Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 6/85 · NEWSSTAND
UNIT ECA-026630
CAPTAIN AMERICA #306
J.M. DeMatteis-scripted mid-1980s Captain America newsstand issue
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | June 1985 | Copper | Newsstand | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-026630 | ~9.2 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-005034 | ~9.0 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows strong gloss and vibrant, unfaded color with sharp corners and no visible creases or spine stress lines. The image is clean with no tears, stains, or color breaks visible at the spine. The book is housed in a protective sleeve, and only the front cover was assessed; interior pages and back cover condition remain unverified.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $1 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $5 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $85 |
// Archive commentary
Captain America #306 arrived in June 1985 during J.M. DeMatteis's run on the title, with Paul Neary providing art in a period of the series defined by street-level espionage plots and Cap's ongoing personal struggles rather than blockbuster crossover events. The issue continues the character-driven storytelling DeMatteis brought to the book, but it does not introduce a notable villain, ally, or plot element that has since become a touchstone for the character's history.
Market activity for this issue is minimal, reflecting its status as a mid-run Copper Age Marvel title without a first appearance or landmark creative event to drive demand. The lone certified sale data available shows modest pricing even at the mid-grade level, and no meaningful raw-market or high-grade transaction history exists to suggest active collector pursuit. As a newsstand-distributed comic from an era of high print runs, high-grade survivors are not especially scarce in absolute terms, though CGC 9.8 examples remain uncommon on census due to the fragility of unrestricted white pages and newsstand corner wear typical of the format.
This issue functions as a completist or run-filler acquisition rather than a standalone investment target. Cap-title collectors assembling complete DeMatteis or Neary-era runs represent the primary buyer pool, with demand concentrated on readable mid-grade copies rather than top-census slabs. Absent a rediscovered creative or historical significance, price appreciation is likely to remain flat and closely tied to overall Bronze/Copper Age Marvel market sentiment rather than issue-specific catalysts.
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