Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 9/91
UNIT ECA-026807
CAPTAIN AMERICA #392
Late Bronze/Copper run issue from the "Captain America gives up the shield" era
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | September 1991 | Copper | — | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-026807 | ~9.2 | — | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows sharp corners, strong glossy surface, and vibrant unfaded colors with no visible spine stress or ticks. No creases, tears, or stains are apparent, and the book appears to be in a protective sleeve. Interior pages and back cover were not assessed, so grade is based solely on the visible front cover condition.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $2 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $4 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $70 |
// Archive commentary
Captain America #392 arrived in September 1991 during Mark Gruenwald's long tenure as writer, a period defined by extended, interlocking storylines that reshaped the character's status quo, including his period operating outside government sanction as "The Captain." Rik Levins provided pencils for much of this stretch, giving the title a consistent visual identity through the early 1990s. The issue is a middle chapter in an ongoing arc rather than a stand-alone landmark, and it does not carry a first appearance, death, or other event typically cited by price guides.
Market data for this issue is sparse, reflecting its status as a mid-run Copper Age chapter rather than a heavily tracked key. Certified population is modest and sales activity thin across nearly every grade, with meaningful pricing only emerging at the top of the census. The gap between raw and slabbed values is wide relative to sale frequency, indicating that demand is concentrated among completists building a full Gruenwald-era run in high grade rather than speculators chasing a specific character or story beat.
This is a book collected primarily by long-run Captain America completists and CGC census chasers rather than key-issue investors. Raw copies in low and mid grade trade close to cover price and turn over slowly, while a well-preserved 9.8 commands a real premium purely on scarcity at the top of the pop report. Expect steady but unspectacular demand, with value concentrated almost entirely in the highest certified tier.
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