Welcome to COVRPRICE's SHAKER Report, where we cover our favorite high comic book sales of the week, including comics from all corners of the hobby - from vintage comic books to modern comics! In this week's shaker, we have amazing covers with David Mack on ABE SAPIEN, Mark Brooks on ASTONISHING X-MEN, Bruce Timm on ALL CRIME COMICS, Dave Stevens on THE DNAGENTS, Jim Rugg on G.I. JOE, Greg Capullo on WOLVERINE and so many other comics from all ends of the comic spectrum!

SHAKERS OF THE WEEK

These are all comic books that hit our daily SHAKERS list. This list refreshes EVERY day, so don't miss out!

SHAKER: ABE SAPIEN #31 MACK VARIANT | DARK HORSE | 2013

By Van Denby

David Mack is an artist and writer that has been in the comic book industry since 1994 when his creation, Kabuki, was published. Since then Mack has worked for every major comic company and has created a ton of incredible comic covers. His work on Brightest Day, Daredevil, Justice League of America, and 5 Ronin are only a few beautiful covers done by Mack. It seems with each passing year, Mack's popularity grows with collectors and another variant cover of his climbs above $100 raw. In 2024 that variant is his 1:10 incentive cover for Abe Sapien #31. This series ran a total of 36 issues making this one of the last issues in the run, thus leading to a very small amount of copies ordered by retailers. Many retailers were hesitant to order 10 copies of a soon to be canceled title so the quantity available for this Mack variant has been low to none for a few years now. The most recent copy sold on May  7th for a new all time high of $120 for a raw copy. This copy was also notably in VF condition. There are only (2) 9.8 copies on the CGC census and zero NM copies available currently so high grade copies could have a much higher asking price.

SHAKER: ALL CRIME COMICS #2 | ART OF FICTION | 2013

By Ron Reyes

Pause for a moment and consider this: how does the second issue of a three-part series from a relatively unknown publisher command an all-time high sale of $300 for a CBCS 9.8? The answer lies in the unmistakable presence of Bruce Timm's artwork on the cover, a clear sign that his popularity is rising again. This highly esteemed illustrator has captivated audiences for decades with his unique style, notably through his work on Batman, particularly Batman Beyond, and other animated franchises within the DC universe. This sale is significant because it sets the benchmark for Bruce Timm collectors. Although there are four copies on the CGC census, with two at 9.8, this is our end's first recorded CBCS 9.8 grade. Expect the value of this rare book to increase if any of those CGC counterparts begin to surface!

SHAKER: ASTONISHING X-MEN #1 | MARVEL | 2017

By Dana Forsythe

Whew! This has to be one of my favorite Psylocke covers of all time, but then again, I’m a sucker for anything Mark Brooks draws. Way back in 2017, after the Uncanny X-Men line had been rebooted and relaunched with Magneto, Sabretooth, Monet, Psylocke, and Archangel, a new team of X-Men was introduced. Featuring Old Man Logan, Bishop, Rogue, and Gambit joining Psylocke and Archangel, the second iteration of the Astonishing X-Men was written by Charles Soule, with Jim Cheung working on interiors.

This comic book has so many variants, including several J. Scott Campbell covers an Age of Comics exclusive by Elizabeth Torque and more from the likes of Artgerm, Adi Granov, Jim Lee, Lucio Parrilo, and Terry Dodson. This particular variant has two versions: this trade, which was limited to 3,000 copies, and a virgin copy, which is limited to 1,000. Earlier this week, an NM+ raw copy of the book sold for $173, marking a huge jump since the last sale of $86 for an NM copy in February. Trade or virgin, this book is one to hold on to.

SHAKER: DARK SOULS #1 - REGULAR COVER | TITAN | 2016

By Matthew Glover Esq.

