Well, "key" is a somewhat subjective term. We all know having "just a really good cover" can indeed make a key. If it's a key to you, then it's a key to you; collect what you like, have fun.
Of you can't explain why it's a "key" its not a key book. There is a difference between a minor key and major key. The term key exists to call attention to a book that has demand exceeding filler issues. Cover art, significant appearance, popular story, or anything significant that occurred in that books history. (The nude Elecktra book that got recalled is a key, the corrected version is not) It all boils down to incressed demand for how compelling is the story you can tell someone about why the book is worth remembering
I have to take exception with the idea that if a comic lacks significant resale value that’s it’s a “nothing” comic. Collecting wasn’t always about investments and returns.
@@glennday7802 if that's true than comics are dead. Thanks alot for going along with this idea that 99.9% of comics are garbage. Comics used to be looked upon as trash, then they got "popular" for a minute and now the only way some people can justify having them is if "they wurth a lotta munney". I despise those who have destroyed the enjoyment of the actual things we are collecting for the thrill of owning something of arbitrary value. Just go buy freakin bitcoins fgs.
@@glennday7802 as it should be. Dont tell me you actually read them? Man, the amount of time you're wasting versus flipping and grabbing resellable keys must be staggering...
I've been saying it for nearly two decades now......the word "key" is EASILY the most overused term in the hobby. Many people have DESPERATELY been trying to label virtually EVERY book a "key" for so long....and they'll continue to do it as long as people fall into the trap.
Bloodshot #1 with foil cover. Bought two when it first was issued back in the 90’s. The dealer at the LCS said, “this book will be huge.“ In 2024 I’ve seen it many many times in dollar bins.
A video on what makes a key a key would be great. I think of things like first character appearance-death of a major character-a great writer or artist’s first published work-some recalled print error, and so on. I noticed the other day that I have Spectre 22 which was Alex Ross’s first published DC cover art, but does that really qualify? I’m sure there are a lot of other key-worthy situations.
Key-Mania hit comics a while back and it has always pissed me off a little, a Key issue is a comic that has the introduction of a new important ongoing character or that has a story that significantly changes the world that the character(s) are in. Key comic can also be the first published work of an artist or writer, depending on that artists popularity. It can also be a comic that is important to the collecting community such as Incredible Hulk 181, it's a Key because it is the first story that utilizes Wolverine, who first appears at the end of Incredible Hulk #180. If it were not for the popularity of Wolverine, #180 would be a Key and #181 would not. Now let's go back the that artist thing, Jim Lee's first work is about as far from being a Key comic as you can get when considering story content or creating a character with any impact on comics goes, it is however highly desirable because it's his first work. Same thing goes with Neal Adams first comic work, to people that collect Neal Adams work or first works of artists in general it's a huge Key issue, to everyone else, it's just another Archie book. Highly desirable but has no impact on the Archie universe other than being drawn by Adams. But everyone wants to own a key, so every minor character that has ever had a first appearance suddenly becomes a key, even if they were killed off the next issue or never used again, but wait, it's now labeled a "minor" key. So now we have Major keys, Minor Keys and Keys. Oh and technically Bloodshot #1 is a Key because it features the first Chrome Enhanced Cover which had a significant impact on cover enhancements used to sell more comics by the publishers, other than that, it's pretty much just another overprinted gimmick cover comic from the '90s. You don't NEED key comics to have a nice comic book collection you just need comics that you like, with good stories and nice art. UM, does anyone want to buy a slightly used soapbox that is still somewhat serviceable, I think I need to get off of this one! (for those that are wondering who the F**K does this guy think he is, I'm a collector that has been reading comics since 1959 and buying selling and trading books since 1970, other than that I'm nobody, and I got more excited over buying a run filler for my Green Lantern collection, than I did about getting the first Silver Age Catwoman appearance).
The day after Christmas, I thought I found an $875 Invincible #1 in a, get this, THREE FOR A DOLLAR bin…..only to find on careful inspection that it was the 2010 reprint. I did wind up finding a Tekworld #1, Omega Men #20, and a New Guardians #1 that bin, so not all was lost.
Modern facsimiles are like a trap on eBay considering that some of the issues are relatively recent, especially when they purposefully crop the picture or sell in lots that stritically hide the barcode.
My fourth year embarking on the MINTHUNTER Express! Can’t wait to see the sights along the journey! James as always the best engineer and conductor on the site! 🚂
Finding these types of books myself in the wild is fun, but when you go to a flea market or antique shop and see someone has priced them as if they are the holy grail always makes me laugh.
