Card Collectors, Assemble!

ORIGIN:

Peter Parker, a teenage photographer, had his life irrevocably changed when a radioactive spider bit him. This chance encounter bestowed upon him extraordinary abilities, transforming him into Spider-Man. His newfound powers included enhanced strength and agility, enabling him to swing effortlessly through the cityscape. Within him, a mysterious ‘spider-sense’ emerged — an internal alarm system that tingled whenever danger was near. Despite these superhuman feats, Peter remained grounded in reality. He grappled with the same real-life issues as any teenager: the awkwardness of adolescence, the weight of financial burdens, and the struggle to balance heroics with homework. This relatability endears him to audiences and collectors worldwide.

On the silver screen, Spider-Man has been portrayed by talented actors: Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Tom Holland.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Spider-Man’s blend of relatability, enduring design, and constant reinvention has cemented him as the key figure in Marvel comic book and card collecting. He is simply – the most popular hero with the most cards, generating the strongest demand, forever etching his place as the undisputed champ of the Marvel-card universe.

ORIGIN:

Wolverine, also known as Logan, was born as James Howlett in 1832. He hails from Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada and is a mutant with extraordinary abilities. These include heightened animal-like senses, impressive physical strength, and powerful healing factor. His skeleton is reinforced with adamantium, an unbreakable metal, and he has three retractable claws in each hand. Wolverine is often depicted as a lone wolf due to his gruff and intense demeanor. His long life and extensive experiences have endowed him with remarkable knowledge, intuition and intelligence.

In the X-Men film series, and related films, Wolverine is portrayed by the renowned Australian actor Hugh Jackman.

COLLECTIBILITY:

With the release and success of the Deadpool & Wolverine film, Wolverine has recently closed the gap behind Spider-Man as the leader of the Marvel-card world. His position at number two is as solid as his adamantium skeleton.

ORIGIN:

Venom is not your typical superhero or supervillain. Instead, he is a symbiote, a shape-shifting alien entity that gains powers by attaching to a host, typically a human. The symbiote often refers to itself as ‘Venom’. It first attached itself to Peter Parker, but its most well-known host is controversial journalist Eddie Brock. Venom possesses all the powers of its original host, Spider-Man. In addition, it has superhuman strength, speed, and durability, a healing factor, shapeshifting abilities, camouflage, and the ability to generate webs.

In the Venom film series, Tom Hardy provided the voice for Venom and portrayed Eddie Brock.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Venom, one of the most significant and popular characters in the Marvel Universe, especially among those connected to Spider-Man, has a strong and growing collector base. Collectors are drawn to his cards for their striking artwork and distinctive style. The fact that Todd McFarlane was the first artist to bring Venom to life in the comic books adds an extra layer of intrigue to the character.

ORIGIN:

Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America, was transformed into America’s first Super-Soldier in the early 1940s through a covert U.S. Military experiment involving the Super Soldier serum. Towards the end of World War II, he was presumed dead following an explosion. However, decades later, he was discovered trapped in ice and subsequently revived in the modern world. As a prominent member of the Avengers, Captain America possesses abilities such as enhanced physical strength and speed, mastery in martial arts, heightened senses, and proficiency in wielding his shield. He is also multilingual.

In the MCU, the character of Steve Rogers is powerfully portrayed by Chris Evans.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Captain America embodies courage, integrity, and resilience, making him a beloved figure. Debuting in comics in 1941 and on trading cards in 1966, he has a storied past that spans decades, creating a deep well of nostalgia for fans and collectors. His distinctive shield is a standout visual element, often featured prominently on his cards.

ORIGIN:

Iron Man, the alter ego of billionaire industrialist Tony Stark, is a prominent figure in the world of technology and weaponry. Stark, known for his genius intellect and unwavering confidence, runs Stark Industries, a leading weapons manufacturer. As Iron Man, Stark dons an advanced armored suit equipped with hundreds of features. These include the ability to fly at supersonic speeds, deploy energy pulses to neutralize enemies, and a helmet that provides a full 360-degree vision along with real-time information about his surroundings and adversaries.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the character of Tony Stark is brilliantly cast and brought to life by Robert Downey Jr.

