Secret Wars 2015: The Key Issues That Exploded

In May 2015, Marvel launched one of the most ambitious events in its modern history: Secret Wars, written by Jonathan Hickman with art by Esad Ribic. The capstone of five years of work — from his Fantastic Four run in 2009 through the Incursions in Avengers and New Avengers — this event literally destroyed the Marvel multiverse and rebuilt a new one. The result: several issues of this saga are now among the most sought-after key issues of the 2010s.

But Secret Wars also means roughly forty tie-ins, a flood of variants and a publishing schedule that stretched over a year due to repeated delays. For collectors, navigating this event without a guide is a challenge. Which issues really deserve your attention? Which have seen their values explode? Which are still accessible in 2026? This exhaustive guide answers all of it.

Why Secret Wars 2015 is an event apart

Before diving into the issues, you have to understand why Secret Wars 2015 holds such a particular place in Marvel comics history. Unlike the vast majority of events that promise change without really delivering, Secret Wars actually ended the Marvel continuity that had existed since 1961. The main universe (Earth-616) and the Ultimate universe (Earth-1610) were destroyed during the Incursions, and Doom built Battleworld on the rubble.

This isn't a simple narrative "reset": it's the conclusion of one of the most complex scripted constructions ever realized in mainstream comics. Hickman had planted his seeds in Fantastic Four (2009-2012), then in Avengers and New Avengers (2012-2015). Secret Wars is the payoff to all of that, giving it exceptional narrative density and historical importance.

From a collectible standpoint, the event introduced characters, alternate versions and concepts that directly influenced the following decades and continue to shape the MCU. That dual status — narrative importance and MCU connection — is what drives the values up.

The 9 issues of the main series: what are they worth?

The main Secret Wars series runs 9 issues (including a #0 prologue). Each was published with numerous variants, which complicates valuation but also creates opportunities.

Secret Wars #0 (2015), the forgotten prologue

Distributed free on Free Comic Book Day 2015, this issue sets up the event and includes a glimpse of Earth-616 on the verge of collapse. Its value has climbed steadily because many collections are incomplete without it. In CGC 9.8 it runs around $45-65 but remains accessible. An excellent entry point for anyone starting the series without breaking the bank.

Secret Wars #1 (2015), the reference issue

This is the issue that benefited from the largest print runs but also the heaviest variant coverage. More than 50 official variants exist for this single issue, some limited to just a few hundred copies. The regular cover in CGC 9.8 now runs between $90 and $135. The 1:200 Alex Ross variant — Doom in cosmic Doctor Doom regalia — exceeds $560 in CGC 9.8 and continues to climb.

This issue matters because it sets the entire stage: the destruction of the two main universes, the emergence of Battleworld and Doom's rise to power. For any serious collector of the event, it's an absolute must-have.

Secret Wars #2 and #3, the construction of Battleworld

These two issues develop the geography and rules of Battleworld. Less sought-after than #1 or #9, making them accessible issues for completing a run. In raw Near Mint, they're easy to find between $12 and $22. Their variants remain affordable, with the exception of a few limited-to-100 print runs.

Secret Wars #4, the event's turning point

This issue marks an important narrative turn with revelations about Doom's past and his relationship with the Beyonders. It also contains the first significant appearances of certain characters in Battleworld's new configuration. Stable value around $18-28 in raw 9.2+.

Secret Wars #6 and #7, the peak tension issues

These two issues contain some of the event's most memorable scenes — notably the confrontations between Doom, Thor and the opposing forces. Esad Ribic fans particularly hunt these issues for the quality of the original pages. In CGC 9.8, they run between $35 and $55.

Secret Wars #8, the penultimate stretch

Released with several months of delay, this issue benefited from very strong anticipation. It contains the final confrontation between Doom and Reed Richards, and the scene where Doom admits what he would have done differently if he had held the Beyonders' power from the start. One of the strongest moments in all of Hickman's work.

Secret Wars #9, the long-awaited conclusion

Published in January 2016, eight months after #1, this final issue is the most valuable in the main series. The repeated delays created huge frustration but also a concentrated demand at release. Result: it sold out at cover price in shops and returns were low. In CGC 9.8, it now trades between $90 and $170 depending on variants, and its value climbs steadily as the MCU adaptation approaches.

The Secret Wars 2015 tie-ins that are actually worth something

Marvel published roughly forty tie-ins during Secret Wars, covering every "domain" of Battleworld. The vast majority are narrative curiosities with little collectible value. But a few stood out with first appearances or key moments that appreciated over time.