"Dark Souls" is a challenging video game where you journey through a bleak and treacherous world, where every step is a test of skill and resilience. From its haunting atmosphere to its punishing combat, the game immerses players in a realm teeming with despair and danger. Each encounter, whether with towering bosses or cunning enemies, demands strategic thinking and precise timing. Yet, amidst the despair, there's a subtle beauty in its intricate level design and enigmatic lore. Dark Souls has come to define its own genera as a "souls-like" game. The game has a legion of diehard fans, so it's not surprising that the regular covers of this book go for $7 to $8. There has been a trend in the market where video game properties are selling for a premium. See our coverage of Diablo, Metal Gear Solid 2, Dead Space, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Borderlands from the last few weeks. Recently, a CGC 9.8 sold for $300.

SHAKER: THE DNAGENTS #24  | ECLIPSE | 1985

By Keith Shimabukuro

DNAgents was a genetically engineered superhero team created to be the enforcers for the Matrix Corporation. The series lasted 24 issues, with only the last issue being worth more than a few bucks because of the cover by the late great Dave Stevens. Yes, his train is still rolling on nearly halfway through 2024 and where it stops, nobody knows. Fans and collectors alike can find Raw NM copies for $50 six months ago, and in January, someone was able to scoop a raw NM for $65. Those days are long gone. VF copies are hitting $100 now, and graded 9.8s are heading for a grand. Just this week, we saw two huge sales: a raw book and a graded 9.8, both on May 5th. The raw no-grade copy sold for $194, while the graded 9.8 went for a record $875. Now is not the time to be buying Dave Steven's covers, as your purchase will end up on the Shaker's list and set an all-time high. Don't say I didn't tell you so.

SHAKER: G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #194 - JIM RUGG - 1:10 | IDW | 2013

By Nick Richardson

It's like looking at the TV screen on a Saturday morning! Jim Rugg knocked out this 1:10 variant for this run, somehow cramming even more nostalgia than the title normally delivers. But despite checking the nostalgia box, this title wasn't a tent pole title for LCS. So, many were less likely to order ten copies to acquire this RI variant. Few received this gem, which is now getting a second look on the aftermarket. Recently, an NM raw copy sold for $203, the highest in our database. The previous record was held by a CGC 9.8 book that sold for $158 back in 2021. For perspective, raw copies for Cover A are all over the map, ranging from $5-$30. It's one of those books most don't think twice about, but there has been a recent spike in high-dollar sales for IDW RI variants lately. They routinely fly under the radar, with many LCS not getting close to the threshold to order it. It's led to a niche but active aftermarket, and this book is now part of the club. And now you know, and knowing is half the battle! YO JOE!

SHAKER: POET ANDERSON: THE DREAM WALKER #1 - DJET - TO THE STARS - TRIPTYCH | MAGNETIC PRESS INC. | 2015

By Ron Reyes

Have you ever come across the title Poet Anderson? The story behind it is nothing short of captivating. The character was born from the vivid imagination of Tom DeLonge, the renowned musician from Blink-182, after a haunting nightmare in Paris in 1999. Upon awakening, he hastily documented his visions, drawing inspiration from the cinematic masterpieces Blade Runner and A Clockwork Orange. In 2014, his creative vision materialized into a spellbinding 15-minute short film released in the United States and Portugal. The film was unique, showcasing an intriguing narrative of perspective creativity. Despite its short length, the film managed to captivate audiences with its powerful storytelling and stunning visuals. The film's success led to the creation of a comic book, a rare item exclusively available on the To The Stars website. However, what's truly intriguing is its scarcity. Despite our best efforts, it's a needle in a haystack, with only one instance of it being sold for a staggering $200! Is this Dream Walker comic book a tangible reality or a mere figment of the imagination, as its name suggests? Could it be a rare and elusive piece of art, only accessible to a select few collectors? The mystery surrounding the comic book's existence adds another layer of intrigue to the already captivating story of Poet Anderson, making it a narrative that's truly worth delving into.

SHAKER:  PIERCE BROWN'S RED RISING: SONS OF ARES #1 - ELI POWELL - COVER B | DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT | 2017

By Matthew Glover Esq.

