein, who was the inker for the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe (I had to look that up).

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT:

Last Phantom #10 (Alex Ross Virgin Variant Cover), 1:10
Last Phantom #10 (Fabiano Neves Variant Cover), 1:15
Last Phantom #10 (Stephen Sadowski Variant Cover), 1:10
Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris #8 (Ale Garza Risque Art Variant Cover), 1:20
Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris #8 (Paul Renaud Martian Red Variant Cover), 1:10

IDW:

Doctor Who #11 (Matthew Dow Smith Variant Cover), 1:10
Dungeons And Dragons #13 (Steve Ellis Variant Cover), 1:10
Ghostbusters #1 (Dan Schoening 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Jack Avarice Is The Courier #4 (of 5)(Chris Madden Sketch Variant Cover),
Locke And Key The Guide To The Known Keys (Gabriel Rodriguez Variant), 1:10

MARVEL:

Avengers Solo #2 (of 5)(Thor Movie Variant Cover)

Avengers Solo #2 (of 5)(Thor Movie Variant Cover), 1:15. Not really sure why a story about Hawkeye gets a Thor Movie variant but, there ya go. A nifty Thor movie variant. OK, just checked, the DVD came out today. So, Thor Movie variant. Still, kinda weird. Regardless, watch for an $8-$10 price tag.

Fantastic Four #600 (John Romita Jr. Variant Cover)

Fantastic Four #600 (John Romita Jr. Variant Cover), 1:15
Fantastic Four #600 (Arthur Adams Variant Cover), 1:25
Fantastic Four #600 (Joe Quesada Variant Cover), 1:50

Fantastic Four #600 (Joe Quesada Sketch Variant Cover)

Fantastic Four #600 (Joe Quesada Sketch Variant Cover), 1:100. Not the best John Romita Jr. variant I’ve seen here but I guess none of his art has been his best lately. Watch for a $7-$10 price tag. I can’t find a picture of the Arthur Adams variant and I’ll bet it’s awesome. Come on Marvel, normally you guys are great at this. Watch for a $15-$20 price tag. The Quesada variant for this book is stunning. I may have to splurge for this one and if I do will be looking for a $30-$35 price tag. It’s just too cool. And finally, why Marvel and DC continue to give the sketch variants the highest ratio to order is beyond me. Wouldn’t people want the fully colored and finished variant more? I mean the sketch variant is cool, sure, but look at that finished variant. I don’t get it, but if you need this one, watch for a $70-$75 price tag.

Invincible Iron Man #510 (Mike Choi Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover)

Invincible Iron Man #510 (Mike Choi Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover) 1:50. This one just screams Fleer-gold-embossed-Marvel-Legends-collector-card to me. Not bad; it just looks very ’90s to me. Maybe it’s the pose or the computer coloring but I’m definitely getting an “extreme” vibe from this one. Watch for a $25-$30price tag.

Kick-Ass 2 #5 (Bryan Hitch Variant Cover), 1:25
Kick-Ass 2 #5 (Photo Variant Cover), 1:15

Secret Avengers #19 (Larry Stroman Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:50. My love of Larry Stroman’s work goes all the way back to the mid-1980s, when he was working on Alien Legion with Chuck Dixon. That said, this is not the most amazing Stroman cover I’ve seen, and it doesn’t really say “50th Anniversary,” either. And why no faces? Watch for a $25-$30 price tag.

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #2 (Kaare Andrews 3rd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Ultimate Comics The Ultimates #2 (Kaare Andrews 3rd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99

Wolverine And The X-Men #2 (Ed McGuinness Marvel 50th Anniversary Variant)

Wolverine And The X-Men #2 (Ed McGuinness Marvel 50th Anniversary Variant), 1:50. I don’t get this one, either. All in all, not a good week for Marvel 50th Anniversary variants. Unless you like Wolvie’s butt. Watch for a $25-$30 price tag.

Speculator Picks of the Week

These are comics that could sell out very quickly due to conservative ordering, popular demand, shipping errors or even UPS trucks overloaded with returned Penn State memorabilia and Rick Perry for President lawn signs. Pick them up while you can or pay too much for them later . . .

Locke & Key: Guide to the Known Keys one shot

IDW
Written by JOE HILL
Art by GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ

Solicitation: This special standalone issue features an expanded Guide to the Known Keys, an all-new Guide to Failed Keys, and a story of summer-night magic, set in Keyhouse’s unlikely past.

32 pages
$3.99
JUL110327

Why it’ll go fast: Apparently, I’m the only jerk that isn’t reading Locke and Key and I’m missing out on a hell of a story. It’s on my “to read” list, I swear. Like the other Locke and Key comics, this one will go very quickly but probably not right away. I’m guessing retailers order lighter on this one than a normal story issue and reorder as fast as they can when it sells just as well as the regular story issues. IDW has been content—or it a least seems that way—to print smaller runs of first-printings and then sell reprinting, which is another reason why this one will go quickly. Will the guide have huge back-issue value? Probably not, but it will be hard to find.

Kapow World Record Special #1

MARVEL
Plot by MARK MILLAR
Written by PAUL CORNELL, KIERON GILLEN and more
Art by FRANK QUITELY, DAVE GIBBONS, JOHN ROMITA JR., LEINIL YU, JOCK, OLIVIER COIPIEL, SEAN PHILLIPS, DUNCAN FERGRADO & more!

Solicitation: In April 2011, Mark Millar, Frank Quitely, Dave Gibbons, John Romita Jr, Leinil Yu, Paul Cornell, Andy Diggle, Jock, Duncan Fegrado, Sean Phillips and more than 50 other comic-book creators joined forces with Kapow to break not one but TWO Guinness World Records—the fastest comic-book ever produced and the biggest number of creators working on a single comic. The Kapow Special stars Superior and was written, penciled, inked and lettered in less than 12 hours. PLEASE NOTE: All proceeds from the sales of this comic will go to Yorkhill Sick Children’s Hospital in Scotland and the print-run for this book will be limited to just 10,000 copies.

24 pages
$2.99
Sold Out

Why it’ll go fast: This one has the mark of “Ridiculously High Priced Back Issue” stamped right on the cover. Every artist that worked on the book is amazing and there’s more than 10 of them, two great writers, and it’s a limited print run for charity. That’s enough to make collectors kill each other to get a copy. Watch for this one to start a little slow and then skyrocket in value. By this weekend, I’m betting it’s selling for at least $20.

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The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 11/16/2011

Matt Baum — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:54:10 +0000

Batman #3 (Ivan Reis & Joe Prado Variant Cover)

The Comic Speculator is a blog written by WorthPoint Comic Book “Worthologist” Matt Baum that takes a look at each week’s hot new comics and back issues and the comic market place in general. Prices discussed here are taken from the Overstreet Guide to Comics (OVST), Comicspriceguide.com (CPG) and current online auction sales. Sales numbers and rankings are courtesy of ICV2.com. The codes under the prices of new titles discussed are Diamond Comics order codes that can be used to help your local comic retailer in ordering the issues discussed. If you want to hear what this nerd sounds like you can catch him on his podcast, the Two-Headed Nerd Comicast, where he and his friend Joe discuss the latest comic news, review some new comics, and answer your questions.

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Nov. 16. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

AZURE PRESS:

Ninjas Vs Zombies #4 (Photo Variant Cover), $3.99 1:10

BOOM!

Decision 2012 Michele Bachmann #1 (Cover B Jeffrey Spokes Superhero Variant), 1:10
Planet Of The Apes #8 (Cover C Scott Keatin), 1:10
Stan Lee’s Starborn #12 (Cover B Jonboy Meyers), 1:10

BOUNDLESS:

Lady Death Origins Volume 2 HC (Signed Edition), $34.99, “limited” to 2,500 copies, which is not very limited at all. If they sell through all of these I’d guess there’ll be an office pizza party.

War Goddess #3 (Michael Dipascale Art Deco Variant Cover), 1:3

DARK HORSE:

Mass Effect Invasion #2 (of 4)(Paul Renaud Variant Cover), 1:5

DC:

Batman #3 (Francis Manapul Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200. It finally happened. I’ve been saying for weeks to wait if you want these 1:200 variants because the price is going to come down. And down it came. The 1:200 variant of Batman #2 is currently selling for just under $100. Even the Justice League 1:200 is down to around $130. So I’ll yell it out one more time (who am I kidding, you’ll hear this from me ad nauseum)” DO NOT PAY THE $200 OR MORE THAT A LOT OF RETAILERS ARE ASKING FOR THESE VARIANTS! Unless you’re a member of the cadre of billionaires that artificially inflates the prices of collectibles on eBay that I can’t prove exists . . . yet. If so, then please feel free to bid on some of the fine auctions I’m running at the moment. Everyone else, don’t do it. These variants may never be worth that much simply due to their price-point pushing them out of the hands of most collectors. Watch for an $80-$100 price tag.

Batman #3 (Ivan Reis & Joe Prado Variant Cover). Retailers could order an amount of this variant up to the lowest ordered DCU New 52 #3 title shipping this week. Which is probably Blue Beetle this week, although if End of Nations #1 counted, I’m sure it would be the lowest (based on what sounds like a Libertarian conspiracy-themed video game). So, that means this one should not be treated like a ratioed variant. Do not pay more than $5 for this one. Is it rarer than regular cover, sure, but not on the order of one for every 10 regular covers like your typical variant. I love this variant, though. Ivan Reis can do no wrong.

Justice League #3 (Jim Lee Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200. Same story here as with the Batman #3 1:200 variant (see rant above). Watch for an $80-$100 price tag.

Justice League #3 (Greg Capullo Variant Cover)

Justice League #3 (Greg Capullo Variant Cover). And, same story here as with the Batman #3 Ivan Reis variant, but, I don’t love this one as much. Watch for a $5 price tag.