COLLECTIBILITY:

In the trading card world, Iron Man has seen a significant boost from the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starting with the 2008 Iron Man film. He has consistently maintained a top-five position for several years.

ORIGIN:

Dr. Bruce Banner, a socially withdrawn but renowned theoretical physicist, had his cells altered following a mishap during a live test of the U.S. Army’s experimental Gamma Bomb. The incident exposed him to a substantial dose of gamma rays. As a result, when Banner experiences extreme stress or anger, he undergoes a transformation into a savage humanoid known as The Hulk. The Hulk possesses exceptional physical strength, stamina, speed and leaping ability as well as regeneration. Furthermore, his almost limitless strength intensifies as his anger escalates.

Bodybuilder Lou Ferrigno portrayed the Hulk in the popular television series from 1979 to 1982. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the character of Bruce Banner was initially brought to the big screen by Eric Bana, and subsequently by Edward Norton and Mark Ruffalo.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Hulk’s collectability stems from several factors. First and foremost is his historic legacy, as he has consistently been a cornerstone of the Marvel Universe across various forms of media since 1962. Hulk continues to be a staple in collections due to his epic battles against other heroes and villains, as well as his powerful, dynamic imagery, which translates exceptionally well to the artwork on trading cards.

ORIGIN:

Gwen Stacey, also known as Spider-Gwen or Ghost-Spider, hails from Earth-65. She gained superhuman abilities like Peter Parker’s Spider-Man, such as precognitive ‘spider-sense’, strength, speed, and agility, after being bitten by a radioactive spider. Her unique personality, style, and costume design have endeared her to fans worldwide.

In the animated Spider-Verse films, her character was voiced by Hailee Steinfeld.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Spider-Gwen’s sleek, black suit (with a hood) and her confident, independent personality make her visually striking and highly appealing on trading cards. Her appearances in animated series and video games have further boosted her visibility and popularity. She perfectly exemplifies art-driven demand and seems poised for a long and bright future with collectors.

ORIGIN:

Deadpool, originally depicted as a disfigured supervillain, is the alter ego of Saskatchewan native Wade Wilson, who later evolved into an antihero. As a human mutate, Deadpool possesses superhuman abilities such as strength, speed, durability, agility, and regeneration. He is renowned for his eccentric humor and his unique tendencies to break the fourth wall. Deadpool has been affiliated with several superhero teams, including the X-Men, Avengers, and X-Force.

The character was brought to life on the silver screen by Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds, who served as the title actor, and contributed as a writer and producer.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Deadpool’s iconic costume, featuring a striking red and black color scheme, creates visually captivating card designs. His unique personality, antihero charm, and the success of the Deadpool movies have significantly boosted his popularity, driving up the demand for his trading cards.

ORIGIN:

Thor Odinson is an adaptation of the Norse god of the same name. As the son of Odin, Thor uses his powers as the God of Thunder to safeguard both his home realm of Asgard and his adopted home of Earth. His abilities include weather control and flight, the latter of which is enabled by his mighty hammer, Mjolnir, that also enhances his powers. His arch-nemesis is his adopted brother, Loki. Thor is a founding member of the superhero team, the Avengers.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor is portrayed by Chris Hemsworth.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Thor’s mystical origins, muscular build, flowing blonde hair, and iconic weapon create striking imagery, making him a powerful draw for collectors. He is also featured in the inaugural 1966 Marvel Super Heroes card set produced by Donruss.

ORIGIN:

Miles Morales, a Brooklyn, New York teenager from Earth-1610, acquired unique abilities after being bitten by a genetically-altered powerful spider from Oscorp. These abilities include bio-electric venom blasts and invisible camouflage, in addition to the standard (Peter Parker) spider-like skills such as web-slinging, super strength, agility, and spider-sense. Under Peter Parker’s mentorship, Morales refined these skills and emerged as the new Spider-Man, forging his own heroic path.

