AVENGERS #105
Steve Englehart and Bob Brown open the road to the Celestial Madonna saga with the debut of the Priests of Pama
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | November 1972 | Bronze | — | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-022429 | ~6.5 | — | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows a diagonal crease running through the lower left portion and a vertical spine roll causing slight color break near the top staple area; corners show mild blunting, especially bottom right. Surface gloss is largely retained with bright inks and no significant staining or fading noted. The book is housed in a protective sleeve, and only the front cover was assessed; interior and back cover condition could not be verified.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $9 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $16 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $1,400 |
// Archive commentary
Avengers #105 (November 1972) is scripted by Steve Englehart with art by Bob Brown, arriving during Englehart's celebrated run that would soon culminate in the "Celestial Madonna" saga. This issue, "This Beachhead Earth!," introduces the alien Priests of Pama and sets several plot threads in motion — including the reintroduction of the Swordsman — that pay off across the following handful of issues leading into Mantis's landmark debut in Avengers #112. The roster at this point includes Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, the Vision, and the Scarlet Witch, reflecting the team's classic early-1970s lineup during one of the most acclaimed writer runs in the title's history.
Market data shows a typical Bronze Age team-book curve: values stay flat and modest through the mid-grade range before rising sharply at the top of the census. Certified sales cluster most heavily in the 7.0–9.4 window, with a meaningful jump in both price and buyer interest once a copy clears 9.4, and a further steep premium for the rare 9.6 and unrepresented 9.8 tiers. Demand is driven less by any single first appearance in this specific issue and more by its role as connective tissue in a fan-favorite storyline arc, plus Bob Brown's steady, collected art and Englehart's reputation among Bronze Age Avengers readers.
This is a builder's and completist's book rather than a marquee key: Avengers run collectors, Celestial Madonna saga completists, and Englehart-era readers form the natural buyer base. Raw copies in low and mid grades move steadily but inexpensively, reflecting ample surviving supply, while top-census slabs command outsized premiums driven by scarcity rather than narrative significance. Long-term appeal should track the enduring popularity of the surrounding storyline rather than independent key-issue demand.
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