Why Is Absolute Batman #20 Selling for More Because It’s Damaged?! Plus X-Force #116’s Wild Reset

This week on Bronze and Modern Gods, a classic John Byrne Doctor Doom cover is starting to move.Our Hot Book of the Week is FANTASTIC FOUR #258 from 1983, featuring one of Byrne’s most memorable Doctor Doom covers. Raw copies are now selling for as much as $18, but is this the beginning of a bigger move or just a temporary bump?For the 25 Year Rule, we revisit WOLVERINE: THE ORIGIN #1 from 2001, the series that finally revealed the mysterious past Marvel had protected for decades. We look back at why the story was such a major event, how it changed Wolverine forever, and why raw copies can still be found for around $6.Our Underrated Books of the Week include:TALES OF SUSPENSE #59, featuring the beginning of Captain America’s Silver Age solo feature, the start of the Iron Man and Captain America split-book format, and the first appearance of Edwin Jarvis.THE MAZE AGENCY #1, an affordable early Adam Hughes comic featuring full sequential artwork years before he became one of the industry’s most sought-after cover artists.Plus, Viewer Mail, a little Show & Tell, new Member shoutouts, and our Soundtrack of the Week.Become a Member for $2.99/month and get:• Members-only live streams• Bonus Show & Tell episodes• On-screen shoutoutsJOIN → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkHTY1eNYHr9JoTndx_m6kA/join📬 VIEWER MAILSend questions to:[email protected]

This week on Bronze and Modern Gods, Gold Key Comics are suddenly back on collectors’ radar.Our Hot Book of the Week is DOCTOR SOLAR, MAN OF THE ATOM #1 from Gold Key Comics, as recent sales jump following speculation that Robert Kirkman and Skybound Entertainment may be bringing classic Gold Key properties like Doctor Solar, Magnus Robot Fighter, and Turok back into the spotlight.Then, for the Old Fart Rule, we dig into BATMAN #400 from 1986, a massive anniversary issue with a painted Bill Sienkiewicz cover, a Stephen King introduction, and one of the wildest Batman creator lineups of the decade, including George Pérez, John Byrne, Arthur Adams, Joe Kubert, Brian Bolland, Bernie Wrightson, Steve Rude, Michael Kaluta, and more.Plus, we’ve got a little Show & Tell, Viewer Mail, and two Underrated Books of the Week:NEXUS #1 from Capital Comics, the indie sci-fi superhero landmark by Mike Baron and Steve Rude.SKULL THE SLAYER #1 from Marvel, a Bronze Age oddity with Vietnam, dinosaurs, time travel, aliens, and a power belt.If you enjoy the show, become a channel Member for $2.99 a month. Members get weekly members-only livestreams, extended Show & Tell, early access when available, and shoutouts in future videos.Join here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkHTY1eNYHr9JoTndx_m6kA/joinDrop a comment and let us know: are Gold Key characters actually back, or is this just another short-term spec bump?Become a Member for $2.99/month and get:• Members-only live streams• Bonus Show & Tell episodes• On-screen shoutoutsJOIN → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkHTY1eNYHr9JoTndx_m6kA/join📬 VIEWER MAILSend questions to:[email protected]

Captain America has carried Marvel’s ideals for decades… but even the Sentinel of Liberty has had a few storylines where the shield couldn’t save the script.In this episode of Bronze and Modern Gods, we count down the Top 5 Worst Captain America Stories of All Time - the bizarre detours, the misfires, and the infamous arcs that made fans collectively say, “Wait… they did WHAT?” No spoilers in this description - just know this list includes choices that will spark debate, plus a couple Honorable Mentions that nearly made the cut.Also: Channel Members got this video early. If you want early access to episodes, weekly members-only livestreams, extended Show & Tell, and member shoutouts, hit the JOIN button next to Subscribe or join here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkHTY1eNYHr9JoTndx_m6kA/joinNow the important part: what’s YOUR pick for the worst Cap story ever? Drop it in the comments — and brace yourself for the countdown.Become a Member for $2.99/month and get:• Members-only live streams• Bonus Show & Tell episodes• On-screen shoutoutsJOIN → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkHTY1eNYHr9JoTndx_m6kA/join📬 VIEWER MAILSend questions to:[email protected]

