X-FACTOR ANNUAL #1

Cover shows strong gloss and vivid color with sharp corners and no visible creasing or spine stress in this photo. There is a diagonal reflection/glare crease-like line across the upper cover that may be a bag fold or light reflection rather than an actual crease, and the book is in a protective sleeve. No fading, stains, or tears are visible on the front cover. Interior and back cover were not assessed, so the grade is conservative pending further inspection.

X-Factor Annual #1 (1986) arrived during the second year of the reunited original X-Men lineup's own title, published as part of Marvel's annual summer crossover linking X-Men Annual #10, New Mutants Annual #2, and this book. The core X-Factor roster of Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Iceman, and Angel is featured, set against the mid-1980s mutant continuity that was expanding rapidly across the X-line. The issue is a connective piece of a larger crossover event rather than a standalone milestone, and it carries no first appearance, death, or origin story of note.

Market data reflects a book with modest but steady collector interest rather than speculative demand. Certified population is comparatively small for the era, with 64 total graded copies and thin sales activity at nearly every grade point, and fair market values stay low even at the top of the census — a 9.8 Universal copy trades in the neighborhood of $50, with high-grade raw copies falling off quickly below that tier. The pricing curve is typical of a supporting annual from a popular but not top-tier 1980s X-title: real but limited demand, driven mostly by X-Factor and X-Men team completists rather than key-issue speculators.

This annual suits collectors building a complete X-Factor or 1986 crossover run rather than buyers chasing a marquee key. Raw copies in worn condition trade for a few dollars and rarely move quickly, while mid-grade raw copies remain inexpensive and are readily available given the census size. High-grade certified copies, particularly CGC 9.8, command a real premium over lower grades but the ceiling stays modest compared to headline X-Men keys of the same period, making this a reasonably priced addition for run collectors and dealers stocking Copper Age X-line inventory.