Key Collector Comics

100 Modern Keys

🗝 The Top 100 Key Issues from The Modern Age Comic Books published from 1993 - Present

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Absolute Batman #1

DC ⋅ 2024

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Absolute Batman #1
 
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$5
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$15
High
$75
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Key Facts

Premiere issue of an ongoing series in the Absolute Universe, a dimension built on Darkseid energy

Introduction of Alfred Pennyworth, an M16 agent

Introduction of Black Mask

Introduction of Waylon Jones, Killer Crock in the mainstream universe

Introduction of Martha Wayne, Commissioner Gordon, Barbara Gordon, Harvey Bullock

Introduction of Selina Kyle, Oswald Cobblepot, Edward Nygma, Harvey Dent - as children in a photograph

Introduction of Matches Malone

Introduction of Joker, first cameo appearance

Introduction of Julia Pennyworth, cameo appearance

Introduction and death of Thomas Wayne

1st team appearance of the Party Animals, led by Black Mask

Absolute Batman #1 preceded by a 16-page black and white ashcan preview

Invincible #19

Image ⋅ 2004

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Invincible #19
 
Low
$35
Mid
$90
High
$375
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Battle Beast

1st appearance of Magnattack

1st appearance of Magmaniac

1st appearance of Tether Tyrant

Copies ordered by retailers: 9,660

Something Is Killing the Children #1

BOOM! ⋅ 2019

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Something Is Killing the Children #1
 
Low
$30
Mid
$90
High
$325
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Erica Slaughter

1st appearance of James, a boy who witnessed the death of his classmates

1st appearance of an Oscuratype, a monster

Copies ordered by retailers: 33,648

[April 2021 - inside sources tell Key Collector Comics that Something Is Killing The Children is in development for a TV series / October 2025 - Blumhouse (Black Phone 2) secured the rights to Something is Killing the Children for a live-action theatrical release and an adult-animated TV series]

Amazing Spider-Man #10

Marvel ⋅ 2015

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Amazing Spider-Man #10
 
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Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$35
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Spider Punk aka Anarchic Spider-Man, an alternate reality version of Hobie Brown

📖 Spider-Verse Reading Order: read The Amazing Spider-Man #10 (2014 series) then Spider-Man 2099 #6

Star Wars: The Clone Wars #1

Newsstand ⋅ Dark Horse ⋅ 2008

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Star Wars: The Clone Wars #1
 
Low
$90
Mid
$325
High
$900
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Key Facts

Newsstand Edition, indicated by STAR WARS UNIVERSE printed in bar code instead of the word DIRECT

Dreamwalker #0

Avatar ⋅ 1998

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Dreamwalker #0
 
Low
$35
Mid
$80
High
$300
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Key Facts

1st appearance of The Goon

1st appearance of Franky

Reprinted as a back-up story in The Goon #1 (1999)

[SDCC 2022- Patrick Osborne to direct movie adaptation for Netflix]

All-New Wolverine #2

Marvel ⋅ 2016

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All-New Wolverine #2
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Gabby, a clone of X-23, later renamed Honey Badger, then Scout

1st appearance of Belona and Zelda

Batman #497

DC ⋅ 1993

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Batman #497
 
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$1
Mid
$2
High
$10
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Key Facts

Bane breaks Batman's back

Knightfall Part Eleven

📖 Knightfall Reading Order: next Detective Comics #664

Harbinger #1

Valiant ⋅ 1992

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Harbinger #1
 
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Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$65
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Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Renegades, Harbinger Resistance Group

1st appearance of Sting, Peter Stanchek

1st appearance of Zephyr, Faith Herbert

1st appearance of Torque, Flamingo and Kris

1st team appearance of the Eggbreakers

Included in issues #1 - #6 was a Mail Away Coupon that, collectively, were redeemable for a variant of Harbinger #0 with a pink cover

[February 2022 - Deadline reports reports Wes Ball to direct for Paramount]

X-Force #11

Marvel ⋅ 1992

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X-Force #11
 
Low
$1
Mid
$3
High
$12
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Key Facts

1st team appearance of Weapon P.R.I.M.E.: Weapon X, Rictor, Yeti, Tygerstryke

2nd appearance of the real Domino, previously appeared in X-Force #8 as Copycat

Static #1

Milestone ⋅ 1993

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Static #1
 
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$1
Mid
$5
High
$15
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Static Shock, the first black superhero to star in his own cartoon series

1st appearance of Hotstreak, a villain with the power to control fire

[October 2020 - Warner Brothers and Michael B. Jordan to produce a Static Shock movie - status currently unknown / April 2023 - James Gunn replied to a tweet that DC has plans to incorporate Milestone characters in upcoming projects]