DYNAMIC FORCES

Green Arrow #1 (J. T. Krul Signed Edition), $29.99. Sold out. Then again, there were only 75, but I guess someone is buying these.

X-Men #1 (Ken Haeser Remarked Cover), $49.99. Limited to 75.

DYNAMITE:

Kevin Smith’s The Bionic Man #4 (Alex Ross Virgin Variant Cover), 1:20
Kevin Smith’s The Bionic Man #4 (Jonathan Lau Black & White Variant Cover), 1:25
Kevin Smith’s The Bionic Man #4 (Jonathan Lau Variant Cover), 1:10
Kirby Genesis Captain Victory #1 (Alex Ross Negative Art Variant Cover), 1:25
Kirby Genesis Captain Victory #1 (Alex Ross Red Variant Cover), 1:50
Kirby Genesis Captain Victory #1 (Michael Avon Oeming Variant Cover), 1:10
Kirby Genesis Captain Victory #1 (Michael Avon Oeming Virgin Variant Cover), 1:10
Kirby Genesis Captain Victory #1 (Sean Chen Negative Art Variant Cover), 1:15
Kirby Genesis Captain Victory #1 (Sean Chen Variant Cover), 1:15
Kirby Genesis Captain Victory #1 (Wagner Reis Variant Cover), 1:25
Living Corpse Exhumed #4 (of 6)(Movie Cover), 1:25

IDW:

Anne Rice’s Servant Of The Bones #4 (of 6)(Jenny Frison Variant Cover), 1:10
G.I. JOE A Real American Hero #172 (Larry Hama Variant Sketch Cover), 1:10
Ghostbusters #3 (Tristan Jones Variant Cover), 1:10
Godzilla Legends #1 (of 5)(Matt Frank Sketch Variant Cover), 1:50
Hawken #1 (of 6)(Tim Truman Wanted Poster Variant Cover), 1:25
Jack Avarice Is The Courier #3 (of 5)(Chris Madden Sketch Variant Cover), 1:10
Snake Eyes #7 (Trevor Hutchison Variant Cover), 1:10
Transformers #30 (Livio Ramondelli Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10

IMAGE:

Ultra Seven Days Deluxe HC (Signed & Numbered Limited Edition), $99.99. Limited to initial orders (100 copies) and, according to Image, will never be printed again.

MARVEL:

Amazing Spider-Man #674 (Pasqual Ferry Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant)

Captain America #4 (Marko Djurdjevic Fantastic Four 50th Anniversary Variant Cover)

Amazing Spider-Man #674 (Pasqual Ferry Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant), 1:50. I love Pasqual Ferry and love this variant. Maybe not $50 love it, but I could love it for closer to $25. Which is probably not realistic. I’ve seen three of these sell on eBay already for at or just below the $50 mark. All these Marvel 50th Anniversary variants have been selling well and I’d expect this one, featuring Spidey and his arch-nemesis the Green Goblin, to do the same. Watch for a $40-$45 price tag.

Captain America #4 (Marko Djurdjevic Fantastic Four 50th Anniversary Variant Cover). Not to be confused with the Marvel 50th Anniversary variants, this is the Fantastic Four 50th Anniversary variant. This Djurdjevic variant features some of the lesser-known former members of the FF: Power Man, Crystal, Ant-Man and Sharon Ventura the She-Thing. Watch for a $25-$30 price tag.

Fear Itself #7.3 (Ariel Olivetti Variant Cover), 1:25

Generation Hope #13 (Dale Keown Regenesis Blue Variant Cover)

Generation Hope #13 (Dale Keown Regenesis Blue Variant Cover), 1:15. For those looking to complete the Dale Keown X-Men Regenesis four-part cover series, this one will be the toughest. Of the X-titles, Generation Hope is the lowest-ordered, which means there will be fewer of these variants out there. That said, the ones that are out there shouldn’t be too expensive. Watch for a $8-$12 price tag, but as soon as they disappear, that number will go up.

Incredible Hulk #2 (Marc Silvestri Sketch Variant Cover)

Incredible Hulk #2 (Mike Deodato Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover)

Incredible Hulk #2 (Marc Silvestri Sketch Variant Cover), 1:200. This is another one that I don’t see going for much more than $100 while it’s hot. Later on, you can probably grab it for less than $75.

Incredible Hulk #2 (Mike Deodato Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:50. I don’t love this one. In fact, I don’t think I love Mike Deodato’s art any more, period. Maybe it was me who changed. Not important. Anyway, meh to this cover and there should be plenty of them out there as this title, or at least #1, was very well-ordered. Watch for a $25-$30 price tag.

Punisher #5 (Mike Perkins Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover)

Venom #9 (Michael Lark Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover)

Punisher #5 (Mike Perkins Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:50. Weird job, Mike Perkins. You made Frank Castle look like Bela Legosi as Dracula. I don’t love it—or even really like it—and I don’t see collectors killing for this one. Watch for a $20-$25 price tag.

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #3 (Kaare Andrews 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Ultimate Comics X-Men #2 (Kaare Andrews 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99

Venom #9 (Michael Lark Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:50. I love Michael Lark but this cover is just weak. Come on, Lark. When in doubt, just redraw a famous Venom pose in your style. It works every time. This is just uninspired. Watch for a $20-$25 price tag.

X-Men Regenesis #1 (One Shot)(Cyclops 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
X-Men Regenesis #1 (One Shot)(Wolverine 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99

Speculator Picks of the Week

Mudman #1

Image
Written and drawn by PAUL GRIST

Solicitation: A brand-new superhero comic by Paul Grist! It’s the first day back at school for Owen Craig, and it’s not going too well. He’s been run over, got detention and his police officer father has been taken prisoner by armed bank robbers. And now his body seems to be turning into mud . . .

32 pages
$3.50
SEP110363

Why it’ll go fast: First of all, Paul Grist is just awesome and it’s a shame that he’s not more of a comics-household-name. If you haven’t read it already, check out his Jack Staff, Vols. 1-4 available in TPD now at cool comic shops everywhere. You’ll love it. Here’s to hoping that Mudman #1 is the comic that makes Grist his first million dollars. It certainly helps that Image #1’s get as much attention as they do. That said, (think I’ve said “that said” four times already in this blog alone), Mudman #1 has not sold out before shipping, as of the time of me writing this. I’m guessing that positive reviews and good buzz on the net should help remedy that though. Pick this one up if you can find it. Grist does not disappoint.

Key of Z #2

BOOM!
Written by CLAUDIO SANCHEZ and CHONDRA ECHERT
Art by AARON KUDER

Solicitation: From the creators of The Amory Wars and Kill Audio comes a deadly new vision of New York City! The zombie apocalypse has transformed the city into two separate battle-hardened fiefdoms! And only one man stands between these two warring factions. Who is Ewing, the man at the center of it all? His life has been torn apart by the zombie apocalypse and the raging war that erupted in its aftermath. How will he fight back? Find out in the second issue of the series that is redefining the zombie apocalypse genre!

32 pages
$3.99
Sold Out

Why it’ll go fast: Key of Z #1 isn’t doing as well as some of the earlier Claudio Sanchez titles, but it is getting harder to find and I think this series still has some legs. The same retailers that may have raised their orders on issue one after seeing copies of the Amory Wars #1 first printings sell for more than $40 probably cut back on their orders of issue #2. Regardless, the issue has already sold out before shipping so what you see on the stands is what you get. Undoubtedly, BOOM! had a smaller print-run for issue #2, which means it could be harder to find than #1.

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The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 11/09/2011

Matt Baum — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 14:01:01 +0000

Green Lantern #3 (Ethan Van Sciver Variant Cover)

The Comic Speculator is a blog written by WorthPoint Comic Book “Worthologist” Matt Baum that takes a look at each week’s hot new comics and back issues and the comic market place in general. Prices discussed here are taken from the Overstreet Guide to Comics (OVST), Comicspriceguide.com (CPG) and current online auction sales. Sales numbers and rankings are courtesy of ICV2.com. The codes under the prices of new titles discussed are Diamond Comics order codes that can be used to help your local comic retailer in ordering the issues discussed. If you want to hear what this nerd sounds like you can catch him on his podcast, the Two-Headed Nerd Comicast, where he and his friend Joe discuss the latest comic news, review some new comics, and answer your questions.

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Nov. 9. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

AVATAR:

Crossed Psychopath #3 (of 7)(Gianluca Pagliarani San Diego Comic Con Cover), $5.99. Limited to 850 copies.
Crossed Trading Cards Series 1 Set, $19.99
Crossed Wish You Were Here Ashcan (Jacen Burrows Gore Cover), $5.99. Limited to 850 copies.

BOOM:

Clive Barker’s Hellraiser #7 (Cover C Tim Bradstreet), 1:10
Decision 2012: Barack Obama #1 1:10

BOUNDLESS:

Lady Death #7 (Michael Dipascale Auxillary cover ) $3.99. Limited to 1500 copies.
War Goddess #1 (Clint Hilinsk Auxiliary Cover), $3.99. Limited to 1,500 copies.

DARK HORSE:

Occultist #1 (of 3)(Jenny Frison 25th Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:10
PC Cast’s House Of Night #1 (of 5)(Steve Morris Variant Cover), 1:5

DC:

Green Lantern #3 (Doug Mahnke Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200

Green Lantern #3 (Ethan Van Sciver Variant Cover). Don’t pay too much for these variants. A lot of sellers and retailers are pricing them like a 1:20 variant or even higher. These variants are made available to retailers for the standard cover price with discount, the same as the regular covers, but retailers can only order up to the amount of the lowest ordered DC New 52 title for this week. Watch for a $4-$5 price tag.