Red Rising is on the Rise. If you’ve never heard of Pierce Brown’s Science Fiction series, then these comics likely flew under your radar. Red Rising is the first book in a dystopian novel series set hundreds of years in the future. A color-coded cast system that puts Golds at the top of the pyramid and the Reds at the bottom creates the story's backdrop, where Darrow goes from slave to liberator. The book is full of charismatic and terrible characters. Red Rising has been circulating around Book-Tock since its release several years ago. There are six books currently released with a final seventh book planned for release soon. The IP was optioned for several years for a movie, but the rights reverted back to Brown, who has been working on a television series for several years. This comic series often surprises many fans due to its low print run and availability. Brown has written 6 issues that were printed in individual comics. Each of the 6 comics had an A and B cover, with the first two having a few ratios and variants. The story started in the Sons of Ares and has continued beyond the 6 floppy issues to an additional 2 graphic novels. The story was never printed in print comics meaning that most people have only read these as graphic novels. Volume 1 of the Sons of Ares is out of print, making the trade and individual issues as good as Gold. The story is a prequel to the events of the first book, which follows the characters of Fitchner and Sevro. Fans who can’t get enough of the books and want a little more story are trying to find these issues and the trades wherever possible. The CGC census only shows 2-3 graded books per cover, making this week’s shaker extremely rare. Recently, a CGC 9.8 of the 1:20 black and white issue number 1 sold for $120. Hail Reaper!

SHAKER: RESIDENT ALIEN #1 | DARK HORSE | 2012

By Xavier

From the chicken in Moana to K-2SO in Rogue One, you have likely heard the voice work of Alan Tudyk. However, he found his role in the hit SYFY series Resident Alien. This show took off in popularity and, as all shows do, also brought its source material into the spotlight. Fans of the show likely gravitated towards the first issue of the series, even though this was not the character’s first appearance. Resident Alien’s first story premiered in DARK HORSE PRESENTS #4. Dark Horse decided to take this story to series and then reprinted the first story in a collected edition of RESIDENT ALIEN #0 in April 2012. May 2012 is when we saw the first issue of the series. According to the CGC census, there are only 16 graded copies of DARK HORSE PRESENTS #4 and only 20 graded copies of RESIDENT ALIEN #0. This issue doesn’t have many more graded copies, but it still has the most at 36 copies on the census. The last sale on this book hit a new all-time high of $252 for a CGC 9.8, smoking its previous sale in April ($140) and catching up to the 9.8 value of issue #0 ($259 FMV, 9.8). Across the board, all 3 of these issues are close enough in value and scarcity to justify this recent sale to simply preference!

SHAKER: SENSATIONAL POLICE CASES #1 | AVON | 1952

By The Professor

Early crime-related comics have all the elements we love to see in this genre of book - a disturbing mix of sex and violence, corruption, lawlessness, desperate acts, cops and robbers, and intriguing women (often doing terrible deeds). One of the better examples is Sensational Police Cases #1 from 1952. The cover art features an action-packed machine gun shootout between coppers and gangsters, and it only gets better once you flip through the interior pages! This particular issue is a “giant 100-page book,” and it sure does deliver with over 11 short stories all related to violent criminal activity. The splash page features hits from a number of these interior stories, including “Lina Foyle, Gun Moll!” - a woman bent on living a life of luxury who goes on a spree of robberies that eventually end in murder! Or “Empress of Crime!” featuring the cunning Francine O’Connor who uses her brains, beauty, and brawn to “drench the pages of crime with the misery and blood of her victims!” These first title issues are extremely rare as it was tough for publishers to predict their popularity. This caused many to be printed in low numbers. We often see this trend in golden-age comic books - super-violent + super-rare usually equals a super-sale! It is no surprise, therefore, to have had a CGC 7.5 hit a record $7800 this past week. 

