100 Hot Comics #54:
Amazing Spider-Man 194, 1st Black Cat

100 Hot Comics: Amazing Spider-Man 194, 1st Black Cat. Click to buy a copy from Goldin

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Why Amazing Spider-Man 194 is a Hot Comic

2024 MARKET REPORT: BLACK CAT SLIPS INTO THE RED

It's pretty much a bloodbath on this issue. It does turn over rapidly when it comes to market.

2023 MARKET REPORT: A BLACK CAT CROSSED THE PATH OF PRICES

Bronze Age books dropped the most, especially common ones like ASM #194, though a newsstand variant is still outperforming the regular issue.

One really interesting side note is that an "error variant" of this book has been discovered. A yellow stripe where the red should be at top right, next to the Comics Code Authority stamp. See image below.

CGC doesn't recognize this yet, but Spider-Man collectors have started bidding aggressively when they come to market. Watch this space.

Amazing Spider-Man #194 error of color to stripe at top right

2022 MARKET REPORT: PRICES DOUBLE AGAIN!!!

Felicity Hardy is strongly tipped to appear in the MCU, and that has driven a mania on her first appearance.

Top grade copies have broken the $5K barrier for the first time. This is not a rare comic book by any means, with no fewer than 417 9.8s (and four lucky 9.9s) out there.

If you bought my recommended 9.8 a few years ago and held it, then you're feeling pretty smug.

Don't be the guy buying a FN for more than an 8.5...

Recent sales:

9.8 $5,100
9.6 $1,600
9.4 $920
9.2 $910(!)
9.0 $750
8.5 $660
8.0 $495
7.5 $400
7.0 $500(!!!)
6.5 $400
6.0 $750 (FOMO IDIOT BUY)
5.5 $225
5.0 $275
4.5 $250
4.0 $200

2021 MARKET UPDATE: BLACK CATS CAN BE LUCKY

Another record year for this comic book in top grade.

There is tons of interest in the female superhero realm in the Marvel Universe, with books like Marvel Spotlight #32 and What If? #105 catching fire, a female Thor in the works and who knows what else?

Beyond CGC 9.8, gains are solid rather than spectacular. This is a common book, but pretty hard to find in 9.8 grade or other near mint grades. Recent sales:

CGC 9.8: $2,422
CGC 9.6 $692
CGC 9.4 $475
CGC 9.2 $335
CGC 9.0 $300
CGC 8.0 $211
CGC 7.0 $180

IF YOU BOUGHT MY RECOMMENDED GRADE LAST YEAR:

Here's the bottom line.

CGC 9.8 2020 $1,919
LAST SALE $2,422
PERCENT CHANGE +26%

2020 MARKET UPDATE: PRICES COOLING

Amazing Spider-Man 194 has cooled down, probably because there was no confirmation of Black Cat in any upcoming Marvel movies.

My chosen 9.8 grade took a hit.

2019 MARKET UPDATE: ALWAYS LET A BLACK CAT CROSS YOUR PATH

Prices of the significant CGC 9.8 have broken through the psychological $2K barrier. Just two years ago, this grade averaged just over $1,000!

Amazing Spider-Man comics (and Spider-titles in general) seem to have the Midas touch these days. There are loads of Spider-Man comics on the 100 Hot Comics list, and they have kicked ass this year.

I would continue to hold this book, but keep a close eye on sales to see which way it's trending.

Recent sales:

CGC 9.8: $2,161
CGC 9.6 $620
CGC 9.4 $350
CGC 9.2 $325
CGC 9.0 $198
CGC 8.0 $170
CGC 6.5 $164 (!!!)

2018 MARKET UPDATE:

We still don't have any confirmation that Black Cat will appear on the big screen, but speculation is still rife.

Don't miss J. Scott Campbell's super-hot Black Cat cover art on another of our hot 100, Amazing Spider-Man #607.

Prices of the top three grades have ticked up about 10 percent since last year's Hot Comics list. Don't forget that this is a common book.

Recent sales:

CGC 9.8: $1,250
CGC 9.6 $425
CGC 9.4 $240
CGC 9.2 $180
CGC 9.0 $160
CGC 8.0 $130
CGC 6.5 $85

2017 MARKET UPDATE:

This book has broken through the psychological $1,000 barrier recently, but we've downgraded it for two reasons. The first, there are a ton of books which deserve to be higher based on volume and market excitement.

The second, it seems to be a 'warehouse' book. There are tons of copies in high grade available (237 copies in CGC 9.8 alone), and the demand for this book isn't quite enough to tip it past the "warm" to "super-hot" status. Some prices have softened. One to be cautious of.

CGC 9.8: $1,100
CGC 9.6 $360
CGC 9.4 $230
CGC 9.2 $200
CGC 9.0 $175
CGC 8.0 $120
CGC 6.5 $80

If you're a reader of Bronze Age Amazing Spider-Man comics, then you'll be more than aware of Black Cat, and her importance as a love interest in Peter Parker's life post-Gwen.

This character has a ton of potential, especially with a second Spider-Man movie reboot planned in a joint venture between rights owners Sony and Marvel.

A very common book, the black cover shows wear easily. Don't buy anything lower than CGC 9.6, but our recommended grade is 9.8 if you can afford it.

Other Amazing Spider-Man issues on the Hot 100: