FANTASTIC FOUR #98

Cover shows strong gloss and bright inks with sharp corners; a light scratch/scuff is visible in the black sky area near the Torch's flame trail. Slight edge wear is visible along the right border and bottom edge, with minor whitening at the top right corner tip. No major creases, tears, or color breaks are apparent, and the book is in a protective sleeve. Interior and back cover were not assessed, so the grade is based solely on this front cover photo.

Fantastic Four #98 (May 1971) arrived during the Stan Lee/John Buscema stretch of the title, with Buscema handling pencils and Joe Sinnott inking, continuing the high-adventure tone the pair established through the late Bronze Age run. The issue falls within a multi-part story arc pitting the team against Namor the Sub-Mariner amid escalating tension between Atlantis and the surface world, a plot thread that ran through several consecutive issues in this stretch of the series. It carries no first appearance, death, or origin story, and its significance rests on being a representative example of the Lee-Buscema creative partnership rather than any landmark event.

Market data shows a typical Bronze Age curve for a well-preserved but non-key mid-run issue: raw copies in low and mid grades trade for modest sums, reflecting steady but unspectacular demand, while certified copies climb sharply toward the top of the census. The gap between 9.4 and 9.6 sales prices is pronounced, and the 9.8 tier commands a substantial premium over every lower grade despite a modest scarcity differential, consistent with collector emphasis on pristine, unrestored survivors from a period when comics saw heavy handling. Demand is driven primarily by Fantastic Four series completists and Buscema art collectors rather than by any speculative key-issue interest.

This book fits the profile of a steady, low-volatility addition to a run rather than a standalone investment piece. Lower and mid-grade raw copies serve reading and run-building collectors at accessible price points, while high-grade certified examples appeal to specialists assembling complete Bronze Age Fantastic Four sets in top condition. Expect trading activity to track broader Bronze Age Marvel demand and John Buscema's reputation rather than any issue-specific catalyst.