Hot 10

🏅#10 on the Hot 10

Two copies of the ELEVENTH PRINTING hit a new high this week:

9.8 sold for $282 [$257 in 2017] +10%

9.2 sold for $150 [$38 in 2022] +295%

The first printing also saw some heat

Transactions from this week that sold for higher than the previous twelve-month average:

9.8 sold for $239 vs the average $198 (+21%)

9 copies outsold the average

9.6 sold for $150 vs the average $111 (+35%)

9.4 sold for $109 vs the average $100 (+9%)

9.0 sold for $90 vs the average $76 (+18%)

8.5 sold for $90 vs the average $71 (+27%)

NINTH PRINTING 9.8 sold for $679 vs the average $656 (+4%)

🏅#9 on the Hot 10

A 5.5 established a new record high of $130, surpassing the previous $120 record from 2022 by +8%

Transactions from this week that sold for higher than the previous twelve-month average:

9.8 sold for $1,520 vs the average $1,160 (+31%)

NEWSSTAND 9.8 sold for $1,475 vs the average $1,420 (+4%)

9.6 sold for $435 vs the average $387 (+12%)

NEWSSTAND 9.6 sold for $600 vs the average $432 (+39%)

NEWSSTAND 9.4 sold for $317 vs the average $274 (+16%)

9.2 sold for $290 vs the average $230 (+26%)

NEWSSTAND 9.2 sold for $300 vs the average $236 (+27%)

9.0 sold for $250 vs the average $197 (+27%)

NEWSSTAND 8.5 sold for $250 vs the average $171 (+46%)

CANADIAN PRICE VARIANT 8.0 sold for $200 vs the average $177 (+13%)

NEWSSTAND 7.5 sold for $150 vs the average $149 (+1%)

NEWSSTAND 7.0 sold for $220 vs the average $140 (+57%)

NEWSSTAND 5.0 sold for $103 vs the average $99 (+4%)

This week marks the ninth time in 2026 that Amazing Spider-Man #252 has appeared on the list

As noted earlier, and this is a spoiler…it has been communicated that the Venom symbiote will appear in Spider-Man: Brand New Day

🏅#8 on the Hot 10

Displaying early signs of consistency as secondary market demand surged for the second consecutive week in 2026, DC All-In Special #1 in 9.8 established a new record sale

A 9.8 sold for $400 this week, surpassing the previous $320 high set in March by +25%

In fact, seven additional 9.8 sales also exceeded the previous record, ranging from $330 to $350

A few other notable transactions that established new record highs are as follows:

FOIL EDITION 9.8 sold for $211 [$200 in Feb] +6%

SECOND PRINTING 9.8 sold for $89 [$80 in Feb] +11%

THIRD PRINTING 9.8 sold for $77 [$50 in May] +54%

🏅#7 on the Hot 10

Transactions from this week that sold for higher than the previous twelve-month average:

9.2 sold for $5,200 vs the average $4,229 (+23%)

7.5 sold for $2,440 vs the average $2,434 (+0%)

5.0 sold for $1,800 vs the average $1,468 (+23%)

4.5 sold for $1,600 vs the average $1,338 (+20%)

4.0 sold for $1,595 vs the average $1,293 (+23%)

2.5 sold for $1,049 vs the average $1,026 (+2%)

2.0 sold for $1,062 vs the average $1,020 (+4%)

This is the 16th time in 28 weeks of 2026 that Giant Size X-Men #1 ranked on the Hot 10

🏅#6 on the Hot 10

Transactions from this week that sold for higher than the previous twelve-month average:

9.6 sold for $5,800 vs the average $5,795 (+0%)

9.4 sold for $3,900 vs the average $3,806 (+2%)

9.2 sold for $3,800 vs the average $3,098 (+23%)

8.5 sold for $2,225 vs the average $2,188 (+2%)

8.0 sold for $2,090 vs the average $2,014 (+4%)

7.0 sold for $1,850 vs the average $1,557 (+19%)

6.5 sold for $1,500 vs the average $1,332 (+13%)

5.0 sold for $1,100 vs the average $1,058 (+4%)

4.0 sold for $1,250 vs the average $942 (+33%)

The Punisher’s first appearance has appeared 21 out of 28 weeks in 2026 of the Key Collector Comics Hot 10, which is more than any other Key Issue this year

🏅#5 on the Hot 10

Transactions from this week that sold for higher than the previous twelve-month average:

9.8 sold for $7,800 vs the average $5,954 (+31%)

9.6 sold for $4,500 vs the average $3,169 (+42%)

9.4 sold for $3,559 vs the average $2,552 (+39%)

LARRY'S LIMITED EDITION 9.8 sold for $750 vs the average $564 (+33%)

LARRY'S LIMITED EDITION 9.6 sold for $539 vs the average $426 (+27%)

This marks the 11th week in 2026 that Invincible #1 has qualified for the Key Collector Comics Hot 10

🏅#4 on the Hot 10

Transactions from this week that sold for higher than the previous twelve-month average:

8.5 sold for $7,320 vs the average $6,513 (+12%)

5.0 sold for $2,500 vs the average $2,243 (+11%)

4.5 sold for $2,113 vs the average $1,719 (+23%)