SHAKER: STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS ADAPTATION #6 - MOVIE PHOTO 'REY' VARIANT | MARVEL | 2016

By Xavier

Star Wars fans patiently waited for a new film release for a decade before The Force Awakens was released in theaters. The movie introduced us to new characters like Finn, Kylo Ren, General Hux, Captain Phasma, and the daring hero, Rey. The trilogy had a strong start, and the remainder of the movies ended up dividing fans for years to come. Just last year, three Star Wars movie projects were announced, with one of them focusing on Rey rebuilding the Jedi Order. Regardless of the opinions on the previous trilogy, fans were excited to see a new era of Jedi. This comic series is a direct adaptation of the first film, split into six issues, debuting a year after the film’s release. This particular variant depicts the heroine in a photograph cover, like many of these series’ variants. However, unlike the others, this is also a retailer incentive, a ratio 1:15 cover. There are currently 106 copies of this book, in a 9.8 grade, on the CGC Census. Interestingly, 86 of those books are from the Signature Series. Meaning only 20 books are unsigned. One of those books sold last week for a new all-time high of $300! This is twice the price it was just two years ago, giving it a decent bump in value!

SHAKER: TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #18 (1:10) VARIANT | IDW | 2013

By Van Denby

The cover to the album Nevermind by Nirvana is an iconic rock album cover that is instantly recognizable. The cover has been controversial due to the nature of the image, but it remains one of the most recognizable album covers of all time. Many comics have used the cover as an homage to varying degrees of success. Titles such as Department of Truth, Power Rangers, Evil Ernie, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Deadpool are among some of the better offerings, but the standout is and continues to be the homage for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #18. This book was an incentive variant that was part of the IDW Rock Tour variant set that came out in 2013. This variant was featured here but has since gone on to even greater heights. This past week, there was a new all-time high sale for $500 for a CGC 9.8 graded copy. This book is collectible for many reasons, whether because of TMNT, Nirvana, scarcity, etc, so this current high could possibly be surpassed. This will be an interesting book to keep an eye on moving forward.

SHAKER: TRIBE #1 - IVORY | IMAGE | 1993

By Keith Shimabukuro

Tribe was a comic focused on African-American and minority superheroes created during the comic boom of the 90’s. It sold over a million copies and became the best-selling African-American creator-based comic book. Unfortunately, the series had many publishing delays and would go on to have only two more issues, which Axis Comics published, and issue #0, which was published by Good Comics in 1994. Even though the comic book didn't have the longevity the creators may have envisioned, it created a platform for African-American and minority creators to aspire for. Todd Johnson and Larry Stroman, the creators of Tribe, were recently at the Schomburg Black Comic Festival and announced the return of Tribe. This week saw a return to glory for Tribe in the comic book market, as an NM raw copy sold for $95 on May 5th. This came after an all-time high of $300 for a graded 9.8 was reached in January. For anyone who wants to scratch that itch of nostalgia, visit their website and you can purchase your own piece of history.

SHAKER: WOLVERINE #37 - GREG CAPULLO - VIRGIN (1 PER STORE) | MARVEL | 2023

By Xavier

When this book hit the shelves last year, it immediately soared to an aftermarket price of over $100. In today’s market, an FMV for a raw NM copy will average around $50. While the value of the raw book has dropped in price, the value of a graded 9.8 has risen. The reason is due to the scarcity of this issue. When it was distributed, this book was a surprise to most retailers. This “thank you” variant was sent to retailers as a gift, limiting the book to 1 per store. An important note is that there were unconfirmed rumors that retailers partnered with Penguin Random House, and Diamond accidentally received two copies, one from each distributor. The book is so rare that there are only 30 copies at a 9.8 grade on the CGC census. Someone added this rarity to their collection and dropped $475 on a 9.8 copy, setting a new all-time high sales record! Tracking down one of these covers might be difficult, but if you’re a Wolverine and Greg Capullo fan, you might want to find one before another price bump! Or take a stab at getting the pricier but cooler black-and-white retailer incentive!