In the animated Spider-Verse films, Shameik Moore lent his voice to bring Morales’ character to life.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Known as Ultimate Spider-Man on early cards, Miles can be differentiated from Peter in costume by his more slender build and black-with-red suit with a stylized spider. The enormous success of the Spider-Verse comics and animated films have helped rocket Miles Morales to a Marvel Top 10 character in a short amount of time.

ORIGIN:

Black Panther, also known as T’Challa, is the king of the secretive African nation, Wakanda. Recognized as one of the world’s great intellects and leaders, T’Challa has guided Wakanda to become the most technologically advanced country on Earth. Utilizing Wakanda’s Vibranium technology and his own abilities (acute senses, strength, stamina, inventor, physicist, acrobat, martial artist and divine empowerment), Black Panther serves all of humankind and is a prominent member of the Avengers.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, T’Challa/Black Panther was portrayed by Chadwick Boseman from 2016 to 2019. Tragically, Boseman passed away in 2020.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Collectors love Black Panther for his cultural impact as one of the first prominent Black superheroes, exploring themes of heritage and social justice. His iconic costume design and the visually stunning world of Wakanda add to his appeal. The success of the Black Panther films has surged his popularity.

ORIGIN:

Matthew ‘Matt’ Murdock is a respected lawyer with a strong sense of justice. He secretly becomes the vigilante Daredevil at night. Hailing from Hell’s Kitchen, New York, Murdock suffered a childhood accident involving radioactive substances which took his sight but gave him superhuman abilities. These include exceptional agility, reflexes, stamina, and a unique radar sense that lets him perceive his surroundings differently. He’s also a master martial artist, making him a powerful force against crime.

Charlie Cox stars as Daredevil in the highly praised Daredevil television series, whereas Ben Affleck portrayed the character in the less well-received movie.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Collectors are drawn to Daredevil for his complex character, the gritty tone of his stories, his iconic villains (such as Kingpin), and his ability to overcome his disability. With the recent release of the highly anticipated series Daredevil: Born Again on March 4, 2025, on Disney+, there has been a renewed interest in the ‘Man Without Fear.’

ORIGIN:

Victor von Doom was born in the fictional country of Latveria. His mother, Cynthia, a witch, was killed by demonic forces, and his father, Werner, died protecting Victor from a vengeful ruler. Demonstrating prodigious intellect, Victor earned a scholarship to study in the United States, where he met Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four. A failed experiment left him facially scarred and expelled from school, leading him to blame Richards. After travelling the world, Victor encountered Tibetan monks who helped him create his iconic metal armor. He returned to Latveria, overthrew its ruler, and declared himself Doctor Doom. Combining intellect, sorcery, and political power, Doctor Doom is one of the most formidable villains in the Marvel Universe.

Julian McMahon (who sadly passed away of cancer in July of 2025) and Toby Kebbell portrayed Doctor Doom in the Fantastic Four films from 2005 to 2015. In the upcoming new Avengers movie, Avengers: Doomsday, Robert Downey Jr. takes on the role of Doctor Doom.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Doctor Doom stands as one of Marvel’s most iconic villains, making his cards and collectibles highly sought after. While his visual style has evolved over the years, the combination of his signature armor, green cloak, and intimidating presence remains consistent. On cards, collectors are particularly drawn to the green-on-green color matching. The release of the Avengers: Doomsday film is expected to significantly boost interest in Doom in the coming months.

