Hey everyone, welcome to another edition of InvestComics: Comic Hot Picks. A bit of news to report on before we dive in..…. InvestComics started about 6 years ago as a free magazine that was printed at the local Staples or Kinko’s (whoever had the better sale that week, or a price break). It was distributed throughout South Florida in various comic shops. As of a few days ago, InvestComics has become a Corporation. InvestComics™ Inc. That’s kind of cool. It’s been quite the journey thus far, and the journey has just begun……

Now let’s get to the Comic Hot Picks!

DC brings some interesting things to look for this week. With Superboy #4, Psionic Lad is back as a “new hero”, but if you really want his first appearance, check out Action Comics #892. Legion of Super-Heroes Annual #1 teams up Legends Paul Levitz and Keith Giffen for the first time in 20 years! The first time these 2 legends ever appeared in the same comic was in 1976. They first appeared together, not as a working creative team in Kamadi, The Last Boy on Earth #44. This comic is priced at only $16. The first creative collaboration came only a month or 2 later on All Star Comics #62. This comic will only set you back $28. Not a bad price tag for a couple of legends teaming up 35 years ago for the first time. Back to the Annual comic now, there is a re-intro of a character named Emerald Empress. Her very first appearance ever was in Adventure Comics #352 (1967). A $100 will snag this one from creators Jim Shooter and Curt Swan. Superman 80 Page Giant 2011 features some new talent in the industry taking on the Greatest Superhero ever. Check out what some of these rookies have to offer, and you’ll be getting many “first works” in this book, so buy it.

The Independents rock and roll this week, and the featured guest of honor is H2O (One Shot) from Dynamite. This comic/graphic novel imprint will be a fantastic read from creators Grant Calof, Jeevan J. Kang and Liquid Comics. Get this, read it and enjoy it. It should be coming to your local theater near you in the future.  IDW has a hit on their hands. The first ever crossover event hits the Transformers in Transformers: Infestation #1. Look for this book to sell out quickly. Part 2 of the hit Obama/Palin team up in Archie continues this week in Archie #617.

All pricing on Comics in this article are courtesy of Comics Price Guide.com

Okay that’s it for this week.

This week on InvestComics™ TV we bring you Andrew Zar from Darkbrain Comics. If you haven’t seen Darkbrain Web Comics yet, do yourself a huge favor and head on over right here……..what are you waiting for?? Click it!! Andrew is breaking new ground with an innovative new approach to motion comics, and it’s simply awesome.

Invest wisely

-Jay K

As many of you have heard by now, Marvel is making news again. This week Marvel kills off one of their characters that have been gracing the pages of their book for 50 years. A member of the Fantastic four will kick the preverbal bucket. With the release of the Fantastic Four # 587, one of the 4 will not make it to issue number 589. So I’ll be waiting by the business phone early Tuesday morning to find out who dies. A quick special thanks to Tate’s Comics here in Florida for giving me the call in morning on the news! Not too sure why Marvel has decided to off one of the members though, for obliviously reasons sales, but there is probably a bigger picture here. Well at least that’s what we all hope, right? The biggest single event to hit Marvel since the Death of Captain America will happen on Tuesday (one day early release from the normal Wednesday release date). So are you ready? Maybe Marvel will really surprise everyone and have the number 3 they keep showing mean 3 deaths?!  

Fantastic Four #1 (1961) $80,000. (Source: Comics Price Guide)

Is there a bigger book this week than Fantastic Four #587? Well, this depends. Maybe! You see there is going to be a comic that will be completely overshadowed this week, a lower print run, and sell out. Look for Ape Entertainment’s Freakshow  #1, from the creative team of David Server, Jackson Lanzing, and Joe Suitor. With the comic getting very good reviews, and an appearance from the creative team at Golden Apple in L.A. on January 29, 2011, this comic will be sold out quick. Check out the coverage right here on the Golden Apple web site. The preview pages alone look amazing. Grab yourself a copy early, if you don’t you’ll just have to wait for the second print in a few weeks.

