Key Collector Comics

Nick's Picks Vol. 5

This category is to feature comics that have an interesting fact or provide some entertainment value for you to browse if the work day starts to drag

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Blue Beetle #3
Charlton ⋅ 1964
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Blue Beetle #3
 
Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$60

Key Facts

One of a few critical fan letters written by George R.R. Martin, Game of Thrones, published in comics

Infinity Inc. #13
DC ⋅ 1985
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Infinity Inc. #13
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$8

Key Facts

First published artwork for DC Comics by Todd McFarlane

One-page pin-up of Infinity Inc with a note from writer Roy Thomas that reads: "We thought you'd like to see a pin-up by newcomer Todd McFarlane, a young Canadian living in the state of Washington, who has volunteered to lend us a very talented hand for an issue or two. Todd's work has appeared in Marvel's Coyote and elsewhere. Enjoy!"

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3
Error ⋅ Mirage ⋅ 1985
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3
 
Low
$225
Mid
$810
High
$2.2k

Key Facts

Color error that affected approximately 500 issues

Identified by the white lettering in Laird's name as seen in the image in the red box

For clarity, the color error is superimposed next to the non-error Laird's Photo sign

Uncanny X-Men #245
Marvel ⋅ 1989
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Uncanny X-Men #245
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

Parody issue of DC's 'Invasion' limited series

Cameo appearance of Chewbacca, Yoda, Jabba the Hut, Boba Fett, an Alien Xenomorph, E.T. and Alf

Jean Grey appears full-frontal nude in this issue but it is at a slight distance so that specific detail is absent

Spider-Man #1
Error ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 1990
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Spider-Man #1
 
Low
$25
Mid
$80
High
$250

Key Facts

Color error that affects several panels where the Lizard's green skin appears blue

Spider-Man #1
Error ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 1990
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Spider-Man #1
 
Low
$180
Mid
$600
High
$1.8k

Key Facts

Color error that affects several panels where the Lizard's green skin appears copper

One datapoint became available in August for an ungraded copy that sold for $15,000. The seller claimed that only six were known to exist yet posted another for sale in October 2020 with the same description and images but for $10,000 less than the August sale. While this might be legitimate, it is too risky to to approximate values from this situation

What If...? #25
Marvel ⋅ 1991
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What If...? #25
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$4

Key Facts

Includes a one-page story titled 'What if the Punisher were a Herald of Galactus' which has Frank riding a space motorcycle with two massive guns he used to destroy a planet, reminiscent of Cosmic Ghost Rider

Comic Shop News #255
Comic Shop News ⋅ 1992
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Comic Shop News #255
 
Low
$12
Mid
$40
High
$125

Key Facts

Early cover appearance of Spawn

Comic Shop News is a free publication, printed on newsprint paper, given away at comic book stores

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #12
Image ⋅ 1997
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #12
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

1st comic book appearance of 'Venus,' a female ninja turtle created for television, revealed in comics to be the shape-shifting alien named Lurch

According to Gary Frank, the writer on this issue, he was to adhere to a strict rule that there is to be no female ninja turtles, as instructed by creator Peter Laird

Invincible Man #1
Just For Fun Comics ⋅ 1998
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Invincible Man #1
 
Low
$12
Mid
$35
High
$125

Key Facts

Low print run issue by the creator of Flaming Carrot

Purely intended as a promotional giveaway, the issue was billed as the first $100 comic book and often had a signed 'Complimentary Copy' sticker on the inside

Nominated for an Eisner Award in 1999 for Best Short Story

Harley Quinn #1
Preview ⋅ DC ⋅ 2000
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Harley Quinn #1
 
Low
$8
Mid
$25
High
$95

Key Facts

Retailer preview of Harley Quinn #1 (2000)

Marvel Knights: Millennial Visions #1
Marvel ⋅ 2002
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Marvel Knights: Millennial Visions #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

Cover appearance of a Punisher/Ghost Rider character, reminiscent of Cosmic Ghost Rider

9th Wonders #13
NBC ⋅ 2007
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9th Wonders #13
 
Low
$20
Mid
$80
High
$200

Key Facts

Prop comic from the NBC television series 'Heroes' (2006-2010)

Interior pages feature art by Tim Sale and a biography of the fictional character, Isaac Mendez

Spider-Man and Power Pack #3
Marvel ⋅ 2007
View Details
Spider-Man and Power Pack #3
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

1st appearance of Mary Jane as Venom

The Walking Dead #50
Variant ⋅ Image ⋅ 2008
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The Walking Dead #50
 
Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$70

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Erik Larsen

Wraparound cover depicts characters as cartoonish comic characters

Clockwork Angels #1
BOOM! ⋅ 2014
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Clockwork Angels #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

Six-issue adaptation of a steampunk fantasy novel inspired by the lyrics of Neil Peart (1952-2020) from the band Rush

Bartkira #1
Hardcover ⋅ Floating World Comics ⋅ 2015
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Bartkira #1
 
Low
$25
Mid
$80
High
$250

Key Facts

96-page preview of a project to recreate the entire first series of Akira (1988-1996), panel-by-panel, replacing the original characters with the cast of The Simpsons

768 artists contributed five pages of art to complete Bartkira which can be read in it's entirety at bartkira.com

This hardcover edition and a softcover edition are the only printed offerings of Bartkira that were produced

Heavy Metal #273
Variant ⋅ Heavy Metal ⋅ 2015
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Heavy Metal #273
 
Low
$25
Mid
$75
High
$250

Key Facts

Concept art by Jack Kirby for a movie called "Lord of Light" that was never made

In 1980, a CIA operative used the "Lord of Light" concept art and screenplay to convince the Iranian government that he was a film maker, working on a sci-fi movie called "Argo"

This resulted in the successful rescue of six Americans who escaped Iran, disguised as the film crew, an event that was later dramatized in the critically-acclaimed 2012 film, "Argo"

The Walking Dead #1
Variant ⋅ Image ⋅ 2016
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The Walking Dead #1
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Tony Moore, 'Cynthiana, Kentucky Edition'

Distributed at the 2016 Walking Dead Day celebration in the city/state that inspired the opening landscape of the comic series, created by Cynthiana KY natives, Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore

Catwoman #4
Variant ⋅ DC ⋅ 2018
View Details
Catwoman #4
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Artgerm

Imagery related to Selina and Bruce's failed engagement hidden in the picture: tears, a bat in her mask, a whip, cats, a broken heart

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