Adam: Legend of the Blue Marvel #1

Marvel ⋅ 2009

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Adam: Legend of the Blue Marvel #1
 
Low
$18
Mid
$60
High
$180
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Blue Marvel, a powerful black superhero forced into retirement in the 60s due to his race

1st appearance of Anti-Man

17,000 estimated copies ordered by retailers

[February 2019 - speculation a future Marvel project, possibly The Marvels will introduce Blue Marvel]

Spider-Man Noir #1

Marvel ⋅ 2009

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Spider-Man Noir #1
 
Low
$18
Mid
$60
High
$180
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Spider-Man Noir, an alternate reality version of Spider-Man who operated during The Great Depression

1st appearance of Vulture Noir

[February 2023 - a live-action Spider-Man Noir series is in development at Amazon featuring an older, grizzled superhero in 1930s New York City]

The Walking Dead #19

Image ⋅ 2005

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The Walking Dead #19
 
Low
$15
Mid
$60
High
$175
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Michonne, one of the more resourceful survivors of the series

[SDCC 2022 - Rick and Michonne will be featured in a spin-off limited series]

Star Wars: The Clone Wars #1

Dark Horse ⋅ 2008

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Star Wars: The Clone Wars #1
 
Low
$30
Mid
$90
High
$375
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Key Facts

1st appearance Ahsoka Tano, a Togruta Jedi

1st appearance of Captain Rex

Copies ordered by retailers: 24,508

Batman #567

DC ⋅ 1999

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Batman #567
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50
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Key Facts

1st appearance and cover of Cassandra Cain, later becomes Batgirl, Orphan II and the Black Bat

1st appearance of David Cain, Orphan not in costume

Thor: God of Thunder #2

Marvel ⋅ 2013

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Thor: God of Thunder #2
 
Low
$8
Mid
$20
High
$80
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Gorr, the God Butcher

1st appearance of the Necrosword, the first symbiote created by Knull

Venom #9

Marvel ⋅ 2018

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Venom #9
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20
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Key Facts

1st full appearance of Dylan Brock, son of Eddie Brock - cameo in Venom #7

Amazing Spider-Man #569

Marvel ⋅ 2008

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Amazing Spider-Man #569
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50
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Key Facts

1st cameo appearance of Anti-Venom, final page

Amazing Spider-Man #654

Marvel ⋅ 2011

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Amazing Spider-Man #654
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25
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Key Facts

Flash Thompson bonds with the Venom symbiote after being recruited as part of Project Rebirth 2.0 aka the Sym-Soldier Program that is later revealed to be the Super Soldier Program's Weapon V

[November 2024 - an Agent Venom movie is rumored to be in development]

Amazing Spider-Man #529

Marvel ⋅ 2006

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Amazing Spider-Man #529
 
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$2
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$8
High
$20
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Key Facts

Debut of the Iron Spider Suit, engineered by Stark Industries

What If...? #105

Marvel ⋅ 1998

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What If...? #105
 
Low
$12
Mid
$40
High
$125
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Spider-Girl, Mayday Parker, the child of Peter and Mary Jane in an alternate universe

1st cameo team appearance of A-Next: Jubilee, Longshot, J2, Thunderstrike, Jolt

1st cameo appearance of J2, Zane Yama, son of the original Juggernaut

Copies ordered by retailers: 29,193

[May 2025 - speculation Sadie Sink may be cast as Mayday Parker in Spider-Man: Brand New Day]

Superman / Batman Annual #4

DC ⋅ 2010

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Superman / Batman Annual #4
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50
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Key Facts

1st official appearance of Batman Beyond, Terry McGinnis outside of a DC Animated comic book

The opening credits of the book read: a visit to the world of Batman Beyond

An alternate reality version of Batman Beyond is introduced in Superman/Batman #22 and referred to as Tim in issue #23

There is debate as to whether or not the use of the name Tim was in error but a DC Direct line of action figures based on Ed McGuinness’s designs from this series reinforce that this Batman Beyond is in fact, Tim Drake, as printed on the toy packaging

Batman Beyond #1

DC ⋅ 1999

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Batman Beyond #1
 
Low
$40
Mid
$120
High
$400
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Terry McGinnis in a comic book

It is important to be aware of the differences between several editions of this book that exist

Direct Edition - as seen in the image with DIRECT EDITION printed in the UPC box

Newsstand Edition - UPC box in the lower-left corner, dated March 1999 with an original retail price of $1.99

