Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 2/88 · DIRECT EDITION
UNIT ECA-002325
IRON MAN #239
Late-1980s Iron Man direct edition from the Michelinie/Bright run
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | February 1988 | Copper | Direct Edition | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-002325 | ~9.2 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows strong gloss and sharp corners with no visible creases, tears, or color breaking. Spine appears tight with no stress lines visible in this photo, though the book is in a protective sleeve which may obscure minor edge wear. No stains or fading noted; interior and back cover were not assessed, so grade is based solely on the visible front cover surface.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $1 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $4 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $50 |
// Archive commentary
Iron Man #239 arrived in early 1988 as part of the long David Michelinie-scripted run on the title, with Mark Bright handling pencils and Bob Layton contributing inks and cover work during this stretch of the series. The issue falls after the celebrated "Armor Wars" storyline and does not carry a first appearance, death, or other landmark event; it is a standard chapter of ongoing Tony Stark adventures from a period when the character-driven Michelinie/Layton creative sensibility still shaped the book's tone.nnMarket data reflects a book with negligible scarcity and no significant collector demand beyond series completists. The CGC census shows a healthy supply of high-grade copies, including over thirty in 9.8, and sales activity even at the top grade is thin and low-value. Pricing across the grade spectrum tracks straightforward paper-and-ink commodity behavior rather than any key-issue premium, with value concentrated almost entirely in pristine, slabbed condition rather than raw copies.nnThis is a book that moves in bulk lots, back-issue bins, and run-completion purchases rather than as a standalone investment target. Low- and mid-grade raw copies hold minimal individual value and are typically sold as part of larger Iron Man run offerings; the CGC 9.8 population is ample enough that census growth is likely to keep a ceiling on appreciation. Collectors assembling a full Michelinie/Layton-era Iron Man run, rather than key-issue speculators, represent the primary audience for this title.
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