The Quarantined TOP 40 Variants Edition 2020

The list for the top variant movers for the last 3 months.Â Why? Anyone can see that the global situation, was going to be an opportunity to observe the comic book market correction. What I learned; however, is that while some of us peons are out there speculating on another colored Hulk, or a younger version of Harley Quinn, the big ballers out there are spending House down payments on the 1st appearance of Mickey Mouse into the Marvel Universe.Â

Methodology:

I filtered for Modern Age sales for variants, for the April 1st to June 1st 2020.Â Then IÂ sorted by date and price. I took out any normal Cover A’s, but included:High ratio variants (1:500, 1:1000, etc.), price, error and recalled “variants”“.Â There were some suspicious sales so, they only were considered here if there were multiple sales at a profit over the ratio price.Â I omitted signed variants unless they were originally marketed as signed, or there were other copies that corroborated that price.

Patterns Analysis:

Once I got my methodology down several patterns emerged: Marvel (20)Â took the Largest share by virtue of a combination of Convention Exclusive variants,Â Retailer incentives ,and multiple print schemes, and confusing 1st appearances and cameos by speculators that can’t make up their minds.

Image (7)Â had a stronger than expected showing, with Spawn Variants leading the charge. DC had the weakest with just 3 but their Vertigo stuff and He-man properties shocked me so that might be something to keep an eye on in the future.

Indie comics (16) Overall did well. Led by current and future movie properties, speculators dug in for those superficially rare variants. Mcfarlane’s domination on this list was a shocker, with J Scott Campbell still holding it down. The rest of the list was anchored by and comers, who has stuff that I know will show up if I went to 100.

The main takeaway is that during “The Quarantine” there was more inventory, and there were still buyers out there looking for those big discounts. I think even more interesting was the Foreign variants that went up for sale, so keep an eye out for those as well.

#1 Ultimate Fallout #4 Djurdjevic VARIANT 1:25 (Marvel 2011 )

eBay NM Avg raw: ($1500)

eBay Graded Sale: ($4,600)

The first appearance of Mile Morales. No Cap.Â This had the Highest volume of sales. This might be the next generations Hulk 181.

#2 Wolverine #1 J. Scott Campbell Deadpool Variant (Marvel 2010)

eBay NM Avg raw: $2,100

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8 $3,700

Rumored print run of 450 copies

Could only be obtained by retailers by sending in 50 covers from a specific list. Initially this list was very limited making it too difficult for most retailers to obtain, however, Marvel then expanded the list so more retailers could participate. The comic could only be obtained by Diamond registered dealers direct from Marvel, after submitting the 50 covers.

#3 Amazing Spider-Man #678 MJ Venom variant Joe Quinones 1:50 (Marvel 2012)

eBay NM Avg raw: N/A

eBay Graded Sale: 9.6 $2,990

Higher Grade Available: 9.8 15,000

#4 Rick and Morty #1 1:50 (Oni Press 2015)

eBay NM Avg raw: N/A

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8 $2,990

Same Grade Now Available: 9.8 2200

Â #5 Walking Dead #116 Unreleased Third Print (Image 2003)

eBay NM Avg raw: N/A

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8 $2,990

Same Grade Now Available: 9.8 2200

Infinity & Beyond (previously Timezone) is a comic shop based in Shewsbury in England, the same town where Charlie Adlard lives.Â According to Infinity, Charlie came down to the shop to sign several comics sent over by Image. As they were signing the comics, they noticed color differences on the cover and realized they had three different printings for #116, even though only the 1st print was released by Image at that time.

The second print went on to be released but the third print never was, and Infinity have suggested that the 25 copies they received may be the only copies available. As of today, the CGC census has 19 recorded gradings of the third print (all 9.8) with 7 Universal, 1 Qualified (likely an unwitnessed signature) and 11 on Signature Series.

#6 SAGA No. 1 Retailer Variant (Image 2012)

eBay NM Avg raw: N/A

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8 $2,750

Same Grade Now Available: 9.8 (Signed) $4,500

Estimated Quantity: 500

1st App of Marko Alana Hazel Rare Retailers. ReleaseD of the Diamond Retailer Summit variant prior to the C2E2 convention, which was limited to just 500 copies available as an incentive edition to attending retailers.

