Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 6/95 · DIRECT EDITION
UNIT ECA-005791
CAPTAIN AMERICA #440
Mark Gruenwald-era Captain America issue from the twilight of his historic writing run
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | June 1995 | Modern | Direct Edition | — | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows sharp corners, strong gloss, and vibrant unfaded colors with no visible spine stress or ticks. There is a small mark/discoloration in the upper left corner near the top-left cover edge that appears to be a printing or minor surface flaw rather than damage. Book is in a protective sleeve, which limits full assessment of edges and surface; back cover and interior were not examined. Based solely on the visible front cover, this appears to be a high-grade copy with only minor detracting factors.
// 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 | $30 |
// Archive commentary
Captain America #440 arrived in June 1995 during the final stretch of Mark Gruenwald's landmark decade-long tenure as writer on the title, a run that shaped the character's modern continuity and supporting cast through the 1980s and into the mid-1990s. Published as a direct-market edition by Marvel Comics, the issue sits within the routine narrative flow of the series rather than at any origin, first appearance, or turning-point moment that collectors specifically chase, and it features no debut characters or storyline of enduring significance.
Market data reflects the book's status as a common, high-print-run Modern Age comic. GoCollect's CGC census records only a handful of Universal-graded copies at the top grade, with just two recorded 9.8 sales establishing a modest fair market value; no meaningful sales activity exists in lower certified grades, consistent with a book that was neither heavily submitted nor actively pursued by graders. Raw copies in low and mid grades carry negligible value, as is typical for direct-market issues from this era that were overproduced relative to collector demand.
This issue holds interest primarily for Captain America run collectors assembling a complete Gruenwald-era set or filling out a long-box run, rather than for investors or key-issue speculators. Demand is essentially flat across raw grades, with the only meaningful price differentiation appearing at the CGC 9.8 tier, where scarcity of pristine, unpressed submissions creates a thin but real premium. Buyers should expect this book to trade as a bulk or bargain-bin item in any grade below near-mint slab condition.
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-005791 | ~9.2 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-005793 | ~9.2 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
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