Key Collector Comics

Hot 10

The Hot 10 is a weekly market analysis of the most significant transactions related to established Key Issues using eBay, auction houses and other cited sources.

Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.

Uncanny X-Men #94

Marvel ⋅ 1975

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Uncanny X-Men #94
 
Low
$80
Mid
$200
High
$800
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Key Facts

2nd team appearance of the X-Men that debuted in Giant-Size X-Men #1

2nd appearance of Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus and Thunderbird

4th appearance of Wolverine

1st appearance of Dragonfly

Some resources refer to this as the 3rd full appearance of Wolverine and Hulk #182 a 2nd cameo appearance

Beginning of Chris Claremont's 16-year consecutive run on the title, ending with Uncanny X-Men #279

First new X-Men story following five years of reprints

Hot 10 Week 46

🏅#10 on the Hot 10

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

9.0 sold for $1,520 vs the average $1,379 (+10%)

8.5 sold for $1,030 vs the average $949 (+9%)

7.0 sold for $700 vs the average $574 (+22%)

3 copies outsold the average

5.5 sold for $445 vs the average $396 (+12%)

5.0 sold for $398 vs the average $390 (+2%)

Prior to the secondary market boom of 2021/2022, this issue sold in 9.8 for approximately $15,000 but has since sold consistently for twice that amount

This issue has performed well versus 5 years ago with higher grades selling for 2x the average and lower grades selling from 20% - 50% versus the average sale prior to 2020

This is the ninth week that X-Men #94 earned a spot on the Key Collector Comics Hot 10

Marvel Spotlight #2

Marvel ⋅ 1972

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Marvel Spotlight #2
 
Low
$40
Mid
$120
High
$400
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Key Facts

1st appearance and origin of Werewolf by Night

Hot 10 Week 46

🏅#9 on the Hot 10

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

9.4 sold for $1,800 vs the average $1,725 (+4%)

9.2 sold for $1,099 vs the average $918 (+20%)

8.5 sold for $603 vs the average $510 (+18%)

7.0 sold for $385 vs the average $324 (+19%)

5.0 sold for $212 vs the average $200 (+6%)

This is the first week in 2025 that Marvel Spotlight #2 ranked on the list

Predator #1

Dark Horse ⋅ 1989

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Predator #1
 
Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$60
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Predator in a standard comic book

Marvel acquired the rights to publish Alien and Predator comics from Dark Horse in 2020

Hot 10 Week 46

🏅#8 on the Hot 10

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

9.8 sold for $549 vs the average $442 (+24%)

9.6 sold for $190 vs the average $168 (+13%)

9.4 sold for $135 vs the average $129 (+5%)

SECOND PRINTING 9.6 sold for $143 vs the average $96 (+49%)

SECOND PRINTING 9.2 sold for $90 vs the average $85 (+6%)

SECOND PRINTING 8.5 sold for $65 vs the average $62 (+5%)

Proving again that outside media has a strong correlation to comic book collectability, Predator #1 earns a spot on the list for the sixth time in 2025

Amazing Spider-Man #9

Marvel ⋅ 1964

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Amazing Spider-Man #9
 
Price Trend
Low
$300
Mid
$1k
High
$3k
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Key Facts

1st appearance and origin of Electro

Hot 10 Week 46

🏅#7 on the Hot 10

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

6.5 sold for $1,875 vs the average $1,754 (+7%)

5.5 sold for $1,290 vs the average $1,222 (+6%)

4.0 sold for $1,050 vs the average $921 (+14%)

3.5 sold for $899 vs the average $780 (+15%)

3.0 sold for $850 vs the average $662 (+28%)

2.5 sold for $1,100 vs the average $626 (+76%)

This is the first week in 2025 that this comic ranked on the Hot 10

Absolute Batman #1

DC ⋅ 2024

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Absolute Batman #1
 
Price Trend
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$75
Buy it on eBay!