#7 Batman 608 Retailer Incentive Variant Jim Lee (DC 2012)

eBay NM Avg raw: N/A

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8 $2,600

Same Grade Now Available: 9.8 (Signed) $7,250

Estimated Quantity: 400

1^st Appearance of Hush. Given away to retailers who attend the Retailer Round table Program (RRP) conferences run by DC comics

#8 Marvel Comics #1000 D23 Expo and Sketch Edition Variant Humberto Ramos (Marvel 2019)

eBay NM Normal Avg raw: $300

eBay NM Avg Sketch raw: N/A

eBay Graded Sketch Sale: 9.8 9 (Signed) $17,900

eBay Graded Sketch Available:N/A

Same Grade Normal Sale: $2,500

Same Grade Now Available: 9.8: $875

Estimated Quantity: ?

Exclusively revealed on D23.com, the limited-edition variant cover will be given away at D23 Expo 2019 to attendees at theÂ MARVEL COMICS: Marvel 80th Anniversary panel. The black and white were not handed out at a panel. They were given to specific people.

#9 Edge of Spider-Verse #2 Greg Land Variant (Marvel 2014)

eBay NM Avg raw: N/A

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $24,850

Same Grade Now Available: 9.6 (Signed) $1,995

Estimated Quantity: 2000

First appearance of Earth-65’s Gwen Stacy as Spider-Woman

#10 Captain Marvel #14 Conner 1:30 Cover Variant (Marvel 2013)

eBay NM Avg raw: N/A

eBay Graded Sale: 9.6: $2,100

Same Grade Now Available: 9.6 Â $3,000

Estimated Quantity: 2000

Kamala Khan, the new Ms. Marvel: Rare “First Appearance”

#11 X-23 # 1 1:25 Dell Otto Variant (Marvel 2010)

eBay NM Avg raw: $800

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $2,000

Same Grade Now Available: 9.8: Â $2,500

Estimated Quantity: 800

Whilst the 1:75 Djurdjevic variant is the rarest of the retailer incentive variants, the pick of the bunch is the 1:25 retailer incentive cover by Dell’Otto featuring a posing, leather clad, X-23 with claws at the ready.

#12 Amazing Spider-Man #25 Incentive 1:1000 Remastered Variant (Marvel 2017)

eBay NM Avg raw: 1,800

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $2,200

Same Grade Now Available: 9.6 (Signed) $3,000

Estimated Quantity: 26 on the CGC Census

The artwork first appeared in the original 1963 series of Amazing Spider-Man #96 entitled “…And Now, the Goblin!Â The comic was famous for being published without the Comics Code approval because of the drug theme.Â The interesting thing is that you can get the original book for way less.

#13 Ghost Rider 1 Neal Adams Variant 1:50 (Marvel 2011)

eBay NM Avg raw: 1,650

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $2,000

Same Grade Now Available 9.6: $1,900

Estimated Quantity: 800

1^st appearance of Alejandra Jones

#14 Spawn #222 Szymon Kudranski Variant 1:50 (Image 2012)

eBay NM Avg Sale raw: $2000

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $2,000

Same Grade Now Available: 9.6 (Signed) $1,730

Estimated Quantity: 400

Some weird numbers here. Things get confusing because there is a Mexico Variant as well which gives the impression that there are more out there.Â There approximately 68 on the census.

#15 Invincible Iron Man 512 1:50 Stroman Venom variant (Marvel 2012)

eBay NM Avg raw: $749

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $2,000

Same Grade Now Available: 9.8 $2,500

Estimated Quantity: 69 on the CGC Census

#16 Moon Knight #1 Bill Sienkiewicz 1:75 Incentive Variant (Marvel 2014)

eBay NM Avg raw: $700

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $2,000

Same Grade Now Available: $2,200

Estimated Quantity: 1000

In June 2016, the cover art was available for $7,000 on Sienkiewicz’s. CGC Census only has listed 105 copies of the variant with just over half in the top grade of CGC 9.8. I was surprised to see so many copies available because copies of the comic are hard to source and sometimes there can be none for sale at all.

#17 Malibu Sun #13 Back Cover Color Error Variant Edge (Malibu Comics 1992)Â

eBay NM Sale raw: 2,000

eBay Graded: 9.8: $24,850

Estimated Quantity: There are 54 total on the CGC Census

This is the error variant of Malibu Sun #13 where the back cover is printed with Spawn in the wrong colors. The front cover is fine so this points at an issue specific to the assignment of colors for the back cover art; note that the colors are not “negative” as some sellers claim but the yellow and black colors are certainly transposed.