Whooooaaa.....stop the press!! You killed some dreams with this episode James ...LMAO! I just knew those Robin mini series, that Xmen issue with the hologram, few others straight keys!!... Now Daredevil 191.....ohhhhh that should be key, that story in magnificent!! I really this director Christopher Nolan stole a little bit of that story for the Dark Knight movie. Daredevil 191 not considered a key is just wrong...lol Great episode
Maybe we should seperate the term key, which is something significant story wise to the character (1st appearance,new costume,1st meeting with another hero etcetera) and a book with value for one reason or another.
@Whalewraith A comic's "value" Comes from being in demand. The whole term "key" came about to highlight the books that people want. The wants were never supposed to be separated out. A cool cover, that is indemand, is a key by definition. Now if you want more or clearer key descriptions in CLZ that is one thing. I think an artist's 1st work, 1st work with a title, or publisher, last work, 1st cover, all should be recognized keys. Also any filler silver age with a Stan Lee sig is in demand, does that make it a key? Also any 9.8 newsstand 80s book or Mark Jeweler is in Demand. Any 9.9 bookwhatsoever is in demand. So I guess not all books in Demand should be a key. But if the cover art is cool, AND the value is higher than the other filler books around it, it's a key. Now appealing covers is subjective, but so is any other "key" reason.
@@judesjunkcomics3283 another example of this in my Opinion is the j Scott Mary Jane or black cat covers . Not really keys just sought after J Scott art
Thanks for taking the time to make this list. Although not “keys”, some of those cool looking covers will still sell for some decent money. How about this one? The 52 series issue #52. Not really anything.
I have some of those in my collection or for sale. Some in my dollar bins. I was fooled by a couple of them like Hulk 400. Some though are just cool covers and worth keeping for the art. Great video! I learn something every time I watch your stuff. I just started collecting a couple of years ago and at 58 years old I am now hooked!
I rarely collect single issues anymore, but seeing the holographic spidey cover in the thumbnail gave me all sorts of nostalgia. I remember young me trying to get the other three of them at the local grocery store, which was where I got most of my comics at the time, since I only had a subscription to one of the ongoing Spider-Man titles.
Great research and vid as always James! Seems to be a trend that the regular issues of recalls are nothing issues.....seems the recall is what makes them anything, and I know more than a few sellers (on eBay) that jack up the price on the regular issues because of the significant bumps for the recall values. A couple issues I'd add in would be Aquaman 1 without the Zero Hour/DC logo and Superman 317 (I know it's more than a dollar book, but other than it being a Neil Adams cover, it's not a key).
'What if' is now meaningless as all these concepts seem to find there way into the mess that now constitutes continuity. Look at the Spider-verse for how out of control this has all gotten.
Yeah, key can be relative sometimes.. You've got semi keys, sleepers. Things like that. It's so hard to hunt for Comics here in Houston. Every single long box in every single store is constantly picked through.
Happy new year! Thought I had something when I picked up that “Deadpool meets Wolverine” issue at an antique store last year. I also have a ton of Turoks, some Hulk #400s, and jumped on the band wagon for DKIII.
Great video Mint Hunter. I agree a lot with many of the comments here. I think the thing that irritates me now over the last few years are the "artificial/fake" keys dealers at cons have been doing. She-Hulk show by disney then all of a sudden the first time she stars in the Incredible Hulk comic gets labeled a key as their first time together in his series. How TF is that a key? Just an excuse to make an $7.00 book a false key and try to charge $85.00 for it. My friend and me were disgusted by this money grab trend the last few years especially from local comic store owners we knew. It really changed our outlook on them and their businesses. James you should do a quick 5 minute video every month of fake books like this that are called keys. Or at least Bi-monthly.
Here’s my only issue with that. Calling a spade a spade doesn’t bother me. What I like to concentrate MORE on is distinguishing a big and medium key from a teeny tiny key. I always have a place in my heart for small keys and my most requested videos STILL all the time are people asking for small dollar bin keys that most people don’t know about. I like to educate and let people make their own choice. I don’t want to gatekeep what is and isn’t a key
I once thought I found one of the variant covers of Gen13 #1 for only $10 (back when they were going for $30 or more), but when I got home, I found that it was just a reprint. *That* was so disappointing.
