The stories collectors need to know from this week, each with a quick read and a link to the source, plus the videos worth your time. Want the live version? Our Daily Feed updates all week.
Matt Howarth, Indie Comics Pioneer, Dead at 72
Matt Howarth, creator of Those Annoying Post Bros. and Savage Henry, died following complications from a triple bypass. His indie work shaped the underground comics scene for decades and influenced countless alternative cartoonists. Howarth's books remain underground classics with modest print runs, which means his original work and early collections hold real value for serious indie collectors. If you own early Post Bros. or Savage Henry issues, you're holding pieces of comics history that just became scarcer. Early runs in good condition will likely see sustained collector interest, especially first printings from small publishers.
Source: The Comics BeatWhat's worth money right now
Artist Frank Cho says Marvel Comics and Lucasfilm banned him and all his Star Wars sketch cover variants, citing his cartoons as the reason. This is a significant claim about publisher control over creator work and raises questions about what happens to sketch covers already in circulation. If the ban is real, Cho's existing Star Wars variant covers become scarcer going forward. Collectors holding Frank Cho Star Wars sketch covers may see them become more sought after if supply truly dries up. Watch for how retailers and the secondary market respond to this dispute.
Source: Bleeding CoolAlso worth knowing this week
Skydance Puts Marvel Veteran Josh Silverman in Charge of DC Comics
Marvel veteran Josh Silverman now oversees DC Comics publishing and consumer products divisions under Skydance's ownership. This is a structural shift that signals Skydance is tightening control of DC's direction. Collectors should watch for editorial changes, relaunch announcements, and potential line-wide decisions about printing, pricing, or reprint priorities. New leadership often means new strategies on reprints and collected editions, so current runs could see their fate decided in the coming months. Pay attention to what gets greenlit and what gets cancelled.
Source: The Comics BeatStan Lee Told Mark Millar: Own Your Work, Marvel Won't Pay You for Film Deals
Mark Millar recalls Stan Lee advising him to own his creative work rather than rely on Marvel to compensate him for film adaptations. This advice from Stan himself underscores a decades-old problem in comics: creators getting left behind when their work becomes valuable in other media. Millar took that advice seriously and built his own creator-owned catalog, which is why his Kingsman, Kick-Ass, and Wanted properties became major films with him in control. For collectors, this is a reminder that creator-owned books often retain value better than work-for-hire, and the resale market for independent titles tends to hold stronger than event-driven superhero runs.
Source: Bleeding CoolMarvel Dominated Store Shelves Last Week With Just Three Titles
Marvel captured massive comic store marketshare last week with only three releases, indicating a concentrated sales spike from select high-demand books. When Marvel can dominate shelf space with so few titles, it means those three books were hitting hard. This pattern shows collector demand is consolidating around fewer releases, which affects what back issues move and what sits. If you're looking to sell, this is a good week to push the books that outperformed. Secondary market prices typically rise during these high-performing weeks, so timing matters.
Source: Bleeding CoolPhiladelphia Exhibit Celebrates Birth of First Black Superhero and Comics History
The University of Pennsylvania is mounting a new exhibit on Philadelphia's role as birthplace of the first Black superhero and its broader comics history. This kind of institutional attention raises the profile of early Black comics creators and characters, which drives collector interest and academic research. Early books featuring pioneering Black characters and creators will likely see renewed attention from both mainstream collectors and academic audiences. If you own early appearances of Black superheroes or Golden Age books by Black creators, this is a good moment to understand their historical significance and value.
Source: PhillyVoiceWatch this week
A walkthrough of unexpected finds at New York Comic Con. Useful for seeing what's moving in the open market and what dealers are pricing at major events.
A collector haul breakdown from NYCC showing what's worth hunting for and real-world pricing at the biggest comic convention. Good for benchmarking what to expect to pay.
An analysis of Junji Ito's horror methods across his graphic novels. Helps collectors understand why his work holds value and what to look for in rare printings.
What it means for your collection
Matt Howarth's passing makes early indie runs scarcer and more sought after. Frank Cho's Marvel/Lucasfilm conflict could push his Star Wars variants higher. Keep tabs on DC's new leadership under Skydance for reprints and cancellations. Creator-owned books tend to hold value better than work-for-hire, so consider diversifying into independent titles if you haven't.
Frequently asked questions
Will Frank Cho Star Wars sketch covers go up in value because of the ban?
Possibly. If Lucasfilm actually stops approving new Cho variants, existing copies become scarcer. Secondary market pricing often rises when supply dries up, but it depends on collector demand and how widely the ban is enforced.
Should I buy early Matt Howarth comics now that he's passed away?
If you collect indie and alternative comics, his books are worth picking up. Early runs have modest print counts and will likely hold or appreciate as his legacy gets discussed. Focus on first editions and early pressings from small publishers.
What does Stan Lee's advice about owning your work mean for my collection?
It means creator-owned comics tend to hold value better over time because the creator controls the property and can build on it. Work-for-hire books spike when the character is in a movie or event, then cool off. Build around creator-owned titles for stability.