Promotional Edition - 'FREE Special Origin Issue' printed below the DC logo with a white rectangle in the lower-left corner intended for stores to stamp their logo. Dated June 1999 with a Jell-O advertisement on the back cover

Six Flags Promotional Edition - displays a Six Flags amusement park logo printed in the white rectangle. Dated October 1999 with a PlayStation advertisement on the back cover

Third Printing Promotional Edition - dated July 2000 with a Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker DVD advertisement on the back cover

New Avengers #27

Marvel ⋅ 2007

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New Avengers #27
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10
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Key Facts

1st appearance of the second Ronin, later revealed to be Clint Barton

Web of Spider-Man #118

Marvel ⋅ 1994

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Web of Spider-Man #118
 
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$10
Mid
$30
High
$100
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Ben Reilly as Scarlet Spider, introduced as a clone in The Amazing Spider-Man #149 (1975)

There is a notation on some CGC graded slabs that notate a 'Marvel Direct Marketing' that does not appear to have an affect on value

Batman: Harley Quinn #1

DC ⋅ 1999

View Details  ⋅  View Series  ⋅  View Variants (9)
Batman: Harley Quinn #1
 
Low
$8
Mid
$25
High
$75
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Harley Quinn in the main DC comic book storytelling universe

Ultimate Fantastic Four #22

Marvel ⋅ 2005

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Ultimate Fantastic Four #22
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30
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Key Facts

1st full appearance of Marvel Zombies

[November 2021 - Marvel teases a standalone Marvel Zombies animated project]

Multiple first appearances of heroes-turned-zombies

Inhumans #5

Marvel ⋅ 1999

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Inhumans #5
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$40
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Black Widow, Yelena Belova

⚠️ Debatable Firsts: it is disputed whether this is a full or cameo appearance. CGC labels this issue "1st appearance of the new Black Widow (Yelena Belova, face not shown)"

Afterlife with Archie #1

Archie ⋅ 2013

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Afterlife with Archie #1
 
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$2
Mid
$8
High
$25
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Key Facts

Introduction of ongoing Archie horror stories with Sabrina resurrecting Jughead's dog as the catalyst of a zombie apocalypse

[Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, the showrunner on Riverdale and writer of this comic book series shared an image on social media of the upcoming Riverdale season with a hand emerging from a grave hinting as a possible adaptation of this series / October 2025 - Afterlife with Archie is headed to Disney+ with Berlanti Productions producing]

War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #1

Marvel ⋅ 2019

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War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20
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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

Black Hammer #1

Dark Horse ⋅ 2016

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Black Hammer #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$18
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Black Hammer

1st appearance of Lucy Weber, later becomes the second Black Hammer

1st appearance of Abraham Slam

1st appearance of Talky-Walky

1st appearance of Madame Dragonfly

1st appearance of Golden Gail

1st appearance of Colonel Weird

1st appearance of Anti-God

1st team appearance of Starlok and the Lightriders

Copies ordered by retailers: 19,775

[December 2019 - optioned for TV and film by Legendary with development well underway according to Jeff Lemire]

Detective Comics #880

DC ⋅ 2011

View Details  ⋅  View Series  ⋅  View Variants (8)
Detective Comics #880
 
Low
$12
Mid
$40
High
$130
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Key Facts

Cover art by Jock featuring the Joker

Runaways #1

Marvel ⋅ 2003

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Runaways #1
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$45
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Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Runaways: Alex Wilder, Karolina Dean aka Lucy in the Sky, Molly Hayes aka Bruiser, Nico Minoru aka Sister Grimm, Chase Stein aka Talkback, Gertrude Yorkes aka Arsenic

1st team appearance of the Pride

[July 2022 - Marvel trademarked the title Runaways: New Era]

Preacher #1

DC Vertigo ⋅ 1995

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Preacher #1
 
Low
$8
Mid
$20
High
$80
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Key Facts

1st appearance Jesse Custer the Preacher, Tulip O'Hare, Cassidy and the Saint of Killers

Chew #1

Image ⋅ 2009

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Chew #1
 
Low
$30
Mid
$90
High
$300
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Key Facts

Image series about a detective who discovers clues from food

Naomi #1

DC ⋅ 2019

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Naomi #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Naomi, a teenage girl with extraordinary powers

1st appearance of Dee, a mentor to Naomi

Adapted for a CW TV series that aired for one season

Copies ordered by retailers: 25,252

Amazing Fantasy #15

Marvel ⋅ 2006

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Amazing Fantasy #15
 
Low
$10
Mid
$30
High
$100
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Amadeus Cho aka Mastermind Excello, a Korean American who becomes the Hulk in Totally Awesome Hulk #1