3.5 sold for $1,854 vs the average $1,495 (+24%)

1.5 sold for $1,000 vs the average $957 (+4%)

A UK edition graded 0.5 sold for a new high of $600 surpassing the previous $520 record from 2025 by 15%

This is the eighth time in 2026 that the Green Goblin’s first appearance has ranked on the Hot 10

🏅#3 on the Hot 10

Transactions from this week that exceeded the previous twelve-month average include: 9.8 sold for $31,720 versus the average $30,260 (+5%)

8.0 sold for $1,800 versus the average $1,658 (+9%)

7.5 sold for $1,395 versus the average $1,331 (+5%)

6.0 sold for $740 versus the average $728 (+2%)

5.5 sold for $675 versus the average $626 (+8%)

Blue Label signed by Stan Lee 5.0 sold for $735 [No Previous Data]

Few Key Issues published in 1969 can be found in the coveted 9.8 grade, yet this issue has an impressive 32 copies, more than three times the number of Silver Surfer #1 and Mephisto's first appearance in Silver Surfer #3

The high census is especially surprising given the predominantly black cover, a color that is notoriously difficult to preserve in pristine condition

Combined with the age of the book, the number of 9.8 copies is an unusual anomaly

Even so, 32 copies are nowhere near enough to satisfy demand for one of the most iconic covers of the Silver Age, as evidenced by this week's staggering $31,720 sale

This marks the fourth time in 2026 that this iconic cover has earned a spot on the Key Collector Comics Hot 10

🏅#2 on the Hot 10

Transactions from this week that exceeded the previous twelve-month average include: 9.2 sold for $8,000 versus the average $7,572 (+6%)

8.5 sold for $5,200 versus the average $4,735 (+10%)

6.5 sold for $3,150 versus the average $3,059 (+3%)

5.5 sold for $2,850 versus the average $2,552 (+12%)

5.0 sold for $2,695 versus the average $2,524 (+7%)

4.5 sold for $3,000 versus the average $2,273 (+32%)

3.0 sold for $1,775 versus the average $1,704 (+4%)

This marks the 19th week out of 28 in 2026 that Wolverine's first full appearance has ranked on the Key Collector Comics Hot 10

Much of the current momentum may be driven by the upcoming Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con with fans anticipating updates from Marvel Studios on the X-Men reboot, including the possibility of casting announcements

Interest is also building around the PlayStation 5 game scheduled for release on September 9, 2026

The game looks like it will explore some of the most celebrated X-Men stories from the 1980s and early 1990s while embracing the brutal violence fans expect from Wolverine, as showcased in the ultra-bloody first gameplay reveal

Developed by Insomniac Games, the studio behind the acclaimed Marvel's Spider-Man titles and the beloved Ratchet & Clank franchise, the game reportedly carries a budget exceeding $300 million

Anticipation is expected to grow even further following its Hall H presentation on July 23 at 11:15 a.m., where new gameplay and additional details are expected to be revealed

🏅#1 on the Hot 10

This week, 54 copies graded 9.8 sold, exceeding the twelve-month average of $306 by +127%

Of those sales, 5 copies in 9.8 sold for more than $600

41 sold between $500-599

This week’s average sale of a 9.8 is $550

Prior to September 2, 2025, copies graded 9.8 could still be purchased for under $100

Although Absolute Batman #1 was published in October 2024, it took nearly a year for a 9.8 to surpass the $100 mark

The last time a 9.8 sold for under $200 was November 9, 2025, exactly two months after crossing the $100 milestone

By the end of November 2025, finding a 9.8 for under $300 was becoming increasingly difficult as most sales were approaching $400

The book began showing signs of slowing in February 2026 with most 9.8s selling between $250-350

By March 2026, the market appeared to stabilize around $250, coinciding with the flood of retailer exclusive variants that began with the Poison Ivy story arc in Absolute Batman #17

May 2026 brought renewed momentum with average sales climbing into the mid-$350 range

Then DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran announced the Absolute Batman adult animated TV series at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and the market exploded

Since then, 9.8s have regularly sold for $500 or more and continue to climb

In fact, sales have not dipped below $500 since the Fourth of July except for a single $499 transaction

Two weeks ago, we reported that 980 copies graded 9.8 had sold throughout 2026

Last week, that total climbed to 1,030

This week, another 43 sales pushed the 2026 total to 1,073

By comparison, 780 copies graded 9.8 sold during all of 2025

9.6s are also gaining momentum with four sales this week surpassing the previous high set in late June

The top 9.6 sale now stands at $400, eclipsing June's $335 record by +19%

Three additional 9.6 sales also exceeded the previous high at $364 (+9%), $355 (+6%) and $350 (+4%)

A 9.2 set a new record at $200, topping the previous $190 high from April by +5%

Copies graded below 9.2 have yet to sell in July as most collectors continue pursuing 9.8s with strong inventory available on eBay

This marks the third consecutive week Absolute Batman #1 has claimed the top spot on the Hot 10 and the fifth time overall it has ranked #1 this year

Absolute Batman #1 has now appeared on the Hot 10 thirteen times in 2026 and continues to build momentum

For a look at several record-breaking sales of Absolute Batman #1 variants, check out the new category, "Absolute Batmania"