Modern Comics That Could Increase in Value

If you bought a stack of comics in the 90s, you likely lost money. The print runs were just too high. But the “Modern Age” (2000 to present) is different.

Because many people stopped collecting or switched to digital, print runs for current comics are often a fraction of what they were in the 90s. When a character from a small-press book suddenly gets a movie deal, there aren’t enough copies to go around. That’s when you see $4 books turn into $400 books.

Here is what we’re watching in the 2026 modern comic market.

1. The “Indie to Screen” Pipeline

This is currently the most profitable area of modern speculation. Books from publishers like Image, Boom! Studios, and AWA often have very low initial print runs.

Example: Something is Killing the Children #1 was a sleeper hit. Because the initial print was small, high-grade copies now sell for thousands.
The Strategy: Look for new series from “Star” writers (like James Tynion IV or Rick Remender) and grab first prints of their creator-owned work.

2. Minor Character “Breakouts”

The MCU has proven that any character can become a star. Savvy modern investors look for the first appearances of characters who are currently in “supporting roles” but have the potential for a solo spin-off.

What to watch: Keep an eye on the “next generation” of heroes (e.g., the Young Avengers or newer X-Men). Their 1st appearances in modern titles are still relatively cheap.

3. High-Ratio Incentive Variants

A “1:100 Variant” means a comic shop had to buy 100 regular copies just to get one copy of this special cover. These are naturally rare. While “Variant Fatigue” is real, the covers drawn by legendary modern artists (like Artgerm, J. Scott Campbell, or Gabriele Dell’Otto) have a built-in demand from art collectors that transcends the comic itself.

4. The “Newsstand” Premium (Late 90s/Early 2000s)

By the early 2000s, newsstands (gas stations, etc.) almost completely stopped selling comics. A book like Amazing Spider-Man #36 (The 9/11 Issue) or Batman #608 has a “Newsstand” version that is significantly rarer than the direct market version. Collectors will pay 3x to 10x more for that specific barcode.

5. First Solo Series

Sometimes a character has existed for years, but their first Solo Title becomes the collector’s item of choice for that era’s fans.

A Word of Caution: “Speculation vs. Investing”

Modern comics are volatile. A book can be worth $100 this month and $20 next month if a rumor turns out to be false.

Don’t overpay for FOMO: If a book has already spiked 400%, you’ve likely missed the boat.
Focus on Condition: In the modern market, a 9.6 is “fine,” but a 9.8 is “required” for real investment growth.

Use Data to Track the Hype

The ComicValue app is designed for the fast-moving modern market. We track real-time sales data so you can see if a book is trending up or starting to cool off. Don’t rely on “Hype” from social media—look at the cash transactions.

Conclusion

Modern comic investing is about being a talent scout. If you can identify great art and great stories before the mainstream media catches on, you can build a high-value collection for the price of a few cups of coffee.

Speculator Resources

Looking for the next breakout hit? Download ComicValue for iOS or Android and see if you’re holding a future modern grail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth buying modern comics to invest?

It is high risk. 99% of modern comics will never be worth more than their cover price. The trick is finding the 'Key' books with low print runs.

What is an 'Incentive Variant'?

A special cover that a shop only gets if they order a certain number of standard copies (e.g., a 1:100 variant). These are often the most valuable modern books.

Do signatures on modern comics help value?

Yes, but they must be verified (CGC Signature Series). Unverified signatures can actually hurt the resale value of a modern book.