CAPTAIN AMERICA #361

The cover shown is glossy with strong, unfaded color and sharp corners visible in the photo; the Spider-Man head direct edition logo in the lower left is intact and uncreased. No obvious spine ticks, creases, or edge chipping are visible, though the book is in a plastic sleeve which limits full assessment of surface sheen and minor handling wear. Interior pages and back cover were not visible and were not assessed, so grade is capped conservatively pending full inspection.

Captain America #361 appeared in November 1989 during Mark Gruenwald's long tenure as writer, with art by Kieron Dwyer, continuing the character-driven, politically aware storytelling that defined the title through the late 1980s. The issue falls within the broader run exploring Cap's ongoing battles against organized crime and shadowy government interests, a period notable for Gruenwald's willingness to test Steve Rogers's ideals against real-world moral complexity rather than for any single landmark event in this specific issue.

Market data reflects a book with limited but steady collector interest rather than speculative demand. The census shows a modest but consistent grading population concentrated at the top end, with sales recorded mostly in near-mint and better, and a sharp value cliff below 9.2. This pattern is typical of Copper Age Marvel issues that were well preserved by direct-market buyers at the time of release but never developed a substantial back-issue following in lower grades, since the issue carries no first appearance, death, or other historically pivotal content.

This book suits completist collectors building a run of Gruenwald's Captain America rather than speculators chasing a key. Raw copies in low and mid grade move slowly and cheaply through dollar bins and online lots, while top-census 9.8 slabs command a real but modest premium driven by scarcity at the highest grade rather than character-driven demand. Expect steady, unspectacular appreciation tied to the overall Copper Age collecting market rather than any breakout activity.