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

Hot 10 Week 46

🏅#6 on the Hot 10

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

BERTRAM 1:25 VARIANT 9.8 sold for $110 vs the average $95 (+16%)

TAN NYCC VARIANT 9.8 sold for $128 vs the average $113 (+13%)

CRAIG VARIANT 9.8 sold for $65 vs the average $52 (+25%)

GERADS VARIANT 9.8 sold for $90 vs the average $70 (+29%)

JIM LEE FOIL VARIANT 9.8 sold for $85 vs the average $60 (+42%)

JIM LEE (NO FOIL) VARIANT 9.8 sold for $98 vs the average $68 (+44%)

SECOND PRINTING 9.8 sold for $70 vs the average $53 (+32%)

THIRD PRINTING DRAGOTTA VARIANT 9.8 sold for $93 vs the average $73 (+27%)

THIRD PRINTING AKIRA SKETCH VARIANT 9.8 sold for $130 vs the average $104 (+25%)The following sales are new all-time high sales:

DIAMOND UK VARIANT 9.8 sold for $131 [$69 in Jul] +90%

DRAGOTTA FOIL VARIANT 9.8 sold for $168 [$138 in Nov] +22%

SEVENTH PRINTING 9.8 sold for $55 [$52 in Sep] +6%

A 9.8 sold for $336, a new high and considerably higher than the $180 90-day average

22 copies in 9.8 outsold the average

There are 3,389 copies graded 9.8 on the CGC Census

This is the third week that Absolute Batman #1 ranked on the Hot 10

Amazing Spider-Man #300

Marvel ⋅ 1988

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Amazing Spider-Man #300
 
Low
$60
Mid
$180
High
$600
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Key Facts

1st full appearance of Venom

Hot 10 Week 46

🏅#5 on the Hot 10

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

9.8 sold for $3,350 vs the average $2,504 (+34%)

9.6 sold for $828 vs the average $826 (+0%)

9.4 sold for $650 vs the average $581 (+12%)

9.2 sold for $600 vs the average $497 (+21%)

9.0 sold for $530 vs the average $461 (+15%)

NEWSSTAND 9.0 sold for $650 vs the average $498 (+31%)

NEWSSTAND 8.5 sold for $460 vs the average $420 (+10%)

NEWSSTAND 3.0 sold for $225 vs the average $206 (+9%)

Down three spots from #2, ASM #300 nabs a spot for the 28th time in 2025

Action Comics #252

DC ⋅ 1959

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Action Comics #252
 
Price Trend
Low
$900
Mid
$2.8k
High
$9k
Buy it on eBay!

Key Facts

1st appearance of Supergirl

1st appearance of Metallo

1st appearance of Zor-El, the father of Supergirl

1st appearance of Allura In-Ze, the mother of Supergirl

Hot 10 Week 46

🏅#4 on the Hot 10

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

8.0 sold for $18,000 vs the average $14,520 (+24%)

4.0 sold for $2,100 vs the average $2,051 (+2%)

2.5 sold for $1,600 vs the average $1,208 (+32%)

1.8 sold for $1,136 vs the average $958 (+19%)

An 8.5 sale of $26,400 established a new record over last year’s $21,600 high by +6%

With a Supergirl movie headed for 2026, Action Comics #252 qualifies for only the third time in 2025

Amazing Spider-Man #129

Marvel ⋅ 1974

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Amazing Spider-Man #129
 
Low
$200
Mid
$800
High
$2k
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Key Facts

1st appearance of the Punisher

1st appearance of the Jackal

Hot 10 Week 46

🏅#3 on the Hot 10

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

9.8 sold for $18,000 vs the average $15,942 (+13%)

8.5 sold for $2,070 vs the average $2,027 (+2%)

8.0 sold for $1,900 vs the average $1,845 (+3%)

7.5 sold for $1,537 vs the average $1,495 (+3%)

7.0 sold for $1,431 vs the average $1,385 (+3%)

6.5 sold for $1,275 vs the average $1,177 (+8%)

5.0 sold for $1,025 vs the average $962 (+7%)

2.5 sold for $780 vs the average $657 (+19%)

1.8 sold for $575 vs the average $533 (+8%)

