Age of Ultron is one of the most polarizing Marvel events of the 2010s. Published from March to June 2013, written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Bryan Hitch (and multiple other artists on the tie-ins), this ten-issue event got a mixed critical reception at release. But two years later, the release of Avengers: Age of Ultron changed everything for collectors.
Age of Ultron is one of the most polarizing Marvel events of the 2010s. Published from March to June 2013, written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Bryan Hitch and multiple other artists on the tie-ins, this ten-issue event took a lukewarm critical reception at release. But two years later, the release of Avengers: Age of Ultron changed everything for collectors.
The paradoxical result: issues that sat at a $5 cover price in 2013 quadrupled or even quintupled in value within weeks in 2015. And some tie-ins, almost forgotten on release, became sought-after key issues for reasons completely unrelated to the event itself. This guide breaks down what's actually worth something in the Age of Ultron ecosystem in 2026.
The Age of Ultron 2013 event: context and significance
Age of Ultron arrives at a pivotal moment for Marvel. The film studio is surging — Iron Man 3 released in May 2013, Thor: The Dark World that November — and Marvel Comics is trying to align its publishing with public enthusiasm for the cinematic universe. Age of Ultron, despite its narrative flaws, has the merit of presenting an Ultron in full apocalyptic terror: an artificial intelligence that has conquered the planet and reduced the Avengers to a handful of survivors in a devastated New York.
The event's structure is ambitious but uneven. The ten main issues alternate between scenes in the post-apocalyptic future and attempts to time-travel to prevent the catastrophe. That time travel tears a rift in Marvel reality — literally — and justifies the existence of most of the tie-ins.
For collectors, Age of Ultron's interest is twofold: first, the main event contains key issues that appreciated with the film; second, the tie-ins produced major first appearances with nothing to do with Ultron but which used the event's infrastructure to exist.
The main series: 10 issues, uneven but essential
Age of Ultron #1, the shock opening issue
The first issue plunges the reader directly into a ruined New York dominated by Ultron and his Sentinels. Bryan Hitch's staging is spectacular and the post-apocalyptic atmosphere is gripping. It's the most sought-after issue of the series, with multiple variants including a heavily demanded Bryan Hitch cover.
In CGC 9.8, Age of Ultron #1 trades between $70 and $115 depending on the variant. The "Blank" variant and sketch variants fall in the $45 to $90 range. Raw Near Mint copies of the regular issue run around $18-28. Values peaked when the film released in 2015 and have since stabilized at a high but reasonable level.
Age of Ultron #2 and #3, the dystopian atmosphere
These issues develop the Avengers' resistance in the devastated New York and introduce the heroes' survival mechanisms under Ultron's domination. Less sought-after than #1 but together with it form a strong atmospheric triptych. Raw copies trade easily between $6 and $18.
Age of Ultron #6, the temporal pivot
This issue marks the event's turning point: Wolverine and Sue Storm travel back to Hank Pym's youth to decide whether to eliminate Ultron's creator before he makes his monster. It's the most controversial issue in the series — many readers found that narrative choice too radical — but also one of the most important for understanding the event's consequences. Raw NM runs between $9 and $18.
Age of Ultron #10, the crucial issue for collectors
By far the most important issue of the series from a collectible standpoint. Age of Ultron #10 contains the first appearance of Angela in the Marvel universe. Angela is a character Neil Gaiman created for Spawn (Image Comics) that Marvel acquired after a complex legal agreement. Her arrival in Marvel continuity — through the temporal rift created by the event's time travel — is a historic moment.
In CGC 9.8, Age of Ultron #10 trades between $90 and $170, with fluctuations tied to MCU announcements. The "10AI" variant (issue with Hickman, Fraction and other writers contributing to the conclusion) is also sought-after. Not an issue any serious 2013-era Marvel collector can afford to overlook.
Don't confuse them: Age of Ultron #10 and Age of Ultron #10AI are two different issues. The regular #10 contains Angela's first appearance. The #10AI is an epilogue issue developing the event's consequences. Both have value, but the regular #10 is the more important one.
The tie-ins that are actually worth something
Age of Ultron generated about twenty tie-ins, most of them forgettable transitional issues. But a few deserve particular attention.
Hunger #1 (2013), the first Galactus in the Ultimate universe
By far the most important tie-in. Hunger #1 depicts Galactus invading the Ultimate universe, made possible by the temporal rift opened during Age of Ultron. It's the first appearance of Earth-616 Galactus in the Ultimate universe (Earth-1610), a historic crossover between Marvel's two main universes.