ORIGIN:

Thanos was born on Saturn’s moon Titan to the Eternals Mentor and Sui-San. Unlike others of his kind, he had Deviant Syndrome, giving him his purple skin and massive build. Obsessed with death — both as a concept and the cosmic entity — he fell in love with Death herself. To impress her, he committed genocide across the universe. His quest for power led him to seek the Infinity Stones, hoping their power would win Death’s favor and let him reshape the universe to fit his vision of balance.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thanos was brought to life by Josh Brolin through motion capture and voice acting. He debuted in a post-credits scene in The Avengers (2012) and became the main antagonist in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Endgame (2019). Brolin’s performance portrayed the Mad Titan’s quest for the Infinity Stones to wipe out half of all life.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Thanos cards have surged in value and popularity, driven by his major role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His 1987 Marvel Universe II: Colossal Conflicts first appearance remains highly coveted, with top-graded copies (which are rare) fetching strong premiums. Modern cards — especially rare parallels, autographs, relics and sketch cards — are also in high demand. The character’s rise from the Avengers films has made nearly all Thanos cards much more collectible.

In 2021, Upper Deck created what can only be described as a thematic trading card masterpiece — the 2021 Marvel Black Diamond Infinity Stones Diamond Relics featuring Josh Brolin as Thanos with lab-created colorful diamonds representing the Infinity Stones (card pictured above, source: eBay). There are several versions of this card, and all are spectacular.

ORIGIN:

Black Widow, whose real name is Natalia Alianova Romanova, originally served as a Russian spy and is a human mutate. She was initially an antagonist to Iron Man. However, she later defected to the United States and became a member of S.H.I.E.L.D., eventually joining the Avengers. Her abilities include slowed aging and an enhanced immune system. She also possesses expert skills in marksmanship, martial arts, hand-to-hand combat, strategy, and espionage.

In the MCU, Black Widow has been portrayed by Scarlett Johansson since 2012.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Black Widow’s cards and collectibles are popular for many reason – her complex character (rich in espionage and mystery), her deadly skills and her deadly good looks, to name a few. Her prominent role in the MCU as the female lead of the Avengers, along with her 2021 solo film (simply called Black Widow), has steadily boosted her popularity among collectors over the past decade. Additionally, her cards often feature striking artwork and unique designs, making them visually appealing. Black Widow’s enduring popularity in both comics and movies ensures a steady demand for her cards for years to come.

ORIGIN:

Doctor Stephen Strange holds the title of Sorcerer Supreme in the Marvel Universe, a role that involves managing threats to the universe. His exceptional intelligence and mastery of the mystic arts underscore his skills and abilities. Originating from Philadelphia, PA and residing in New York, NY, Doctor Strange works closely with his trusted ally, Wong, and Wanda Maximoff, also known as The Scarlet Witch.

The talented Benedict Cumberbatch embodies the character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Doctor Strange’s unique powers, iconic visuals, rich history, and the success of his films have made him increasingly popular among card collectors. As a key figure in many significant Marvel storylines, his Cloak of Levitation and Eye of Agamotto, along with the stunning depictions of magic and mystical realms, create highly appealing card imagery.

ORIGIN:

Carnage was born from the Venom symbiote, but when it bonded with the serial killer Cletus Kasady, it created a being far more dangerous and violent than Venom. Carnage inherited abilities similar to Venom, such as superhuman strength, agility, and the power to shape-shift and form weapons. However, Carnage has an edge over Venom: he can block Spider-Man’s spider-sense, making him an even more lethal adversary.

In the film Venom, Woody Harrelson portrays Cletus Kasady. His character makes an appearance in the post-credits scene, paving the way for his prominent role in the sequel, Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Carnage stands as the second-most significant character linked to Spider-Man. Similar to Venom, collectors greatly appreciate the vibrant red artwork showcased on many of Carnage’s trading cards. His rapid rise to prominence among collectors is evidenced by his inclusion in the highly coveted 1994 Marvel Masterpieces Holofoil insert set, just two years after his debut in comic books.