#18 Star Wars: The Clone Wars #1 DH 100 (Darkhorse 2008)

eBay NM Avg raw: N/A

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $1,500

Same Grade Now Available: 9.6 (Signed) $2,000

Estimated Quantity: 1000

limited to 1000 copies. This book was sent to the top 100 retailers in September 2008 as part of the Dark Horse 100 program. They each received 10 copies for a total of 1000 copies distributed. The Clone Wars #1 DH 100 Variant from Dark Horse Comics (Sep 2008) which features the first appearance of Ashoka Tano. This was a special promotion item for top Dark Horse retailers with a tiny print run of 1000. Ashoka is rumored to appear in Mandalorian season 2 on Disney+.

#19 Lady Death Nightmare Symphony #1Â Artgerm Virgin Holo (Coffin Comics 2018)

eBay NM Avg raw: N/A

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $1,500

Nearest Grade Now Available: 9.9 (Signed) $1,350

Estimated Quantity: 77

The comic was funded via kickstarter.com with many levels of reward, dependent on pledge levels. There was also a chance to win one of ten golden tickets for a rare metal variant of the Artgerm (Stanley Lau) cover, which was limited to 13 copies:

#20 Thanos #13 Albuquerque Variant (Marvel 2018)

eBay NM Avg raw: $484

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $1,500

Nearest Grade Now Available: 9.6 $749

Estimated Quantity: 2000

1^st Appearance of Cosmic Ghost Rider.

#21 Spawn #227 Exclusive Sketch Variant (Image 2013)

eBay NM Avg raw: N/A

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $1,500

Same Grade Now Available: 9.8 (Signed) $4,700

Estimated Quantity: 82 currently on the census

#22 He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe #1 Skeletor 1:25 Dave Wilkins Variant (D.C Comics 2012)

eBay NM Avg raw: $200

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $1,500

Same Grade Now Available: 9.6 (Signed) $1,995

Estimated Quantity: There are only 16 copies graded 9.8

He-Man And The Masters Of The Universe #1 Dave Wilkins 1:25 Variant UPC

This is a seemingly hard to find variant, with some claiming not many stores ordered the 25 copies required to get the variant.

#23 Amazing Spider-man Presents Black Cat J Scot Campbell #1 (Marvel 2010)

eBay NM Avg raw: $650

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $1,400

Same Grade Now Available: 9.6 $1,150

Estimated Quantity: 800

This was a 1:25 retailed incentive variant featuring a cover by J. Scott Campbell, which combined with the standard cover (below), had an overall print run of around 28k world-wide

#24 Venom #3 2018 3rd Print Knull Cover (Marvel 2018)

eBay NM Avg raw: $50

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $350

Same Grade Now Available: 9.8 $350

Estimated Quantity: The are current approximately 427 on the CGC Census.

#25 Marvel Previews #95 (Marvel 2011)

eBay NM Avg raw: N/A

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $2,4850

Same Grade Now Available: 9.8 (Signed) $350

Estimated Quantity: 2000

First cover appearance of Miles Morales, solicitation catalog (Gimme a Break! )
predates Ultimate Fallout #4 by 3 months

#26 Spawn #189 B&W Sketch Variant (Image 2009)

eBay NM Avg raw Sale: $1,200

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: (Signed) $4,000

Same Grade Now Available: 9.6 (Signed) $1,995

Estimated Quantity: 100

Limited Variant Cover by Todd McFarlane. Supposedly there are only about 100 of these that were ever printed, and it is up there on the short list of hardest to find Spawn comics.

#27 TMNT #100 MIKE VASQUEZ GOLD TURTLEMANIA HOMAGE (IDW 2020)

eBay NM Avg raw: N/A

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $2,4850

Same Grade Now Available: 9.6 (Signed) $1,995

Estimated Quantity: 2000

TMNT #100 MIKE VASQUEZ GOLD TURTLEMANIA HOMAGE VARIANT HEAD, TORSO & WEAPON SKETCH ON BACK BY KEVIN EASTMAN, NUMBERED & CGC GRADED & LIMITED TO 10 COPIES. Head, torso & weapon sketch on back by KEVIN EASTMAN, numbered & CGC graded & limited to 10 copies.

#28 Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Freshman Force #1 Carla Cohen “Virgin” Exclusive (Devil“s Due 2019)

eBay NM Avg raw: $549

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $1,250

Same Grade Now Available: $1,000

Estimated Quantity: “250 print run”“, 93 on the current census.

DC’s sent a cease and desist letter to Devil’s Due asking that the comic be recalled and destroyed. However, this was too late as the “250-print run” variant was mostly sold by then.

#29 Sandman v2 #75 2nd Print (DC Vertigo 1996)

eBay NM Avg raw: $339

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $2,000

Same Grade Now Available: 9.6 $655

Estimated Quantity: There are approximately 59 on the CGC census.

