Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 12/68
UNIT ECA-022537
AVENGERS #59
First appearance of Yellowjacket, Roy Thomas story with John Buscema art
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | December 1968 | Silver | — | First appearance of Yellowjacket (Hank Pym); Roy Thomas story, John Buscema pencils | SALE PENDING |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-019235 | ~6.5 | — | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-022537 | ~6.5 | — | SALE PENDING |
| ECA-019149 | ~3.5 | — | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows good gloss and bright, unfaded color with strong red and yellow retention. Corners appear moderately sharp with slight blunting at the top right; some minor edge wear is visible along the top and right border. There is a small vertical crease/stress line near the left edge of the cover, and slight waviness to the page stock. Interior and back cover were not assessed, and grading is limited to what is visible in this single front-cover photo.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $13 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $30 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $7,000 |
// Archive commentary
Avengers #59 (December 1968) is a landmark Silver Age Marvel key, introducing Yellowjacket when Hank Pym abandons his Goliath identity for a new costume and power set during a battle with the alien Dominex/robotic threat plaguing the team. Scripted by Roy Thomas with art by John Buscema and Syd Shores, the issue exemplifies the Avengers' late-1960s creative team at its most confident, and it holds lasting significance as the debut of a Pym identity that would recur across decades of Marvel continuity, including his eventual marriage to the Wasp under this alias.
The FMV curve for this issue shows the demand profile typical of a well-collected but non-blockbuster key: values stay fairly flat and accessible through the mid grades before a marked inflection near 9.4-9.6, where scarcity and crossover interest from Ant-Man/Yellowjacket completists sharply compress supply. Census population is substantial (853 universal copies of 926 graded), meaning raw and lower-grade copies remain plentiful and affordably priced, while the handful of copies at the top of the pyramid command outsized premiums driven by registry competition rather than broad market depth.
This is a book that trades on two distinct levels: as a readily available mid-run Silver Age Avengers issue for general run-builders in low-to-mid grades, and as a genuine key hunted by Ant-Man/Wasp and Avengers specialists once graded 9.4 and above. Expect steady, unspectacular turnover in the bulk of the grade spectrum, with sharper bidding and lower liquidity at the 9.6-9.8 tier, where any sale sets a de facto benchmark given the near-total absence of certified 9.8 transactions to date.
INQUIRE_ABOUT_THIS_UNIT
Sale pending. This unit is reserved for another buyer and is not available to purchase. Inquire to hear if it comes back, or to ask about other copies.
