STAR WARS: EPISODE I – THE PHANTOM MENACE #2

Cover shows a photo-cover with sharp, glossy surface and strong color; corners appear sharp with no visible whitening. There is a faint vertical crease/press line running through the upper third of the cover near the logo area, and a slight indentation near the barcode box. No major creases, tears, or stains are visible, and the book is currently housed in a protective sleeve. Interior and back cover were not assessed.

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace #2 is the second chapter of Dark Horse's four-issue comic adaptation of the 1999 film, scripted by Henry Gilroy with art by Rodolfo Damaggio and inks by veteran Al Williamson, whose long association with the Star Wars newspaper strips and prior film adaptations lent the project industry pedigree. The issue continues the film's early plot beats, featuring Darth Maul, Emperor Palpatine, C-3PO, and a cast of podracing entrants including Ben Quadinaros and Gasgano, with a Hugh Fleming cover capturing the film's early promotional imagery.

Market data shows a steep grade-to-value curve typical of high-print-run modern comics tied to a major film release: values remain nominal through the mid grades and rise sharply only at the top of the census, with CGC 9.8 copies commanding roughly $110-$128 in recent sales activity against a 9.4 FMV of just $26. This pattern reflects abundant raw supply against a large but comparatively shallow pool of pristine submissions, with demand concentrated among Star Wars completists and CGC registry builders rather than broad crossover collector interest.

This book functions as a supporting piece within Star Wars comic runs rather than a standalone investment target. Raw copies in low and mid grades are readily available and inexpensive, suited to reading collections or film-tie-in completists, while the 9.8 tier draws registry-focused buyers willing to pay a real premium for top-census certification. Long-term movement will likely track broader Star Wars collectible sentiment and any resurgence of prequel-era nostalgia rather than intrinsic scarcity.