Comic Book Stock Report (2025)

One of my favorite websites, Cageside Seats, does a weekly stock report on wrestlers and their trajectory in the company. I thought it would be fun to apply this to the comic book industry. This week will focus on characters whose stock is on the rise.

DC-Black Lightning

2018 and 2019 have been great years for Jefferson Pearce. The tide really turned for the character with his provocative show on the CW, which premiered on the heels of Black Panther and Luke Cage. The series, which boosts a 94% score on rotten tomatoes, focuses on Jefferson’s professional, vigilante and family life. Like Luke Cage and Black Panther, the show tackles social justice issues affecting the black community and our world today; creating a conversation that goes beyond comic books.

On the show, Jefferson is a respected leader in his community and DC is adapting that trait in the comics. In Detective Comics # 983-987, Batman sought out Black Lightning to lead his new Outsiders team.Batman and the Outsiders was released on May 2019 and DC seems to be putting a lot of focus on Jefferson’s character and his ability (or willingness) to lead the team.

Jefferson also has a feature role on the DC Universe’s YJ: Outsiders. The 2nd half of YJ: Outsiders will premier in June 2019. Season 3 of Black Lightning will air in the fall of 2019.

DC-Red Hood

Big things are on the horizon for Jason Todd. DC is rolling out a 6-issue mystery thriller in June called Leviathan. Based on promotional advertising, Jason is the prime suspect. Jason will also have a role in DC’s Year of the Villain event. On episode 175 of DC Daily, Dan Didio said they were highlighting villains who they felt deserved that level of priority. Regardless if Jason is working from within to destroy Lex’s operation or he’s truly helping Lex, it’s promising that DC sees him as a priority character.

Red Hood will also be featured alongside Batman and Batgirl in the Three Jokers miniseries. It has been said that this book will be the quintessential Red Hood story.

Jason’s profile is also expanding outside of comics, exposing him to more casual fans. Jason first hit the small screen in the 2010 hit Batman: Under The Red Hood. It would take 6 years for him to have a small cameo in another film. 2018 seems to be a turning point for Jason as he had appearances in Gotham by Gaslight, Batman Ninja and the live-action show Titans. Jason will be returning to Titans in 2019 as a series regular. Jason was also revealed to be alive on YJ: Outsiders, so we may possibly see more of Jason on that show as well.

Jason will be making his first Lego movie debut in Batman: Family Matters.

Marvel-Spider Man: Miles Morales

This has truly been a MILEStone year for Miles Morales. Miles made his movie debut in December 2018 as the titular character in Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse. The movie was critically acclaimed and toots a 97% score on rotten tomatoes. The movie won Best Animated Film at the Golden Globes, The Critics Choice Awards and the Oscars. A sequel and spin-offs are being planned.

Riding off of this momentum, Miles has taken a more prominent role in the Marvel Universe. He was originally introduced in the Ultimate Universe, however with his newfound popularity, he is now in Marvel’s main 616 Universe. In December 2018, Miles received a new solo title with issue # 1 selling 57,491 copies. Subsequent issues 2-4 are averaging over 33k units sold to comic book stores.

Miles was also the lead character in the highly successful Spider-Geddon event and will receive a miniseries in Marvel’s upcoming Absolute Carnage event. This is a huge accomplishment considering he was a background player during the Spider-Verse comic book event.

Miles’ is swinging his way to the top. Don’t be surprised if he shows up in the MCU one day. It was confirmed in Spider-Man Homecoming that he is in that Universe. Only time will tell.

Marvel-Captain Marvel

When Thor could no longer wield Mjolnir, Tony was in a coma, and Steve was possessed by Kobik; Carol was there. Carol has been a consistent presence in Marvel for years and an essential part of the Avengers. Even though she has consistently been present in comics, becoming the first woman to have a solo film in the MCU has taken her character to the next level. Due to some smart strategic placement, Captain Marvel earned an astounding $1.127 billion dollars at the box off, making it one of the most financially successful movies in history. Carol has become a symbol of women’s empowerment and will be getting a sequel to her self-titled filmed. Riding off of the momentum of Captain Marvel, Carol received a new comic with # 1 selling 111,391 copies.

Captain Marvel is also featured on the animated series Marvel Rising.