Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 12/79 · NEWSSTAND
UNIT ECA-039662
FANTASTIC FOUR #213
Bronze Age Fantastic Four adventure featuring Marv Wolfman scripting and John Byrne art
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | December 1979 | Bronze | Newsstand | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-028022 | ~9.2 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-039329 | ~8.5 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-039662 | ~8.5 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-039638 | ~8.0 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows strong gloss and vivid color with sharp corners; UPC barcode box present confirming newsstand edition. Minor handling wear is visible along the top edge and a slight crease near the spine, with no significant color breaks noted. The book is in a protective sleeve which limits full assessment of edge and corner wear; interior and back cover were not assessed.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $3 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $10 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $100 |
// Archive commentary
Fantastic Four #213 arrived in late 1979 during a transitional period for Marvel's first family, with Marv Wolfman handling the writing chores and John Byrne on pencils, a few years before Byrne would take over the title as full writer-artist and reshape it for the 1980s. The issue is a standard entry in the long-running series, continuing the team's ongoing adventures without introducing a major new character or plot element that has since become a widely cited touchstone in the character's history.
Market activity for this issue is sparse, reflecting its status as a mid-run Bronze Age comic rather than a recognized key. Certified sales cluster at the low end, with mid-grade copies trading in the single digits and higher-grade copies commanding modest premiums; the lone CGC 9.8 sale demonstrates that top-condition census copies can achieve a meaningful jump in value, but the overall pool of graded sales remains thin. Demand is driven primarily by Fantastic Four completists and Byrne-era collectors rather than broad speculative interest.
This issue suits collectors building a complete run of the series or focusing on early Byrne artwork, rather than investors seeking blue-chip key issues. Raw copies in low and mid grades trade cheaply and are readily available, while a true CGC 9.8 represents a scarcity play given the near-total absence of higher-grade census population; buyers pursuing the top slab should expect limited comparables and rely on the rarity of surviving high-grade examples rather than an established sales history.
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