CGC Comics Hot List – September 2026

Posted on 8/31/2026

Big first appearances, iconic stories, and a little Hollywood buzz put these comics in the spotlight this month.

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.

Some comics are hot because they’re historic. Others get a jolt of new life when Hollywood comes calling. This month’s lineup has both, from a legendary story that changed the way superheroes' tales could be told to long-sought first appearances and early keys connected to characters heading toward major screen debuts. Whether you’re chasing landmark issues or simply looking for a great piece of comic book history, these are some of the hottest books that collectors are after this month.

X-Men Annual #14 (1990)


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Released in 1990, X-Men Annual #14 features a story by Chris Claremont and artwork by Art Adams. Notably, the issue contains Gambit’s first published appearance, although it is traditionally classified as a cameo, with Uncanny X-Men #266 generally recognized as his first full appearance. The distinction is debated because Gambit appears in multiple panels across the Annual rather than simply popping up in a single background shot, leading some collectors and experts to argue that X-Men Annual #14 deserves more recognition as a full appearance. Either way, Gambit became one of the breakout X-Men characters of the 1990s, and thanks to his role in the most recent season of X-Men '97, his early issues are hotter than a Cajun summer.

Batman: The Killing Joke #nn (1988)


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Alan Moore and Brian Bolland’s Batman: The Killing Joke is one of the most celebrated and controversial Batman stories ever published. Originally released in 1988, the graphic novel explores the psychological relationship between Batman and the Joker as the Clown Prince of Crime attempts to prove that one horrific experience can drive an ordinary person insane. Its popularity comes from Moore’s sophisticated examination of the Batman-Joker dynamic, Bolland’s extraordinarily detailed artwork, and the story’s lasting impact on the Batman mythos, particularly the shooting and paralysis of Barbara Gordon.

Marvel Spotlight #5 (1972)


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Marvel Spotlight #5 introduced Johnny Blaze as Ghost Rider, creating one of Marvel's most visually distinctive characters. The issue presents Blaze as a motorcycle stunt rider who becomes the supernatural Spirit of Vengeance after making a disastrous bargain with the demon Mephisto. Its popularity has only grown as Ghost Rider has moved from a cult favorite to one of Marvel’s most recognizable supernatural characters. At this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Studios announced that Ghost Rider will debut in the MCU starring Ryan Gosling.

Nova #1 (1976)


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In Nova #1, writer Marv Wolfman and artist John Buscema introduced Richard Rider, the teenager who becomes the cosmic hero Nova, as well as establishing the Nova mythology that would eventually become an important part of Marvel’s cosmic universe. The book has gained additional collector interest because Nova has become increasingly important to Marvel’s cosmic storytelling, particularly following the introduction of the Nova Corps in the Guardians of the Galaxy films, and Marvel reportedly has a Nova project in development. If Richard Rider eventually makes his live-action debut, Nova #1 could become an even more prominent Bronze Age key.

Justice League of America #141 (1977)


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Justice League of America #141, published in 1977, is an important Green Lantern-related key because it reveals the origins of the Manhunters, the ancient robotic law enforcers who preceded the Green Lantern Corps. The story involves the Guardians revealing the Manhunters’ history to Superman and Batman while establishing their connection to the origins of the Green Lantern mythology. The issue has taken on added significance with the launch of HBO’s Lanterns, which brings Hal Jordan and John Stewart into the DC Universe and features the Manhunters as central antagonists. That makes JLA #141 an especially intriguing speculative key for hunters this month.

Previous Hottest Comics of the Month:

About CGC

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CGC is part of the Certified Collectibles Group, a global provider of expert and impartial authentication and grading services for collectibles. Since 1987, the Certified Collectibles Group companies have certified more than 110 million collectibles, including coins, banknotes, comic books, cards, autographs, and stamps.

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