CAPTAIN AMERICA #398

Cover shows sharp corners, strong glossy surface, and no visible spine ticks or stress lines. Colors appear bright and unfaded with clean edges and no creases evident. The book is protected in a plastic sleeve, which limits full assessment of surface texture; interior and back cover were not examined. No defects are visible at this resolution to prevent a high near-mint grade.

Captain America #398 appeared in March 1992 as part of Mark Gruenwald's extended tenure as writer on the title, a run notable for its length and its deep engagement with Cap's supporting cast and moral character rather than for launching new major characters. The issue falls within the early-1990s stretch of the series, illustrated during a period when Marvel was producing high print runs of its flagship superhero books, and it reflects the house style and creative team typical of that era rather than any singular landmark event.

Market data shows a thin but present certified population, with 31 total CGC-graded copies and only a handful in the top tiers; the 9.8 fair market value of $42 reflects modest but real demand for pristine modern-age copies, consistent with a book valued primarily for completist and full-run collectors rather than speculative first-appearance buyers. Raw copies at lower and mid grades trade for negligible sums, in line with the vast majority of early-1990s Marvel output that was overprinted and remains abundant in back-issue bins and online lots.

This issue is best suited to Captain America completists assembling the Gruenwald era in full run, and to CGC census chasers seeking clean 9.6-9.8 copies given the currently small certified population at the top of the grade curve. Raw copies below near-mint will see little collector interest beyond filling a run, while a well-preserved 9.8 slab can command a real premium relative to lower grades due to the scarcity of submissions rather than any intrinsic content-driven demand.