WEEK BEFORE WEDNESDAY - 26th FEB

David Edwards
Feb 20
3 min read

What does February 26th have in store for trending comics? No one knows for sure, but let’s dive in.

AFTERMARKET TREND

SPAWN #360 MEGACON EXCLUSIVE BRETT BOOTH SKETCH VARIANT MCFARLANE (LTD 1500)

Spawn remains a fan favorite and has been trending on the aftermarket for weeks. Brett Booth created this variant, inspired by the 1:50 virgin edition for Megacom, and it has been a major success.

BASKETFUL OF HEADS #1

As the story goes, Ned is surprised to find Sal's head still alive in a basket. Yep, this 2019 comic is completely off its head (smiles). And now, with James Gunn leading the way on Movie, it's no surprise this one has gained momentum because it’s so mad and off the wall.

VENOM: LETHAL PROTECTOR VOL.1 #1

The Venom Spider-Man saga continues, with Venom Solo appearing to be a popular aftermarket trend for the coming week. Every collector should own this one, in my opinion, as it is iconic and only going to become older and rarer. There are many different variants of this comic, such as the gold edition. The standard cover works for me, but I certainly wouldn’t turn down the gold one!

HULK #1

Well, Captain America: Brave New World is underperforming at the box office, but at least people love Red Hulk! While Cap struggles on the big screen, the big, angry, red guy is stealing the show. Perhaps we need a new Red Hulk comic? Coincidence or awesome planning? Either way, there’s one coming out next week!

SECRET WARS #8

The first appearance of the black suit tied with Spider-Man #252. Since #252 hit shelves first, Secret Wars tends to be the more affordable option. This is another must-have for collectors, as the black suit, of course, eventually leads to Venom. It’s best to buy this one slabbed, as most raw copies are tough to grade highly unless you’re willing to pay a premium price.

SPAWN #1 1992

If you follow trending comics, then you’ve probably noticed that Spawn #356 by Mark Spears looks surprisingly similar to the original Todd McFarlane cover. If you’ve been picking up the Mark Spears version, you’ll naturally want the original as well and that seems to be exactly what's happening in the aftermarket. Collectors are chasing both, and the demand is only growing!

RELEASES 26th FEB TO GET IN ON.

RED HULK - ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM

One World, One Doom is set to dominate next week! While Doctor Doom executes his master plan, Red Hulk has other ideas because, of course, smashing and asking questions later is his style. With the Captain America movie in movies and the 2008 Red Hulk #1 trending in the aftermarket, this is shaping up to be a must-have issue. Expect demand to be high for this one!

STAR WARS THE RISE OF SKYWALKER #1

OK, so what’s the deal? Why are we getting a movie adaptation years after the actual movie? Well, the original release was planned for 2020, but it stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That delay makes this comic particularly interesting some of the variant print runs will be lower than usual, making them rarer, and some of the covers are awesome. A long wait, but worth it; I wonder what the storyline is going to be?

VAMPIRELLA #675

There are some seriously awesome variant covers for these comics, and you can bet limited-edition prints will follow. If you can look beyond the stunning artwork, this issue unveils a previously unseen chapter of Vampirella’s life making it a must-read for fans. Vampirella is always a collectible favorite, and with the new Buffy reboot officially confirmed, now’s the perfect time to dust off your old Angel comics and prepare for full-blown vampire mania!

WE ONLY GET OUT WHEN IT GETS DAR (One Shot)

Just reading about this one gave me chills!

This one-shot introduces a dark and twisted new horror universe. Inside, you'll find three gripping tales that weave together elements of fear, suspense, and the supernatural featuring ghosts, cats, and a strange cosmic entity. With a mix of terror, mystery, and unsettling drama, this is a must-read for horror fans looking for something fresh and chilling.

JUMPSCARE #1

The artwork is stunning, the storyline looks gripping, and the cover is an eye-catcher. This new chapter connects to the Beyond Mortal series and is set in a world teeming with crime, horror, and relentless bloodshed, Jumpscare emerges as the hero. Let's read and see what we think!

That wraps up my top ten picks for the week! Whether you're hunting for key issues, rare variants, or the next big spec book, there’s plenty to keep an eye on.

Stay tuned to 98Comics.com for more insights, reviews, and collecting tips.