Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 6/89 · DIRECT EDITION
UNIT ECA-019543
AVENGERS #304
Avengers #304 (June 1989) — Copper Age team title, post-Byrne transitional issue
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | June 1989 | Copper | Direct Edition | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-019543 | ~9.0 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-021998 | ~8.5 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows strong gloss and vibrant color with sharp corners and no visible creases or tears; the spine appears tight with no obvious stress lines or color breaks in this photo. A faint horizontal press mark is visible near the top edge of the spine area, and slight glare from the protective sleeve obscures fine detail. Interior and back cover were not assessed, so the grade reflects front-cover appearance only.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $1 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $4 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $34 |
// Archive commentary
Avengers #304 arrived in June 1989 as part of Marvel's flagship team title during a transitional stretch following John Byrne's run as writer-artist, which had concluded a few issues earlier. The book continues the ongoing roster and subplot threads typical of the series' late-1980s stretch, without introducing a new character, creative milestone, or story now cited as a turning point for the team.
Market data reflects a book that circulates as a common component of Copper Age Avengers runs rather than a standalone target. Sales volume is thin across most graded tiers, with only a handful of transactions recorded above the low grades, and pricing rises gradually rather than sharply until the top of the census, where a modest premium separates 9.6 and 9.8 copies. There is no evidence of speculative demand, character-driven collecting pressure, or scarcity beyond the normal attrition curve of a late-1980s newsstand and direct-market comic.
This issue trades primarily as run-filler for collectors assembling complete Avengers volumes or Copper Age team-book sets, and its value is concentrated almost entirely in top-census CGC 9.8 copies, which carry a real but limited premium over other high grades. Raw and mid-grade copies see negligible individual demand and are typically acquired as part of bulk lots or long-run purchases rather than sought out on their own merits.
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