A curated blend of comic book speculation and trivia compiled by the owner of Key Collector Comics.
Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.
Absolute Evil #1
DC
•
2025
•
Vol. 1
Introduction of Joker in full (human form) - appearing in multiple panels but teaser art of a future arc shows a more monstrous version of the character (cameos in multiple issues)
Introduction of Absolute Green Arrow
Introduction of Absolute Hawkman
Introduction of Lex Luthor in the Absolute Universe
Introduction of the Absolute Justice League: Ra’s al Ghul, Veronica Cale, Elenore Thawne, Hector Hammond, Joker, Lex Luthor
Nick's Picks
✅ This issue is still flying under the radar, similar to DC All-In #1, which introduced the Absolute Trinity
Not only does it introduce (and kill) Oliver Queen who may or may not be the figure behind the spectacularly designed mask of Absolute Green Arrow, but it also presents a dramatically different version of Lex Luthor, whose fallout from his family’s massacre is on the precipice of being explored in Absolute Superman
Bonus: Absolute Hawkman, depicted as a wraithlike mercenary, could flourish in future stories
Introduction of Joker in full (human form) - appearing in multiple panels but teaser art of a future arc shows a more monstrous version of the character (cameos in multiple issues)
Introduction of Absolute Green Arrow
Introduction of Absolute Hawkman
Introduction of Lex Luthor in the Absolute Universe
Introduction of the Absolute Justice League: Ra’s al Ghul, Veronica Cale, Elenore Thawne, Hector Hammond, Joker, Lex Luthor
Nick's Picks
✅ This issue is still flying under the radar, similar to DC All-In #1, which introduced the Absolute Trinity
Not only does it introduce (and kill) Oliver Queen who may or may not be the figure behind the spectacularly designed mask of Absolute Green Arrow, but it also presents a dramatically different version of Lex Luthor, whose fallout from his family’s massacre is on the precipice of being explored in Absolute Superman
Bonus: Absolute Hawkman, depicted as a wraithlike mercenary, could flourish in future stories
Star Wars Hyperspace Stories #6
Dark Horse
•
2023
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Rotta the Hutt, son of Jabba
[December 2024 - Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) will voice Rotta the Hutt in the Mandalorian and Grogu movie]
Nick's Picks
✅ Just a reminder, a fairly well-known actor will voice Rotta the Hutt in the Mandalorian movie, who looks like a badass in this image published in Empire Magazine - tap cover and swipe to view image
1st appearance of Rotta the Hutt, son of Jabba
[December 2024 - Jeremy Allen White (The Bear) will voice Rotta the Hutt in the Mandalorian and Grogu movie]
Nick's Picks
✅ Just a reminder, a fairly well-known actor will voice Rotta the Hutt in the Mandalorian movie, who looks like a badass in this image published in Empire Magazine - tap cover and swipe to view image
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero - The Hama Cut #1
Image
•
2025
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Foil
MBartist
Nick's Picks
✅ Yo Joe! If your childhood was like mine, you watched the G.I. Joe animated movie from 1987 to the point of memorizing all of Sgt. Slaughter's memorable lines
If that's you, then you'll also recognize the inspiration for this cover as a very nostalgic homage to the opening sequence of the movie
Nick's Picks
✅ Yo Joe! If your childhood was like mine, you watched the G.I. Joe animated movie from 1987 to the point of memorizing all of Sgt. Slaughter's memorable lines
If that's you, then you'll also recognize the inspiration for this cover as a very nostalgic homage to the opening sequence of the movie
Dark Horse Presents #1
Dark Horse
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
First comic book published by Dark Horse Comics founded in 1986
1st appearance of Concrete, an average man's journey through life in a stone body
1st appearance of Black Cross, a fearless warrior in a post-apocalyptic world
Nick's Picks
