Best modern comics to invest in for 2020 and 2021

With NYX3 taking off, it is again a reminder that investing in the right modern comics for at least -3 years can pay off handsomely. They might not last 10 years but not all comic investments need to be that long right? So far, I have been quite fortunate in picking out CM#17 in 2014, NYX #3 in 2015 and even Howard the Duck (Gwenpool variant) in 2016.  Who will be the next rising stars in the coming months? Below is my guess.

Selection criteria

Before getting to the books, I should mention how I personally select books for my modern investments. With these guidelines, it has prevented me from over investing in books with a short life span.

  • Lead character in movies: With so much media exposure now, we want characters that are in the limelight and not in some supporting role and as villains. This is very important to bear in mind going forward.
  • Limited supply: I tend to buy books that don’t have an overwhelming supply. Firstly, the price appreciation tend to be sharper. Secondly, it is easier to sell on Ebay when you don’t have 100 other listings competing with you.
  • Existing series: I pick characters that are already read by comic readers. My belief is that movie news only shift the attention of current collectors from one book to another. Movies don’t really bring in many new folks who will splash out a few hundred dollars on key issues. Hence, you will want to invest in characters that already has a readership base such that the news will spike them into action.

Agent Venom

With a renew interest in spinning off a Venom movie, there is a chance that Agent Venom will eventually be used. Things will be cleared after Venom 2  but I think it is worth a gamble.

Agent Venom has also been well received in the comic book community. Right now, there is no heat as this character is temporarily off the chess board. However, characters never stay away for too long.

There are currently 2 books that are key issues for Agent Venom:

Amazing Spider Man #654 (2nd print)

spider man 654 2nd print

A book that was hyped by many groups, it has now reach the price for USD120-150 for NM copies. This is the book when Flash Thompson merges with Venom but has not become Agent Venom yet.

While it is fetching a high price now, I believe the ceiling can be higher especially for high grade copies which are really hard to come by due to the black cover. A limited supply book + a movie lead = big price spike.

In my view, $300 is not out of the question when you look at books like CM #17 at its peak.

A natural question will be: how about the first print? The answer is yes, it will appreciate but the market has already decided this is the copy to have. Once that is done, it is hard to reverse with any kind of logic and reasoning. It is simply what it is.

Check Ebay listings

Secret Avengers #23

secret avengers 23 first print

secret avengers 23 2nd print

This is the issue when the full design of the Agent Venom character materialises and is therefore regarded as Agent Venom’s first appearance.

Regular copies sold around 37k copies in North America, which is not a very big number. The 2nd print is even more scarce.

In this age where the harder to find copies are more valued regardless of the number of printing, I would suggest picking up both. They are priced currently at around USD20 so it is still early game.

Check Ebay Listings

X-23

X-23 continues to be a big character but the heat has cooled off due to a lack of movie news. I believe she will make a big comeback once the X-men are introduced into the MCU.

Her first appearance in NYX #3 is already out of touch but these 2 issues are still affordable.

NYX #4 and X-23 #1

Both books have been mentioned in my X-23 key issue article so read that if you want more details.

nyx 4

x-23 1

For comparison, you can see how books like Harley Quin #1 and Mad Love perform. Comparing NYX #4 and X-23 #1 to these 2 books, it is clear that there is more growth. I would get them now if you believe Laura will be becoming more popular in the coming years.

Check Ebay listings for X-23 #1

Check Ebay listings for NYX #4

X Men #493

X men 493 2nd print

I have already mentioned this before in my cheap X-force key article. It is a long shot but if realised, has a high ceiling to grow into.

To repeat, this is the book where X-23 first joins X-Force as well as the first appearance of the Black Ops X-force concept. In many ways, it is a pretty important book in the history of X Force. Without this, there will be no Uncanny X-Force.

The first print had sales of over 100k in US so it is not short on supply. This 2nd print, on the other hand, not only features Laura as a X-force member but has a limited sales of 7k.

Check Ebay listings

Captain Marvel

With her growing importance in Marvel comics and her confirmed movie in 2019, I am surprised at how affordable her keys. I think the market is still asleep with regards to Carol’s potential. This is good news for us who like to buy undervalued comics and wait for the market to come to us.

Although this article is about modern comics, the 1977 Ms Marvel #1 9.6 is still worth a purchase. In this and 9.8 grade, there actually isn’t that many copies available, contrary to market perception. I expect the 9.6 to be a $500 or $600 book when the movie trailer hits so there is still a lot of room for growth.

Back to the modern books.

Avenging Spider Man #9

Updated 2020: This book has hit the big time after I first wrote this article. Looking now in 2020, it is now a $100 book. However, bear in mind it was a $300 in its peak. There might a second wind for this book, although the returns will not be as good as when I wrote about it.

Carol’s new costume and more importantly, the name of Captain Marvel appears in this issue.  With only 37k copies sold in North America, this is again not a book that is as abundant as other titles like Batman, Justice League or Deadpool. Current pricing is still below $20 so it is worthwhile to pick them up. To me, this book is a pretty important key as it changes the direction of Carol and introduces what is essentially her current incarnation.

avenging spider man first print

avenging spider man 2nd print

For this book, there is again a second  print but it is not as visually appealing as Secret Avengers #23 so I am more uncertain about its appeal.

Check Ebay listings

17 thoughts on “Best modern comics to invest in for 2020 and 2021

    1. If it can’t be found on comichron.com, it is safe to assume that its sales were lower than the last book in the top 300. This means probably low thousands at best.

  1. I came across a 9.2 to 9.4 copy of Aleister Arcane 1 in a $1 bin at my local. Ebay sold lists shows the comic selling for ~$20. So, it was an obvious buy for $1. The movie starring Jim Carey is in the works. On the positive side, the print run is only $8K. On the negative, the story line looks weak and the character basically has 0 fans. Plus, who likes Jim Carey anymore anyway? In your opinion, should I sell now as is, cgc it and then immediately (doubt it), or wait and see what the market does as the movie gets closer? I really respect your opinion and LOVE your blog. What are your thoughts?

  2. Hi, just wanted your advice on 2 books i was looking to buy on e bay, which i have read that hot and are good investments
    Saga #1
    Saga #19 Variant and has a first appearance i believe
    Do you feel these are long term??
    thank you

  3. love the information on this website. comic book investing is a cool way to merge collecting with income generation especially if you were into it growing up as alot of the 80s / 90s generation

  4. looking at the price appreciation for Amazing Spider-Man 654 from 3/2016 to present, it appears your advice was solid

  5. Hi.
    Found walking dead 1 when browsing my comic box i forgot about along with other values.
    Should i sell now?

  6. Just picked up Secret Avengers 23, 2nd Print Variant CGC 9.6 for $130.00, may the gods be good and make an Agent Venom movie! Even if I don’t make money in the future, I find it to be a great cover and it brings me joy. Not to mention, Agent Venom is totally badass.

  7. Awesome read. I was wondering if you would be able to guide me in the right direction. I would like to start a collection of books. Something I can hand down to my son. What books do you think will be great long term investments? Really talking more about newer issues (80s to current). Eventually I’ll look to jump into more of the classic books. I would really appreciate the help. Feel free to PM me. Thank you.

  8. Summer of Spiderman sampler 2012 came out bfore Avenging spiderman 9. It was free and shows carol as Captain marvel. I wonder how many copies are out there.

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