DC Comics goes with the Black Green Arrow in Green Arrow #8, and that’s equals up to some awesomeness. Also check out the non-numbered Shazam issue from Cliff Richards and Eric Wallace, and New York Five #1 from Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly

The Indie’s will also have a couple of books coming out that you should keep an eye on besides the “sold out” Freakshow #1. IDW begins their very first crossover event with Infestation #1. This will be a very different event in many ways. Why you ask? The event involves the Star Trek crew, G.I. Joe, Transformers, and even the Ghostbusters. Is that enough of a “what the…?” for ya? Sounds like fun though, jump in! Darth Vader begins a solo miniseries in Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Lost Command #1.

If you haven’t heard by now, I will be writing a one shot for BlueWater Productions under the Vincent Price Presents title book. It’s called “Good Boy” and will feature an extraordinary talented team of Stefano Cardoselli on pencils/inks and Jeff Balke on colors. If you’d like to see the full press release, you can click here. If you’d like to see a preview page that is completely finished click here.

A special thanks to all of those who supported me when this news broke. I truly appreciate it, and look forward to sharing the process of building the comic with all of you.

Now off to the Weekly Hot Picks! Here’s a nice little quick nugget; Did you know it’s been over 5 years straight of the Weekly Comic Hot Picks in the magazine and InvestComics.com combined?!

DC Comics; Supergirl #60 gets a new creative team. Artist Bernard Chang (Superman, Wonder Woman), and writer Nick Spencer of the wildly super hot series Morning Glories! A new and very cool animated series will coming out called Young Justice. Check out the first comic based off of this soon to be hit cartoon. Have to mention that Tony Daniels cover for Batman #706. That’s super cool.

Marvel; Amazing Spider-Man #652 brings back an old foe Alistair Smythe, a.k.a. Spider-Slayer. Check out Slayers first appearance in Amazing Spider-Man Annual #19 (1985). You probably could find this comic lying around in some $1 bin at your local comic book convention. Iron Man celebrates his anniversary issue with issue #500. Anniversary issues usually don’t fare that well in the aftermarket, so don’t look for the “regular issue” to command much on ebay, except for the variant from Joe Quesada. A steep $130 at some comic shops makes this a rare and hard book to get.

Independents; 2 books are highlighted this week. 27 #1 sold out quickly, so a second print variant will be hitting the shelves this week. Also check out Image Comics Memoir #1, a very interesting looking book with John Cassaday’s name attached to it.

InvestComics TV will be releasing Part 4 of 4 with Neal Adams this Wednesday! What a great series! 

That’s it for this week, see you next week. Invest wisely

-Jay Katz

Here’s a rapid fire edition of Comic Hot Picks……

DC Comics: Superman continues to soar with its current storyline. Look for no let up with Superman #707. Wonder Girl #1 will do very well, mostly due to the writing skills of J.T. Krul. Look for this comic to be a possible sleeper hit. If you want to spend an additional $3 besides this book, look for Wonder Woman #105 from 1996 from John Byrne. This issue features the first appearance of Cassie Sandsmark, aka Wonder Girl.

Marvel Comics: Amazing Spider-Man #651 features an 8 page backup story featuring the return of the Mac; Mac Gargan that is. Mac; also known as The Scorpion was first seen in Amazing Spider-Man #20 (1965) from the Spidey Legend himself Steve Ditko. This comic is a very low $1400. Low, because with the Spidey movies about to make a comeback, the Scorpion will not be that far behind. Daredevil Reborn #1 will be a quick sellout, don’t miss it.

The Big anniversary issue this week has to go to Spawn #200. With a ridiculous 10 different covers hitting the shelf. If you have to get all 10 issues, save your money and put it all towards the David Finch Black and White Cover issue. It’s the rarest of all 10, its value will sustain much longer, and it’s an awesome Finch cover!

Stan Lee’s BOOM! Books are gaining some momentum. Starborn #2 comes out this week, check it out. Image Comics Infinite Vacation #1 looks to be one that will fly right under everyone’s radar.

Check out InvestComics TV this coming Wednesday with Mr. Hack/Slash Tim Seeley! The episode will be right on the front page of InvestComics for you to watch.

That’s it for this week…..

Invest Wisely

-Jay Katz

It’s week number 1 of InvestComics™ Comic Hot Picks, with 51 more to go! And before we begin, be sure to check out last Wednesday’s InvestComics™ TV show with Scott Williams of Project Fanboy.

Now let’s get started on week number 1.

