Collector Keys Corner — Collectible Comics To Look Out For This Week
by Brendan M. Allen
Welcome back to Collector Keys Corner! There are basically two kinds of people buying comics. Those who read them, and those who collect them. There is quite a bit of overlap between the two groups, but comics consumers generally lean hard one way or the other. This column is aimed at the collectors, highlighting this week’s comics keys.
Mark Spears Monsters: The Monster and the Wolf #1
From the creator of the hit series Mark Spears Monsters comes this new prequel mini-series written and illustrated by Mark Spears! In a desperate attempt to find a cure to the werewolf curse that haunts him, Clint Abbott’s journey leads him to the bitter cold of the Arctic. Through the snow and ice, he senses something is stalking him… but not everything is as it seems.
This is a blind bag one-shot with 75 unique variant covers. In addition, thirteen blind bags will contain a certificate redeemable for a 1:1 graded comic.
Mark Spears Monsters: The Monster and the Wolf #1- Mark Spears Phantom Of The Opera Variant
This is just one of the covers that caught my eye. Lon Chaney’s Phantom is legendary.
Amazing Spider-Man: Torn #1
Straczynski is teaming up with fan-favorite artist Pere Pérez (TVA, Venom War: Carnage) to tell a story that takes readers back to Peter Parker’s college days at Empire State University. Expect appearances from Gwen Stacy, Harry Osborn, MJ, and Flash Thompson — plus classic villains and an all-new threat that could shake the Marvel Universe to its core.
I know what you’re thinking. Another Spider-Man title? And yes, everyone’s favorite web crawler is all over the spinner racks every week, but with good reason. This one has a first of a character named Evangeline.
Amazing Spider-Man: Torn #1– Big Time Collectibles NYCC 2025 JeeHyung Lee Virgin Variant
Number 1, first appearance, and a convention exclusive.
Laura Kinney: Sabretooth #1
The All-New Sabretooth!
X YEARS LATER, she’s taken the name of once-bitter enemy SABRETOOTH — and fights beside Revelation himself. Why did Laura Kinney abandon her legacy? What secrets does she keep from the mutant world? When loyalty changes, blood means everything.
This is Laura Kinney’s first appearance in the Sabretooth character. The A cover features Kinney in a very “Wolverine” pose, despite the new digs, as opposed to the next cover…
Laura Kinney: Sabretooth #1– 1:50 Pablo Villalobos Virgin Variant
All of the above points, except this variant cover shows a side to Laura Kinney that we may not have seen before. The blades are there, sure, but look at that pose. This is a character who is emerging from the shadow of Wolverine and coming into her very own.
Transformers #25
The Energon Universe will never be the same as the Autobots and Decepticons kick off the most surprising new chapter in their war on Earth.
Optimus Prime and the remaining Autobots must join forces with unlikely allies in order to protect their adopted planet. But Prime’s next challenge lies closer to home than he ever imagined.
And what is the fate of the Decepticons?
The creative dream team of Robert Kirkman and Dan Mora should be enough to sell a few copies of this book, but if you look at this cover, you may notice a throwback to the early days of Transformers mythos, which suggests a return to the franchise’s roots.
Absolute Batman #13
Batman’s final showdown with the monstrous Bane! Will he be able to overcome this unstoppable behemoth, or will he be trapped in Ark-M forever?!
This issue marks the introduction of Absolute Catwoman. I don’t love the cover, but Kyle’s appearance in the Absolute Universe is worth marking.
Supergirl #6
Supergirl has been twisting and turning each night as she is haunted by visions of her past in her dreams. And with Halloween just around the corner, the town is getting up to all sorts of mischief while our sleepless hero stumbles through her patrols. Can Kara find the cause of her nightmares before her inner demons emerge?
This issue features the reintroduction of Nightflame, a character who appeared once in Adventure Comics #421 in 1972. It’s a throwback that is heavily inspired by the cover of that original, short-lived appearance.