SHAKER: ZEN INTERGALACTIC NINJA #1 | ZEN COMICS PUBLISHING | 1987

By Nick Richardson

Bet you’ve never heard of Zen, the ole intergalactic Ninja! Released during the boom in ‘Ninja’ comics that were everywhere in the ’80s, Zen has fallen into the background over the years, but he hasn’t been forgotten. Recently, one fan secured a CGC 9.8 copy for $1,095, which was one of three on the CGC database and the highest sale in ours. Prior, the highest sale recorded was for a CGC 9.6 for $650 over two years ago. For a relatively unknown character (despite having a video game, action figures, etc), he’s had some big names attached, like Mike Mignola (of Hellboy fame), but never enjoyed widespread critical acclaim despite being an interesting character. With an origin similar to Goku from Dragon Ball Z, Zen flat-out kicks ass. A master of hand-to-hand combat, Zen is the embodiment of Ninja, with a creepy factor, considering he dematerializes food to eat and telepathically (kind of) communicates with those he interacts with. Could Zen be making a comeback? It’s hard to say, but one fan opted not to risk losing out!

WHAT THE WATCHER WATCHES

WHAT THE WATCHER WATCHES: STAR WARS: HIGH REPUBLIC ADVENTURES - QUEST OF THE JEDI ISSUE #1 | DARK HORSE | 2023

By: Lefteros

Today, we look back and watch a comic book that was very hot on release but has since cooled down. Quest of the Jedi #1 trended when it was released largely because it went under-ordered at FOC and had the first appearances of new Jedi, but also because there was a mention of a new Sith lord, Darth Ravi. Although he did not appear in the book, he is sometimes mentioned in Star Wars collecting.Two of the first appearances in this book were Jedi Master Barnabas Vim and his Padawan Vix Fonnick. Those two characters have not appeared since, and no doubt that has contributed to the cooling off of this book.

We recently got word that they will indeed be making their return this summer in The High Republic Adventures – Echoes of Fear series. This series is also set to feature the first appearance of Darth Ravi, as he is depicted on the cover of the first issue. If the Acolyte series on Disney Plus (which is set in the High Republic era) does well while these characters return to the pages of comics, I think we may see his issue find its way back into the spotlight. We are watching!

CONTENT/RUMORS

CONTENT: FRIDAY THE 13TH / CRYSTAL LAKE SERIES

This past week a rumor spread that A24 was canceling their Friday the 13th prequel series on the Peacock streaming service, but almost immediately, reports out of Bloody Disgusting rebuked that rumor and stated that Crystal Lake is still very much alive, but they are just doing some small changes and retooling of the series.

CONTENT: REVIVAL - SERIES ORDERED

Per Deadline, SYFY is dipping their toe into another comic book franchise, this time with IMAGE’s Revival by giving it a series order. Revival is set in a town where the dead comes back to life and the drama that follows. **FUN FACT: The first appearance of this story comes from a FCBD 2012 issue!**

CONTENT/ CASTING: GALACTUS CAST

Per the Hollywood Reporter, Marvel gave MCU fans a treat by dropping not one but TWO Fantastic Four casting announcements. The first is John Malkovich in an unannounced role. The second is Game of Thrones and The Witcher star Ralph Ineson as the world devourer itself—GALACTUS!!! But now, this does beg the question—is Galactus the main villain of the first Fantastic Four or if Matt Shankman is setting him to be the next Thanos-level baddie?

KEY OF THE WEEK

SHAKER: HE-MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #1 - TERRY DODSON (1:25) | DC | 2013

By Keith Shimabukuro

It’s been over a year and a half since we’ve seen this variant hit the Shakers list. Yes, that’s how rare this book has become. Since then, the second series of Masters of the Universe: Revelation was released, and she was in the final scene of the last episode. Kevin Smith, the director of the Revelation, previously explained that Mattel owned the rights to the She-Ra figures while DreamWorks held the animated rights. So, instead of introducing She-Ra, they dropped Despara into Revelation, which was a darker version of He-Man’s twin sister developed in the He-Man DC comic book from 2013. With the rights to the He-Man live-action movie landing at Amazon, It’ll be interesting to see if the She-Ra live-action ends up being revived. When we last wrote about this book, a graded 9.8 hit $750. This week, a collector more than doubled that price, paying a whopping $1,615 on May 6th. It doesn’t matter if it’s She-Ra or Despara; fans still love this book.

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