Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 6/88 · DIRECT EDITION
UNIT ECA-022022
AVENGERS #292
Avengers battle a routine Copper Age threat in a standard team issue
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | June 1988 | Copper | Direct Edition | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-022022 | ~9.2 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-019525 | ~9.0 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows sharp corners, strong gloss, and bright unfaded colors with no visible spine ticks or stress lines in this photo. There is minor edge wear and a small amount of glare/reflection off the protective sleeve that could obscure minor surface flaws. No creases, tears, or color breaks are visible on the front cover; interior pages 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 | $55 |
// Archive commentary
Avengers #292 arrived in June 1988 during a transitional period for Marvel's flagship team title, part of the extended run bridging the Roger Stern/John Buscema era into later creative changes. The issue reflects the standard Copper Age Avengers formula of ensemble superhero action without introducing any new characters, origins, or story elements that have gone on to define the franchise in later media or continuity. It holds interest primarily as a piece of the ongoing Avengers narrative rather than as a stand-alone landmark.
Market demand for this issue tracks the broader pattern seen across mid-run Copper Age Avengers comics: modest but persistent collector interest driven by series completists and long-box hunters rather than speculators chasing a specific character debut. The FMV curve shows a steep grade sensitivity typical of common late-1980s direct-market comics, where high-grade certified copies command a real premium over raw material even though the underlying book was produced and preserved in significant quantities. Recent sales activity at the 9.8 level, while limited in volume, suggests a stable but unspectacular collector base for pristine copies.
This issue suits Avengers run-builders and Copper Age generalists assembling complete team sets rather than key-issue investors. Raw copies in low and mid grade trade for pocket change reflecting genuine but limited demand, while CGC 9.8 examples reach a modest premium tied to relative scarcity in top census grades rather than any narrative significance. Expect steady, low-volume trading with pricing driven almost entirely by condition rather than content.
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