This issue carries dual key issue status: important for Age of Ultron collectors but also for Ultimate universe collectors, who see here the beginning of the end for Earth-1610. It led directly to the Cataclysm: The Ultimates' Last Stand crossover that ended the Ultimate era. In CGC 9.8, Hunger #1 trades between $55 and $100, with values trending up steadily.
Age of Ultron vs. Marvel Zombies #1 (2015, Secret Wars), watch out for the confusion
This title isn't a tie-in to the 2013 event but a Secret Wars 2015 tie-in that revisits the Age of Ultron theme. It doesn't carry the same status as the original 2013 tie-ins but can create search confusion. Its collectible value is modest.
Savage Wolverine #5 (2013), an indirect tie-in
This issue shipped during the Age of Ultron window and develops Wolverine in a parallel adventure. Not a direct tie-in but benefited from the event's momentum. For Wolverine collectors it's worth watching but not urgent.
Ultron #1AU (2013), Ultron's story according to Hank Pym
This one-shot, published alongside the event, offers a perspective on Hank Pym's relationship with Ultron. For thematic Ultron collectors it's essential. It develops Pym's psychology in a way that complements the main event. Raw NM: $9 to $18.
Superior Spider-Man #6AU (2013), quality tie-in
This tie-in, set in Age of Ultron's post-apocalyptic New York with the Superior Spider-Man (Otto Octavius in Peter Parker's body), is one of the best tie-ins narratively. It captures the event's atmosphere while developing the Superior Spidey character. For Spider-Man collectors, an interesting secondary key issue.
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The value explosion with Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
The release of Avengers: Age of Ultron in May 2015 created one of the most spectacular market moves the comics collectible world saw in the 2010s. Within weeks, most of the event's issues saw their values multiplied by 2 to 5x.
The MCU speculation mechanism
The dynamic is now familiar to experienced collectors: as soon as a comics event is confirmed for MCU adaptation, speculators buy associated comics en masse before release, driving values up. If the film succeeds, values hold or keep climbing. If the film disappoints, a correction follows.
In Age of Ultron's case, the film was a massive commercial success ($1.4 billion worldwide box office). Main issue values held at elevated levels for several years after release. Then a mild correction followed as enthusiasm settled.
The market in 2026
In 2026, the Age of Ultron market is in a consolidation phase. The 2015-2016 speculative peaks have come back down and values have stabilized at reasonable levels. It's an excellent window for collectors looking to build a complete run without overpaying.
Age of Ultron #1 in raw NM is easy to find for $18-22. Issues #2 through #9 run $6-12 each. #10 remains the priciest ($45-90 raw depending on grade). Hunger #1 is the most expensive tie-in but still under $55 raw NM.
Age of Ultron priority key issues summary
- Age of Ultron #1: launch issue, numerous variants, stable value
- Age of Ultron #10: first Angela in Marvel, major key issue
- Age of Ultron #10AI: narrative epilogue, complement to #10
- Hunger #1: first Galactus in the Ultimate universe, key issue beyond the event
- Ultron #1AU: essential one-shot for Hank Pym / Ultron collectors
- Superior Spider-Man #6AU: best tie-in narratively, secondary Spider-Man key
Anticipating future MCU events: the Age of Ultron lesson
Age of Ultron is the best case study for understanding how to anticipate MCU-related market moves. The main lesson is simple but often ignored: buy the comics before the adaptation is officially announced, not after.
Those who bought Age of Ultron #1 in 2013 at release paid $5-6 at the shop. Those who waited for the Avengers: Age of Ultron announcement had to pay $18-35 raw for the same issue. The difference adds up fast across a complete run.
Which MCU events to anticipate in 2026?
In 2026, the comics events most likely to be adapted in the coming years include Avengers: Secret Wars (in production), World War Hulk (announced) and potentially major X-Men storylines now that mutants are integrated into the MCU. Savvy collectors are building their positions now, before the official announcements.
Identify unadapted comics events
List major Marvel events that haven't yet been adapted into film or series. These are your priority investment targets for the coming years.
Acquire the #1s and key issues first
Focus your budget on opening issues and first appearances. These are the issues that benefit most from the MCU effect when announcements hit.
Complete the run gradually
Once the key issues are secured, fill in the main run at your own pace. "Run filler" issues move less and can be bought any time.
Track values precisely
Use My Comics Collection to monitor market moves in real time. A well-timed alert can save you 30-50% on a key issue.
Frequently asked questions about Age of Ultron key issues
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