SPEC for 5/19/25

May 17, 2025

SPEC RECS

Absolute Batman #9 - BANE!

https://www.ecgce.com/products/absolute-batman-9-cvr-a-nick-dragotta

This is likely going to be the biggest key issue for the series so far as Bane is being called in and it looks to be an ABSOLUTE insane showdown. Not sure I need to say more, I am getting the 1:25 1000% as well.

Bring on the Bad Guys: DOOM #1 - No brainer

https://www.ecgce.com/products/bring-on-the-bad-guys-doom-1-peach-momoko-marvel-rivals-variant

ALL the covers + the incentives. I shared the rivals because it’s peach and rivals on what is looking to be a pretty hot book with all the hype around DOOM and how he might reshape the entire Marvel sphere. Grabbing what I can, those 1:10s and 1:25 are WILD (the 1:100 also cool, but didn’t blow me away).

Amazing Spider-Man #6 - This has two spots on the list this week…

https://www.ecgce.com/products/amazing-spider-man-6-peach-momoko-marvel-rivals-variant

The Peach Marvel Rivals Variant is likely going to be a must have, not sure it sees an insane spike in value, but will be grabbing some as her covers are just amazing and the rivals stuff is still hot. Also the art tease for this just is WILD!

GWENPOOL #2 A CVR - Have a sneaking feeling.

https://www.ecgce.com/products/gwenpool-2

Not sure I need to go into depth, but I’ve seen this cover create a lot of conversations and that normally leads to a good spec bet.

Gehenna Naked Aggression #1 - An odd one on the list

https://www.ecgce.com/products/gehenna-naked-aggression-1-of-4-cvr-a-maurizio-rosenzweig

https://www.ecgce.com/products/gehenna-naked-aggression-1-of-4-cvr-d-maria-llovet-polybagged-var

This is one that I am adding because I got to read it ahead of time (and full disclosure we DO have an exclusive coming). They also sent me the wildest ashcans I’ve come across in a while (if you know you know) that made me smile so hard haha. Book 1 opens strong and has very fun and unique art. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more of this.

Minor Arcana #8 - You will thank me one day

https://www.ecgce.com/products/minor-arcana-8-a-main-dressed-lemire

I have been saying this for a while now, I believe this series is going to be HUGE in the future. I am grabbing everything I can for the early issues.

Battle Beast #1 2nd prints - Curious

https://www.ecgce.com/products/invincible-universe-battle-beast-1-2nd-ptg-cvr-a-ryan-ottley

The blind bags are doing well, and it’s obvious this will get the amazon treatment, I am grabbing some of the 2nd prints just as a longer term low value play. Unsure if they amount to anything, but again this is speculative.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Batman and Robin #22 - Etrigen

https://www.ecgce.com/products/batman-and-robin-22-cvr-c-guillem-march-card-stock-var

Are we finally getting Damien and Etrigen together? It looks like it, I have seen people asking for this for a long time now and it looks like we are finally getting it. ALL the covers are amazing, but the March caught my eye the most.

Blood & Thunder #1 2nd print & #2 - Solid open & kind of an Akira homage?

https://www.ecgce.com/products/blood-thunder-1-2nd-ptg-cvr-a-arthur-adams-tanya-lehoux-var-mr

https://www.ecgce.com/products/blood-thunder-2-cvr-a-ej-su-msassyk-mr

This series, finally got to read it, opened well and has TWO reprints for #1 which is rare to see. Also the #2 looks to maybe be an Akira Homage? Not personally my thing, but these ALWAYS seem to do well with collectors so it’s on the list!

DC x Sonic - Sonic as Batman

https://www.ecgce.com/products/dc-x-sonic-the-hedgehog-1-of-5-third-printing

Yep, grabbing some.

Trinity Daughter of Wonder Woman #1 - Tom King

https://www.ecgce.com/products/trinity-daughter-of-wonder-woman-1-of-6-cvr-a-belen-ortega

He did a one off last year I believe, and it was absolutely freaking lovely. This looks to be a new series in the same vein. If it is, this is not your in the face insanity, this is just Tom King proving he is absolutely superb at characters and narrative.