DYNAMIC FORCES

Vampirella #11 (Wagner Reis Red Exclusive Cover), $8.99. The price here goes up to $14.99 if ordered after 10/4/2011. Why the price goes up after the final order cutoff date even when the item is still in stock seems to be a mystery. Limited to 200 copies.

Warlord Of Mars Dejah Thoris #7 (Ale Garza Martian Red Risque Exclusive Cover), $14.99. This one goes up to $19.99 if ordered after Sept. 14, 2011. This one has a 1:20 ratio that was based on orders of the regular cover from Dynamite. My advice here is to pluck these off Ebay if you need them. You should be able to get them for much less than $19.99 and keep in mind most of these Dynamic Forces covers don’t see much in price increase in the back issue market. These are niche variants for niche variant collectors.

DYNAMITE ENT:

Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #6 (Ale Garza Variant Cover)	Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #6 (Johnny Desjardins Variant Cover)
Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #6 (Jonathan Lau Variant Cover)	Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #6 (Tim Bradstreet Black & White Variant Cover)

Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #6 (Ale Garza Variant Cover),
Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #6 (Johnny Desjardins Variant Cover),
Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #6 (Jonathan Lau Variant Cover),
Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #6 (Tim Bradstreet Black & White Variant Cover), 1:15

Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #6 (Tim Bradstreet Virgin Variant Cover)

Garth Ennis’ Jennifer Blood #6 (Tim Bradstreet Virgin Variant Cover), 1:10. Dynamite is famous for pumping out multiple variants for its titles every week and someone recently pointed out to me that I rarely discuss them. It’s true, and mainly because there isn’t a lot to discuss. Jennifer Blood is a perfect example. Dynamite has published six issues of the series with at least five variant covers per issue for a total of 30 covers (give or take). If anyone was actively snatching up all these “rare” variants, we would see prices rising on them. But prices are sitting below the $15 mark for the higher-ratio variants (1:20 and up) and right around cover price for the 1:10 ratio variants. Keep in mind those are eBay prices, which are a much better representation of what these variants are worth because that is what people are actually paying for them. Just because your local shop might have a $25 price tag on one of these variants doesn’t mean it’ll ever sell for that price again.

Kirby Genesis Silver Star #1 (Alex Ross Negative Art Variant Cover), 1:10
Kirby Genesis Silver Star #1 (Alex Ross Sketch Variant Cover), 1:25
Kirby Genesis Silver Star #1 (Jae Lee Black & White Variant Cover), 1:15
Terminator Robocop Kill Human #4 (of 4)(Jonathan Lau Black & White Variant Cover), 1:15

IDW:

30 Days Of Night #2 (Bernie Wrightson Variant Cover), 1:10
Crawl To Me #4 (Of 4)(David Lupton Variant Cover), 1:10
Dungeons And Dragons The Legend Of Drizzt #3(Monster Of The Month Variant), 1:10
Godzilla Kingdom Of Monsters #1 (New Dimension Comics Exclusive Edition), $9.99. Limited to 500 copies.
H.P. Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror #2 (of 4)(Dunwich Horror Prose Chapbook), 1:20
H.P. Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror #2 (of 4)(Nick Percival Variant Cover), 1:10
Jack Avarice Is The Courier #2 (of 5)(Chris Madden Sketch Variant Cover),
Jurassic Park Dangerous Games #3 (of 5)(Jeff Zornow Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10

Spike #1 (of 8)(Franco Urru SDCC 2010 Evolution Of Spike Exclusive Edition)

Spike #1 (of 8)(Franco Urru SDCC 2010 Evolution Of Spike Exclusive Edition). No word on print run here but it’s listed as out of stock so whatever shows up at your shop is going to be it for this variant. That said, there was no order restrictions here and the price was only $4 so try to stick close to that price tag.

Star Trek Khan Ruling In Hell #1 (of 4)(SDCC 2010 Exclusive Cover)

Star Trek Khan Ruling In Hell #1 (of 4)(SDCC 2010 Exclusive Cover), $4. Same story here.

Star Trek Legion Of Super-Heroes #1 (of 6)(Keith Giffin 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Star Trek Legion Of Super-Heroes #2 (of 6)(Gabriel Rodriguez Variant Cover),
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 (Kevin Eastman 3rd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99

IMAGE:

Artifacts #11 (Foil Symbol Variant Cover), 1:100

Artifacts #11 (Jeremy Haun Sketch Variant Cover), 1:50. File these under “You don’t need it.” Retailers aren’t ordering enough of this crossover to get the 1:100 variant unless maybe they have customers willing to pay for the risk. Leaving them paying anywhere from $50-$100 for a variant that might sell for $20 in the future. If anyone cares. That’s not to say this series is bad, it’s just not selling very well. Artifacts #10 shipped only 9,141 copies in September coming in at 191 on the top 300 comics list.

Artifacts Playing Card Set #11 (of 13)(Retailer Incentive), 1:5

MARVEL:

Avenging Spider-Man #1 (Joe Quesada Sketch Variant Cover)	Avenging Spider-Man #1 (Joe Quesada Variant Cover)
Avenging Spider-Man #1 (Humberto Ramos Variant Cover)	Avenging Spider-Man #1 (J. Scott Campbell Variant Cover)

Avenging Spider-Man #1 (Blank Variant Cover), $3.99
Avenging Spider-Man #1 (Humberto Ramos Variant Cover), 1:25
Avenging Spider-Man #1 (Joe Quesada Variant Cover), 1:50
Avenging Spider-Man #1 (J. Scott Campbell Variant Cover), 1:100

Avenging Spider-Man #1 (Joe Quesada Sketch Variant Cover), 1:200. The Avenging Spidey variants will no doubt be the ones collectors are looking for this week. Just don’t go nuts here. The blank variants we made available to retailers for the standard cover price with discount so don’t pay more than cover for them. There should be plenty of the Ramos 1:25 variants, and it’s not particularly impressive, so watch for a $10-$12 price tag. The Quesada variants are already pre-selling well for $40-$50 and are easily the most impressive of the variants. The Campbell variants will probably start off selling for $70 and up but slowly drop to the $30-$50 price range and the Quesada 1:200 sketch variant will probably end up just above $100 price range.

Fear Itself #7.2 (Salvador Larroca Variant Cover), 1:25

Journey Into Mystery #631 (Amanda Conners Marvel 50th Anniversary Variant)

Journey Into Mystery #631 (Amanda Conners Marvel 50th Anniversary Variant), 1:50. This is a great variant by Amanda Connors paying homage to Giant Size X-Men #1. All the Marvel 50th Anniversary variants are selling well currently, with the Hulk #42 and Deadpool #45 both selling for more than $50. On the low end are the more popular titles, like New Avengers #17 and Mighty Thor #7, selling for just under $20. Since there are more ordered of the more popular titles, there’re more variants out there and the price drops accordingly. I would guess this Journey into Mystery variant will end up somewhere in between. Watch for $20 price tag but that price might creep up to the $30 range if these are hard to find.

Point One #1 (One Shot)(Nick Bradshaw Inked Variant Cover), 1:100

Point One #1 (One Shot)(Nick Bradshaw Inked Variant Cover)

Point One #1 (One Shot)(Nick Bradshaw Variant Cover)

Point One #1 (One Shot)(Nick Bradshaw Variant Cover). Marvel is crazy for Nick Bradshaw right now, it seems, and it’s probably because if you squint your eyes when you look at his stuff, you’d swear it was Art Adams. He’s also probably way cheaper to hire than Adams. These high profile one-shots usually don’t have a lot of collectible legs, especially the high ratio variants, so I’d play it cool here. If you really need the Bradshaw Inked variant you can probably get it for $20 in the next few months. Those retailers that did order 100 copies of Point One #1 at a $5.99 cover price should be clamoring to get some money back at that point (no pun intended). The color variant had no order restrictions so don’t pay more than cover price.

Wolverine #18 (Khoi Pham Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover)

Wolverine #18 (Khoi Pham Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:50. I don’t love this one, mainly due to the color choices. Nothing goes with a yellow and blue costume like neon green? Come on Pham. I defended you on a podcast not long ago. The idea is cute, aping Todd McFarlane’s Spider-Man #1 (Marvel, 1990) but the color pallet sucks. Regardless, watch for a $24-$30 price tag here.

Speculator Picks of the Week

These are comics that could sell out very quickly due to conservative ordering, popular demand, shipping errors or even UPS drivers picketing the Kardashian residence after spending weeks delivering wedding presents for Kim’s short-lived marriage. Pick them up while you can or pay too much for them later . . .

P.C. Cast’s House of Night #1 of 5

DARK HORSE
Written by P.C. CAST, KRISTEN CAST and KENT DALIAN
Art by JOELLE JONES and KARL KERSCHEL

Solicitation: Until recently, Zoey Redbird was an average high-school student worrying about grades, boys and breakouts. But priorities have a way of changing when you are marked as a vampyre, enroll in the vampyre academy House of Night and have to figure out a whole new social hierarchy, affinities for elemental magic and physiological changes that make you crave blood. The magical world of New York Times best-selling authors P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast comes to comics! Five million novels sold and legions of loyal fans!

32 pages
$1.00
SEP110009

Why it’ll go fast: I don’t know anything about P.C. Cast’s House of Night series other than what the solicitation told me. High-school vampyres (spelled with a “y” for extra spookiness?), a school for vampyres and more than five million novels sold? Sounds like Harry Potter if he were a blood-sucking girl. That could work, right? What I do know is Dark Horse does an excellent job with their licensed properties and was probably extra careful in choosing this one after the recent failures with Troublemaker and the Gold Key heroes. Also, the cover price is only $1, so retailers won’t hesitate to reorder a ton if they see these going fast.

