Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 4/95 · DIRECT EDITION
UNIT ECA-014145
FANTASTIC FOUR #399
Direct edition of a mid-1990s Fantastic Four issue during the Waid/lead-up era of the Heroes Reborn transition
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | April 1995 | Modern | Direct Edition | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-014141 | ~9.4 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-014143 | ~9.2 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-014145 | ~9.2 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-014147 | ~9.2 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows strong gloss and vibrant color with sharp corners and no visible creases or spine stress in this photo; the book is protected in a plastic sleeve which limits full assessment of edge wear. No stains, tears, or writing are visible on the front cover. Interior pages and back cover were not assessed, so grade is based solely on the visible front surface.
// 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 | $45 |
// Archive commentary
Fantastic Four #399 arrived in April 1995, a period when Marvel's flagship team title was navigating creative transitions ahead of the Heroes Reborn relaunch two years later. The issue is a standard chapter in the ongoing FF continuity of the period, without a first appearance, death, or landmark creative statement that would elevate it above its contemporaries. It remains a collectible artifact of the Fantastic Four's long publication history rather than a pivotal issue in the character mythology.
Market data for this issue is thin, reflecting its status as a mid-run Modern Age comic without a defined key attribute. The only anchored sales figure is a CGC 9.4 fair market value near the mid-twenties, drawn from a small pool of only two recorded sales, while higher grades including 9.8 show census population but no completed transactions to establish pricing. This scarcity of trade data, rather than genuine desirability, is the primary driver of the wide uncertainty in valuation across grades.
This book trades as a bulk or filler title for most Fantastic Four collectors, purchased to fill a run rather than sought as a standalone target. Raw copies in low and mid grades carry minimal value and are typically bundled or sold in lots, while a top-graded slab commands a modest premium mainly from completists pursuing a full high-grade run of the series rather than from broader market demand. Absent a rediscovered significance or crossover tie-in, expect this issue to remain a low-priority acquisition even for dedicated Fantastic Four collectors.
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