This week’s sale of $18,000 is the third highest selling copy of 2025, beaten by a $19,800 and $18,600 sale from the earlier in the year

This is the 14th copy of a 9.8 to have sold in 2025, tying last year’s highest units sold of 14 copies

The Punisher’s first introduction has hit #1 on the Hot 10 and its 36th overall appearance on the list making it the most dominant Key Issue on the secondary market in 2025

Incredible Hulk #181

Marvel ⋅ 1974

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Incredible Hulk #181
 
Low
$1k
Mid
$4.5k
High
$11k
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Key Facts

1st full appearance of Wolverine, final page cameo in issue #180

Marvel Value Stamp Series A #54 - Shanna the She-Devil

Hot 10 Week 46

🏅#2 on the Hot 10

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

9.8 sold for $72,000 vs the average $64,114 (+12%)

9.4 sold for $10,100 vs the average $9,892 (+2%)

8.5 sold for $5,037 vs the average $4,798 (+5%)

7.0 sold for $3,900 vs the average $3,381 (+15%)

6.5 sold for $3,100 vs the average $2,935 (+6%)

6.0 sold for $3,000 vs the average $2,783 (+8%)

4.0 sold for $2,249 vs the average $2,031 (+11%)

3.5 sold for $1,900 vs the average $1,779 (+7%)

This is the 11th week Hulk #181 has appeared on the list in 2025

The 9.8 sale of $72,000 is the highest recorded since March 30th, 2023

After a slow 2024 for 9.8s with only two copies sold, 2025 is on pace to have the highest number of 9.8 sales since 2018

In 2018, the average sale for a 9.8 was $28,000

The current average of $64,000 is more than double the 2018 figure, indicating strong returns for collectors who purchased before the 2021–2022 secondary market boom even at top dollar amounts

Superman #1

DC ⋅ 1939

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Superman #1
 
Price Trend
Low
$125k
Mid
$1.3M
High
$4.5M
Buy it on eBay!

Key Facts

Premiere issue of headlining Superman title

Origin of Superman

1st appearance of Ma and Pa Kent - Superman was first said to be found by a passing motorist in Action Comics #1

First pin-up poster in comics, back cover

2nd and 3rd printings exist

🌎 Currently holds the world record for the highest comic sale in history after a 9.0 sold for $9.12 million dollars in November 2025

💰 8.0 Edgar Church Pedigree sold for $5.3 million dollars in Jan 2022

Hot 10 Week 46

🏅#1 on the Hot 10

A 9.0 sold for $9,120,000 [No Previous Data]

This 9.0 sale has set a new record for the highest dollar amount ever paid for a comic in recorded history

Although two copies of Superman #1 are graded higher at 9.6 and 9.4, this is the highest graded unrestored copy

Restoration refers to adding foreign material to a comic through specific techniques to return its appearance to an ideal or original state

Restored books receive a purple CGC label instead of the Universal blue label and lose value as a result

The 9.0 copy that sold for $9.2 million was discovered in a California home’s attic last year

The comic belonged to the deceased mother of three siblings

The CGC Census reports only 209 total copies of Superman #1

Audit Bureau of Circulation files show three printings in 1939 with runs of 500,000 for the first printing, 250,000 for the second, and 150,000 for the third

The only noted difference is the house ad for Action Comics #14, which reads “On Sale June 2nd” for the first printing and “Now on Sale” for the others

CGC does not differentiate between printings

Some social media comments argue the grade is too high, but CGC is traditionally more lenient with Golden Age comics due to paper quality, production standards, and low survival rates

Of the roughly 900,000 copies originally printed, only 79 unrestored copies remain in the CGC Census with grades from 9.0 to 0.5

Additional Census totals include 108 restored, 3 conserved, 5 qualified, 36 NG copies missing covers or interior pages, 245 PG copies representing individual pages, and 3 CVR-only copies containing only the cover

The $9.12 million sale obliterated the previous world record held by an 8.5 copy Action Comics #1 which sold for $6 million dollars in April 2014

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