Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 2/79 · NEWSSTAND
UNIT ECA-039596
FANTASTIC FOUR #203
Marv Wolfman script with a Dave Cockrum/Joe Sinnott cover, mid-run Bronze Age Fantastic Four
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | February 1979 | Bronze | Newsstand | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-039596 | ~9.0 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-028052 | ~8.5 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows strong gloss and sharp corners with no visible creasing or color breaks. Spine appears tight with no stress lines visible in this view. There is a small edge nick near the top left corner and the book is in a protective sleeve, which slightly obscures fine detail assessment. Interior and back cover were not assessed.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $4 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $9 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $110 |
// Archive commentary
Fantastic Four #203 arrived in early 1979 as part of the title's extended Bronze Age run under a rotating creative team, with Marv Wolfman scripting and Dave Cockrum supplying pencils for the cover, inked by longtime FF veteran Joe Sinnott. Interior art duties fell to Keith Pollard, with Jim Shooter and Mark Gruenwald sharing editorial oversight during a transitional period at Marvel. The issue features the core team of Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and Thing, alongside Franklin Richards, but does not carry a first appearance, origin story, or other landmark event that collectors typically associate with key issues in the franchise.,
Market data reflects this standing: certified sales cluster tightly in the $20-$50 range through the mid-to-high grades, with a modest but real jump at the top of the census to $110 for CGC 9.8 copies, a spread typical of a well-collected but non-key mid-run issue. The relatively deep census of 117 Universal copies indicates the book was preserved in reasonable numbers, keeping raw and low-grade values modest while top-census slabs command a rarity premium disproportionate to the mid-grade curve. Demand is driven primarily by Fantastic Four series completists and Cockrum/Sinnott cover collectors rather than character-specific or event-driven buyers.
This issue trades as a representative run-filler for FF collectors building complete sets across the Wolfman/Pollard era, with raw copies moving cheaply in dollar bins and modest online listings, while CGC 9.8 examples draw sustained interest from registry-focused buyers chasing top-census slots. Mid-grade raw copies see occasional interest from readers and cover-art collectors but little speculative pressure. The book is best positioned as an affordable, easily sourced addition to a Bronze Age Fantastic Four run rather than a standalone investment piece.
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