ORIGIN:

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1961, the Fantastic Four came to be when scientist Reed Richards led Sue Storm, her brother Johnny, and their friend Ben Grimm on an experimental space flight. After being exposed to cosmic rays, they gained superpowers and became Mr. Fantastic, the Invisible Woman, the Human Torch, and the Thing. The team revolutionized comics by introducing flawed, relatable heroes who faced personal struggles and real-world challenges. Their stories launched the Marvel Age of comics and set the template for future heroes like Spider-Man and the X-Men. With a strong focus on science and exploration, the Fantastic Four captured the spirit of the 1960s Space Race. Iconic characters such as Dr. Doom, the Silver Surfer and Galactus also emerged from their universe.

Fans and collectors are eagerly awaiting Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps, set to hit theaters on July 25, 2025. The film stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and re-introduces the cosmic threat of Galactus as the central antagonist. Previous Fantastic Four films featured different casts: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, and Michael Chiklis in the 2005 and 2007 versions, Miles Teller, Kate Mara, Michael B. Jordan, and Jamie Bell in the 2015 reboot, and John Krasinski as Reed Richards (briefly) in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in 2022.

COLLECTIBILITY

​​​With four members, the Fantastic Four can be a challenging team to collect. Are cards featuring the entire group more desirable? Is Reed Richards the most collectible, or perhaps the Human Torch? Either way, to Marvel trading card collectors, the Fantastic Four are foundational characters — highly recognizable and deeply connected to key Marvel storylines and characters. Plus, their classic uniforms are undeniably stylish.

ORIGIN:

The Silver Surfer, a humanoid alien with metallic skin, navigates through space using his surfboard-like craft. He was originally Norrin Radd, a young astronomer from the planet Zenn-La. He saved his home world from Galactus, the planet devourer, by agreeing to serve as his herald. In return, Galactus instilled him with a portion of his Power Cosmic. This granted the Silver Surfer a new body, vast abilities, and a craft that could travel faster than light. His powers encompass superhuman strength, energy and matter manipulation, time travel, telepathy, invisibility, and cosmic senses.

In the film Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, Doug Jones portrayed the Silver Surfer, with Laurence Fishburne providing the voice. The 1998 animated series Silver Surfer, known for its depth and sophistication, remains underappreciated.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Overall, Silver Surfer’s cosmic adventures, meaningful story lines, sleek metallic design, rich history, and visually stunning appearance make him a popular choice among card collectors. The artwork on his cards often features breathtaking cosmic backgrounds and dynamic poses, elevating his “cool factor” to new heights.

ORIGIN:

Galactus was once Galan of Taa, a humanoid from the universe that existed before the current Marvel Universe. As his universe collapsed, he merged with the Sentience of the Universe, emerging in the new cosmos as Galactus — a cosmic being driven to consume planets to survive. Fans struggle to determine whether he is good or evil, but regardless of one’s conclusion, he represents a fundamental force of balance in the Marvel Universe.

The booming voices of actors James Blendick, Tony Jay, George Tekai and Laurence Fishburne (reportedly) have brought the menacing Galactus to life in television and film.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Galactus is highly collectible in the trading card market due to his iconic status as one of Marvel’s most recognizable cosmic villains. His cards consistently perform well across different sets, from his 1976 Topps debut to modern premium releases. His dramatic visual design and cosmic scale make him a favorite subject for special insert cards, parallels, and high-end chase cards, especially with the up-coming release of the Fantastic Four: First Steps.

ORIGIN:

Clint Barton, also known as Hawkeye, initially emerged as a supervillain before becoming a member of the Avengers. The Iowa native is renowned for his mastery of archery and expertise in combat, complemented by a robust moral compass. His arsenal of weapons includes high-tech equipment. He also shares a significant bond with Black Widow.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Jeremy Renner brings the character of Hawkeye to life.

COLLECTIBILITY:

Collectors are drawn to Hawkeye due to his compelling character development and significant story arcs throughout the Marvel universe. Jeremy Renner’s portrayal in MCU blockbusters and the Disney+ series has boosted the character’s popularity considerably. As a result, Hawkeye trading cards have become increasingly sought after, elevating his status among Marvel collectors.