There are 2 comics coming out this week that need to be on your radar, as the others should as well, but these 2 are goodies. DC’s Weird Worlds #1 will be the first of a six issue deal. Each month DC will give fans 3 NEW 10 page stories within Weird Worlds that will contain monsters, and cosmic goodness. This alone is a reason to pick it up for a good read. The best part about issue number one, which we hope the trend continues throughout, will be the introduction of 2 brand new characters in their own 10 page story. Aaron Lopresti introduces Garbageman, and Kevin Maguire introduces Tanga. This looks, feels, and smells like a tryout book for new characters. If by popular demand, one or maybe more than one of these newbie’s will breakout. Pick this one up, and wait for one of these characters to possibly appear someplace else in the DC Universe as a major player.

The second comic to really watch for this week is Earp Saints and Sinners #1. Here is a comic that has hit written all over it. A modern day re-imaging of Wyatt Earp from Matt Cirulnick, and David Manpearl. This comic is from the indie company Radical Comics, so don’t expect a big print on the first go around here. Yes, the second print will adjust all of those who missed out on this comic the first time. But, if you listen here, you’ll get your first print. There will be one very large issue with Earp when it comes out as far as sales go….. the cover price. A very steep $5.99 might have some collectors shying away a bit. A $3.99 would have been the way to go on this one, but we’ll see what happens. The Alex Maleev cover sure does grab your attention though doesn’t it?!

DC’s Steel comes out with a non-numbered comic. Steel looks total badas* on the cover doesn’t he? Kudos to Alex Garner for this cover. The shiny silver Superman reminds us a bit of Thor with that hammer. If you want to get John Henry’s first appearance (aka Steel), look for Adventures of Superman #500 (1987). You can find this comic at most of your local area comic shows in the long boxes for mega cheap. .

Adventure Comics #522 is a prelude of sorts for the upcoming Legion Event, so check that one out. Batman Beyond #1 gets his own ongoing series, very cool.

Upcoming guest on InvestComics™ TV Tim Seeley comes out with Hack/Slash: Me without you One Shot. Find out the true beginnings of Vlad in this one and done book! Rounding out the week, we have Transformers Prime #1, prelude to the new animated TV series, and Ultimate Comics Captain America #1 from Jason Aaron, and Ron Garney will be a great read/pickup.

Remember, every Wednesday is new comic day, but it’s ALSO NEW InvestComics™ TV day! Check out ALL NEW episodes every Wednesday!

Invest wisely,

Jay Katz

www.investcomics.com

Another Wednesday, brings new comics, and a NEW episode of InvestComics TV! Check out this Wednesday’s feature on Scott Williams, the man behind the awesome web site Project Fanboy. Project Fanboy has been one of the instrumental parts in getting InvestComics some great coverage, so thank you to them, and thank you to Scott Williams for the interview. Be sure to check it out!

This week Flash #8 gets a nod as Geoff Johns keeps his finger on the throttle. Check out a prelude to the soon to be mega hit storyline Flashpoint, with great covers by Scott Kolins and Stanley “Artgerm” Lau. DC’s other hot book this week is Batman The Dark Knight #1. Especially exciting about this issue is the creator that will have full control of this series; one of InvestComics favorite artist, David Finch. Although this is the first issue of David’s on the new Batman series, this is in’t the first time David has done a Batman book. Way back in 1999, he did a crossover with Top Cow. The book was simply titled Darkness Batman. Cool stuff here to look at how David has honed in on his craft to become the superstar he is today. You could find this comic in most of your 1 dollar bins at your local comic convention. A nice book to own to see where Finch was, and where he is today. As for the new Batman series from David, expect sellouts, so get to your store early.

Marvel’s red hot series Nemesis wraps up this week. Here the thing, if you didn’t get any of these issues, you should. It’s really just a matter of time before this comic becomes a feature movie. Each issue has sold like Hot cakes, and Mark Millar is on fire right now. No reason not to think this comic will be anything but a film in a few years. Do yourself a favor, pick this series up now.

