Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 11/86 · DIRECT EDITION
UNIT ECA-011817
PETER PARKER, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #120
Sal Buscema-drawn Copper Age Spider-Man issue from the Peter David run
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | November 1986 | Copper | Direct Edition | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-011817 | ~9.0 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows strong gloss and vibrant color with sharp, well-defined corners and no visible creases or spine stress lines. Edges appear clean with no chipping or fraying visible through the protective sleeve. Minor handling wear cannot be ruled out due to glare from the plastic sleeve, and the interior and back cover were not assessed.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $2 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $5 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $80 |
// Archive commentary
Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #120 arrived in November 1986 as part of the title's mid-1980s run under writer Peter David, with penciling handled by longtime series artist Sal Buscema, who defined the visual identity of this Spider-Man title throughout the era. The issue is a standard chapter in the ongoing Peter Parker/Spider-Man continuity of the period rather than a storyline milestone, and it carries no first appearance, origin, or death of lasting significance to the character's mythology.
Market data shows a book that trades almost entirely on condition census rather than storyline demand: certified population is substantial (179 Universal copies of 191 graded), and price appreciation is concentrated at the very top of the grading scale, where 9.6 and 9.8 copies command a real premium over the broad mid-grade cluster that sits in the teens. Sales volume at 9.4 and below has been thin and softening, consistent with a common, well-preserved direct-market book from a high-print-run era rather than a scarce or contested key.
This issue suits collectors assembling a complete run of the Peter David/Sal Buscema Spectacular Spider-Man stretch or general Spider-Man Copper Age runs rather than key-issue speculators. Raw copies in worn to average condition see minimal collector interest and trade near cover price, while the real transactional activity is concentrated in graded 9.6-9.8 submissions aimed at census-chasing buyers and registry set builders.
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