I do like to collect the damn good art covers at times. When I was a kid in the 90s, those books helped me get the drawing basics. (It took art classes to break those bad habits)
Soild and informational video man,but this list has a bunch of books on key collector and also noted on CGC labels for 1st appearances, ect, but a bunch you are definitely right about. It's great for old collectors, but it's not the best for new comic collectors. Sidenote, big shoutout to being an Eagles fan, tho. Super Bowl or bust this year 🦅
@MintHunterComics Definitely no gatekeeping, my man. You said these were not keys? Which many are, and have the data to back that up? Or was this more of a "what do you consider a key or not a key"? Still earned a sub for the Eagles gang, lol
Wanna know what ticks me off? Most Star Wars key comics never get their key info printed on CGC slabs. The 70's Marvel ones don't even mention that they are first appearances of major characters.
@MintHunterComics Wanna know something even worse, they will put key details about a Science fair ad or whatever, but not that the comic was 1st appearance of a character that appears numerous times.
This concept only works because the people promoting the hobby want to call every issue a key in one form or another. So even though they may not fall under your definition of keys, many of those books are still desirable and valuable. Many people buy books because they are milestone issues, or have a great cover or story, or have a particular artist or writer, or because it’s a number 1 (hell, Marvel and DC constantly reset their titles to #1 every few years, because so many people buy #1’s). So many non-keys are valuable too, and may even be worth more than some “keys.”
Nowhere in the video did I say any of these weren’t desirable! I simply stating people confuse them for “keys” Comics of important distinction, most commonly a first appearance
4:18 This is special to me because I bought the run as a kid and it has all survived throughout the years. Still a pretty set of covers for Alpha and Omega.
HELP PLEASE... I'm having a very hard time trying to tell the difference between Invincible number , and the reprint. Any guidance on this would be greatly appreciated 🙏
Great video, kinda new to collecting and brought that Spawn#4 thinking it was a key, but oh well, just happy to have a early numbered book in the collection. You are definitely right about that Ultimate Fallout 4 facsimile and Edge of Spiderverse 2. almost brought one off ebay thinking it was the original. luckily I did some research before buying cause the seller never mentioned it was a facsimile.
1st cover appearance of one of the coolest villains in the universe with the Violator! Great grab, and I suggest using key collector app, as it's a great reference for anything key or not, but it's always updated so things can change!
James, I have a question. Is Pitt's first appearance Pitt #1 or Young blood #4? My memory may be flawed but I remember Young blood being on the shelves weeks before Pitt (that series was a nightmare just due to the horrible release rate - months, and months, between issues. Like Deathblow, and I think that's the biggest reason why neither of those characters achieved real success. Compelling stories, characters, and great art but no issues. )
Since this is a video for what isn't a key, I have a question maybe you can help with. Been looking all over and can't find a good answer. Brave and The Bold #3 2007 Batman/Blue Beetle, Key collector says that it's the first meeting between Supergirl and Lobo, is this correct?
Great video. Thanks! Lots of great covers. I was thinking about the Zeck Captain America w/ Deathlok while watching and then it appeared. Also the Spectacular Spidey w/ the hologram is extra spectacular because it has a phenomenal poster by Charles Vess in the centrefold.
Both the Ultimate Fall-Out & Edge of Spiderverse facsimilie are wall-book mirages. I always see them in cases or behind counters and I get excited. I usually only realize my mistake as the clerk is unlocking/bringing it out for me!
@@MintHunterComics I think that Venom #3, first Knull, is the first offender for this! Recently, I bought one for $20 without realizing it! Please, Marvel, stop making fascimiles for modern age books!
@@MintHunterComicsI got the dynamic forces Superman 204, he signed 4000 copies. I kept wondering to myself why is this the copy that he signed for dynamic forces, got to looking into it and that's how I found out.
I bought the Batgirl Annual you mentioned from a discount bin thinking I grabbed a key. I’ve seen it listed for relatively high prices, so I think quite a few people think the issue is significant.
Spawn #4 isn't a key but, if it has the image zero coupon, it has value. I remember when I was collecting in the early 90's that Spawn #4 vanished off the shelf fast. Back then I bought 2 copies of everything I collected - one to read and one that went straight to bag and board. That issue I only got one copy. That's all that was left. I talked to the shop owner after a few weeks of hunting for a second copy and he had one for himself set aside for the coupon. I told him he could remove the coupon because I just wanted a reader copy. He let me buy it without the coupon. He removed it right then and there. Make sure it has the coupon.
Thought web of Spider-Man 100 was the debut of new armor? Not a major key by any means though. There were several on here you mention the recalled versions. Would be cool to do a video on recalled or error books and explain the differences so we know what to look for! Great video I've seen or own many of these books!
