Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 10/89 · DIRECT EDITION
UNIT ECA-005196
CAPTAIN AMERICA #358
Mark Gruenwald-scripted late-1980s Captain America issue, Kieron Dwyer art
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | October 1989 | Copper | Direct Edition | — | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
The cover shows sharp, well-defined corners with no visible bluntness or creasing, and the spine appears tight with no obvious stress lines or color break visible through the protective sleeve. Surface gloss looks strong with no noticeable scuffing, staining, or fading in the artwork. Minor sleeve glare obscures fine detail near the top edge, and the interior and back cover were not assessed, so the grade is based solely on the visible front cover.
// 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 | $55 |
// Archive commentary
Captain America #358 arrived in October 1989 during Mark Gruenwald's long, well-regarded run on the title, with interior art by Kieron Dwyer. The issue is a middle chapter in one of Gruenwald's socially conscious, drug-war-adjacent storylines that characterized the character's late-1980s direction, reflecting the era's push toward grittier, more topical superhero storytelling. It does not carry a recognized first appearance, origin, or landmark creative milestone, and its cover, while representative of Dwyer's clean, dynamic period style, is not cited among the classic Captain America covers by major price guides.
Market data reflects this status: certified sales are sparse across the run, with only a handful of graded copies transacting at any grade point, and pricing stays compressed even near the top of the census. The gap between mid-grade and 9.8 values is narrow relative to recognized keys of the same era, indicating collector demand is driven primarily by series completists and Gruenwald-run readers rather than speculative or first-appearance buyers. Raw copies in low and mid grades carry only nominal value, consistent with an unremarkable mid-run Copper Age issue that was produced in ample quantity.
This book suits collectors assembling a complete run of Gruenwald's Captain America or general Copper Age dealer stock rather than key-issue investors. Raw copies move steadily but cheaply as bulk or want-list fillers, while certified 9.6-9.8 examples appeal to census-chasers and registry builders seeking condition rarity rather than character significance. Long-term appreciation should track the broader Copper Age Captain America market rather than outperform it.
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-005196 | ~9.0 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
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