The second print of Sandman #75 was thought to exist but, despite many searching for it, nobody could find any copies. However, more recently, a handful have been found and the UPC states “2ND PRINTING” above the barcode whereas the first print has “DIRECT SALES”

#31 Derogatory Tales of Franklin and Ghost #1 (2017) Cover C (Rats and Crows)

eBay NM Avg raw: N/A

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8: $1,200

Same Grade Now Available: 9.8 (Signed) $1,200

Estimated Quantity: unk

Franklin and Ghost is transforming from comic to animated series, and IGN has the first look at what the series will have to offer. The Franklin and Ghost animated series features Billy Bob Thorton (Goliath, Armageddon) as Ghost.Â The series is still in development without a release date, but the Franklin and Ghost universe will get a tabletop game sometime in 2020.

#32 Star Wars Galaxys Edge #1 Imagineering Variant (Marvel 2019)

eBay NM Avg raw Sale: 2,500

Estimated Quantity: UNK

One of the rarest Star Wars comic book of all time. It was given to a few imagineers responsible for the development of Galaxy“s Edge.

#33Â Web of Spider-Man #100 (Printing Error Variant) (Marvel 1993)

eBay NM Avg raw: N/A

eBay Graded Sale: 9.6: $1,200

Closest Grade Now Available: 9.0 $3,000

Estimated Quantity: 22 currently on the Census.

Manufactured with partial green holo-grafx foil. 1st appearance of the “”Spider-Armor””. Origin of Nightwatch. Only 22 currently on the Census.

#34 Captain Marvel #17. Second 2nd Print (Marvel 2014)

eBay NM Avg raw: $850

eBay Graded Sale: 9.6: $1,1750

Same Grade Now Available: 9.8 $1,400

Estimated Quantity: 2000

#35 Marvel Celebrates Stan Lee Tribute Comic (Marvel 2019)

eBay NM Avg raw: $700

eBayGraded Sale: 9.8: $2,000

Closest Grade Now Available: 9.4 $800

Estimated Quantity: UNK

Distributed only at an event called “Marvel Celebrates Stan Lee”“.

#36 Venom 1(Top Secret Artist Variant)Â 1:1000 Mcfarlane (Marvel 2016)

eBay NM Avg raw: NA

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8 (Signed): $2,000

Closest Grade Now Available: 9.8 $1500

Estimated Quantity: Estimated to be under 100, but there are about 62 on the CGC census.

This was the origin and first appearance of a new Venom Lee Price, before eventually becoming Manic. This was a Todd McFarlane
remastered variant which obviously was a very sought after and wanted cover since this was the guy who helped create Venom. The panel that this was remastered from was the first time we see venom in his Venom likeness at the end of Amazing Spider-man #299.

#37 Ms. Marvel #2 1:50 Jorge Molina Variant Kamala Khan (Marvel 2014)

eBay NM Avg raw: 868

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8 : $1,7250

Closest Grade Now Available: 9.8 $2,200

Estimated Quantity: Estimated to be under 100, but there are about 52 on the CGC census.

#38 Siege #3 Deadpool Cover J Scott Campbell (Marvel 2003)

eBay NM Avg raw: NA

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8 : $2,000

Closest Grade Now Available: 9.8 $4,000

Estimated Quantity: Estimated to be under 100, but there are about 126 on the CGC census.

The actual numbers for the Deadpool variant are a very rough estimate as retailers had to send Marvel 50 unsold issues of DC’s Blackest Night crossover to get a single Siege #3 Deadpool variant

#39 Spawn #185 Portacio Sketch Variant (Image 2008)

eBay NM SALE raw: $6,000

eBay Graded Sale: 9.8 : NA

Closest Grade Now Available: 9.8 NA

Estimated Quantity: Estimated to be under 100, but there are about 126 on the CGC census.

This is a ghost. The final cover was one of a number of retailer incentive variants produced to usher in the long running “End Game” saga.

#40 The Maxx #1 Yellow/Blue Ashcans (Image 1993)

eBay NM SALE raw: NA

eBay Graded Sale: 9.4 : Yellow:$1400, Blue:$1200

Closest Grade Now Available: 9.8 NA

Estimated Quantity: Estimated to be around 4000 for the blue and 500 for the yellow, but there are about 98 on the CGC census.

The high price may be an indicator of the old news that The Maxx, created by Sam Kieth, is getting the screen treatment from Channing Tatum and Roy Lee. My problem with that is the fact hat the Maxx 1/2 Blue and Red foil are way more rare.