Could you make a video of "debunked" keys wirh explanation of the actual key they were debunked with? That be sweet
Yes! I’m interested to know what the distinctions are here
I was recently reading about what the first joker cover and first lex luthor cover are. And it was a very interesting debate.
I second this!
That would be a nice video
Second that notion
Well, "key" is a somewhat subjective term. We all know having "just a really good cover" can indeed make a key.
If it's a key to you, then it's a key to you; collect what you like, have fun.
You bet! Just look at what happened to Batman 423!!!
Or the McFarlane Hulk with wolverine on the cover.
I'll also throw in a mention for Silver Surfer 4 in that "really good cover" list
Green Lantern 49…Hal with all the rings. I’m keeping mine.
Of you can't explain why it's a "key" its not a key book. There is a difference between a minor key and major key. The term key exists to call attention to a book that has demand exceeding filler issues. Cover art, significant appearance, popular story, or anything significant that occurred in that books history. (The nude Elecktra book that got recalled is a key, the corrected version is not)
It all boils down to incressed demand for how compelling is the story you can tell someone about why the book is worth remembering
Dude!
This is LITTERALLY the video I was hoping somebody would make, and you're one of three people that can do it justice.
Good job!
Cheers!
Damn, why you gotta sandbag my collection like that?😂
Most of those are in my collection too 😂😂
Hahaha, nothing wrong with these books! Just not keys
@@MintHunterComicsyou definitely got some wrong. Like a decent amount lol maybe you should do a little research
"Key" is relative🔑
Price isn't though, if it's not a key it ain't worth shit
@@ConnorJG76 But that’s also subjective. Even some of comics he says aren’t keys, are worth a lot money.
@mikejames9827 just not those ones
I have to take exception with the idea that if a comic lacks significant resale value that’s it’s a “nothing” comic.
Collecting wasn’t always about investments and returns.
Unfortunately, that's all it's about now.
@@glennday7802 if that's true than comics are dead. Thanks alot for going along with this idea that 99.9% of comics are garbage. Comics used to be looked upon as trash, then they got "popular" for a minute and now the only way some people can justify having them is if "they wurth a lotta munney". I despise those who have destroyed the enjoyment of the actual things we are collecting for the thrill of owning something of arbitrary value. Just go buy freakin bitcoins fgs.
I’m not discounting any of these books. Many of them are great! Keys?? Nope.
@@glennday7802 as it should be. Dont tell me you actually read them? Man, the amount of time you're wasting versus flipping and grabbing resellable keys must be staggering...
I def use a large chunk of time enjoying the books, yes lol
the web of Spider-Man 100 is the debut of Peter’s bullet proof armor
That’s mighty weak as far as keys are concerned but I guess TECHNICALLY it’s something!
I'd love to find Secret Wars 10 in a dollar bin. Iconic cover
I didn’t say it was a dollar bin book
Those homage covers get me a lot. The worst is when your feeling pressured at a new batch of long boxes and everyone is rummaging like mad.
SAME
I've been saying it for nearly two decades now......the word "key" is EASILY the most overused term in the hobby. Many people have DESPERATELY been trying to label virtually EVERY book a "key" for so long....and they'll continue to do it as long as people fall into the trap.
Probably true!!!
@MintHunterComics Definitely true.
Usually seeing a book everywhere is a clear sign that it isn't a key.
THIS
9:49 this is the last appearance of Barbra Gordon. It's literally the comic before The Killing Joke. It's a key in my collection.
Bloodshot #1 with foil cover. Bought two when it first was issued back in the 90’s. The dealer at the LCS said, “this book will be huge.“ In 2024 I’ve seen it many many times in dollar bins.
It is a small key, however small keys can sometimes be dollar books for sure!
To be fair the variants carry some value, especially the pink and Platinum versions.
A video on what makes a key a key would be great. I think of things like first character appearance-death of a major character-a great writer or artist’s first published work-some recalled print error, and so on. I noticed the other day that I have Spectre 22 which was Alex Ross’s first published DC cover art, but does that really qualify? I’m sure there are a lot of other key-worthy situations.
That is a great idea, maybe I'll do a video on that.
Key-Mania hit comics a while back and it has always pissed me off a little, a Key issue is a comic that has the introduction of a new important ongoing character or that has a story that significantly changes the world that the character(s) are in. Key comic can also be the first published work of an artist or writer, depending on that artists popularity. It can also be a comic that is important to the collecting community such as Incredible Hulk 181, it's a Key because it is the first story that utilizes Wolverine, who first appears at the end of Incredible Hulk #180. If it were not for the popularity of Wolverine, #180 would be a Key and #181 would not.