✅ Notable alone for its significance to comic book history being the first published book by Dark Horse who set the standard for creator-owned properties, this issue also introduced Concrete which cut through the superhero clutter to tell a story that elevated sequential storytelling
Now 20 years after the most recent concrete story, Paul Chadwick will return to the character in the series Stars Over Sand, on-sale June 2026
First comic book published by Dark Horse Comics founded in 1986
1st appearance of Concrete, an average man's journey through life in a stone body
1st appearance of Black Cross, a fearless warrior in a post-apocalyptic world
Nick's Picks
✅ Notable alone for its significance to comic book history being the first published book by Dark Horse who set the standard for creator-owned properties, this issue also introduced Concrete which cut through the superhero clutter to tell a story that elevated sequential storytelling
Now 20 years after the most recent concrete story, Paul Chadwick will return to the character in the series Stars Over Sand, on-sale June 2026
Detective Comics #608
DC
•
1989
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Anarky, a violent political activist
Nick's Picks
✅ I would love to see an Absolute Universe version of this character
1st appearance of Anarky, a violent political activist
Nick's Picks
✅ I would love to see an Absolute Universe version of this character
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #18
DC
•
2014
•
Vol. 2
1st full appearance of She-Ra in a standard US comic
She-Ra previously appeared in mini-comics packaged with toys and other He-Man Universe merchandise and on a variant cover of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #1 (2013)
Nick's Picks
✅ While pricey, I could see a post-credit Masters of the Universe scene introducing She-Ra and causing the market to go ballistic
1st full appearance of She-Ra in a standard US comic
She-Ra previously appeared in mini-comics packaged with toys and other He-Man Universe merchandise and on a variant cover of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #1 (2013)
Nick's Picks
✅ While pricey, I could see a post-credit Masters of the Universe scene introducing She-Ra and causing the market to go ballistic
Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #64
Marvel
•
1982
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Cloak and Dagger
Nick's Picks
✅ Cloak and Dagger are a good speculative duo considering the Darkforce Dimension was introduced in the Wonder Man TV series as the means to which Doorman traveled
1st appearance and origin of Cloak and Dagger
Nick's Picks
✅ Cloak and Dagger are a good speculative duo considering the Darkforce Dimension was introduced in the Wonder Man TV series as the means to which Doorman traveled
Marvel Illustrated: The Odyssey #1
Marvel
•
2008
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Nick's Picks
✅ There's a lot of interest in Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic 'The Odyssey' and if you want to go in with some classical mythology experience, check out this series from Marvel
Nick's Picks
✅ There's a lot of interest in Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic 'The Odyssey' and if you want to go in with some classical mythology experience, check out this series from Marvel
Variant cover art by Skottie Young
Nick's Picks
✅ Here’s an overlooked issue that could be hiding in long boxes and sells for $100+
Remember to check the Dollar Bin Diving category to discover higher-value comics that can still be found out in the wild
Variant cover art by Skottie Young
Nick's Picks
✅ Here’s an overlooked issue that could be hiding in long boxes and sells for $100+
Remember to check the Dollar Bin Diving category to discover higher-value comics that can still be found out in the wild
Nick's Picks
✅ I feel Joe Quinones captured retro style beautifully on this cover
Magik is a top-tier variant character, and her scarcer covers often command a solid resale value on eBay
Nick's Picks
✅ I feel Joe Quinones captured retro style beautifully on this cover
Magik is a top-tier variant character, and her scarcer covers often command a solid resale value on eBay
Looney Tunes #165
DC
•
2008
•
Vol. 1
Roadrunner vs Speedy Gonzales race
Copies ordered by retailers: 2,661