Avenging Spider-Man #1

MARVEL
Written by ZEB WELLS
Art by JOE MADUREIRA

Solicitation: Get mad! This is what you’ve been waiting for! The return of legendary artist Joe Madureira (X-Men, Battle Chasers) and fan-favorite Spidey writer Zeb Wells in a brand new, highly anticipated, monthly Spider-series that teams the wall-crawler up with some of the greatest heroes in the Marvel Universe. In our first issue, Spider-Man and Red Hulk take on a Moloid army during the New York Marathon! Stay safe until November, because you’ll want to be here!

32 pages
$3.99
SEP110536

Why it’ll go fast: Let me start by saying I hate this title. The Avenging Spider-man? Really? “Avenging?” Doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue. My next gripe: the art. I am not a Madureira fan. Anymore, that is. Back in the early 1990s I loved the guy. Since then, either I grew up (unlikely) or Joe Mad’s style changed, but I’m not a fan anymore. Regardless, in an attempt to return to the days when comics were selling more than a million issues a month, Marvel has convinced Joe Mad to take another monthly job. We’ll see how long he stays on schedule. One thing is for certain, every time I bet against these ’90s favorites coming back, I’m wrong. Which makes me the grumpy old man and everyone else the cool kids, I guess. This will no doubt be the highest-selling title of the month, but I’m betting it’s still not enough. Watch for a sell out by this weekend.

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Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint to search its database or use its “Ask A Worthologist” feature. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

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The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 11/02/2011

Matt Baum — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:50:05 +0000

Action Comics #3 (Rags Morales Black & White Variant Cover)

The Comic Speculator is a blog written by WorthPoint Comic Book “Worthologist” Matt Baum that takes a look at each week’s hot new comics and back issues and the comic market place in general. Prices discussed here are taken from the Overstreet Guide to Comics (OVST), Comicspriceguide.com (CPG) and current online auction sales. Sales numbers and rankings are courtesy of ICV2.com. The codes under the prices of new titles discussed are Diamond Comics order codes that can be used to help your local comic retailer in ordering the issues discussed. If you want to hear what this nerd sounds like you can catch him on his podcast, the Two-Headed Nerd Comicast, where he and his friend Joe discuss the latest comic news, review some new comics, and answer your questions.

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Nov. 2. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

ASPEN:

Charismagic #3 (Cover C Oliver Nome “Sudana”). For every 12 regular copies ordered retailers could order three Sudana variants.

AVATAR:

Crossed Psychopath #5 (of 7)(Jacen Burrows Red Crossed Variant Cover), 1:3

Crossed Psychopath #5 (of 7)(Jacen Burrows Black & White Variant Cover). Limited to one per account. Retailers had to exceed their orders of Crossed Psychopath #4 by one copy and they could order one of these variants.

Night Of The Living Dead Death Valley #5 (of 5)(Michael Dipascal Black & White Variant), 1:3

BOOM!

Betrayal Of The Planet Of The Apes #1 (of 4)(25 Copy Incentive Cover),
Betrayal Of The Planet Of The Apes #1 (of 4)(Cover B Dr. Zaius Photo Variant Cover),
Betrayal Of The Planet Of The Apes #1 (of 4)(Cover C Mitch Gerads Variant Cover),
Betrayal Of The Planet Of The Apes #1 (of 4)(Cover D Tonci Zonjic Variant Cover),
Elric The Balance Lost #5 (10 Copy Incentive Cover),
Stan Lee’s Traveler #12 (10 Copy Incentive Cover),

BOUNDLESS:

Lady Death #11 (Michael Dipascale Art Deco Variant Cover), 1:3

DC:

Action Comics #3 (Mike Choi Variant Cover). This one was initially a Gene Ha variant but is now a Mile Choi variant. Retailers could order up to the amount of their lowest-ordered new DCU #3 title shipping this week.

Action Comics #3 (Rags Morales Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200. Again, play it cool. You don’t need spend $150-$200 here. There will be plenty of these out there. If you need one, just wait. I promise you’ll be able to grab one off eBay for less than $100.

Detective Comics #1 (Tony S. Daniel 3rd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Swamp Thing #1 (Yanick Paquette 3rd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99

DYNAMITE:

Dark Shadows #1 (Francesco Francavilla Virgin Variant Cover), 1:10
Hack Slash Eva Monsters Ball #4 (of 4)(Tim Seeley Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10
Warlord Of Mars #12 (Ale Garza Risque Art Variant Cover), 1:15
Warlord Of Mars #12 (Lucio Parrillo Variant Cover), 1:15

DYNAMIC FORCES

Queen Sonja #21 (Dynamic Forces)(Igor Vitorino Blood Red Cover), $8.99. Limited print run of 200.

IDW:

Cold War #2 (John Byrne Variant Cover), 1:10
Crysis #6 (of 6)(Crysis 2 Concept Art Team Variant Cover), 1:10
Duke Nukem Glorious Bastard #4 (of 4)(Xermanico Variant Cover), 1:10
G.I. JOE #7 (Trevor Hutchison Variant Cover), 1:10
Jack Avarice Is The Courier #1 (of 5)(Chris Madden Sketch Variant Cover), 1:10
Star Trek #1 (David Messina 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Transformers #29 (Brendan Cahill Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (Kevin Eastman 3rd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
True Blood The French Quarter #3 (of 6)(Joe Corroney Sketch Variant Cover), 1:20
True Blood The French Quarter #3 (of 6)(Photo Variant Cover), 1:10

IMAGE:

Artifacts #8 (Whilce Portacio San Diego Exclusive Variant Cover). Limited print run of 150.

Strange Talent Of Luther Strode #1 (of 6)(2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Witchblade #144 (Stjepan Sejic Top Cow Store Exclusive Wraparound Variant Cover), $15. Limited print run of 150.

MARVEL:

Daredevil #4 (Marcos Martin 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99

Fear Itself #7.1 (Lee Bermejo Variant Cover)

Fear Itself The Fearless #2 (of 12)(Frank Cho Variant Cover)

Fear Itself #7.1 (Lee Bermejo Variant Cover), 1:25. Nerds are already starting to call Fear Itself the never ending story, and singing the song from the movie in my case, which may have some retailers cutting their orders on these one shots. Lower orders make variants harder to find and it’s been a while since Lee Bremejo has done any covers, so this could be a tough one to find. Watch for a $10-$15 price tag.

Fear Itself The Fearless #2 (of 12)(Frank Cho Variant Cover), 1:25. This is the other half of the two-part Frank Cho cover, this time featuring the less attractive but still very busty Sin. I guess the guy knows how to sell comics. Watch for a $10-$12 price tag.

Moon Knight #7 (Terry Dodson Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover)

New Mutants #33 (Dale Keown Regenesis Blue Variant Cover)

Moon Knight #7 (Terry Dodson Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:50. I just realized it’s been a while since we’ve seen a Dodson cover. Which is too bad, because his pencils are amazing. It doesn’t matter who he’s drawing, Terry Dodson can make anyone look awesome. That said, I’m guessing there aren’t a lot of shops that order the 50 copies necessary to get this variant. Watch for a $30-$40 price tag.

New Mutants #33 (Dale Keown Regenesis Blue Variant Cover), 1:15. The Dale Keown X-Men group shot variants for the Regenesis event have been selling well. Probably because no X-Nerd can resist a mutant family photo. Marvel’s been pumping them out for years and they’re still awesome. Watch for an $8-$10 price tag here and don’t be surprised if it’s selling for $15 by next week.

Uncanny X-Men #1 (Blank Variant Cover). Retailers could order as many as they needed of this cover with the standard discount.

Uncanny X-Men #1 (Dale Keown Regenesis Blue Variant Cover)

X-Men #20 (Dale Keown Regenesis Blue Variant Cover)

Uncanny X-Men #1 (Dale Keown Regenesis Blue Variant Cover), 1:15. This is the Uncanny group shot by Keown and it’s just as cool as the others. There should be plenty of these around but they will go fast. Watch for an $8-$10.

Uncanny X-Men #1 (Frank Cho Variant Cover), 1:25

X-Men #20 (Dale Keown Regenesis Blue Variant Cover), 1:15. And finally, the X-Men piece of Keown’s group shot. And yes, it’s cool too. Watch for a $6-$8 price tag.

Speculator Picks of the Week

These are comics that could sell out very quickly due to conservative ordering, popular demand, shipping errors or even female UPS drivers walking off the job until Herman Cain apologizes for all those “friendly” pats on the tuchus. Pick them up while you can or pay too much for them later . . .

Seven Warriors #1
(Preview NSFW)

Seven Warriors #1

BOOM!
Written by MICHAEL LE GALI
Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL

Solicitation: From the fan-favorite artist of The Flash and Adventure Comics comes seven beautiful women, seven warriors! In 6th century Libya, the capitol of an ancient nation is surrounded by the Persian and Byzantine armies. Seven are chosen to save the heir to the kingdom. Seven warriors. Seven . . . sexy, gorgeous women? An exquisitely rendered tale in the vein of 300, written by Michaël Le Galli and drawn by Francis Manapul.

32 pages
$3.99
SEP110849
Mature Readers

Why it’ll go fast: This is actually an English translation and reprint of a French Graphic novel printed in 2008 called Sept Guerrieres that received rave reviews in Europe. BOOM is handling the translation and printing here in the states and is hoping for a similar success. The story is a proven winner and I’m guessing Francis Manapul’s success on the Flash will draw readers into this one. That and the gorgeous women shouldn’t hurt either. Retailers probably won’t bite on this one, however. It wasn’t long ago that many of them were burned on Marvel’s line of Soliel comics that reprinted several very popular European comics that didn’t sell well U.S. BOOM might be a better place for a title like Seven Warriors, as it can concentrate more of its PR machine backing this title. If it does sell well, watch for it to go very fast and watch for a movie adaptation hot on its heals.