The What If? Series is celebrating a milestone issue this week. The alternative Marvel Universe really is a great book for any comic collector. This series dates all the way back to 1977 with Spider-Man joining the Fantastic Four. What comic collector doesn’t remember that issue? How about the Conan issue? The Daredevil issues? The Wolverine/Hulk issue? The Thor issue? See, just the mere mention of the character from the What If? Series, and a comic book collector knows exactly what issues are being spoken about. The What If? #1 from 1977 is only $32! Dave Cockrum cover, Jim Craig pencils, and a Roy Thomas story all equals up to some fun, and a cheap buy at only $32.

The Indie comic of the week has to go to the much anticipated, much hyped part one storyline No Way Out from The Walking Dead #80.

Thanks to Comics Price Guide for the pricing within this article.

That’s it for now….. And a special thank you to all of the InvestComics fans for making 2010 such a fantastic year. InvestComics looks forward to the New Year, and entertaining you every week with great articles, reviews, interviews, and Comic Hot Picks of course! Even a Pick of The Week on InvestComics TV coming soon too! Look for InvestComics TV to have a tremendous impact on the comic book world in the upcoming year as well. We look forward to bringing you the best talent in the industry on every Wednesday, so much more to look for from InvestComics in 2011.

Thank you, and have a happy, safe and healthy New Year.

Jay Katz - Principal and Owner, InvestComics™

Its a few days before Christmas, are you done shopping yet? Happy holidays to all of the InvestComics fans!

Now on to a rapid fire session of the Comic Hot Picks…..

Independent comics are ruling the land this week. A few weeks back InvestComics told you about a very cool book on the WHP from 11-24-10 called Cyclops #1 (Archaia). It was pushed back until this week, so nothing different here, pick it up! Untouchable – One Shot (Dynamite) looks like an interesting pick up from writer Mike Carey of Marvel’s X-Men. Red hot series Morning Glories (Image) reaches its fifth issue already. Pick up these early issue’s of Morning Glories, something special going on here. Mark Zuckerberg, creator of Facebook makes his debut into the comic book world, thanks to Blue Water comics. Also from Blue Water comics is Styx & Stone #1, check that one out as well.
The biggest Indie book this week goes to the much covered Archie #616. Many news outlets and other media have covered this comic well before its release this week. President Obama teams up with Sarah Palin in part 1 of Campaign Pair. That’s real sweet that they are sharing a shake from the same cup, wonder how the First Lady and Todd feel about this. Anyway, pick this collector’s item up, it just may be the first time that a former president, and a new president appear on the same cover at the same time.

Marvel comes at us with Iron Man #33. The Finale to Stark: Resilient storyline. Marvel says that the last 3 pages of this one will “shocking”. Looking forward to a shock!

Check out the latest InvestComics™ TV episode which comes out December  22. Every Wednesday is new comic book day and every Wednesday we will have a new show for you! This week, Neal Adams Part 2 of 4! Boy is this one good! Look for extra episodes coming out periodically during the week as well. Have you seen the new InvestComics™ TV web site yet? It’s a work in progress, but check it out. www.investcomicstv.com.  First quarter of 2011, ICTV web site will be in full tilt! We’ll see you there.

Have a great holiday, remember buy lots of comics, and invest wisely.

Jay Katz

With the birth of the new investComics™ web site; InvestComics™ TV happening (shameless plug!) we get the birth of yet another new Spider-Man costume. Amazing Spider-Man #650 will introduce the first of a few new costumes for Spider-Man. What does this mean for you exactly? Well it means with the influx of Hollywood, Cartoon Network, and a host of other media knocking down the doors of the comic book world, you should pick these up. One never knows if one of these new Spidey duds will become the next big thing for the kids and fanboys alike. So with issue #650, we get the Tron looking Spidey. The first (and only) ‘real’ costume change to ever matter had to be Amazing Spider-Man #252, but the one to really cherish and hold is Amazing Spier-Man #300, the edgy black and white, and Venom was born! A close second, judging a book buy its cover, had to be the late Michael Turner Civil War Variant with Spidey’s tentacles holding him above the ground. Wow that was an absolutely beautiful cover. Michael, you surely are missed.