Captain America has starred in some of the most powerful, influential stories in comic book history — stories that defined what a hero is, pushed the medium forward, and shaped pop culture for decades.In this episode of Bronze and Modern Gods, we count down the Top 5 Greatest Captain America Stories of All Time, with a few Honorable Mentions along the way. No spoilers here — just know this list spans multiple eras and includes the kind of defining runs that every Cap fan should experience at least once.Also: Channel Members got this episode early. If you want early access to videos, plus weekly members-only livestreams, extended Show & Tell, and shoutouts, hit the JOIN button next to Subscribe or join here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkHTY1eNYHr9JoTndx_m6kA/joinDrop your pick for the greatest Captain America story ever in the comments — and tell us what you think should have made the list.

This week on Bronze and Modern Gods, we’re covering a major piece of industry news and a wild new DC launch — plus some deep-cut collector picks.Breaking News: Torpedo Comics is closing, and we talk through what that means for collectors, retailers, and the shifting realities of the direct market - https://www.instagram.com/p/DYsHtJURoBa/Hot Book of the Week: Absolute Green Arrow #1 (DC, 2026) — the premiere issue that reimagines Green Arrow as a serial killer targeting billionaires, and also introduces Black Canary into the Absolute Universe. It’s still at cover price for now, but we’re watching where this goes.Old Fart Rule: Justice #1 (Marvel, 1986) — a strange, debated entry in Marvel’s New Universe experiment, with Archie Goodwin on the first issue and a premise that didn’t quite match the line’s “world outside your window” pitch.Underrated Books of the Week:Swords of Cerebus #1 (Aardvark-Vanaheim, 1981) — an early experiment in collected editions that helped pave the way for the graphic novel boom.Frankenstein #1 (Marvel, 1973) — a Mike Ploog horror standout, adapted from Mary Shelley, with raw copies still approachable while top-grade slabs can climb into serious money.Plus viewer mail, Show & Tell, and new member shoutouts.Become a Member for $2.99/month and get:• Members-only live streams• Bonus Show & Tell episodes• On-screen shoutoutsJOIN → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkHTY1eNYHr9JoTndx_m6kA/join📬 VIEWER MAILSend questions to:[email protected]

This week on Bronze and Modern Gods, we’re tracking a strange new collector reality: condition problems are creating “accidental scarcity” in real time.Hot Book of the Week:Absolute Batman #20 is moving for a completely different reason than usual. Widespread printer-related cover damage has made true Near Mint copies of Cover A harder to find, and those clean copies are already selling at a premium on the secondary market.25 Year Rule:X-Force #116 — the Milligan/Allred reset that effectively launches the X-Statix era and marks a major moment in Marvel’s move away from the Comics Code. We also get into why the run’s “mutants as celebrity content” concept feels even more relevant now, and the later Princess Diana controversy that Marvel ultimately abandoned.Underrated Books of the Week:Nowhere Men #1 (Image, 2012) — “science is the new rock ’n’ roll,” a stylish, experimental book with a legendary reputation.Weird War Tales #1 (DC, 1971) — a war-horror genre-bender with an iconic Joe Kubert cover and a market spread that’s entirely about grade.Plus: Show & Tell, new member shoutouts, and viewer mail.Become a Member for $2.99/month and get:• Members-only live streams• Bonus Show & Tell episodes• On-screen shoutoutsJOIN → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkHTY1eNYHr9JoTndx_m6kA/join📬 VIEWER MAILSend questions to:[email protected]

This week on Bronze and Modern Gods, Free Comic Book Day turns into a real collector debate.Hot Book of the Week: Dungeon Crawler Carl #0 - a FCBD giveaway that’s already flipping online, with some fans upset that certain retailers were charging for a “free” book. We also talk about the animated adaptation in the works from Seth MacFarlane for Peacock, and the surprising crossover collectible angle with the Absolute Batman exclusive variant tied to the one-shot.Old Fart Rule: American Flagg! #1 (First Comics, 1986) - Howard Chaykin’s indie dystopia that nailed media saturation, corporate control, and celebrity culture before those themes became mainstream comics staples.Underrated Books of the Week:D.R. & Quinch (2000 AD) - early Alan Moore chaos with art by Alan Davis, a cult classic that’s still affordable.Marvel Spotlight #1 (1971) - Marvel’s tryout series debut and a fascinating early-’70s experiment that remains approachable in raw, with wild high-grade upside.Plus: Show & Tell, new member shoutouts, and viewer mail.Become a Member for $2.99/month and get:• Members-only live streams• Bonus Show & Tell episodes• On-screen shoutoutsJOIN → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkHTY1eNYHr9JoTndx_m6kA/join📬 VIEWER MAILSend questions to:[email protected]