Nick's Picks
✅ Superman versus the Flash is great but who wouldn't want to see these two speedsters in a race
Roadrunner vs Speedy Gonzales race
Copies ordered by retailers: 2,661
Nick's Picks
✅ Superman versus the Flash is great but who wouldn't want to see these two speedsters in a race
Joker, The #2
DC
•
2021
•
Vol. 2
1st appearance of Vengeance, daughter of Bane
1st team appearance of the Sampson family, inspired by the family from Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Nick's Picks
✅ Another character that could have a major moment in comics and get promoted to A-List
1st appearance of Vengeance, daughter of Bane
1st team appearance of the Sampson family, inspired by the family from Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Nick's Picks
✅ Another character that could have a major moment in comics and get promoted to A-List
Detective Comics #1100
DC
•
2025
•
Vol. 3
Non-Key
Milestone issue
Nick's Picks
✅ This is such a fun cover with great colors and a lot of fun Easter Eggs of different characters from the Bat Mythos
Milestone issue
Nick's Picks
✅ This is such a fun cover with great colors and a lot of fun Easter Eggs of different characters from the Bat Mythos
The Official Handbook of the Invincible Universe #1
Image
•
2006
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Nick's Picks
✅In the style of the 1980s classic Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, Image published an A-K and K-W of the Invincible Universe
Nick's Picks
✅In the style of the 1980s classic Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, Image published an A-K and K-W of the Invincible Universe
Shazam #28
DC
•
1977
•
Vol. 1
2nd appearance of Black Adam in an original story
There was a fanzine published prior to this issue called Alter Ego where Black Adam appears on the cover but the interior is a text article recapping the Marvel Family and Black Adam written by prominent Marvel architect Roy Thomas before his tenure at Marvel began
Nick's Picks
✅ Leading up to the Dwayne Johnson led Black Adam film, this issue was selling for close to $600 ungraded
Now you can scoop it up for under $200 and with a long future of DC movies and TV, it is likely we'll see him once again
2nd appearance of Black Adam in an original story
There was a fanzine published prior to this issue called Alter Ego where Black Adam appears on the cover but the interior is a text article recapping the Marvel Family and Black Adam written by prominent Marvel architect Roy Thomas before his tenure at Marvel began
Nick's Picks
✅ Leading up to the Dwayne Johnson led Black Adam film, this issue was selling for close to $600 ungraded
Now you can scoop it up for under $200 and with a long future of DC movies and TV, it is likely we'll see him once again
Forever People, The #1
DC
•
1971
•
Vol. 1
1st full appearance of Darkseid
1st team appearance of The Forever People: Beautiful Dreamer, Mark Moonrider, Serifan, Big Bear, Vykin the Black
First mention of Mother Boxes, sentient supercomputers of vast power and the Anti-Life Equation
1st appearance of Infinity-Man, a protector of The Forever People
Nick's Picks
✅ New Teen Titans #2 (Deathstroke), Teen Titans #44 (Nightwing), and DC Comics Presents #26 (Cyborg, Raven, Starfire) are all undervalued key issues in my humble opinion (IMHO for the kids), but none is as undervalued as Forever People #1
Darkseid has been the premier relevant threat in the DC Universe for decades, and he shows no sign of slowing down as the universe reels from K.O., with the company continuing the Darkseid saga throughout 2026 and 2027
plus, we could really use a strong onscreen adaptation of the character. The latest 9.8 copy of Forever People #1 sold for $2,000, compared to Thanos’s first appearance published just two years later in Iron Man #55, which fetched $6,800 for a 9.8
Unfortunately, Darkseid’s first full appearance is preceded by a brief TV-screen cameo in Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #134, which sells for $10,000+ for a 9.8, though copies below 9.0 go for a more palatable $350
1st full appearance of Darkseid
