The three pillars of a solid Deadpool investment areNew Mutants #98(first appearance, 1991),Deadpool: The Circle Chase #1(first solo miniseries, 1993) andDeadpool #1(first ongoing series, 1997). In CGC 9.8, New Mutants #98 trades between $2,800 and $4,500 depending on the period, while Circle Chase #1 remains accessible around $150-300 in 9.8.
Investing in Deadpool comics in 2026 represents a strategy at the crossroads of cinematic speculation and heritage collecting. Since the phenomenal success of the films starring Ryan Reynolds — culminating withDeadpool & Wolverine(2024) — key issues from the Merc with a Mouth have experienced constant appreciation, with occasional corrections that create interesting entry windows for savvy investors.
This guide details a comprehensive investment strategy built around the three founding numbers, with up-to-date market data, grade advice and analysis of medium-term return potential.
New Mutants #98: the grail Deadpool
Published in February 1991, New Mutants #98 contains thefirst appearance of Deadpool, created by Rob Liefeld and Fabian Nicieza. It is the absolute key issue of any Deadpool collection and one of the most traded modern comics in the world.
In CGC 9.8, recent sales range between $2,800 and $4,500. The historic record was reached in 2021 during the post-pandemic speculative peak with sales above $5,500. The market has since stabilized, providing a more reasonable entry point. In CGC 9.6, count on between $800 and $1,200, while a copy in CGC 9.4 sells for around $500-700.
The versionnewsstandof New Mutants #98 commands a 20-40% premium over the direct edition, as the newsstand print run only made up about 15-20% of the total print run at that time. A CGC 9.8 newsstand can cross the $6,000 mark.
Recommended strategy: aim for a CGC 9.6 copy between $900 and $1,100. This grade offers the best value for money for a medium-term investment (3-5 years), with a potential appreciation of 30-60% during MCU announcements related to Deadpool.
Deadpool: The Circle Chase #1 (1993) — accessible entry
Deadpool's first solo miniseries, written by Fabian Nicieza and drawn by Joe Madureira, Circle Chase #1 is often overlooked by investors who focus exclusively on New Mutants #98. This is precisely what makes it an opportunity.
In CGC 9.8, this issue trades between $150 and $300, a very low entry price for a first solo title of a character of this stature. For comparison, Venom's first solo title (Lethal Protector #1) in CGC 9.8 exceeds $400.
The potential of this issue lies in its relative rarity in high grade. The 1993 edition, printed on paper of varying quality, often suffers from manufacturing defects (spine ticks, color breaks) which limit the CGC 9.8 census. Out of approximately 3,500 graded examples, less than 900 reach 9.8.
Recommended strategy: accumulate CGC 9.8 copies under $200 during slow periods. Liquidity is good and the potential for doubling exists with each major cinema announcement.
Deadpool #1 (1997) — the founding ongoing series
The first issue of the ongoing series written by Joe Kelly marks the true launch of Deadpool as a major character in the Marvel universe. This series of 69 issues (1997-2002) defined the humorous and metanarrative tone that is the character's signature today.
In CGC 9.8, Deadpool #1 (1997) ranges between $400 and $700. The issue exists in several variants: the standard cover, an edition with certificate, and newsstand variants. The newsstand version in 9.8 is particularly rare and can reach $1,200.
This issue benefits from a double valuation: its intrinsic value as the first from a cult series, and its speculative value linked to the MCU. Every time Marvel Studios announces a Deadpool project, this issue responds positively with a 24-48 hour delay.
Building a Diversified Deadpool Portfolio
A robust investment strategy doesn't rely on just one number. Here is a typical portfolio for a budget of $5,000:
Defensive allocation (60%):A New Mutants #98 in CGC 9.4-9.6 ($600-1,100) + a Deadpool #1 (1997) in CGC 9.8 ($500-700) + a Circle Chase #1 in CGC 9.8 ($200). These three pillars constitute the foundation of any Deadpool investment collection.
Speculative allocation (40%):Spread the rest over sleeper issues like Deadpool #11 (first appearance of Blind Al and Weasel in the ongoing series), X-Force #2 (second appearance of Deadpool, often underrated), and Cable & Deadpool #1 in 9.8 for the buddy-movie angle exploited in cinema.
The ideal investment horizon is between 3 and 7 years. The Deadpool market is cyclical: it jumps during movie announcements, corrects within 6-12 months of release, then stabilizes at a level above the pre-announcement price. Buying into post-release dips is the most profitable strategy historically.
Risks and points of vigilance
The main risk in New Mutants #98 is thecounterfeit. This issue is one of the most falsely reproduced comics on the modern market. Never buy a raw (ungraded) copy without prior expertise, and systematically favor CGC or CBCS encapsulated copies with online verification of the certification number.
The second risk is theoverexposure to the MCU. If Marvel Studios decided to reduce the presence of Deadpool in its future projects, a correction of 20-30% on key issues is possible. Diversify by maintaining exposure to other franchises in your overall portfolio.
Finally, pay attention tofalse ranksand counterfeit slabs. Always check the CGC certification number at cgccomics.com/certlookup before purchasing. Cases of fraud are increasing on high-value numbers.
Do you own Deadpool comics?Estimate the value of your collection for freeto know their current rating.