The reading corner for collectors and enthusiasts, brought to you by GPAnalysis
Hake’s June Online Auction Now Open For Bidding!
Hake’s Auctions has officially opened the virtual doors to its June online-exclusive event, and it’s a certified treasure trove: over 600 CGC-graded comic books are up for grabs, with every single lot starting at just $9.99.
Twenty (20) Villain First Appearances Worth a Fortune
When collectors talk about valuable first appearances, the focus often falls on superheroes—think Superman in Action Comics #1, Batman in Detective Comics #27, or Spider-Man in Amazing Fantasy #15. But let’s not forget: Being bad, really bad, can also spark collector interest—and serious price tags.
From Saturday Morning to Spinner Racks: When Cartoonists Cross Into Comic Books
Not every great comic book artist started with capes and cowls. Some came from a place far more chaotic and charming—the world of cartoons. Think gag strips, Sunday funnies, and animated shorts. And for several artists, that background didn’t just influence their work in comics—it redefined it.
Top of the stack: Best-selling titles by decade (5/5/2025 to 5/18/2025)
A market led by Spider-Man, driven by history, and thriving on both grails and $93 grabs — the stack never sleeps.
Off the Grid: Comic artists who broke the rules and redrew the page
These comics didn't just tell stories—they tore the format apart. From Gary Panter's punk-zine chaos to Dave McKean's collage fever dream to Zalathiel Vargas's psychedelic fotonovelas, five groundbreaking artists redrew the rules.
Crises, Comics, and Collectors: How Economic Recessions and Global Events Reshape the Comic Book Market
The late 1980s and early 1990s are often remembered as the "foil cover" years—overproduction met frenzied speculation, and when the bubble burst in the mid-90s (helped along by a recession), entire comic shops folded seemingly overnight.
The Weight of the Word: The Moral Responsibility of Comic Book Writers
Let’s be clear: comic books are no longer just “kid stuff.” They haven’t been for decades. Modern comics weave complex narratives filled with nuance, character development, political undertones—and yes, sometimes, questionable morals.
Top of the stack: Best-selling titles by decade (Apr 22 – May 5, 2025)
From horror roots to modern hits, each decade has its standout, but only one dominates the narrative. With four straight wins and six total appearances, no title comes close. These aren’t just top sellers; they’re trendlines. For collectors, they signal what endures — and what leads.
Current CGC Market Trends from GPA (April 22nd 2025 to May 5th 2025)
In the most recent fortnight, GPAnalysis reports $4.4M in sales from 19,568 individual books across major venues offering CGC-graded comics, magazines, and pulps. The most traded title was Amazing Spider-Man, The (1963), which saw 1,261 books sold, totalling $0.6M in sales.
The wildest, most absurd gadgets in comic book history
A tongue-in-cheek tour through the most bizarre, brilliant, and downright absurd gadgets in comic book history—celebrating the charm, chaos, and creativity that made them unforgettable.
The Phantom Pages: Exposing the Fake Comic Book Market
Let’s get one thing straight—reprints are not the problem. Marvel Tales, True Believers, and even those newsstand throwbacks have a rightful place in our collections. What we’re talking about are frauds passed off as originals. Books that have been tampered with, restored without disclosure, or entirely fabricated using modern printing techniques to mimic vintage texture and wear.
Comic Book Intros: The Good, the Bad, and the In-Between
If a comic book is a three-act play in twenty-two pages, then the intro is your curtain-raiser. It’s not just how the story begins—it’s how trust is earned. Nail the opening, and you’ve got a reader (or viewer) for life. Fumble it, and even the most devoted fan might quietly close the cover.
Current CGC Market Trends from GPA (April 9th 2025 to April 22nd 2025)
In the most recent fortnight (April 9th 2025 to April 22nd 2025), GPAnalysis reports $4.7M in sales, from 20,161 individual books, across major venues offering CGC-graded comics, magazines and pulps. The median price point was $98.
Threads of power: Top 6 suits of Spider-Man and what they mean
Spider-Man's suits aren't just style — they're story. Each one marks a shift in power, purpose, or identity. This piece dives into the most iconic looks and what they really say about the hero behind the mask.
The Many Faces of Comic Book Collectors: A Breakdown of Collector Archetypes
Step into any comic shop, convention floor, or Facebook group and you'll quickly realize one thing: comic book collectors are a wildly diverse bunch. They come armed with checklists, spreadsheets, or just a gut feeling about what they love. Some are chasing grails, others nostalgia.
When the Cape Can't Save the Plot: A Look at Failed Climaxes in Comics
Let’s be honest—reading comics is a commitment. You invest months (sometimes years) in a slow-burn story arc, and when it all comes crashing down in the final issue like a wet firework, well… it's personal.
In a medium built on cliffhangers and cosmic stakes, the climax is everything. It’s the “Why am I still reading this?” moment that needs to deliver. And when it doesn’t?
Current CGC Market Trends from GPA (March 24th 2025 to April 6th 2025)
In the most recent fortnight (March 24th 2025 to April 6th 2025) GPAnalysis reports $11.2M in sales, from 22,750 individual books, across major venues offering CGC-graded comics, magazines and pulps. The median price point was $90.
The stories in our hands: How comic trading cards tell tales too
Long before you opened a comic, you opened a card. These weren’t just collectibles—they were lore-launchpads. Bite-sized myths that introduced you to heroes and villains one card at a time, and made you feel like their stories were already yours.