Approximate
Condition Profile
DC COMICS · 1/66
UNIT ECA-007656
SUPERMAN’S PAL JIMMY OLSEN #90
Standard Silver Age Superman family title, January 1966
// Unit specification
// Run position
// Condition analysis
This is a pre-1977 book so no direct/newsstand distinction applies. The cover shows generally bright, glossy color with strong registration, but there is a visible vertical crease/stress line along the left edge near the spine and slight surface wear at the corners. The book is in a protective sleeve which obscures fine detail, but no major tears, creases through the image area, or color breaking are apparent. Interior and back cover were not assessed.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $8 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $36 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $325 |
// Archive commentary
Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #90 arrived in January 1966 as part of DC's long-running anthology-style spinoff built around Superman's bumbling but resourceful cub reporter friend. The series during this period was a showcase for high-concept, often absurdist transformation and disguise plots that were a signature of the title's Silver Age run, with Jimmy frequently thrust into outlandish scenarios that tested his loyalty to Superman. This particular issue continues that established formula without introducing a new character, origin, or creative milestone that collectors track as a series-defining moment.
Market data shows a thinly populated census of just 26-27 Universal graded copies, with sporadic sales scattered across the grading spectrum. High-grade copies command a real premium, with 9.8s trading consistently near $317-325 over the past year, reflecting the difficulty of finding surviving copies in top condition from a title that saw heavy handling as juvenile reading material. Mid-grade copies trade modestly, and low-grade copies see minimal collector interest beyond completists building full title runs.
This issue draws demand primarily from Superman-family completists and Silver Age DC run-builders rather than key-issue speculators. Entry-level and mid-grade copies are inexpensive and readily absorbed by collectors filling gaps in a Jimmy Olsen or Superman-title run, while the CGC 9.8 tier appeals to registry-focused buyers chasing census-top examples in a scarce high-grade pool. Expect steady, low-volume trading typical of a non-key Silver Age backup title, with value concentrated almost entirely at the top of the grading scale.
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-007656 | ~6.5 | — | AVAILABLE |
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