Key Collector Comics

Nick's Picks 173

A curated blend of comic book speculation and trivia compiled by the owner of Key Collector Comics. FULL-ACCESS to Key Collector for $3.99 per month, the price of one comic book. Save 17% when you SUBSCRIBE for one year for $39.99. 

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Batman Adventures: Holiday Special #1

DC ⋅ 1995

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Batman Adventures: Holiday Special #1
 
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Key Facts

Winner of the 'Best Single Issue' Harvey Award

Featuring 'White Christmas,' by Paul Dini, considered one of the best Mr. Freeze stories of all time

Featuring 'The Harley and The Ivy' by Paul Dini, a classic Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy story

4th appearance of Harley Quinn in comics, went on-sale the same day as Batman Adventures #28

Nick's Picks

✅ Comprised of Christmas and New Year’s stories, the Mr. Freeze “White Christmas” tale subtly transcends its younger target audience, delivering a brief yet emotional story in which two enemies, each shaped by personal tragedy, find a moment of shared reprieve from isolation on Christmas Eve

Batman and Robin: Year One #1
Non-Key

DC ⋅ 2024

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Batman and Robin: Year One #1
 
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Nick's Picks

✅ Did you know that this issue won Best Single Issue/Story of the year at Baltimore's Ringo Awards

Crying Boy, The #1
Non-Key

Keenspot ⋅ 2024

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Crying Boy, The #1
 
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Key Facts

After the tragic death of her husband, a woman and her son restart their life in a new apartment where they discover a morose painting that her son bonds with but they later discover it hides a demon that has survived for millennia by feeding on the souls of children

Nick's Picks

✅ I haven't read this one yet but it was nominated for best single issue as well

Klaus #1

BOOM! ⋅ 2015

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Klaus #1
 
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Key Facts

Reimagination of the Santa Claus mythos by Grant Morrison

Nick's Picks

✅ For those who like their Santa Claus origin with a dose of Russian shamanism, this is the series for you

G.I. Joe and the Transformers #1

Marvel ⋅ 1987

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G.I. Joe and the Transformers #1
 
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Key Facts

First crossover series featuring G.I. Joe and Transformers

[June 2023 - crossover movie teased at the end of Transformers Rise of the Beasts / June 2024 - writer Derek Connolly (Jurassic World) will pen the script]

Nick's Picks

✅ The Energon Universe is only going to get more popular, especially with an upcoming adult-animated series and this issue is where these two major toy properties first met

War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #1

Marvel ⋅ 2019

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War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #1
 
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Key Facts

1st team appearance of the new Agents of Atlas, a superhero team of Asian descent: Shang Chi, Jimmy Woo, Amadeus Cho, Crescent, Io, Luna Snow, Aero, Silk, Sword Master and Wave

1st appearance of Luna Snow

1st appearance of Crescent & Io

1st appearance of Aero

1st appearance of Wave, a female Filipino superhero

1st cover appearance of Sword Master, not in the story

Nick's Picks

✅ At one point, this issue couldn’t be found for under $50, and with the rising popularity of K-Pop and Marvel’s continued use of Luna Snow, now is an excellent time to consider adding it to a collection before outside media drives demand even higher

Scalped #1

DC Vertigo ⋅ 2007

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Scalped #1
 
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Series created by Jason Aaron about organized crime on an Indian Reservation

Nick's Picks

✅ In 2016, this Jason Aaron property was oddly optioned by WGN and a pilot was filmed but never went into full production but interest in Southern Bastards could lead back to this incredible, gritty series

Sheriff of Babylon #1

DC Vertigo ⋅ 2016

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Sheriff of Babylon #1
 
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Key Facts

Twelve-issue series written by Tom King who drew from his military experience in Iraq to deliver a dramatic detective story and character study

Nick's Picks

✅ Here is another independent book from Tom King, a writer who has been getting consistent work in Hollywood and who has a very personal connection to this story

Dark Horse Presents #10

Dark Horse ⋅ 1987

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Dark Horse Presents #10
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of The Mask, as Masque

Nick's Picks

✅ Nestled in the early run of the influential Dark Horse Presents series, this issue that introduced the Mask, later transcending from page to screen, is often overlooked for its significance

Detective Comics Annual #2
Non-Key

DC ⋅ 1989

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Detective Comics Annual #2
 
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Nick's Picks

✅ An absolute standout of a cover that taps into the nostalgia of those who collected during that era, this issue may have even helped inspire the wildly popular Absolute Batman annual

Amazing Spider-Man #9

Marvel ⋅ 2015

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Amazing Spider-Man #9
 
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Key Facts

2nd appearance of Spider-Gwen

1st cameo appearance of Solus, the father of the Inheritors

First time Spider-Gwen, Silk and Spider-Woman appear together in the same scene although they do not all interact

1st cameo appearance of Supaidaman in U.S. comics

1st cameo appearance of a Cowboy Spider-Man, later named Web-Slinger

Many cameo appearances of Spider-Characters including: Iron Fist, Hulk, Human Torch, Kaine, Uncle Ben, Wolverine, Venom, Deadpool, 1969 cartoon version, Tarzan, Warlock and more

Official beginning of the Spider-Verse event

📖 Spider-Verse Reading Order: read The Amazing Spider-Man #9 and The Amazing Spider-Man #10 (2014 series)

Nick's Picks

✅ Spider-Gwen's first appearance in Edge of Spider-Verse #2 has come down in value from $400 to $300 for a NM ungraded copy but if that's still outside of your budget, her second appearance is a very affordable Key Issue

Batman #1

Key Variant ⋅ DC ⋅ 2025

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Batman #1
 
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Key Facts

1st cover appearance of the Minotaur

Nick's Picks

✅ Next week, Matt Fraction will introduce readers to the Minotaur in Batman #4, and there’s no telling whether he’ll become a new recurring rogue or just a flash-in-the-pan

X-Men #30

Marvel ⋅ 1994

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X-Men #30
 
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Key Facts

Marriage of Scott Summers and Jean Grey

Nick's Picks

✅ Rumors circulated a few weeks ago that Cyclops and the Summers family will be a major focus of the MCU’s X-Men, and if that proves true, these secondary Key Issues could begin to generate increased demand.

Uncanny X-Men #104

Marvel ⋅ 1977

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Uncanny X-Men #104
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Corsair, father of Cyclops, Havok and Vulcan

1st appearance of Ch'od, a member of the Starjammers

2nd cameo appearance of Lilandra

First mention of Mutant X aka Proteus

First meeting and battle of Wolverine and Magneto

Nick's Picks

✅ If the Summers family is collectively a major focus, Corsair and the Starjammers could be a strong early pick

X-Men: Deadly Genesis #1

Marvel ⋅ 2006

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X-Men: Deadly Genesis #1
 
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1st appearance of Vulcan, brother of Cyclops and Havok

Nick's Picks

✅ Another Summers progeny to keep an eye out for along with Havok, Hope, Tyler, Cable, Rachel Grey and others

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