….Moving on to another classic character, nowhere near the Spider-Man status, but iconic nonetheless. Conan will be coming out with another number one issue this week. Conan The Road of Kings #1 from Dark Horse. This issue will be a bit on the special side, because the original writer from Conan the Barbarian #1 (Marvel 1970) comes back to this Dark Horse series. Check out that classic cover from Barry Windsor-Smith too. If you want to talk about movies or television again, Conan WILL be back on either the big screen or television. Why not get a jump on things and get the original 1970 book for only $360. It’s an upside book due to the fact that there is a new generation that has not yet been introduced to Conan in the movie/TV genre yet. It will happen, so get this book now when it’s still at a collector’s price.

Speaking of Iconic, John Byrne makes his way back into comic book land. John Byrne’s Next Men #1 from IDW Publishing makes its way to your local comic shop. Check out the first appearance of the Freaks (aka Next Men) that was featured in a DC comic as a pitch Idea that never materialized, but later became John Byrnes’s Next Men. History of the DC Universe would be that book.

Birds of Prey #7 features a new artist on the title. Ardian Syaf takes over the pencils. Check out Ardian’s first work from free comic book day 2008. He did the cover to Dabel Brothers and Del Rey 2008 Preview. You can buy this free comic for only a $1. If you want his first interior art, look for Jim Butchers The Dresden Files Welcome to the Jungle #1 from 2008. This comic cost only $4.

The Indie pick of the week goes to Magus #1 from 12 Gauge. Also check out Dark Horse’s The Occultist #1 from the awesome Tim Seeley.

See you next week, Invest wisely.

Jay Katz

www.investcomics.com

Only 2 comics make the cut this week. Doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of awesome reading out there, just means there is a dull moment as far as growing your stash of comics to add to your already awesome collection.

 
So what are the 2 comics to check out this week? Well, it’s actually 4 comics you should be checking out this week. Captain America Korvac Saga #1 is a new limited series from Marvel. Find the first appearance of Korvac in Giant Sized Defenders #3 (1975) for only $10! And it’s a Jim Starlin book to boot! Gotta love Jim Starlin if you’re a comic fan.

Chaos War: Ares #1. Isn’t this the Ares that literally got ripped in half by Sentry? Yes that was way cool! And just in case you missed this gruesome, but very awesome scene in Siege #2 check it out below.

Okay so now that Marvel is bring back the dead again, look for Ares’ first appearance in Thor #129 (1966). This comic will run you in the $160 range. With the Thor movie looming, and with a Jack Kirby extravaganza exterior/interior here, this is a bargain!

Special thanks as always to Comics Price Guide.com for the pricing of the comics in this article.

Don’t forget to check out InvestComics TV with the first part of a 4 part series with Legend Neal Adams! This is an extraordinary fans, don’t miss it!

See you next week, invest wisely.

Jay Katz

www.investcomics.com

Batman 80 Page Giant #1 will feature various NEW creators within the industry taking a stab at drawing, inking, writing, and coloring a Batman tale. This comic will be one of those comics you look at 10 years from now realizing that you have a first work of a Batman artist that will blow the doors off. Pick this comic up and hold on to it.

Ian Churchhill's Marineman #1 from Image Comics hits this week. This one has instant sellout written all over it. Don't miss this comic, it's liable to become the next comic to appear on Cartoon Network.

Speaking of selling out, don't pass up the ultra violent debut of Wolverine The Best There is #1. Once again, an instant sellout. Fans have been looking for a no holds barred Wolverine title, so here it is folks!

Chaos War: God Squad #1 has quite a few characters appearing in it. A few non first rate characters appear within the solicit. Here are their first appearances:

Sersi - First appearance was in Eternals #3 (1976). With Jack Kirby art and cover, this is a no-brainer at an $8 price tag.

Hellstorm - First Appearance was in Ghost Rider #1 (1973). This is a number one issue with a Gil Kane cover for $100. Another good deal.

Venus - First Appearance was in Venus #1 (1948). This one goes back to the Timely comics days. Timely = Marvel Comics. We'll save the history lesson for another time. This Stan Lee edited comic goes for $2440.

....And the last name mentioned in the solict is Silver Surfer. His first appearance is in Fantastic Four #48 (1966). Lee, Kirby, Sinnot, plus the first appearance of the baddest man (besides Thanos) in the Cosmic Universe......for $1400?? This is the steal of the week!

As Always, special thanks to Tom Gordon III and Comics Price Guide for the pricing of the comics!

See you all next week, Invest wisely.

Jay Katz