Blood Red Dragon #1

IMAGE
Written by JON GOFF
Art by CARLO SORIANO

Solicitation: Limited print run of 5,000 copies. Conceived by legendary storyteller, Stan Lee! Developed by comic book revolutionary, Todd McFarlane! Inspired by worldwide musical icon, Yoshiki! As an overwhelming force of darkness prepares for an epic assault on reality, one man must call upon a power beyond his control to stand against the rising tide of Oblivion . . . Enter the Blood Red Dragon. With his life suddenly thrown into chaos, Yoshiki must come to grips with the devastating powers at his command. But, with time running out, he must also discern friend from foe, as new players in the war with Oblivion make themselves known, and dark assassins continue their assault on the lyrical heart of humanity.
The end of all things begins here!

24 pages
$3.99
Sold Out

Why it’ll go fast: I’ve never heard of Yoshiki, but apparently he’s the androgynous Bono of Japan and he decided it was time to for him to get his own super-hero comic. It looks to be pretty run-of-the-mill Kung-Fu Sorcery stuff, but the comic is already sold out before shipping. So, someone out there younger and cooler than me knows Yoshiki. Whatevs. It is funny that the solicitation is calling this a “limited run of 5,000 copies” when 5,000 seems to be the average for any new Image title that isn’t written by Robert Kirkman. Watch for this one to sell out quick and have a brief spike in price in the net. I wouldn’t guess Blood Red Dragon has any long term selling power but it could be hard to find for the next month or so.

New Mutants #33

Marvel
Written by ANDY LANNING
Pencils by DAVID LOPEZ
Cover by JASON PEARSON

Solicitation: Regenesis Blue Variant by Dale Keown. In the wake of the events of X-Men: Schism, the New Mutants find themselves at a crossroads. A decision needs to be made that will change their lives forever. Featuring fan-favorite artist David Lopez (Hawkeye & Mockingbird, Mystic).

32 pages
$3.99
SEP110607

Why it’ll go fast: Every time we see another X-Event the same thing happens. All the X-titles sell very well and for a little more than cover price on the back issue market and for some reason, the New Mutants tie-in is the least-ordered and ends up being the hardest to find. Watch for it to happen again here. Regenesis is selling very well all across the board and New Mutants won’t be an exception. Watch for a similar spike in price like we saw in the recent Age of X event, when this one sells out that is.

————————————–

Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint to search its database or use its “Ask A Worthologist” feature. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

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The Comic Speculator – Sell Out News 10/28/2011

Matt Baum — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:32:06 +0000

Daredevil #3

The Comic Speculator is a blog written by WorthPoint Comic Book “Worthologist” Matt Baum that takes a look at each week’s hot new comics and back issues and the comic market place in general. Prices discussed here are taken from the Overstreet Guide to Comics (OVST), Comicspriceguide.com (CPG) and current online auction sales. Sales numbers and rankings are courtesy of ICV2.com. The codes under the prices of new titles discussed are Diamond Comics order codes that can be used to help your local comic retailer in ordering the issues discussed. If you want to hear what this nerd sounds like you can catch him on his podcast, the Two-Headed Nerd Comicast, where he and his friend Joe discuss the latest comic news, review some new comics, and answer your questions.

Sell Out News

These could be the hot back issues of the future so pay attention and buy now or pay way too much for them later. The sell-outs discussed here are taken from the September 2011 top 300 selling comics list provided by Diamond and are at the distributor level meaning there may be copies still available at your local comic shop. The numbers in parenthesis are the sales ranks for each title on the chart.

ASPEN:

Executive Assistant Iris Vol 2 #3 (255 of top 300)
Executive Assistant Orchid #3 (281)
Executive Assistant Lotus #3 (283)
Executive Assistant Violet #3 (285)

BOOM!:

Irredeemable #29 (198)
Planet of the Apes #6 (226)
Incorruptible #22 (234)
Farscape #23 (290)
Stan Lee’s Solider Zero #12 (291)
Stan Lee’s Star Born #10 (300)

No new series for BOOM! in September and not a lot of sales surprises. Planet of the Apes continues to sell out with each release and sell for about $5 on the back-issue market. Other than that, same as usual for BOOM!

DARK HORSE:

Angel and Faith #2 (109)
Usagi Yojimbo #140 (269)

Angel and Faith #2 sold out just as fast as #1, even with the looming DC relaunch. #2 is also selling about as well on the back issue market with copies selling for $5 and up.

DC:

Batman #1 (1)
Action Comics #1 (2)
Green Lantern #1 (3)
Flash #1 (4)
Superman #1 (5)
Detective Comics #1 (6)
Batman The Dark Knight #1 (7)
Batman and Robin #1 (10)
Green Lantern New Guardians #1 (11)
Batgirl #1 (12)
Wonder Woman #1 (13)
Green Lantern Corps #1 (14)
Teen Titans #1 (15)
Aquaman #1 (16)
Batwoman #1 (17)

Detective Comics #1

Animal Man #1

Red Lanterns #1 (19)
Justice League Dark #1 (20)
NightWing #1 (21)
Justice League International #1 (24)
Green Arrow #1 (28)
Swamp Thing #1 (29)
Supergirl #1 (31)
Catwoman #1 (33)
Red Hood and the Outlaws #1 (39)
Birds of Prey #1 (40)
Savage Hawkman #1 (41)
Superboy #1 (42)
Justice League #1 (44) – Reorders from August
Stormwatch #1 (45)
Fury of Firestorm the Nuclear Man #1 (46)
Legion of Superheroes #1 (47)
Suicide Squad #1 (49)
Deathstroke #1 (54)
Legion Lost #1 (56)
Animal Man #1 (57)
Batwing #1 (58)
DC Universe Presents #1 (60)
Blue Beetle #1 (62)
Captain Atom #1 (63)
All Star Western #1 (65)
Hawk and Dove #1 (68)
Resurrection Man #1 (71)
Demon Knights #1 (72)
Frankenstein Agent of Shade #1 (73)
Mister Terrific #1 (74)
Grifter #1 (75)
Voodoo #1 (76)
Blackhawks #1 (77)
I Vampire #1 (78)
Static Shock #1 (80)
Men of War #1 (81)
OMAC #1 (82)

DC dominated the Top 100 this month, thanks to its relaunch event. It also didn’t hurt that retailers could return a lot of these titles that they don’t sell. When the sellouts first began, we saw some pretty outlandish prices on some of the lesser ordered titles like Animal Man and All Star Western, both were selling for more than $20. Since then, things seemed to have cooled off. Currently, Animal Man #1 and Detective Comics #1 are still selling for more than $10, while titles like Batgirl #1, Suicide Squad #1, Nightwing #1 and Catwoman #1 are all creeping up to the $10 price range.

DYNAMITE ENT:

Game of Thrones #1

Game of Thrones #1 (107)

Surprisingly, this was the first title in the Top 100 that wasn’t a DC or Marvel comic to sell out. It seems as bad as the DC relaunch skewed Marvel’s numbers, it crushed the smaller publishers sales. This is another comic that saw a brief spike and then prices began to settle down. Currently, Game of Thrones #1 first printings are creeping back up to the $5 price range but there aren’t many for sale so that number could be going up soon. Especially as the second season gets closer to air.

IDW:

Star Trek #1

Ghostbusters #1

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2 (113)
Ghostbusters ongoing #1 (125)
Star Trek ongoing #1 (129)
True Blood; The French Quarter #2 (175)
Transformers ongoing #26 (182)
Transformers ongoing #25 (185)
Dungeons and Dragons #11 (201)

TMNT is still hot with #2 selling for $6 and up. The variant covers on #2 seem to be doing well also with some going as high as $50. Ghostbusters and Star Trek were the other two debuts for IDW in September and both sold out instantly. Both are currently selling for $5 and up. I would guess Star Trek #1 will see a boost from the upcoming movie and will probably go up from there.

IMAGE:

Spawn #211 (154)
Severed #2 (188)
Artifacts #10 (191)
Witchblade #148 (200)
Super Dinosaur #4 (205)
Witch Doctor #3 (215)
PIGS #1 (218)
Near Death (248)
50 Girls 50 #4 (253)
Teen Wolf: Bite Me #1 (267)
Gladstones School for World Conquerors #5 (289)
Walking Dead Weekly #37 (294)
Samurai’s Blood #4 (295)
Walking Dead Weekly #38 (297)
Walking Dead Weekly #36 (298)

Smaller companies like Image may not have experienced the same skew on the top 300 as Marvel did due to the fact that most of DC/Marvel titles were jockeying for position in the top 100 and most of Image’s titles sell outside the top 100. The only debuts in September were Pigs #1, which sold out before shipping thanks to good reviews (I gave it a glowing review on my podcast) and Teen Wolf: Bite Me #1 (very clever). There still seems to be plenty copies of Pigs #1 out there so prices are still sitting at cover. Teen Wolf #1’s are harder to find and selling for around the $5 mark.

