Each month, this screen hunts for books whose last four eBay sold-price reads stepped higher in sequence—the kind of short-window momentum that doesn’t show up in guide averages and can precede a broader move. These are non-key issues with fresh, real-market action, not projections. A streak of four is an early tell, not proof of a long trend, so treat these as informed feelers where the tea leaves (and the data) say, “something’s happening.”
Batman (1940) No. 247 — DC Comics
Writer: Dennis 'Denny' O'Neil | Penciller: Irving "Irv" Novick
Four-read climb: $5 → $10 → $15 → $35 across four reads, +600% (May 15, 2026 → June 25, 2026 → August 14, 2026 → October 29, 2026)
Why it might still be early: Bronze Age Batman from the O’Neil/Novick period has the right mix of mood and craft that many run-builders eventually circle back to, and this one’s most recent read is still a modest $35. The jump came after three low, orderly steps—a classic pattern where a small base gets reset by a sharper fourth sale.
Watch for: Presentable mid-grade copies with strong eye appeal; this price level can be grade-agnostic, but centering and color-breaking spine ticks still separate standouts. Also watch for a cooling-off print after that $35 spike; a four-sale streak is thin and can whipsaw.
Daredevil (1964) No. 56 — Marvel
Writer: Roy Thomas | Penciller: Gene Colan
Four-read climb: $10 → $45 → $50 → $65 across four reads, +550% (July 2, 2026 → September 11, 2026 → October 9, 2026 → October 29, 2026)
Why it might still be early: Gene Colan’s moody, kinetic take on Daredevil continues to age well, and late Silver/early Bronze runs like this September 1969 issue often wake up as collectors prioritize art-forward runs. With the most recent sale at $65, momentum exists without pushing into rarified air.
Watch for: Copies with tight staples and strong reds on the front cover—colors from this period can look washed if stored poorly. The second and third reads stair-stepped nicely; if the next datapoint slips under $65, reassess quickly.
The X-Men (1963) No. 67 — Marvel
Writer: Jack Kirby | Penciller: Jack Kirby
Four-read climb: $50 → $150 → $170 → $205 across four reads, +310% (July 31, 2026 → August 28, 2026 → September 20, 2026 → October 22, 2026)
Why it might still be early: Even outside the marquee numbers, Kirby-era X-Men material remains a magnet for run collectors, and December 1970 sits in that interesting pocket many skip—until they don’t. Crossing the $200 mark puts it on radars, but this is still well under blue-chip X-Men territory, leaving room for selective strength.
Watch for: Solid gloss and clean whites on the logo box; this period shows handling wear fast. Because three of the four reads moved briskly, a consolidation wouldn’t surprise—use any drift as a chance to target the best-looking copy you can find at the price.
The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) No. 400 — Marvel
Writer: J M DeMatteis | Penciller: Mark Bagley
Four-read climb: $10 → $20 → $30 → $45 across four reads, +350% (April 30, 2026 → July 17, 2026 → July 24, 2026 → October 2, 2026)
Why it might still be early: Milestone-number Spidey issues from the 1990s are finding a second wind as readers who grew up with Bagley’s linework return to build nostalgia runs. At a current $45, this is a reachable entry with a recognizable cover era and a visible staircase of demand rather than a single outlier.
Watch for: Surface scuffing and edge wear common to glossy 1990s production; small defects show more on darker inks. If another sale lands above $45, expect quick list-side repricing; if it undercuts, that’s your tell to be patient.
Conan The Barbarian (1970) No. 2 — Marvel
Writer: Roy Thomas | Penciller: Barry Windsor-Smith
Four-read climb: $40 → $55 → $65 → $120 across four reads, +200% (July 31, 2026 → August 21, 2026 → August 28, 2026 → October 2, 2026)
Why it might still be early: Early Barry Windsor-Smith on this December 1970 issue gives it art-driven appeal as collectors chase the formative stages of a distinctive style. The most recent read at $120 is a statement move from earlier levels, yet still lives below the hobby’s headliners—run momentum can carry adjacent numbers when interest rises.
Watch for: Strong color saturation in the background fields and minimal spine stress; Conan’s early issues reward copies with crisp registration. After a big jump to $120, the next sale is crucial—one more higher print would confirm a true step-up rather than a single enthusiastic hammer.
How To Use This List
This screen isolates a simple signal: four consecutive eBay sold-price reads that climb, with the latest print serving as the current market price. That’s momentum, not destiny. A thin sequence can reverse on the very next sale, and condition, timing, and seller presentation all matter. Use these entries as a scouting report: know the creators, learn the tells for strong copies in each era, and decide in advance what price you’re willing to pay before momentum tempts you higher. If you buy, favor eye appeal and completeness; if you pass, keep the dates and levels in mind and let the market bring the next read to you. As always, speculate only with money you can afford to have tied up, and be comfortable changing your mind when the next datapoint disagrees with the last four.