Godzilla vs. Thor #1 - These have all been auto buys for me.

https://www.ecgce.com/products/godzilla-vs-thor-1

These are all books I will automatically buy, pick your favorite covers and do the same!

Godzilla 70th Anniversary Foil - FOILLL

https://www.ecgce.com/products/godzilla-70th-anniversary-foil-classics-godzilla-the-half-century-war-1-cover-a-stokoe

Grabbing this because it’s lovely, and likely does well.

EC Blood Type #1 - EC is just good

https://www.ecgce.com/products/ec-blood-type-1-of-4-cvr-a-miguel-mercado

There are some insanely cool covers for this, as well as incentives. I am grabbing some, not a crazy spec rec, but more of a “this is just good shit”!

ElfQuest Book 3 - These WON’T Stay in Stock.

https://www.ecgce.com/products/elfquest-the-original-quest-book-3-wolf-blood-caged

Honestly, ANY time an elfquest book goes back to print I will recommend it 100%. They always go out of print and then become hot demand items. If anyone wants Vol 1-2 shoot me a DM.

Alien vs. Avengers #4 - sleeper

https://www.ecgce.com/products/aliens-vs-avengers-4

A lot of people gave up on this series due to the insane delays. I haven’t heard anything crazy yet about #4, but I am grabbing some now that it’s finally being released. 10 months for 4 issues is WILD, but it has been a good book with some pretty awesome reveals.

Fantastic Four Fanfare #2 - Baldari love

https://www.ecgce.com/products/fantastic-four-fanfare-2-nicoletta-baldari-4-part-connecting-variant

Not sure any big spec reveals in this, but this cover (all her covers) is amazing and I want.

Star Wars Doctor Aphra #1 - Star Wars

https://www.ecgce.com/products/star-wars-doctor-aphra-chaos-agent-1-karen-darboe-variant

Always willing to gamble on Star Wars and Aphra actually looks good.

TMNT Return to NY Library Ed - Another must have for me.

https://www.ecgce.com/products/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-vol-1-return-to-new-york-library-edition

I am gonna need new shelves soon, another must have.

They Choose Violence #1 - Hadn’t heard of this

https://www.ecgce.com/products/they-choose-violence-1-of-5-cvr-a-rahzzah-mr

Another #1 that I will be grabbing and giving a shot, not sure the spec value, thus it’s in honorable mentions as I think has potential to just be a good read.

Thundercats Powerpuff Girls - Ok Dynamite you got me

https://www.ecgce.com/products/thundercats-powerpuff-girls-1-cvr-a-ganucheau

Yep, they got me hook line and sinker.

BOOKS OF INTEREST

Absolute Wonder Woman Vol 1 - previously mentioned

https://www.ecgce.com/products/absolute-wonder-woman-hc-vol-01-the-last-amazon

https://www.ecgce.com/products/absolute-wonder-woman-tp-vol-01-the-last-amazon

WW has been amazing and this is a good way for anyone to get caught up!

Amazing Spider-Man #6 - This one has been weird

https://www.ecgce.com/products/amazing-spider-man-6

It’s been a fun series so far, but the whole relationship spin and “who’s dating who” talkin in spec circles is just so odd to me. I love learning about life outside the hero side, but it all feels a bit “plot device here” right now (for me at least). Added because it is, overall, a very good series so far!

Batman #9 Facsimile - Always

https://www.ecgce.com/products/batman-9-facsimile-edition-cvr-a-fred-ray

Always will be in the Books of Interest, these are always fun!

Fantastic Four #49 Facsimile - yep

https://www.ecgce.com/products/fantastic-four-49-facsimile-edition

No comment needed haha

Batman Madness - another awesome cover

https://www.ecgce.com/products/batman-madness-a-legends-of-the-dark-knight-halloween-special-facsimile-edition-1-cvr-a-tim-sale

Just another awesome facsimile for a great story.

DC vs. Vampires #10 - Cover love

https://www.ecgce.com/products/dc-vs-vampires-world-war-v-10-of-12-cvr-a-otto-schmidt

Purely an art buy on this one, the cover by Otto is lovely and I need it.