1st team appearance of The Forever People: Beautiful Dreamer, Mark Moonrider, Serifan, Big Bear, Vykin the Black
First mention of Mother Boxes, sentient supercomputers of vast power and the Anti-Life Equation
1st appearance of Infinity-Man, a protector of The Forever People
Nick's Picks
✅ New Teen Titans #2 (Deathstroke), Teen Titans #44 (Nightwing), and DC Comics Presents #26 (Cyborg, Raven, Starfire) are all undervalued key issues in my humble opinion (IMHO for the kids), but none is as undervalued as Forever People #1
Darkseid has been the premier relevant threat in the DC Universe for decades, and he shows no sign of slowing down as the universe reels from K.O., with the company continuing the Darkseid saga throughout 2026 and 2027
plus, we could really use a strong onscreen adaptation of the character. The latest 9.8 copy of Forever People #1 sold for $2,000, compared to Thanos’s first appearance published just two years later in Iron Man #55, which fetched $6,800 for a 9.8
Unfortunately, Darkseid’s first full appearance is preceded by a brief TV-screen cameo in Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #134, which sells for $10,000+ for a 9.8, though copies below 9.0 go for a more palatable $350
Forever People, The #6
DC
•
1972
•
Vol. 1
Introduction of Darkseid's Omega beams, referred to as 'finder beams' capable of destroying life
Nick's Picks
✅ Here's another fun Key Issue for Darkseid's first use of the Omega Beams
Introduction of Darkseid's Omega beams, referred to as 'finder beams' capable of destroying life
Nick's Picks
✅ Here's another fun Key Issue for Darkseid's first use of the Omega Beams
Justice League #40
DC
•
2015
•
Vol. 2
1st cameo appearance of Grail, daughter of Darkseid
⚠ Misconception: cited by some sources as the first appearance of Grail but she is obscured by shadows in the final panel
First full appearance of Grail - Free Comic Book Day 2015: Divergence #1
Nick's Picks
✅ As the daughter of Darkseid, Grail has yet to become a DC villain worthy of her pedigree, but that could change
1st cameo appearance of Grail, daughter of Darkseid
⚠ Misconception: cited by some sources as the first appearance of Grail but she is obscured by shadows in the final panel
First full appearance of Grail - Free Comic Book Day 2015: Divergence #1
Nick's Picks
✅ As the daughter of Darkseid, Grail has yet to become a DC villain worthy of her pedigree, but that could change
Razorblades Magazine #1
Tiny Onion Studios
•
2020
•
Vol. 1
Preview of Killboy
Nick's Picks
✅ It seems like every James Tynion property becomes a hit, and soon Killboy, first previewed in this publication, will get his own comic book series, though no release date has been set yet
Preview of Killboy
Nick's Picks
✅ It seems like every James Tynion property becomes a hit, and soon Killboy, first previewed in this publication, will get his own comic book series, though no release date has been set yet
Marvel Team-Up #83
Marvel
•
1979
•
Vol. 1
First battle of Spider-Man and Boomerang
Nick's Picks
✅ Brand New Day will pit Spider-Man against Boomerang, among others, and the two first clashed in this issue
First battle of Spider-Man and Boomerang
Nick's Picks
✅ Brand New Day will pit Spider-Man against Boomerang, among others, and the two first clashed in this issue
Amazing Spider-Man #212
Marvel
•
1981
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Hydro-Man
Nick's Picks
✅ We’re getting a lot of villains in Brand New Day, but the MCU hasn’t properly paid Hydro-Man his dues, and the water elemental in Far From Home doesn’t quite count
1st appearance and origin of Hydro-Man
Nick's Picks
✅ We’re getting a lot of villains in Brand New Day, but the MCU hasn’t properly paid Hydro-Man his dues, and the water elemental in Far From Home doesn’t quite count
Uncanny X-Men #27
Marvel
•
1966
•
Vol. 1
First meeting of Spider-Man and the X-Men
Mimic joins the X-Men becoming the first member to join the team outside of the original lineup, but departs shortly afterward in X-Men #29
Nick's Picks
✅ There is considerable speculation that there will be some mutant presence in Brand New Day
however, with so many villains already confirmed, the film could feel overcrowded
