Collector Keys Corner — Collectible Comics To Look Out For This Week

Welcome back to Collector Keys Corner! You know the deal. There are 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.

Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1

Some of the biggest names in comics take a turn in the Absolute Universe! Daniel Warren Johnson and James Harren tell tales from Absolute Batman’s early days! How did Bruce acquire his batmobile? And what was it like for Black Mask’s party animals when Batman first hit the scene?

This issue features the origin of the Absolute Batmobile, which is itself a collector key, but look at this cover. I believe the A Cover is by Daniel Warren Johnson, but I could be wrong. I don’t see it listed anywhere, but it would make sense, since he’s the writer and artist on this joint. This cover is very Stokoe-esque, and hits all kinds of cool strokes with Batman facing down an angry, torch-bearing mob.

Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1- Cover D Gerald Parel Variant

I talk a lot about incentive covers. This D Cover shows why you shouldn’t sleep on open order covers. 

Undeadpool #1

The merc with the mutated mouth… Hungers!

X years later, and the virus ravaging the Revelation Territories has finally made Wade Wilson into what he always wanted to be — a mutant! But not like this – Not Like This! Deadpool’s healing factor is on overdrive, his mind a passenger in a body that hungers… and cannot be sated, unless he devours the life force of mutants! His next targets are the new blood known as Fearless, Magni, Kid Man-Thing and Fantastica. It’s Deadpool like you’ve never seen him!

Sometimes I wonder if Marvel slams a bunch of first appearances into a single issue just to label it collectible, and then I remember that’s exactly what they do. This series opener features not only the first appearance of Magni, but also the first appearance of Fantastica, first appearance of Kid Man-Thing, and the first appearance of Fearless. That’s a lot of firsts. It’s gimmicky as hell, but let’s face it, it’s Deadpool, and people are going to buy it. 

I’m not super impressed with the A Cover, but check out the Sorrentino variant below.

Undeadpool #1- Andrea Sorrentino Variant

Of the five available covers on this issue, one of them being a 1:25 incentive, this is the only one that really showcases the horror that this series leans into.  

Expatriate X-Men #1

United by war!

X years later, like the fallen and reassembled United States, the new team of Ms. Marvel, Bronze, Melee, and Rift rises! They have seized control of the Mississippi River waters that divide mutantkind from the rest of humanity. Feared and powerful, their guerrilla tactics keep them in control — until a high-stakes mission to extract a valuable asset threatens to tear them apart. Can they hold together when everything’s on the line?

Again with the first appearances. Lyrebird debuts with a brand-new X-Men team consisting of Ms. Marvel, Bronze, Melee, and Rift.

Venom: Black, White & Blood #3

With great power there must also come symbiote stories unlike any other!

David Dastmalchian joins the fray, as he and Philip Tan reveal the earliest exploits of Venom as he stalked Spider-Man through New York subways and rooftops, immune to Peter’s Spider-Sense, before Amazing Spider-Man #299!

From the world of the sleeper hit What If Peter Parker Became The Punisher? Carl Potts weaves a web with Damian Couceiro to show what happens if a Peter prone to violent solutions for his enemies became Venom — and it’s just as shocking as you’d imagine!

Takashi Okazaki imagines a never-before-seen Venom in ancient Japan, as this Samurai Symbiote goes up against a Crimson Carnage!

In which, we’re treated to the first appearance of Samurai Symbiote and the first appearance of Crimson Carnage.

Universal Monsters: Dracula Black & White Special #1

When Dr. John Seward admits a strange new patient into his asylum, the madman tells stories of a demon who has taken residence next door. But as Dr. Seward attempts to apply logic to the impossible… his surrogate daughter Lucy begins to fall under the spell of the twisted Count Dracula!

The creative team on this one is enough to sell it. James Tynion IV teams with Martin Simmonds for arguably the most prolific of the Universal Monsters. Take my money.

X-Vengers #1

Earth’s mightiest… Hated and feared!

X years later, Earth still needs the Avengers… but what happens when those who are left have transformed into mutants?! Dani Moonstar leads a new team of Avengers (Hawkeye, Vision, Water Widow, Shang-Chi, Variable Man and Cannonball) to protect the planet! But can these “X-Vengers” protect all of Earth, including the Revelation Territories?!

Variable Man makes his first appearance as a member of the X-Vengers. I haven’t seen the interiors on this title, but this cover is a little juvenile for a T+ title.

X-Vengers #1- 1:50 Pablo Villalobos Virgin Variant

There’s an open order of this cover, but the virgin variant is incredible. Dani Moonstar is featured without any distracting background noise or trade dressing. Loads of space for autos. This one screams collector cover.