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In this monthly series, CGC delves into the dynamic world of comic book collecting, focusing on the hottest titles influencing the current market. Utilizing comprehensive insights from CGC submission data, we explore significant first appearances, rare variant covers, and milestone issues.
With Halloween approaching, major pop-culture anniversaries in the spotlight, and several classic characters returning to screens, this month’s lineup includes everything from a cult horror favorite to foundational Marvel and DC keys.
Rocky Horror Picture Show #1 (1990)
Released by Calibur Press in 1990, Rocky Horror Picture Show #1 is a comic-book adaptation of the 1975 cult film that has become a Halloween-season tradition for generations of fans. Based on the outrageous musical starring Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter, the comic captures the characters and imagery that helped make The Rocky Horror Picture Show one of the most enduring cult films ever made. The issue takes on added significance this Halloween following Curry’s death a few weeks ago, giving collectors another opportunity to celebrate one of his most iconic roles.
Transformers #1 (1984)
Transformers #1 launched Marvel’s original comic-book adaptation of the toy line and helped establish the mythology of the Autobots and Decepticons for an entire generation of readers. The issue features Optimus Prime, whose heroic personality became inseparable from the booming voice of Peter Cullen in the classic animated series and film. Cullen died in August at age 85, giving this issue an added emotional resonance for Transformers fans.
Green Lantern #25 (2008)
Green Lantern #25 is an important modern Green Lantern key thanks to the first appearances of Atrocitus and Larfleeze, two characters who would become major pieces of the emotional spectrum mythology. Atrocitus and Larfleeze are particularly interesting to collectors now, as HBO’s Lanterns brings the Green Lantern mythology into the current DC Universe, with fans watching closely for familiar characters and clues to the larger mythology. With speculation surrounding which cosmic characters could appear or be teased, Green Lantern #25 offers collectors an intriguing modern key.
Batman #497 (1993)
The KRAKT heard around the world! Batman #497 is the landmark issue in which Bane breaks Batman’s back, bringing the first act of the massive Knightfall saga to its unforgettable conclusion. Published in 1993, the issue became one of the defining Batman comics of the decade and helped cement Bane as one of the Dark Knight’s most formidable adversaries. Its profile has received another boost with the release of Batman: Knightfall Part 1, the new animated adaptation of the story. The film brings the events of Knightfall to a new generation while giving longtime readers another reason to revisit the comic that started one of Batman’s most famous shake-ups.
Avengers #55 (1968)
The first appearance of Ultron in Avengers #55 is a major Bronze Age Marvel key. Ultron would evolve from a mysterious robotic villain into a central figure in the Avengers mythos and eventually make his live-action debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Now, nearly 60 years after his comic-book debut, Ultron is returning to the screen in Disney+’s VisionQuest, with James Spader reprising the role. The series will bring Paul Bettany’s Vision back into the spotlight alongside Spader’s Ultron, giving Avengers #55 another major connection to the MCU.
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