Ask AI

Comics
#1

I have been going through this weeks listings of new comics to see what is worth looking at for the picks of the week. But for fun, I asked AI “which comic releasing on February 18 has the best chance of increasing in value” here are the results.

Let me know what you think:

The comic most likely to go up in value from the February 18, 2026 releases is Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon #1 (Marvel Comics).

This is a high-profile new #1 series by Chip Zdarsky (a hot writer with strong track records on big characters) and Luca Maresca, with Leinil Francis Yu on the main cover, plus foil variants and other ratios (e.g., 1:100 virgin covers mentioned in FOC discussions). It’s billed as “the biggest Wolverine story in years” and one that will have a “major impact on the future of the Marvel Universe,” positioning it as a potential event/prologue tie-in with broader crossover potential. Wolverine remains one of the top-spec characters due to ongoing film buzz, key appearances, and collector demand for his solo titles—especially new launches with event-level hype.

New #1s from Marvel with big-name creative teams and universe-shaking teases often see quick aftermarket spikes if they sell out or generate buzz (variants especially), similar to recent breakouts. Previews and solicits emphasize its scale, which fuels speculation for short-term flips or long-term keys if it introduces new elements.

Strong contenders include:

• Absolute Batman #17 (DC): The Absolute Universe line continues to be a massive hit with high sales, variants, and fan excitement—Poison Ivy’s monstrous debut here could drive interest. However, some speculation chatter suggests the Absolute hype might cool or face volume overload in 2026, potentially capping big gains compared to fresh Marvel events.

• End of Life #1 (DC/Vertigo-ish crime story by Kyle Starks and Steve Pugh): A new #1 with solid creators and a unique assassin/family drama hook, but less mainstream pull than Wolverine or Absolute.

• Other Marvel #1s like Generation X-23 #1 or Deadly Hands of K’un-Lun #1 could pop if they tie into bigger arcs, but Weapons of Armageddon has the clearest “event” framing.

For max potential upside, grab variants (foils, high-ratio) of Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon #1—those tend to appreciate fastest on aftermarket sites if the book heats up. Check current pre-sale prices on eBay or your LCS, as hype builds close to release. Comic investing is speculative (no guarantees), but this one has the strongest combo of character power, creative pedigree, and event tease right now.

2 Likes
#2

the foil cover came out looking great - I was checking it out last night when my PRH came in.

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#3

Awesome. Now can we ask AI which books on FOC picks have the best potential for growth?

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#4

I use AI for the most generic tasks of weather, adding up junk, and so forth. Am I behind the times not wanting to use it for more? I just feel if someone can’t take the time to write an email or blog post themselves, I won’t take the time to read it. Hence, I don’t use it to write emails or blog stuff.

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#5

Oh, I also had it explain what the One Piece card game was cuz I knew the manga but all the folks these days talk about the card game.

#6

Wolverine has Zdarsky as a plus, but it’s likely to be heavily ordered. It could be a good read, but I’ll be surprised if it does much above cover price anytime soon. Interesting to see if AI turns out to be right or wrong.

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#7

I’m not a fan of the a.i. sounds like bad advice. I like zdarsky and all but it’s somewhat rare that decent writing moves the needle.

#8

Who needs KCC? Just ask AI.

#9

I’m thinking the AI is believing too much of the hype that Marvel has written up about the Wolverine series. I think we’re probably skeptical of it because we know Marvel hypes up every new #1 as some earth-shattering thing that has ramifications for the entire universe to come. Meanwhile the AI might be taking that at face value without looking at how well that tracked before.

Regardless, it will be interesting to see how it ends up doing.

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#10

AI also seems to not acknowledge any Indy #1s, or covers.

Here’s a few to watch. I’m not usually a fan of the McFarlane action figure covers, but I do like this Lizard one. Very much nostalgic from the McFarlane’s Torment run from the early 90s.

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#11

I did it purely for fun. But it is an interesting conversation starter.

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#12

so Ai didn’t really do so well in spec lol

a lot of these aren’t much of anything

#13

Based on eBay completed / sold presales for books releasing this Wednesday, 9/23/26, the hottest is Absolute Batman #24.

Why it wins this week:

• Presale velocity is highest of any new release this week. One CGC 9.8 presale listing alone shows 48 sold and a standard cover-select listing shows 19 sold with 9 still available.

• Watchers / demand: PicClick data aggregated from eBay shows 7 watchers, 0.8 new watchers per day, Super high amount watching. 16 sold for Absolute Batman #24 presale vs Star Trek #1 with 2-4 watchers and 3-7 sold.

• Story heat: This is the issue that puts Barbara Gordon in a Batsuit, which is why collectors are pre-buying covers and 9.8 presales before release.

The full new-release list for 9/23/26 is:

DC: Absolute Batman #24, Absolute Flash #19, Absolute Wonder Woman #24, Green Lantern #39, The Flash #37, Superman #42, etc.

Marvel: Gambit Gone #1, Infernal Hulk vs. Wolverine #1, Muppets Take the Marvel Universe #1, Thor #801, etc.

Image/IDW: Star Trek #1, Crimes Against Nature #1, That Texas Blood, Escape From New York: Escape From Chicago #1

Runner-ups on eBay presales this week:

• Star Trek #1 (2026) IDW - new Seven of Nine series launch - 7 sold on photo variant with very high watch count and 3 sold on Cover A

• Gambit Gone #1 - new 5-issue X-Men mini - steady $4.98 presales

If you’re flipping this week, Absolute Batman #24 Cover A and the 1:25 are the ones moving fastest.

#14

Did AI tell you this? “It” thinks ABM 24 is a flip this week?

When is the last time ABM was a good “flip” week of release?

I think Absolute Ark-M was ok…but I can’t think of any issue aside from #1 that was hot out of the gate for that series…everything has been relatively organic growth.

My money (for open order books) is the Skottie Young Muppet marvel book. If the 1:100 stays hot and gains attention, have to think people will start wanting to pick up the trade dress variant. The fact that the 1:100 hasn’t hit top 10 lists yet is an opportunity to grab a copy tomorrow before the masses catch on. We’ll see.

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#15

Abs Bats are grab and holds not immediate flips, all Absolute books from the main titles go up eventually and are worth holding, but flip, not so much.

Yes, AI told me this

#16

Well, I trust @anthony for my picks of the week.

Unless you’re AI…:mind blown:

#17

No. I am just a meat sac. No computer in me.