Now let's go back the that artist thing, Jim Lee's first work is about as far from being a Key comic as you can get when considering story content or creating a character with any impact on comics goes, it is however highly desirable because it's his first work. Same thing goes with Neal Adams first comic work, to people that collect Neal Adams work or first works of artists in general it's a huge Key issue, to everyone else, it's just another Archie book. Highly desirable but has no impact on the Archie universe other than being drawn by Adams.
But everyone wants to own a key, so every minor character that has ever had a first appearance suddenly becomes a key, even if they were killed off the next issue or never used again, but wait, it's now labeled a "minor" key. So now we have Major keys, Minor Keys and Keys. Oh and technically Bloodshot #1 is a Key because it features the first Chrome Enhanced Cover which had a significant impact on cover enhancements used to sell more comics by the publishers, other than that, it's pretty much just another overprinted gimmick cover comic from the '90s.
You don't NEED key comics to have a nice comic book collection you just need comics that you like, with good stories and nice art.
UM, does anyone want to buy a slightly used soapbox that is still somewhat serviceable, I think I need to get off of this one!
(for those that are wondering who the F**K does this guy think he is, I'm a collector that has been reading comics since 1959 and buying selling and trading books since 1970, other than that I'm nobody, and I got more excited over buying a run filler for my Green Lantern collection, than I did about getting the first Silver Age Catwoman appearance).
The day after Christmas, I thought I found an $875 Invincible #1 in a, get this, THREE FOR A DOLLAR bin…..only to find on careful inspection that it was the 2010 reprint. I did wind up finding a Tekworld #1, Omega Men #20, and a New Guardians #1 that bin, so not all was lost.
Modern facsimiles are like a trap on eBay considering that some of the issues are relatively recent, especially when they purposefully crop the picture or sell in lots that stritically hide the barcode.
My fourth year embarking on the MINTHUNTER Express! Can’t wait to see the sights along the journey! James as always the best engineer and conductor on the site! 🚂
Finding these types of books myself in the wild is fun, but when you go to a flea market or antique shop and see someone has priced them as if they are the holy grail always makes me laugh.
IMO even without being a key, Secret wars 10 and Dr strange 4 are worth it for the covers alone
Secret Wars #10 is the first time Doom fights the Beyonder…to the Death!😂
Agreed
if I had a $1 for every time I thought I found a key in the $1 bin.
Hahahaha same
just came across your channel recently man, been binging the videos lol, keep it up
Appreciate that!
Love the video ! Keep 'em coming. Thanks for all the work and knowledge 🙏
Thank you! Will do!
Whooooaaa.....stop the press!! You killed some dreams with this episode James ...LMAO! I just knew those Robin mini series, that Xmen issue with the hologram, few others straight keys!!...
Now Daredevil 191.....ohhhhh that should be key, that story in magnificent!! I really this director Christopher Nolan stole a little bit of that story for the Dark Knight movie. Daredevil 191 not considered a key is just wrong...lol
Great episode
These are GREAT books! but keys? no
“She said no” brutal. Poor Batman🤣😂
Great show! Love it ,glad I found it.
That ff60 is actually a rare Walmart variant. All the other copies had a huge " 9 cent" circle on the cover.
Love this vid. Been rocking with ya all 4 years 👊🏼
Yes you HAVE! Cheers dude!
You said "Just a cool cover" a lot. Really cool covers become keys as the go up in value. Batman 423, Hulk 340.
Exactly !! Only keys because they are cool covers by McFarlane
THIS right here! Very true!
Maybe we should seperate the term key, which is something significant story wise to the character (1st appearance,new costume,1st meeting with another hero etcetera) and a book with value for one reason or another.
@Whalewraith A comic's "value" Comes from being in demand. The whole term "key" came about to highlight the books that people want. The wants were never supposed to be separated out. A cool cover, that is indemand, is a key by definition. Now if you want more or clearer key descriptions in CLZ that is one thing. I think an artist's 1st work, 1st work with a title, or publisher, last work, 1st cover, all should be recognized keys. Also any filler silver age with a Stan Lee sig is in demand, does that make it a key? Also any 9.8 newsstand 80s book or Mark Jeweler is in Demand. Any 9.9 bookwhatsoever is in demand. So I guess not all books in Demand should be a key. But if the cover art is cool, AND the value is higher than the other filler books around it, it's a key. Now appealing covers is subjective, but so is any other "key" reason.
