Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 4/91 · NEWSSTAND
UNIT ECA-003145
DOCTOR STRANGE & GHOST RIDER SPECIAL #1
Newsstand-only Special reprinting Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #28 in full, featuring a Michael Golden cover
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | April 1991 | Copper | Newsstand | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-003145 | ~9.0 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
// Condition analysis
Cover shows strong gloss and sharp corners with no visible creasing or color breaks; spine appears tight with no stress marks visible in this front-facing shot. Minor edge softness may be present near the top right but is difficult to confirm through the plastic sleeve. The book is stored in a protective sleeve which limits full assessment of surface scuffing. Interior and back cover were not assessed.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $1 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $4 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $55 |
// Archive commentary
Doctor Strange & Ghost Rider Special #1 is a 1991 newsstand-exclusive reprint vehicle, repackaging the complete contents of Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #28 for a wider audience. The interior art comes from Chris Marrinan with inks by Mark McKenna, scripted by Dann Thomas, while the cover is the work of Michael Golden, a artist whose covers are frequently sought after independent of a book's interior content. The cast includes Doctor Strange alongside supporting figures Rintrah, Topaz, and Zodiak, drawn from the established Sorcerer Supreme run of the late 1980s.
Market data shows a thin but consistent certified population, with the FMV curve rising gradually and non-linearly toward the top of the census, from the mid-$30s at 8.5-9.2 up to $55 at 9.8. Sales volume is light across all grades, reflecting the book's status as a reprint special rather than a first appearance or a landmark storyline chapter. Demand appears driven primarily by Michael Golden cover collectors and Doctor Strange completists rather than broad speculative interest, and the newsstand-only distribution adds a mild scarcity angle for high-grade submissions.
This title trades as a value-tier Copper Age Marvel book: raw copies in low and mid grades carry only nominal value and are typically acquired as inexpensive additions to Doctor Strange or Michael Golden runs, while CGC 9.8 examples command a modest premium reflecting genuine scarcity at the top of the census. It is best suited for character-focused or artist-focused collectors building out cover runs rather than buyers seeking a marquee key issue.
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