Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 12/80 · NEWSSTAND
UNIT ECA-017189
MARVEL TALES #122
Marvel Tales reprints the Spider-Man Clone Saga conclusion alongside a Kirby-drawn Inhumans tale
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | December 1980 | Bronze | Newsstand | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-017189 | ~9.2 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows strong, glossy surface with sharp corners and minimal spine stress; no visible creases, tears, or color breaks. Slight faint waviness/soft handling wear visible in lower left near barcode area, and minor edge softness at top right corner. Interior and back cover were not assessed, so grade reflects front cover appearance only.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $2 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $6 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $85 |
// Archive commentary
Marvel Tales #122 is a Bronze Age reprint anthology title, collecting Gerry Conway's conclusion to the Spider-Man Clone Saga (originally Amazing Spider-Man #149) alongside a backup Inhumans story penciled by Jack Kirby and inked by a rotating crew that includes Joe Sinnott, Frank Giacoia, and Dave Hunt. The lead feature brings back Gwen Stacy in clone form, along with Aunt May, Betty Brant, and Harry Osborn, while the Inhumans segment features Black Bolt, Crystal, Gorgon, and Karnak. As a reprint vehicle, Marvel Tales existed to keep earlier Amazing Spider-Man storylines in circulation for readers who missed the original run, and issue #122 sits deep within volume 2 of a long-running series that stretched from the 1960s into the 1990s.
The book carries no distinction as a first appearance or landmark issue; its content value lies entirely in reproducing a notable Spider-Man storyline rather than originating one. Demand for Marvel Tales issues generally tracks interest in the underlying reprinted material and in Kirby's art for the backup features, but collectors pursuing the Clone Saga itself almost always seek out the original Amazing Spider-Man issues rather than this later reprint. As newsstand-era bulk stock, it trades near cover price in raw form and only commands modest premiums in top-tier certified grades, where scarcity of high-grade survivors rather than content drives the price.
This is a book for readers and Spider-Man completists filling out reprint runs rather than investment-grade buyers. Raw copies in low and mid grades are inexpensive and plentiful, reflecting the title's high print run and low collector priority. A pristine CGC 9.8 example can draw modest premium interest from grade-chasers and Kirby-inker specialists, but the issue is best understood as an accessible, affordable way to read a classic Spider-Man storyline rather than a piece with independent key-issue standing.
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