@@judesjunkcomics3283 another example of this in my Opinion is the j Scott Mary Jane or black cat covers . Not really keys just sought after J Scott art
I love this. Make this a series you do more often
I have seen some of these comics over and over. Now I will know to pay attention to stay clear. Happy New Year to you as well sor
I wouldn’t necessarily stay clear! Many of these issues rock! But keys? Nope
Hope you soon get to 40K subs. I have really been enjoying the videos.
Within the week I bet!
Thanks for taking the time to make this list. Although not “keys”, some of those cool looking covers will still sell for some decent money. How about this one? The 52 series issue #52. Not really anything.
I love most of this list hahaha. But keys? No.
I have some of those in my collection or for sale. Some in my dollar bins. I was fooled by a couple of them like Hulk 400. Some though are just cool covers and worth keeping for the art. Great video! I learn something every time I watch your stuff. I just started collecting a couple of years ago and at 58 years old I am now hooked!
That's what I like to hear! I always enjoy helping people discover the fun of comics.
Wow,a hundred comics in 10 minutes you paced yourself real well, great video.....
James, thanks again for another informative video. Knowing is half the battle!
I rarely collect single issues anymore, but seeing the holographic spidey cover in the thumbnail gave me all sorts of nostalgia. I remember young me trying to get the other three of them at the local grocery store, which was where I got most of my comics at the time, since I only had a subscription to one of the ongoing Spider-Man titles.
Great research and vid as always James! Seems to be a trend that the regular issues of recalls are nothing issues.....seems the recall is what makes them anything, and I know more than a few sellers (on eBay) that jack up the price on the regular issues because of the significant bumps for the recall values.
A couple issues I'd add in would be Aquaman 1 without the Zero Hour/DC logo and Superman 317 (I know it's more than a dollar book, but other than it being a Neil Adams cover, it's not a key).
The green cover Spider-Man is a key. It’s the first time of that armor.
I thought so too, I love that book so much so it really doesn't matter to me.
That's what I thought too
Exactly! First spider-armor!!!
Is new armor a key now?
Well the first black suit is a major key 😂 so why not his first armor?
Great list! So many comics, so few keys. Happy New Year!
I know right!
What If #1 is definitely a key issue. It's the first ever issue in a new concept that marvel was trying out.
At NO POINT in this video am I saying that what if number one is not a key hahaha
@@MintHunterComics At 1:45 you said "every what if issue" is not a key. That would seem to include #1.
'What if' is now meaningless as all these concepts seem to find there way into the mess that now constitutes continuity. Look at the Spider-verse for how out of control this has all gotten.
I said "pretty much every single" issue. Implying the majority are not labeled keys, however there are obviously some pretty sizeable keys in there
Yeah, key can be relative sometimes.. You've got semi keys, sleepers. Things like that. It's so hard to hunt for Comics here in Houston. Every single long box in every single store is constantly picked through.
Have you done a video highlighting recalled editions? It was maddening listening to this without any context 😆 Still great video
That was one of my very recent videos actually!
I have that ghost rider #17 in my run and I was always wondering " Why does this thing have value?"
So many Spider-Man issues with Tarantula in that same exact pose breaking something with his toe, it fools me for a second every single time.
Spectacular Spider-Man #1 is another that looks similar to ASM #134 & #137.
Peter Parker the spectacular spider man number 1!
Happy new year!
Thought I had something when I picked up that “Deadpool meets Wolverine” issue at an antique store last year. I also have a ton of Turoks, some Hulk #400s, and jumped on the band wagon for DKIII.
Great video Mint Hunter. I agree a lot with many of the comments here. I think the thing that irritates me now over the last few years are the "artificial/fake" keys dealers at cons have been doing. She-Hulk show by disney then all of a sudden the first time she stars in the Incredible Hulk comic gets labeled a key as their first time together in his series. How TF is that a key? Just an excuse to make an $7.00 book a false key and try to charge $85.00 for it. My friend and me were disgusted by this money grab trend the last few years especially from local comic store owners we knew. It really changed our outlook on them and their businesses. James you should do a quick 5 minute video every month of fake books like this that are called keys. Or at least Bi-monthly.
Here’s my only issue with that. Calling a spade a spade doesn’t bother me. What I like to concentrate MORE on is distinguishing a big and medium key from a teeny tiny key. I always have a place in my heart for small keys and my most requested videos STILL all the time are people asking for small dollar bin keys that most people don’t know about. I like to educate and let people make their own choice. I don’t want to gatekeep what is and isn’t a key
@@MintHunterComics Fair enough.
