Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 5/83 · NEWSSTAND
UNIT ECA-017324
MARVEL TALES #151
Marvel Tales reprint of Amazing Spider-Man #13, featuring the first appearance of Mysterio, with Steve Ditko art
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | May 1983 | Bronze | Newsstand | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-017324 | ~8.5 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows strong gloss and bright, unfaded colors with sharp corners and no visible creases or spine stress lines. There is a small ink or handling mark near the left edge above the barcode area and minor surface waviness from the protective sleeve reflecting light, but no tears, chips, or color breaks are visible. The book is in a plastic sleeve which obscures fine surface texture; interior pages and back cover were not assessed.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $1 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $6 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $220 |
// Archive commentary
Marvel Tales #151 is a 1983 reprint of Amazing Spider-Man #13 (June 1964), the story that introduced Quentin Beck as Mysterio, one of Spider-Man's most enduring adversaries. The original Steve Ditko art and story are reproduced in full, preserving the character's debut appearance alongside supporting cast members Aunt May, Betty Brant, Flash Thompson, J. Jonah Jameson, and Liz Allan. As part of Marvel's long-running Marvel Tales reprint line, the issue served to bring classic Lee-Ditko era Spider-Man stories to a newsstand audience two decades after original publication, functioning as an accessible reading copy rather than a collectible key in its own right.
Market demand for this issue is modest and driven primarily by two factors: readers seeking an affordable way to own the Mysterio origin story, and Ditko completists assembling reprint runs. The character's visibility increased following his live-action film appearances, which has kept baseline interest steady without producing significant price spikes for the reprint edition. Certified population data show a small but consistent base of graded copies, with the top grade commanding a real but limited premium; sales below the highest tiers are infrequent, reflecting the book's status as a common, low-cost Bronze Age title rather than an actively traded key.
This issue is best suited to Spider-Man and Ditko readers building affordable collections rather than investment-driven buyers. Raw copies in low and mid grades remain inexpensive and widely available, changing hands mostly through bulk lots and back-issue bins. High-grade CGC 9.8 examples are scarcer on the census and draw a modest premium from grade-conscious collectors, but the book does not compete with the original Amazing Spider-Man #13 in either price or long-term demand.
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