This Week in Comic Collecting: Female Leads Take Centerstage

Staying with the set pictures making noise theme, we saw our first look at Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel on the set of her upcoming Disney+  series. This is a character who has been extremely popular since her creation in 2014. A super powered female Muslim teenager with dreams of following in the footsteps of Captain Marvel Carol Danvers, Kamala Kahn has served as an inspiration to a new generation of comic fans. Her first solo series saw its first issue go to eight subsequent printings and the first collected edition won numerous awards. The cover of the comic can even be seen in poster form on the wall of Alex Dunfey's dorm room on an episode of Modern Family.

This is a character and IP with long term potential and implications for the MCU.  Her 1st full appearance is in Marvel Point One #1, which has seen 9.8 sales of $2,000 in recent days. The aforementioned Ms Marvel #1 is trending toward $1,000 in a slabbed 9.8 and cameo and 1st Cover in Captain Marvel #17 2nd Print has risen from $3,000 to $5,000 in 9.8, with new asking prices all above $10,000 on eBay. 

I have previously written about how Boom! Studios has a first look deal with Netflix, but what I didn't mention is that the streaming giant is so bullish on Comic Book IP that they have a second first look deal with Dark Horse Comics. Dark Horse is currently set to drop the comic book adaptation of the upcoming Kevin Smith Masters of The Universe Anime. Dark Horse is probably most famous, though, for being the home of Hellboy and The Mask, both of which have seen major Hollywood success. Their next big blockbuster looks to be coming from the Joelle Jones hit Lady Killer. This won't be in theaters like the Jim Carrey or Ron Perlman Films, but instead Netflix announced this week that they had hired a director and tapped Blake Lively to star as the lead. I am very bullish on Netflix and their ability to easily get their content in front on the most eyes. 

While the 1985 Brigitte Neilson film may have been many casual moviegoers only exposure to Red Sonja, she is a very popular comic character in print to this day. Red Sonja is currently published by Dynamite Comics and has her own solo series as well as being involved in several team and crossover books. The Conan The Barbarian Universe character was long rumored and reported to be revived, and this week saw news that brought those reports to fruition. Hannah John Kamen was cast as the titular character for the upcoming Red Sonja feature film. Many comic fans may be familiar with the actress for her role as Ghost in Ant Man 2.

The money seems to be split between Conan Vol.1 #23 and #24 as #23 is Red Sonja's 1st Appearance and #24 is her Origin and cover story. Prices are all over the place and this is not a book commonly found in very high grade. I like #23 as I believe the 1st Appearance trumps all. #24 recently sold for $1,100 in a 9.6 while #23 is trading at $1,500. Another option is to go with Red Sonja #1 vol. 1. A 9.8 looks to run you about $500.