Great list, James! Thank you! 🙏🏻
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
I once thought I found one of the variant covers of Gen13 #1 for only $10 (back when they were going for $30 or more), but when I got home, I found that it was just a reprint. *That* was so disappointing.
I still find the esoteric knowledge around "keys" fascinating even though I find speculating kind of obnoxious
People love to poke and prod at speculating but that’s an inheriting driving force of every hobby!
Recently found Batman and Captain America book in a dollar bin. Turned out it was a key. Was pretty happy.
Just subscribed to your channel and it got me back into the hobby. Great stuff and love this vid!
Welcome! I'm glad you're enjoying it!
Definitely picked up a few of these thinking they were something but luckily they are always inexpensive
Your videos are clearly the best, thanks.
Appreciate it!
I do like to collect the damn good art covers at times. When I was a kid in the 90s, those books helped me get the drawing basics. (It took art classes to break those bad habits)
Spawn 4 was expensive back in the day only for the image 0 coupon.
Yep. I can't remember if it was like the Valiant coupons where one needed all six or just one to get Image 0.
True! Classic 90s
You needed all 6.
Great video!!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us. Very helpful. 😎
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for the detail on the Spidey + HTD Comic, looks like a fun story..
Amazing topic, loved this video
Appreciate it! Glad you enjoyed it!
X-Men #94... It's not even a number one... It's just a reboot. 😂
Hmmmm idk bout that one hahaha
Soild and informational video man,but this list has a bunch of books on key collector and also noted on CGC labels for 1st appearances, ect, but a bunch you are definitely right about. It's great for old collectors, but it's not the best for new comic collectors. Sidenote, big shoutout to being an Eagles fan, tho. Super Bowl or bust this year 🦅
I love Key Collector - and I'm not going to gatekeep what is or isn't a small key. I didn't think any of these were on there!
@MintHunterComics Definitely no gatekeeping, my man. You said these were not keys? Which many are, and have the data to back that up? Or was this more of a "what do you consider a key or not a key"? Still earned a sub for the Eagles gang, lol
Very useful video, thanks! 👍
Glad it was helpful!
Wanna know what ticks me off? Most Star Wars key comics never get their key info printed on CGC slabs. The 70's Marvel ones don't even mention that they are first appearances of major characters.
CBCS does a pretty good job of including mention of smaller characters! CGC has still much to learn
@MintHunterComics Wanna know something even worse, they will put key details about a Science fair ad or whatever, but not that the comic was 1st appearance of a character that appears numerous times.
This concept only works because the people promoting the hobby want to call every issue a key in one form or another. So even though they may not fall under your definition of keys, many of those books are still desirable and valuable. Many people buy books because they are milestone issues, or have a great cover or story, or have a particular artist or writer, or because it’s a number 1 (hell, Marvel and DC constantly reset their titles to #1 every few years, because so many people buy #1’s). So many non-keys are valuable too, and may even be worth more than some “keys.”
Nowhere in the video did I say any of these weren’t desirable! I simply stating people confuse them for “keys”
Comics of important distinction, most commonly a first appearance
God Bless and Happy New Year to you and yours sir!
Great vid and content helps on the hunt
Appreciate it!
that Doc Oct 4 is something else even now!
Great list, very helpful thank you
Glad it was helpful!
4:18 This is special to me because I bought the run as a kid and it has all survived throughout the years. Still a pretty set of covers for Alpha and Omega.
Heck yeah!
I was trying to buy some comics from someone and they thought because it's a number 1, it's expensive
Is there a way to spot the recalled ones, or is it just a matter of research?
Great content. Happy new year.
Appreciate it! Happy New Year!
HELP PLEASE... I'm having a very hard time trying to tell the difference between Invincible number , and the reprint. Any guidance on this would be greatly appreciated 🙏
Great video. Happy new year to you and your family. Keep on growing in 25
Great video, kinda new to collecting and brought that Spawn#4 thinking it was a key, but oh well, just happy to have a early numbered book in the collection. You are definitely right about that Ultimate Fallout 4 facsimile and Edge of Spiderverse 2. almost brought one off ebay thinking it was the original. luckily I did some research before buying cause the seller never mentioned it was a facsimile.
A couple people in the comments have defended it saying it’s a small key (1st cover app of Violator) so there ya go!