MARVEL:

Uncanny X-Men #543 (25)
New Avengers #16 (26)
Uncanny X-Force #15 (32)
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #2 (35)
X-Men Schism #4 (36)
New Avengers Annual #1 (43)
X-Men #17 (51)
Ultimate Comics Ultimates #2 (53)
Daredevil #4 (61)
Daredevil #3 (64)
Wolverine #15 (69)
Astonishing X-Men #42 (84)

Brilliant #1 (88)
Journey Into Mystery #628 (89)
Moon Knight #5 (90)
Punisher #3 (91)
Deadpool #43 (92)
Hulk #41 (94)
Thunderbolts #163 (97)
X-23 #14 (99)
X-Factor #225 (100)
Spider-Island Avengers #1 (108)
Daken Dark Wolverine #14 (110)
Fear Itself Hulk vs. Dracula #1 (112)
Fear Itself Home Front #6 (117)

Fear Itself Hulk vs. Dracula #1

Brilliant #1

Wolverine Debt of Death #1 (124)
Fear Itself The Deep #4 (128)
Spider-Island Amazing Spider-Girl #2 (135)
Herc #7 (138)
Deadpool MAX #12 (144)
Marvel Universe vs. Wolverine #4 (149)
Wolverine and the Black Cat; Claws 2 #3 (169)
Captain America Corps #4 (178)
Mystery Men #5 (195)
X-Men Schism #3 (282)

Marvel obviously got its tail kicked by the DC relaunch, but it should really only skew its sales numbers for this month alone. As far as issues to watch, Brilliant #1, the creator-owned title by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Mark Bagely, is creeping up to the $6 price level. The Hulk vs. Dracula Fear Itself tie in seems to be hard to find. Sets of 1-3 are selling for $10-$12. Daredevil #3 is also creeping up in price thanks to very positive buzz behind the book. If you’ve ever enjoyed a Daredevil comic, you need to read this latest run.

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The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 10/26/2011

Matt Baum — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 02:27:30 +0000

Star Wars Crimson Empire III Empire Lost #1 (of 6)(Paul Gulacy Variant Cover)

The Comic Speculator is a blog written by WorthPoint Comic Book “Worthologist” Matt Baum that takes a look at each week’s hot new comics and back issues and the comic market place in general. Prices discussed here are taken from the Overstreet Guide to Comics (OVST), Comicspriceguide.com (CPG) and current online auction sales. Sales numbers and rankings are courtesy of ICV2.com. The codes under the prices of new titles discussed are Diamond Comics order codes that can be used to help your local comic retailer in ordering the issues discussed. If you want to hear what this nerd sounds like you can catch him on his podcast, the Two-Headed Nerd Comicast, where he and his friend Joe discuss the latest comic news, review some new comics, and answer your questions.

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Oct. 26. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

AMRYL:

Cavewoman; Snow #4 (Budd Root Special Edition), $6.85. Limited to 750 sexy copies and comes with certificate of authenticity.

APE:

Helldorado #1 (of 3)(Martin Coccolo Zombie Variant Cover), 1:10

ARCHIE:

Archie #626 (Dan Parent Sketch Variant Cover). Listed as a variant but retailers could order this one normally.

AVATAR:

Captain Swing #4 (of 4)(Raulo Caceres Penny Dreadful Variant Cover) 1:3
Captain Swing #4 (of 4) Auxiliary Edition. Limited to 1,500 copies
Courtyard GN (Jacen Burrows Signed Variant), 1:2
Stitched #1 (Movie Photo Variant Cover), 1:3

BOOM!

Planet Of The Apes #7 (Cover C Scott Keating), 1:10

DARK HORSE:

Star Wars Crimson Empire III Empire Lost #1 (of 6)(Paul Gulacy Variant Cover), 1:5. This is a really nice-looking Gulacy variant featuring two things Star Wars nerds can’t seem to get enough of; Crimson Guards and Boba Fett. Watch for a $5-$6 price tag.

DC:

All-Star Western #1 (Moritat 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Aquaman #1 (Ivan Reis & Joe Prado 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Batman The Dark Knight #1 (David Finch 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Blackhawks #1 (Ken Lashley 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Flash #1 (Francis Manapul 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99

Flash #2 (Francis Manapul Black & White Variant Edition), 1:200. OK, not to belabor the point here, but I’m just going to assume that cooler heads will prevail and no one is going to drop more than $100 on these 1:200 variants any more. You guys are smart. I trust you. If you need this variant, just wait. I’ll leave it at that.

Flash #2 (Greg Capullo Variant Cover)

Flash #2 (Greg Capullo Variant Cover). Retailers were able to order this variant in equal amount to the lowest ordered DC New 52 title of this week. I think this is the seventh time I’ve written this sentence and the first time it seems to make sense. Am I being clear here? Regardless, this is a fantastic Capullo variant. Watch the pricing here, though. A lot of online sellers and retailers are treating these like a 1:10 variant, and they’re not. Retailers get a standard discount when ordering this variant, same as the regular cover, and are only limited by the amount of their lowest ordered #2 for this week. I wouldn’t spend more than $5 on this one.

Fury Of Firestorm The Nuclear Men #1 (Ethan Van Sciver 2nd Printing Variant), $2.99
Green Lantern New Guardians #1 (Tyler Kirkham & Batt 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
I Vampire #1 (Jenny Frison 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Justice League Dark #1 (Ryan Sook 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Savage Hawkman #1 (Philip Tan 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Superman #1 (George Perez 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Teen Titans #1 (Brett Booth & Norm Rapmund 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Voodoo #1 (Sami Basri 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99

Is it weird that there’s no 1:200 variant for Superman #2? Is it a coincidence that right after #1 shipped DC announce that writer George Perez was off the title with issue #7? I’ll save the conspiratorial BS for my podcast. But it is weird right?

DYNAMITE ENT:

George R.R. Martin’s A Game Of Thrones #2 (Alex Ross Negative Art Variant Cover), 1:50
George R.R. Martin’s A Game Of Thrones #2 (Alex Ross Virgin Variant Cover), 1:25
George R.R. Martin’s A Game Of Thrones #2 (Mike Miller Variant Cover), 1:10
Kato #14 (Ale Garza Black & White Variant Cover), 1:15
Kirby Genesis #3 (Alex Ross Marvelous Acetate Variant Cover), 1:20
Kirby Genesis #4 (Alex Ross Marvelous Acetate Variant Cover), 1:20
Vampirella #11 (Paul Renaud Blood Red Variant Cover), 1:25
Vampirella #11 (Wagner Reis Black & White Variant Cover), 1:15
Vampirella And The Scarlet Legion #5 (Billy Tucci Black & White Variant Cover), 1:10

IDW:

Anne Rice’s Servant Of The Bones #3 (of 6)(Jenny Frison Variant Cover), 1:10
Cobra #6 (Danny Cruz Crisis On Infinite Earths Variant Cover), 1:10
Eternal Descent Volume 2 #1 (of 6)(Santi Casas Ikari Studio Variant Cover), 1:10
Godzilla Kingdom Of Monsters #8 (Matt Frank MechaGodzilla Variant Cover), 1:10
Star Trek #2 (Photo Variant Cover), 1:20
Star Trek #2 (Tim Bradstreet Sketch Variant Cover), 1:10
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3 (Fred Hembeck Spoof Variant Cover), 1:25
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3 (Kevin Eastman Sketch Variant Cover), 1:10

IMAGE:

Witchblade #144 (Signed Edition), $10. Limited to 100 copies.
Witchblade #145 (Erik Jones HeroesCon Exclusive Variant Cover), $10. Limited to 300 copies.

MARVEL:

Avengers Solo #1 (of 5)(Captain America Movie Variant Cover), 1:15
Daredevil #3 (Paolo Rivera 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99

Deadpool #45 (Greg Horn Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover)

Incredible Hulk #1 (Whilce Portacio Variant Cover)

Mighty Thor #7 (Alan Davis Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover)

Deadpool #45 (Greg Horn Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:50. Another fun Marvel 50th Anniversary variant, this time featuring Deadpool aping the cover of Ultimate Spider-Man #1 by Greg Horn, whose work has drastically improved from his photo-realistic stuff of the past. Watch for a $25-$30 price tag.

Incredible Hulk #1 (Blank Variant Cover), $3.99. Retailers could order this cover normally with standard discount. Don’t pay more than cover here.

Incredible Hulk #1 (Dale Keown Variant Cover), 1:50
Incredible Hulk #1 (Jose Ladronn Variant Cover), 1:15
Incredible Hulk #1 (Marc Silvestri Sketch Variant Cover), 1:100
Incredible Hulk #1 (Neal Adams Variant Cover), 1:25

Incredible Hulk #1 (Whilce Portacio Variant Cover). Retailers could order a maximum of three of these variants. Pricing is going to be weird on these. Right now, sellers on eBay are asking $20-$25 and that doesn’t seem unreasonable. This is going to be a rare variant but not on the scale of the “1 per diamond retailer” variants of the past that sold for more than $500.

Mighty Thor #7 (Alan Davis Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:50. This isn’t one of Alan Davis’ more impressive covers but it’s passable. Maybe not for the $25-$30 price tag but, then again, I’ve been accused of being a Davis-hater. I’m not, I just don’t love him. He’s good. I just feel like all his work looks fresh out the late ’80s.

Secret Avengers #18 (David Aja Variant Cover)

Wolverine And The X-Men #1 (Frank Cho Variant Cover)

Wolverine And The X-Men #1 (Nick Bradshaw Regenesis Gold Variant Cover)

Secret Avengers #18 (David Aja Variant Cover), 1:20. Let’s face it; the character of Shang-Chi, Marvel’s master of Kung Fu, is a complete rip-off of Bruce Lee. I’m fine with it. In fact, it’s why I love the character. So, when artist David Aja, who was responsible for the last Iron Fist series (another Marvel Kung Fu character I love) creates a cover this awesome . . . well, I can’t fight it. I need this one. Watch for a $10-$12 price tag.

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #2 (Kaare Andrews 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99

Wolverine And The X-Men #1 (Blank Variant Cover). Retailers could order as many of these as they needed for the standard cover price with their discounted rate. Do not pay more than cover price for this one.

Wolverine And The X-Men #1 (Frank Cho Variant Cover), 1:25. I had to look at this Cho variant for a while before I decided it was him. It’s gorgeous, but it just doesn’t look like Cho’s style. If this is where he’s going however, I’ll take more. Watch for a $10-$12 price tag. This will be a very highly ordered title so there should be plenty of these variants out there.

