CGC Comics Hot List – November 2025

In this monthly series, CGC delves into the dynamic world of comic book collecting, focusing on the hottest titles influencing the current market. Utilizing comprehensive insights from CGC submission data, we explore significant first appearances, rare variant covers and milestone issues.

This month’s spotlight falls on a group of comics where Todd McFarlane’s signature style dominates every page. Early Marvel work shows a new energy and sculpted detail that made the heroes leap off the page, while his darker, shadow-soaked interpretations brought a cinematic edge to Gotham. From web-slinging acrobatics to brooding figures in the night, these issues hold a key place in any collection, showcasing McFarlane’s rise and the era he helped shape.

Amazing Spider-Man #300 (1988)

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This issue is legendary for introducing Venom, instantly making it a must-have for collectors. The dynamic poses, detailed webbing and explosive composition set a new standard for superhero art at the time. Its value has only grown over the decades, with high-grade copies fetching serious prices because this issue represents a pivotal moment in Marvel history and the start of McFarlane’s rise as an artist whose style drives collector interest.

Incredible Hulk #340 (1988)

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McFarlane’s work on this issue turns the Hulk into a living force of nature, and the cover alone has become a collector’s icon with its dramatic composition and intense detail. Inside, the Hulk’s ferocious battle with Wolverine is rendered with a raw energy that still leaps off the page, making it one of the most talked-about confrontations of the era. Collectors chase this issue not just for the fight but for McFarlane’s early style, which set a new standard for superhero art and continues to drive its value today.

Batman #423 (1988)

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The moody, shadow-heavy Gotham on this cover marks a turning point for McFarlane’s career, showing a cinematic approach that brought Batman to life in a fresh way. Fans and collectors are drawn to the tension and depth in every panel, and the issue’s scarcity in high-grade form has cemented it as a must-have for anyone following McFarlane’s transition from Marvel to his own universe.

Amazing Spider-Man #316 (1989)

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This issue is unforgettable for the first cover appearance of Venom, crouched in an iconic pose atop Spider-Man. McFarlane’s attention to detail makes the cover a standout moment that collectors still covet. Inside, the art carries that same energy, showing why his Spider-Man run remains a benchmark for dynamic composition and why this issue commands attention in any collection focused on artist-driven highlights.

Spawn #1 (1992)

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This comic launched McFarlane’s creator-owned empire and set a new standard for independent comics. The cover alone announces Spawn’s dark, gothic world, and the interior art reinforces the energy and detail that defined the ’90s. Graded copies are some of the most coveted of the era, making it a cornerstone for collectors drawn to McFarlane’s vision and the era he helped shape.

Previous Hottest Comics of the Month:

• October 2025
• September 2025
• August 2025
• July 2025
• June 2025
• May 2025
• April 2025
• March 2025
• February 2025
• January 2025
• December 2024
• November 2024

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