Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 5/88 · DIRECT EDITION
UNIT ECA-022024
AVENGERS #291
Late-1980s Avengers, direct edition, Walter Simonson-scripted team adventure
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | May 1988 | Copper | Direct Edition | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-019408 | ~9.2 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-022024 | ~9.2 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows strong gloss and sharp corners with no visible creases or color breaks. The book is in a protective sleeve, which limits full assessment of surface sheen and edges, and the spine is not visible for stress ticks. No stains, tears, or writing are apparent on the front cover; interior and back cover were not assessed.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $2 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $5 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $40 |
// Archive commentary
Avengers #291 arrived during Walter Simonson's run on the title, a period when the Avengers roster was in transition following the upheavals of the mid-1980s. The issue is a standard chapter of ongoing team continuity rather than a storyline milestone, featuring the Avengers' core lineup of the day in a self-contained adventure without a first appearance, origin, or other event that price guides typically flag as historically significant.
Market data reflects a book with modest, steady collector interest rather than active speculation. Certified sales are sparse across the grade spectrum, and fair market values remain low even at the top of the graded population, with only a small premium separating mid-grade and near-mint copies. The absence of any 9.8 sales or census entries points to a book that simply is not chased in high grade, likely because Copper Age Avengers issues of this type were heavily preserved in quantity by speculators at the time of release, keeping supply ample relative to demand.
This issue suits completists building a full run of the Avengers' 1980s output rather than buyers seeking a marquee key. Raw copies in low and mid grade trade for pocket change and are readily available through back-issue bins and online marketplaces, while a top-tier 9.8 slab would command only a modest premium over already low near-mint prices. Long-term appreciation is unlikely absent a broader resurgence of interest in this specific Simonson-era storyline.
INQUIRE_ABOUT_THIS_UNIT
Institutional buyers, auction houses, and private collectors — direct line to the archive.