Wolverine And The X-Men #1 (Nick Bradshaw Regenesis Gold Variant Cover), 1:15. Is it just me or does Nick Bradshaw’s work look a little more than influenced by Arthur Adams? I like it, but wow does it look similar to Adams. I’m not sure what the “Gold” in the description means unless this is stamped on gold foil. In which case, that makes it 1993 all over again, when everything was “embossed” and variants were so plentiful it was embarrassing.

Speculator Picks of the Week

These are comics that could sell out very quickly due to conservative ordering, popular demand, shipping errors or even a rash of UPS driver heart attacks linked directly to McDonalds reintroducing the McRib. Pick them up while you can or pay too much for them later . . .

Helldorado #1

APE
Written by C. MICHAEL HALL
Art and cover by MARTIN COCCOLO

Solicitation: Gunfights! Kung fu! Monsters! If Hammer Films had hired a band of Hong Kong filmmakers to create a Spaghetti Western, they’d have created Helldorado! An unspeakable act of violence has altered reality itself, and a supernatural evil looms over the town of El Dorado. The most horrific myths of the Far East threaten to engulf the American West in darkness, and the only thing standing between a vengeful Chinese vampire, its army of undead minions, and the end of humankind is an unlikely band of erstwhile heroes: an heiress, a gambler, an aging sheriff, his deputy, and a warrior priest. Horror, fantasy, kung fu, and Western action combine in this bizarre genre mash-up.

24 pages
$3.99
AUG110783

Why it’ll go fast: I don’t know much about this title or its creators but the solicitation sucked me in. Nice art in the preview too. Reminded me of Gulacy’s work at Marvel in the 1970s. Ape isn’t known for adult comics, I think their highest selling title is Richie Rich but they did also publish the recent Black Dynamite comic that spun out of the campy B-movie hit and is selling for well over cover price. If shops take a chance on this one, nerds will buy it. Cowboys, Zombies, Chinese witches . . . what more do you need? I’m guessing Ape’s print-run on this one is very low so if your shop has a copy, pick it up.

Stiched #1

AVATAR:
Written by GARTH ENNIS
Art by MIKE WOLFER

Solicitation: Garth Ennis and Mike Wolfer unleash the biggest horror series of the year! From the mind of Garth Ennis comes the modern chapter of an ancient horror. Ripped straight from the debut of his first-ever writing/directing effort comes the ongoing comic book continuation of the acclaimed short film, Stitched! The three survivors of an American military helicopter crash discover that there is something even more deadly than the Taliban-controlled countryside they find themselves trapped in. Garth Ennis weaves a tale that combines today’s headlines with his trademark vision of the supernatural into a modern horror masterpiece. Supported by the largest promotional campaign Avatar has ever done, this new on-going series is certain to appeal to Ennis’ legions of fans as it pushes the envelope of horror beyond the boundaries of sanity and into fresh nightmares. Stitched #1 is available with a regular cover, wraparound cover and Gore cover by series artist Mike Wolfer, and a special Stitched Movie Photo cover retailer incentive cover.

32 pages
$3.99
SEP110795

Why it’ll go fast: Apparently, Avatar is really pushing this one, and it does sound interesting. Truthfully, I’m more interested in seeing if Ennis can direct than I am in this series but I’m going to give it a read. Ennis is a solid horror writer, if you haven’t read his Crossed series, it’s about as disturbing as comics get, and this one sounds interesting. Zombie Taliban vs. trapped U.S. soldiers and, if you watch the trailer, it looks like there’s a twist. There’s quite a bit of buzz behind Stiched—we’ve seen six people add the title to their pull-file in the last two days—and I’m betting before next Wednesday it’s sold-out.

Star Trek #2

IDW
Written by MIKE JOHNSON
Art by STEPHEN MOLINAR

Solicitation: The lead-up to 2012’s eagerly awaited Star Trek movie sequel continues here! Kirk and Spock face off against one of their own when crewman Gary Mitchell is possessed by an entity of unfathomable power. Don’t miss this next chapter in the adventures of the Starship Enterprise, a creative collaboration with star trek writer/producer Roberto Orci!

32 pages
$3.99
Sold Out!

Why it’ll go fast: Once again, Star Trek looks to be a hit for IDW. Prices aren’t quite as nuts as they were the last time there was a comic prequel to a Trek film, but already copies of the sold out first issue are selling for $7-$10. I’d expect this series to continue to do well as movie buzz continues to build and IDW has done a fantastic job making all their Star Trek titles very accessible to Trekkies and casual fans alike. I highly recommend this comic you enjoy a good Star Trek story.

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Comics Auction Watch – Great Silver-Age Buys

Matt Baum — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:26:51 +0000

Auction Watch!

Amazing Fantasy #15

Incredible Hulk #181

Comic Link’s Focused Auction for October completes its bidding Tuesday through Sunday and there’re some amazing Silver-Age Marvel comics worth bidding on. Most notably:

Five different copies of Amazing Fantasy #15 (first appearance of Spider-Man, Marvel, 1962) in conditions from CGC 7.5 all the way down to a very affordable CGC .5 current at $1,301 with 32 bids.

Another is Incredible Hulk #181 (first appearance of Wolverine, Marvel, 1974) CGC 9.8. This is the second-highest graded copy of Hulk #181, one graded at CGC 9.9 recently sold for $150,000, also on Comic Link, but it’s definitely going to receive some serious bidding attention. Currently this one is sitting at $7,501 with 36 bids.
Auction Watch!

Giant Size X-men #1

Fantastic Four #48

This highest-graded example of Giant Size X-men #1 (Marvel, 1975) in CGC 9.8 condition was the issue that reinvigorated the X-Men in the 1970s, with the first appearance of Storm, Nightcrawler and Colossus and the second appearance of Wolverine. Currently this one is sitting at $3.501 with 31 bids.

And finally, one of my favorite Fantastic Four back-issues, Fantastic Four #48 (Marvel, 1966) in CGC 9.8 condition. This is the first appearance of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s biggest (literally) villain, Galactus, and his herald the Silver Surfer. This is also the highest certified copy with only 20 others in the same condition. Currently, this copy of FF #48 is sitting at $4,100 with 38 bids.

These are just four examples of the 200-plus Golden, Silver, and Bronze age comics in the October Focused Auction. Even if your poor like me, make sure you take a look at these amazing back-issues.

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The Comic Speculator – New Comics Roundup 10/19/2011

Matt Baum — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:19:45 +0000

Key of Z #1 (of 4)(Cover B Tony Moore)

The Comic Speculator is a blog written by WorthPoint Comic Book “Worthologist” Matt Baum that takes a look at each week’s hot new comics and back issues and the comic market place in general. Prices discussed here are taken from the Overstreet Guide to Comics (OVST), Comicspriceguide.com (CPG) and current online auction sales. Sales numbers and rankings are courtesy of ICV2.com. The codes under the prices of new titles discussed are Diamond Comics order codes that can be used to help your local comic retailer in ordering the issues discussed. If you want to hear what this nerd sounds like you can catch him on his podcast, the Two-Headed Nerd Comicast, where he and his friend Joe discuss the latest comic news, review some new comics, and answer your questions.

New Comics Roundup

Below you will find all the info you could possibly need on the hot, new comics shipping this Wednesday, Oct. 19. For a full list of comics shipping this week, click here. To find a comic shop near you, click here.

Variant Watch

ASPEN:

Scourge #5 (Infected Variant Cover). Retailers could order three Infected variants for every 12 regular copies ordered.

AVATAR:

Freakangels Volume 6 HC (Warren Ellis & Paul Duffield Signed Edition), $39.99. Limited to 1,000 copies.

BOOM!:

Key of Z #1 (of 4)(Cover B Tony Moore), 1:10. If you’re reading the Walking Dead, then you know nobody since Bernie Wrightson is doing better zombie work in the comic book world than Tony Moore. The guy draws great-looking dead things and this cover is no exception. I think Key of Z is going to be hot (see my Speculator Picks below for more on Key) and this variant might be tough to find. Watch for $10-$12 price tag on this one but watch for that price to go up next week.

DARK HORSE:

Mass Effect Invasion #1 (of 4)(Paul Renaud 25th Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:10

DC COMICS:

Action Comics #1 (Rags Morales 3rd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99

Batman #2 (Greg Capullo Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200. I don’t want to beat a dead horse, here, but DON’T PAY MORE THAN $100 FOR THIS ONE. That said, I do think this Batman variant will perform better in the market long term than some of the other #2 1:200 variants. This is by far the best-reviewed Bat-book on the stands and will be selling the most so there may be genuine interest in this variant. Still, you will be able to find it for less than $100. It might take a little while but it will happen.

Batman #2 (Jim Lee Variant Cover). Retailers could order this variant up to the amount of the lowest ordered new DCU #2 shipping this week.

Batman Odyssey Volume 2 #1 (of 7)(Neal Adams Black & White Cover), 1:10
Birds Of Prey #1 (Jesus Saiz 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Blue Beetle #1 (Tyler Kirkham & Sal Regla 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Captain Atom #1 (Stanley ‘Artgerm’ Lau 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Catwoman #1 (Guillem March 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
DC Universe Presents #1 (Ryan Sook 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Green Lantern Corps #1 (Doug Mahnke & Christian Alamy 2nd Printing Variant Cover)
Justice League #1 (Combo Pack Edition)(Jim Lee & Scott Williams 3rd Print Variant), $4.99
Justice League #1 (Ivan Reis & Joe Prado 4th Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Justice League #2 (Ivan Reis & Jo Prado Variant Cover), 1:25

Justice League #2 (Jim Lee Black & White Variant Cover), 1:200. Same deal here. Justice League will easily be the highest-ordered DC title again this month. Therefore, more 1:200 variants will be out there and they won’t be as rare as a lot of retailers want you to believe. There’s some kind of logic at work there, but I was an English major, so I can’t tell you what kind. (Side Note: I misspelled English while typing that sentence). [Other Side Note: Matt also used the wrong article, i.e. “a English major” – Editor]. The point is, if you need this one, you will be able to find it for less than $100. Just wait. Sit on your mouse-clicking hand if you have to. Go for a jog. Rake your leaves. Whatever. There’re plenty of these out there.

