Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 5/90 · DIRECT EDITION
UNIT ECA-021972
AVENGERS #317
Late-1980s Avengers team title, unremarkable issue in a well-collected run
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | May 1990 | Copper | Direct Edition | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-021972 | ~9.2 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows strong gloss and sharp corners with no visible creasing or spine stress; the Spider-Man head direct-edition box appears clean and undamaged. Minor edge wear may be present near the corners but is largely obscured by the protective sleeve's glare. No color breaks, tears, or stains are visible on the front cover. Interior pages and back cover were not assessed, so the grade reflects front-cover evidence only.
// 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 | $46 |
// Archive commentary
Avengers #317 arrived in May 1990 during a transitional period for Marvel's flagship team book, following the aftermath of the "Acts of Vengeance" crossover and preceding Walt Simonson's later stint as writer-artist. The issue is a standard chapter of ongoing team continuity rather than a storyline with lasting significance, featuring the roster typical of the era. It carries no first appearance, death, or origin story, and its cover does not rank among the classic images collectors and price guides single out from the Avengers' long history.
Market data reflects this modest standing: certified copies see thin sales activity across the grading spectrum, with meaningful pricing data only emerging at the top of the census, where CGC 9.8 and 9.6 copies command values in the tens of dollars. Lower and mid grades show sparse population and essentially no recorded transactions, consistent with a book that was produced and distributed in large numbers and has never developed strong crossover demand outside completist Avengers collectors. Demand is driven almost entirely by series-run collectors filling gaps in a long-box set rather than by speculative or key-issue buyers.
This is a bulk-bin Copper Age title best suited to collectors assembling a complete Avengers run or dealers stocking inexpensive back issues. Raw copies in low and mid grade trade for a few dollars at most and see little independent demand, while a graded 9.8 slab represents the ceiling of what the book can achieve, appealing mainly to census-chasers and registry set builders rather than investors seeking appreciation.
INQUIRE_ABOUT_THIS_UNIT
Institutional buyers, auction houses, and private collectors — direct line to the archive.