Mainly needs the image coupon in it.
1st cover appearance of one of the coolest villains in the universe with the Violator! Great grab, and I suggest using key collector app, as it's a great reference for anything key or not, but it's always updated so things can change!
James, I have a question. Is Pitt's first appearance Pitt #1 or Young blood #4? My memory may be flawed but I remember Young blood being on the shelves weeks before Pitt (that series was a nightmare just due to the horrible release rate - months, and months, between issues. Like Deathblow, and I think that's the biggest reason why neither of those characters achieved real success. Compelling stories, characters, and great art but no issues. )
Jury is out on Pitt! No idea
Pretty sure it was Pitt 1.
Thanks for the knowledge.
You got it!
hey dude! Amazing video!
Since this is a video for what isn't a key, I have a question maybe you can help with. Been looking all over and can't find a good answer. Brave and The Bold #3 2007 Batman/Blue Beetle, Key collector says that it's the first meeting between Supergirl and Lobo, is this correct?
I have to brush up on my reading, but I actually think it might be!
Well, how do you know if you got an error comic on one of those issues and not the one that's not a key ?
Research! Google is your friend
Great stuff, James!
Thanks for watching!
Great video. Thanks! Lots of great covers. I was thinking about the Zeck Captain America w/ Deathlok while watching and then it appeared. Also the Spectacular Spidey w/ the hologram is extra spectacular because it has a phenomenal poster by Charles Vess in the centrefold.
I'm glad you noticed! That's why you have to pay attention to details
Both the Ultimate Fall-Out & Edge of Spiderverse facsimilie are wall-book mirages. I always see them in cases or behind counters and I get excited. I usually only realize my mistake as the clerk is unlocking/bringing it out for me!
They made em WAY too similar
@@MintHunterComics I think that Venom #3, first Knull, is the first offender for this! Recently, I bought one for $20 without realizing it! Please, Marvel, stop making fascimiles for modern age books!
Enjoyed the video! Turok 1 will always be a key in my heart.
It is for sure a fun book!
I picked up that Ultimate Fallout #4 in a $2 box. The facsimile is very close indeed to regular edition.
Superman 204 is the first Jim Lee on Superman 🔥🔥🔥
Can anyone confirm if this is true? I thought it was just a good cover that pairs well with Bats 608 2nd print?
Both comments are true.😊
Also need the 2nd print wonder woman #1 🫡
@@MintHunterComicsI got the dynamic forces Superman 204, he signed 4000 copies. I kept wondering to myself why is this the copy that he signed for dynamic forces, got to looking into it and that's how I found out.
I bought the Batgirl Annual you mentioned from a discount bin thinking I grabbed a key. I’ve seen it listed for relatively high prices, so I think quite a few people think the issue is significant.
It's a fantastic book! it has some value simply because of what it is, not being a key status though
You mean that the 50 copies of Turok 1 I have aren't worth anything?"
Hahahaha
I use them as padding for packages lol
Only 50...beginner😂😂😂
Spawn #4 isn't a key but, if it has the image zero coupon, it has value. I remember when I was collecting in the early 90's that Spawn #4 vanished off the shelf fast. Back then I bought 2 copies of everything I collected - one to read and one that went straight to bag and board. That issue I only got one copy. That's all that was left. I talked to the shop owner after a few weeks of hunting for a second copy and he had one for himself set aside for the coupon. I told him he could remove the coupon because I just wanted a reader copy. He let me buy it without the coupon. He removed it right then and there. Make sure it has the coupon.
I’ve seen a couple peeps defend that one! I may need to strike it from this list!!
Great video James, but hurt my feelings lol 😮
A very good, very good video! Kudos!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it
I’m holding out for that SuperPro mcu movie 🍿 😂
Hahahaha
Some great information you put out. My problem is I like the Sparkley covers. LOL
SAME HAHAHA
I have 24 of those issues. Bought them when they were new/cover price.
Blame that dude “Economics In Comics” guy for calling every weekly book that drops “a key” he’s notorious for doing that.
I’ve surprisingly not had any of these.😧
I think I have two books out of all of these.
Web of spider-man 100 is still an all time favorite for me 😅
I have never given a damn about Keys. Either it is or not
Thought web of Spider-Man 100 was the debut of new armor? Not a major key by any means though. There were several on here you mention the recalled versions. Would be cool to do a video on recalled or error books and explain the differences so we know what to look for! Great video I've seen or own many of these books!
Happens weekly. Your videos are getting better. Go cuse!
TY!