Legion Of Super-Heroes #1 (Karl Kerschl 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Nightwing #1 (Eddy Barrows & JP Mayer 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Red Hood And The Outlaws #1 (Kenneth Rocafort 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Supergirl #1 (Mahmud Asrar 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Wonder Woman #1 (Cliff Chiang 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99

DYNAMIC FORCES

George R.R. Martin’s A Game Of Thrones #1(Alex Ross Black & White Cover), $14.99. Approx. print run of 300.
Kevin Smith’s The Bionic Man #2 (Alex Ross Virgin Exclusive Cover), $14.99. Approx. print run of 200.

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT:

Kevin Smith’s The Bionic Man #3 (Alex Ross Negative Art Variant Cover), 1:20
Kevin Smith’s The Bionic Man #3 (Alex Ross Sketch Variant Cover), 1:50
Kevin Smith’s The Bionic Man #3 (Jonathan Lau Black & White Variant Cover), 1:25
Kevin Smith’s The Bionic Man #3 (Jonathan Lau Variant Cover), 1:10
Warlord Of Mars #11 (Ale Garza Risque Variant Cover), 1:15
Warlord Of Mars #11 (Lucio Parrillo Variant Cover), 1:15

IDW:

30 Days Of Night #1 (Fiona Staples Variant Cover), 1:30
30 Days Of Night #1 Vampire Plush Doll, 1:25
Cold War #1 (John Byrne Black & White Variant Cover), 1:25
Cold War #1 (John Byrne ‘Propaganda’ Variant Cover), 1:10
Doctor Who #10 (Matthew Dow Smith Variant Cover), 1:10
Dungeons And Dragons #12 (Steve Ellis Variant Cover), 1:10
G.I. JOE A Real American Hero #171 (Larry Hama Sketch Variant Cover), 1:10
Godzilla Gangsters And Goliaths #5 (of 5)(Alberto Ponticelli Black & White Variant), 1:10
H.P. Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror #1 (of 4)(Prose Chapbook Volume 1 Of 3), 1:20
H.P. Lovecraft’s The Dunwich Horror #1 (of 4)(Nick Percival Necronomicon Variant), 1:10
Monocyte #1 (of 4)(Ashley Wood Variant Cover), 1:10
Snake Eyes #6 (Robert Atkins Variant Cover), 1:10
Star Trek Legion Of Super-Heroes #1 (of 6)(Gabriel Rodriguez Spock Variant), 1:10
Star Trek Legion Of Super-Heroes #1 (of 6)(Gabriel Rodriguez Brainiac 5 Variant), 1:25
Transformers #28 (Livio Ramondelli Black & White Variant Cover) 1:10

IMAGE:

68 #4 (of 4)(Cover C Nat Jones). Canceled, no other info here.

MARVEL:

Avengers #18 (Ryan Meinerding Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover)

Avengers #18 (Ryan Meinerding Marvel Comics 50th Anniversary Variant Cover), 1:50. I don’t recognize Meinerding’s name, but I’ll take more from him if his art is going to look this good. This is a nice homage to X-Men #1 (Marvel, 1963) and what I’d like to see from these 50th Anniversary variants, although I’m ready for the Green Hulk to rejoin the Avengers. But that’s a separate complaint. Watch for a $25-$30 price tag.

Daredevil #2 (Paolo Rivera 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99

Fear Itself #7 (of 7)(Billy Tan Variant Cover). Retailers had to exceed their orders of Fear Itself #6 for this issue and they could order all they need of the Tan variant. What does that mean? I wouldn’t pay more than $10 for this variant and it’s not a particularly impressive one to begin with. You can probably find this one cover price if you look around.

Fear Itself #7 (of 7)(Stuart Immonen Variant Cover), 1:25. There should be plenty of these variants around, mainly because Fear Itself #7 will probably be the highest-ordered Marvel title of the month. Watch for an $8-$12 price tag.

Fear Itself The Fearless #1 (of 12)(Frank Cho Variant Cover)
Fear Itself The Fearless #1 (of 12)(Mike Deodato Jr. Variant Cover)
Fear Itself The Fearless #1 (of 12)(Ryan Stegman Variant Cover)

Fear Itself #7 (of 7)(Stuart Immonen Variant Cover)

Fear Itself The Fearless #1 (of 12)(Frank Cho Variant Cover)

Fear Itself The Fearless #1 (of 12)(Mike Deodato Jr. Variant Cover)

Fear Itself The Fearless #1 (of 12)(Ryan Stegman Variant Cover)

Fear Itself The Fearless #1 (of 12)(Salvador Larroca Variant Cover)

Fear Itself The Fearless #1 (of 12)(Salvador Larroca Variant Cover). For every 100 copies of the regular cover ordered, retailers could order one set of these four variant covers. So, technically, they’re all 1:100 variants. That said, you also get four of them for every 100. So, how to price these? At this point, I’ve only seen one sell on eBay—the Stegman variant—and it sold for $30. Which doesn’t seem unreasonable to me. Watch for a $25-$30 price tag, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Cho variant sell for closer to $40.

New Avengers Annual #1 (Gabriele Dell’Otto 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $4.99
Thunderbolts #163 (Kev Walker 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $2.99
Ultimate Comics The Ultimates #2 (Kaare Andrews 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Uncanny X-Force #15 (Jerome Opena 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
X-Men #17 (Jorge Molina 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
X-Men Schism #2 (of 5)(Frank Cho 3nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99

Speculator Picks of the Week

These are comics that could sell out very quickly due to conservative ordering, popular demand, shipping errors or even UPS trucks, so full of returned Brewers and Tigers jerseys, that there’s just no room for new comics. Pick them up while you can or pay too much for them later . . .

Key of Z #1

BOOM!
Written by CLAUDIO SANCHEZ and CHONDRA ECHERT
Art and cover by AARON KUDER

Solicitation: From the creators of The Amory Wars saga and Kill Audio comes a deadly, new vision of New York City! The zombie apocalypse has transformed the city into two separate, battle-hardened fiefdoms! And only one man, whose family has been ripped away from him, stands between these two warring factions. Wielding an artifact from the past that imbues him with a surprising power, find out what happens when he discovers the Key of Z. Features a special, zombiefied incentive cover by Tony Moore, co-creator of The Walking Dead!

32 pages
$3.99
Sold out

Why it’ll go fast:There’s the obvious; it’s a comic about zombies, and all things horror typically sell better in October, but I’m guessing this comic sells well because it’s really well written. I read the preview last night and now I’m excited. I’ve never read Sanchez’s other comics but he’s got a rabid fan base (he’s also the lead singer of Coheed and Cambria) that are willing to pay very high prices for early issues of both the Amory Wars and Kill Audio. Key of Z is already sold out at Diamond, so any reorders would have had to been placed in advance. There’s good and building buzz on this comic as well which will help sales so don’t be surprised to find a blank spot on the shelf if you’re looking for this one.

Star Trek/Legion of Superheroes #1

IDW/DC
Written by CHRIS ROBERSON
Art by JEFFREY MOY

Solicitation: The pairing you never thought could happen! IDW Publishing and DC Comics are proud to present the greatest tale of the 23rd century! Or is that the 31st century? As you’ll see here, it’s both. Eisner-nominated writer Chris Roberson and Star Trek and Legionnaires veteran artist Jeffrey Moy partner up to bring you the most bizarre partnership of any century! In this first issue, a group of Legionnaires end up lost in the 23rd century, but it’s a universe that isn’t familiar to either the Legion or the crew of the USS Enterprise!

32 pages
$3.99
Sold Out

Why it’ll go fast: I haven’t read it yet, so I can’t be certain, but I think this might be the last appearance of characters from the old DCU. I could be wrong here, but my guess is that this is a project that DC and IDW has had in the works for quite a while—maybe while the relaunch was still be planned. I’m guessing DC will quietly let his one slide, thinking that sales won’t be very high in the first place. Where is this conjecture coming from? Here’s the weird part: not only is issue #1 sold out at Diamond before shipping, but it’s listed as having no back-orders available, meaning there may not be a second printing. Deals like these inter-company-crossovers don’t happen quickly, either. If it is the last appearance of the pre-relaunch DCU Legion nerds aren’t going to topple UPS trucks to get copies, but this crossover might be very hard to find. And weird . . . I didn’t see this one coming at all.

30 Days of Night #1

IDW
Written by STEVE NILES
Pencils & Cover SAM KIETH

Solicitation: Fright-master Steve Niles returns to the creation that launched his career for an all-new 30 Days Of Night ongoing series, with warped genius Sam Kieth (creator of The Maxx) joining in the bloodletting! A letter from Barrow, Alaska, carries a cryptic warning to a young, curious woman, which leads her down the rabbit hole and face-to-face with her desire . . . and likely her demise. Elsewhere, in Los Angeles, a vampire resurrection ignites, which could threaten the very way of life of all mankind. Features an all-new cast characters being introduced to the world of 30 Days Of Night for the first time!

32 pages
$3.99
AUG110315

Why it’ll go fast: I’m picking this one on the weight of Sam Kieth’s popularity alone. At one point, 30 Days pulled more weight as a title, but there’s been a few bad mini-series too many for most fans to be excited about a new ongoing. But it’s Sam Kieth on the other hand. It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen Kieth on main art duties (Batman Confidential #43, DC, 2007) and fans are craving more of his bizarre style. Kieth might be just the shot in the arm 30 Days needs to bring the franchise back to the horror “A-list.”

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