This week on Bronze and Modern Gods, we’ve got a mix of modern market movement, deep collector history, and two underrated books that deserve a second look.Hot Book of the Week: We’re talking about a true Golden Age grail that’s seeing a major surge in activity after big adaptation news hit, including a recent high-grade sale that shows just how serious the top end of this market can get.25 Year Rule: Green Arrow #1 (2001) — the start of “Quiver,” and one of the most memorable early-2000s moments where a celebrity filmmaker writing a mainstream DC title felt like a big pop-culture event. We break down why it mattered, how it went to four printings, and what the market looks like now.Underrated Books of the Week:A modern Image superhero team book that reads like a prestige TV pitch and is cheap enough to grab right now.An overlooked DC giant with a Neal Adams cover that’s tougher than it looks in higher grade.Plus: Viewer mail, Show & Tell, and the usual collector talk along the way.#comicbooks #bronzeagecomics #archiecomics #planetary #marvelcomics #comiccollecting #comicspeculation #bronzeandmoderngodsBecome a Member for $2.99/month and get:• Members-only live streams• Bonus Show & Tell episodes• On-screen shoutoutsJOIN → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkHTY1eNYHr9JoTndx_m6kA/join📬 VIEWER MAILSend questions to:[email protected]

This week, we’re hitting two very different corners of comics history that both left a permanent mark.Old Fart Rule: Daredevil #227 (1986) — the opening chapter of Born Again. We break down why this issue is one of the most influential “broken hero” stories ever published, how it elevated Kingpin into a next-level threat, and what the current market looks like for raw copies and high-grade slabs.Underrated Book of the Week: CRAZY Magazine #1 (1973) — Marvel’s MAD-style satire magazine that served as a surprisingly stacked time capsule of creators and the company’s own sense of humor. We also talk about CRAZY’s wildest legacy moments, including the infamous “Kaspar the Dead Baby” strip, plus later staples like Obnoxio the Clown and Chester Weems, the Teen Hulk.Plus the usual Show & Tell and viewer mail.If you’re into comics history, market reality checks, and deep-cut books that don’t get enough love, this episode’s for you.Plus a little Show & Tell and Viewer mail!#comicbooks #bronzeagecomics #archiecomics #planetary #marvelcomics #comiccollecting #comicspeculation #bronzeandmoderngodsBecome a Member for $2.99/month and get:• Members-only live streams• Bonus Show & Tell episodes• On-screen shoutoutsJOIN → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkHTY1eNYHr9JoTndx_m6kA/join📬 VIEWER MAILSend questions to:[email protected]

This week on Bronze and Modern Gods, we break down a huge move for X-MEN #94, which saw a 200% jump in copies sold after comments that the upcoming X-Men reboot will draw heavily from Chris Claremont’s run. We talk why this book matters, recent CGC sales, and whether raw copies are still hiding out there.In our 25 Year Rule segment, we spotlight VERONICA #111 from 2001, featuring the unforgettable “Here Comes Powerteen!” story, where Veronica turns herself into a superhero brand and accidentally stops a real crook.We also dig into this week’s Underrated Books of the Week, with PLANETARY #1 and GIANT-SIZE SUPER-VILLAIN TEAM-UP #1, two very different books that both deserve more attention from collectors.Plus:A Little Show & Tell and Viewer mail#xmen94 #comicbooks #bronzeagecomics #archiecomics #planetary #marvelcomics #comiccollecting #comicspeculation #bronzeandmoderngodsBecome a Member for $2.99/month and get:• Members-only live streams• Bonus Show & Tell episodes• On-screen shoutoutsJOIN → https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkHTY1eNYHr9JoTndx_m6kA/join📬 VIEWER MAILSend questions to:[email protected]