It seems more likely that Spider-Man will meet the X-Men (or mutants) at some point later in the MCU, which highlights how undervalued this historic comic remains as a first meeting
Earlier comics featuring Spider-Man alongside the X-Men did not depict the characters interacting in the same scene
In this issue, Spider-Man meets Beast and Iceman, while Professor X telepathically urges them to invite him to join the X-Men
Notably, there are still many ungraded copies available for under $100 on eBay, along with a handful of 7.0–8.5 graded copies listed between $100–$300
First meeting of Spider-Man and the X-Men
Mimic joins the X-Men becoming the first member to join the team outside of the original lineup, but departs shortly afterward in X-Men #29
Nick's Picks
✅ There is considerable speculation that there will be some mutant presence in Brand New Day
however, with so many villains already confirmed, the film could feel overcrowded
It seems more likely that Spider-Man will meet the X-Men (or mutants) at some point later in the MCU, which highlights how undervalued this historic comic remains as a first meeting
Earlier comics featuring Spider-Man alongside the X-Men did not depict the characters interacting in the same scene
In this issue, Spider-Man meets Beast and Iceman, while Professor X telepathically urges them to invite him to join the X-Men
Notably, there are still many ungraded copies available for under $100 on eBay, along with a handful of 7.0–8.5 graded copies listed between $100–$300
Maxx 100-Page Giant
IDW
•
2019
•
Vol. 1
Reprint The Maxx #1, The Maxx #21, The Maxx #23 and Hero Comics 2014 plus an art gallery
Copies ordered by retailers: 3,227
Nick's Picks
✅ While you don’t get a substantial amount of new content from the recently deceased, one-of-a-kind artist Sam Kieth, this compendium is likely difficult to find, with an estimated 3,227 copies ordered by shops, especially when compared to the relatively scarce final issue, which saw around 22,000 copies ordered
Reprint The Maxx #1, The Maxx #21, The Maxx #23 and Hero Comics 2014 plus an art gallery
Copies ordered by retailers: 3,227
Nick's Picks
✅ While you don’t get a substantial amount of new content from the recently deceased, one-of-a-kind artist Sam Kieth, this compendium is likely difficult to find, with an estimated 3,227 copies ordered by shops, especially when compared to the relatively scarce final issue, which saw around 22,000 copies ordered
Marvel Comics Presents #95
Marvel
•
1992
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Wolverine's yellow and blue suit that was first seen in The Incredible Hulk #180
Nick's Picks
✅ Not to put too fine a point on Sam Kieth’s contribution to comics, but if you were a collector in the ’80s and ’90s, his instantly recognizable style felt like a fresh coat of paint on the hobby, similar to the efforts of McFarlane, Liefeld, Jim Lee, Jae Lee, Silvestri, Turner, Larsen, the list goes on
Beginning with Marvel Comics Presents #85, Sam Kieth and various writers add detail to Wolverine’s backstory, including the origin of his codename and suit, during the most defining era of the A-list mutant’s history
Origin of Wolverine's yellow and blue suit that was first seen in The Incredible Hulk #180
Nick's Picks
✅ Not to put too fine a point on Sam Kieth’s contribution to comics, but if you were a collector in the ’80s and ’90s, his instantly recognizable style felt like a fresh coat of paint on the hobby, similar to the efforts of McFarlane, Liefeld, Jim Lee, Jae Lee, Silvestri, Turner, Larsen, the list goes on
Beginning with Marvel Comics Presents #85, Sam Kieth and various writers add detail to Wolverine’s backstory, including the origin of his codename and suit, during the most defining era of the A-list mutant’s history
Adjust Your Filters To See More Comics!
By default Key Collector searches for Standard Cover Key Issues.
Adjust the "Variants" search filter above for additional content:
- Variant Covers ([[totalVariants]])
At Key Collector, our primary focus is on unearthing those rare Standard Cover Key Issues for you. However, the world of comic collectibles is vast and varied. We want to make sure you have the tools to explore it all!