A-Force #1 (2015), the first all-star female team series

The most important Secret Wars tie-in from a collectible standpoint. A-Force #1 contains the first appearance of Singularity, an entirely new quantum character — and, most importantly, the first real spotlight on Miss America Chavez (America Chavez) in a series dedicated to a female roster. The commercial success of this tie-in led directly to the ongoing A-Force series launched in 2016 and the Disney+ America Chavez project.

In CGC 9.8, A-Force #1 now runs between $45 and $90, with notable appreciation since 2024. If you had to pick only one Secret Wars tie-in for your collection, this is it.

Old Man Logan #1 (2015), the genesis of a franchise

Before becoming a successful ongoing series, Old Man Logan was a Secret Wars tie-in revisiting Battleworld's post-apocalyptic version of the original Millar / McNiven story. This issue directly inspired the film Logan (2017), which drove its value up on the film's release. The Secret Wars version is considered a key issue in the continuity of the Old Man Logan character, now integrated into Earth-616.

In CGC 9.8, this issue trades between $55 and $100. Its variants — particularly the "sketch" cover and the action figure variant — can exceed $170.

Thors #1 (2015), a strong concept, sought-after variants

In this tie-in, all the law enforcement of Battleworld are versions of Thor, a brilliant concept from Jason Aaron. #1 is the most sought-after, notably for its variant covers playing on the cosmic-police theme. The tie-in also helped popularize the Jane Foster version of Thor, launched in the main series a few months earlier. In raw 9.2+, it runs between $12 and $22.

Siege #1 (2015), a narratively crucial tie-in

This tie-in takes place in the Shield Domain — the wall separating Battleworld from the void. It introduces elements that will matter in the event's conclusion and develops characters like Leah of Hel. Less known than other tie-ins but remains affordable ($6-18 raw) and deserves attention for collectors who want the complete event.

Infinity Gauntlet #1 (2015), the tie-in not to confuse

Careful not to confuse this with the 1991 classic. This Secret Wars tie-in takes place in a Battleworld domain inspired by the original storyline but with new characters. Nova (Anwen Bakian) makes her first appearance here, giving it key issue status. Its value remains modest ($18-35 in CGC 9.8) but could evolve if Marvel develops the character.

Why this event durably changed the values of certain comics

Secret Wars 2015 had a knock-on effect on issues that don't directly belong to the event but are intimately connected to it. Understanding these connections is essential for anticipating market moves.

Pre-Secret Wars Hickman issues

When readers realized the ambition of Hickman's narrative construction, they traced the thread back to its origins. Result: Fantastic Four #570 (2009), the first issue of Hickman's FF run, saw its value triple between 2015 and 2020. New Avengers #1 (2013), which launches the Incursions storyline, also became a sought-after key issue. In CGC 9.8 it now runs between $65 and $115.

The Incursion concept and Avengers #1 (2012)

The first issue of Hickman's Avengers run also benefited from renewed interest. That's where the dynamic leading to Secret Wars begins taking shape at scale. This issue is now considered a "gateway key issue" in the complete Hickman collection.

The MCU effect on values

The confirmation of Avengers: Secret Wars in the MCU has created intense speculative demand since 2023. Issues containing elements likely to be adapted — the Incursions, the Beyonders, Doom as central character — have seen their values climb 30 to 80% depending on copies and grades. That progression should continue through the film's release, then potentially stabilize or correct depending on critical reception.

The Secret Wars market in 2026

In 2026, the Secret Wars comics market is in a sustained but reasonable upswing. Unlike the 2020-2021 speculative peaks, the current progression is driven by genuine collector demand anticipating the MCU adaptation and recognizing the event's narrative importance.

Issues still accessible

Despite the general climb, certain issues remain accessible on a reasonable budget. Main series #2 through #7 in raw Near Mint are available for $12 to $28 each. Most tie-ins run between $6 and $22. It's the ideal moment to complete a run that will probably be much more expensive in 18 to 24 months.

Issues already out of reach

Rare Secret Wars #1 variants and CGC 9.9 copies are already at prices only the most serious collectors can consider. The 1:500 variant of Secret Wars #1, for example, regularly exceeds $1,100 in CGC 9.8. These issues have exited the "mainstream" market and now belong to high-end collections.

Recommended 2026 strategy

For a collector building a solid Secret Wars collection without going broke, the optimal strategy is this: acquire #1 through #9 raw in the best available grades (VF/NM minimum), then identify the two or three most important secondary key issues (A-Force #1, Old Man Logan #1) and acquire them in CGC if the budget allows. Avoid overpaying for common variants that lack key issue status.

How to manage your Secret Wars collection efficiently

An event as complex as Secret Wars — with its 9 main issues, 40+ tie-ins, hundreds of variants and connections to pre-event series — requires a serious management tool. Here's how to approach this collection methodically.

Frequently asked questions about Secret Wars 2015 key issues