Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 9/94 · DIRECT EDITION
UNIT ECA-021864
AVENGERS #378
Opening chapter of "The Crossing" storyline, Bob Harras and Steve Epting
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | September 1994 | Modern | Direct Edition | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-019633 | ~9.2 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-021864 | ~9.0 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows sharp corners and clean, glossy surface with strong color and no visible creasing or spine stress. Slight bend/waviness at the top edge of the protective sleeve area and a small green smudge on the top left corner of the cover (possibly on the sleeve itself) are visible, along with a faint diagonal crease line near the top edge of the book. No major chips, tears, or discoloration are apparent, but the book is in a plastic sleeve which limits full assessment of the spine and edges; the back cover and interior were not examined.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $2 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $4 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $65 |
// Archive commentary
Avengers #378 (September 1994) opens "The Crossing," the controversial multi-issue arc that recontextualized Wonder Man's origins and revealed Kang the Conqueror's long-running infiltration of Avengers continuity. Written by Bob Harras with pencils by Steve Epting and inks by Tom Palmer, the issue reflects the mid-1990s Avengers lineup and creative direction, arriving at a moment when the team book was working through a run of divisive editorial mandates. It carries no first appearance, death, or origin of lasting significance, and its storyline is remembered by longtime readers more for its reception than for introducing anything now considered foundational to Avengers lore.
Market data for this issue is exceptionally sparse. Census population is minimal at every grade, sales are essentially nonexistent, and no 9.8 has ever been certified, let alone sold, indicating both light print survival in top condition and limited collector pursuit at the high end. The handful of recorded 9.6 sales sit in the $20-30 range, a level consistent with a book that trades primarily as bulk-run filler rather than as a title collectors actively chase for a specific grade tier.
Demand centers on Avengers vol. 1 run-builders assembling complete sets through the 1990s rather than key-issue investors, and copies move slowly and inexpensively in any condition. Raw low- and mid-grade copies carry nominal value reflecting basic cover price plus minor collector interest, while a theoretical high-grade 9.8 slab would likely command a premium purely for census rarity rather than storyline demand. This is a book suited to bulk Avengers collections and dealer inventory rather than standalone key-issue placement.
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