1st appearances: Heartbreak Kid, Positron Monstro, One-Eyed Jacquie and the Great Video

Cho is a member of The Champions, a team that also includes Miles Morales Spider-Man, Ms. Marvel Kamala Khan, Nova, Cyclops, and Spider-Gwen

There are many places for Cho to fit into the MCU like Shang Chi or Agents of Atlas

[October 2024 - it is rumored that Logan Kim (Ghostbusters: Afterlife) has been cast as Amadeus Cho in the MCU]

Batman Adventures #12

DC ⋅ 1993

View Details  ⋅  View Series  ⋅  View Variants (35)
Batman Adventures #12
 
Low
$120
Mid
$400
High
$1.2k
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Harley Quinn in a standard comic

Saga #1

Image ⋅ 2012

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Saga #1
 
Low
$20
Mid
$80
High
$200
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Key Facts

Premiere issue of the Eisner award-winning space epic written by Brian K Vaughn, illustrated by Fiona Staples

1st appearance of Marko and Alana, lovers from opposing sides of two alien races at war

1st appearance of The Will and Lying Cat

1st appearance of Prince Robot IV

Goon #1

Avatar ⋅ 1999

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Goon #1
 
Low
$40
Mid
$120
High
$400
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Key Facts

2nd appearance of The Goon

2nd appearance of Franky

1st full appearance of the Zombie Priest

Rick and Morty #1

ONI ⋅ 2015

View Details  ⋅  View Series  ⋅  View Variants (18)
Rick and Morty #1
 
Low
$15
Mid
$50
High
$150
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Key Facts

Premiere issue inspired by the animated series

Invincible #1

Image ⋅ 2003

View Details  ⋅  View Series  ⋅  View Variants (43)
Invincible #1
 
Low
$100
Mid
$300
High
$1.1k
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Invincible

1st appearance of Omni-Man, the father of Invincible

1st appearance of Deborah Grayson, the mother of Invincible

1st appearance of Titan

1st appearance of William Clockwell, Invincible's best friend

1st appearance of David Hiles, a physics teacher

1st cameo appearance of Atom Eve

1st cameo appearance of Science Dog, on a comic cover being read by Mark

Copies ordered by retailers: 10,800

Monstress #1

Image ⋅ 2015

View Details  ⋅  View Series  ⋅  View Variants (7)
Monstress #1
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Maika

God Country #1

Image ⋅ 2017

View Details  ⋅  View Series  ⋅  View Variants (8)
God Country #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20
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Key Facts

Premiere issue of a sci-fi/fantasy series about a man who travels across the country to care for his ailing father and the storm that changes everything

🚨 August 2018 - Key Collector Comics Exclusive News: optioned by Legendary

[December 2021 - Legendary will produce for Netflix with Sweet Tooth showrunner]

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #95

IDW ⋅ 2019

View Details  ⋅  View Series  ⋅  View Variants (9)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #95
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30
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Key Facts

Jennika transforms into a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle

Copies ordered by retailers: 15,381

The Walking Dead #1

Image ⋅ 2003

View Details  ⋅  View Series  ⋅  View Variants (157)
The Walking Dead #1
 
Low
$165
Mid
$410
High
$1.2k
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Key Facts

Premiere issue of an ongoing series about survivors of a zombie outbreak from writer Robert Kirkman

Adapted by AMC for cable television

1st appearance of Rick Grimes

1st appearance of Shane Walsh

Print run: 7,266

The Boys #1

WildStorm ⋅ 2006

View Details  ⋅  View Series  ⋅  View Variants (115)
The Boys #1
 
Low
$10
Mid
$30
High
$100
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Billy Butcher, leader of The Boys, a CIA team that polices a reckless superhero community

1st appearance of Hughie Campbell, recruited to The Boys after the death of his girlfriend

1st appearance of A-Train, a member of the Seven

Adapted for a TV series on Amazon

[May 2024 - The Boys has been renewed for a fifth and final season / July 2024 - Vought Rising will be the third live-action series spun-off from The Boys starring Soldier Boy and Stormfront]

Ultimate Fallout #4

Marvel ⋅ 2011

View Details  ⋅  View Series  ⋅  View Variants (25)
Ultimate Fallout #4
 
Low
$25
Mid
$90
High
$300
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Miles Morales, Spider-Man from an alternate reality

Distributed in a polybag

Diamond Comics Distributors estimates 65,000 copies of the first printing were shipped

Venom: Sinner Takes All #3

Marvel ⋅ 1995

View Details  ⋅  View Series
Venom: Sinner Takes All #3
 
Low
$7
Mid
$20
High
$70
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Key Facts

1st full appearance of She-Venom

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