Approximate
Condition Profile
DC COMICS · 1/87 · NEWSSTAND
UNIT ECA-013294
TALES OF THE TEEN TITANS #73
Marv Wolfman and Jerry Ordway continue the New Teen Titans saga in a mid-run Copper Age issue
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC Comics | January 1987 | Copper | Newsstand | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-013294 | ~8.0 | Newsstand | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows good gloss and sharp corners overall with no major creases or tears visible. There is a small vertical crease line along the left edge near the spine and slight surface scuffing/scratches visible near the character's face on the right side. Spine appears mostly tight with no obvious white stress ticks visible through the protective sleeve. The book is in a plastic bag which creates some glare obscuring fine detail; interior and back cover were not assessed.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $2 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $4 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $60 |
// Archive commentary
Tales of the Teen Titans #73 is a mid-1980s chapter in DC's long-running Teen Titans franchise, written by Marv Wolfman with pencils by Eduardo Barreto and a cover by Jerry Ordway, who also inks alongside Romeo Tanghal on interiors. By this point in the series the team's roster included Dick Grayson (then operating as Nightwing), Donna Troy, Cyborg, Beast Boy, Jericho, and Kole, with supporting cast members Arella, Blackfire, Azrael, and Captain Karras rounding out the issue's cast. The book falls within the retitled Tales of the Teen Titans run that followed the original New Teen Titans numbering, a period when Wolfman and his collaborators continued to develop the interpersonal dynamics and supporting mythology built up over the preceding several years of the title.
The issue does not carry a first appearance, death, or other headline event, and its lack of a published fair-market value reflects its status as a common, easily found back issue rather than any misclassification. Demand for this specific number is modest and driven mainly by completists working through the Wolfman/Pérez-era Titans run and by fans of Ordway's cover work, rather than by speculative key-issue interest. Copies turn up regularly in bulk lots, convention bins, and online marketplaces at low, accessible prices.
Collecting interest in this issue centers on readers assembling a complete run of the series rather than investors seeking appreciation. Raw copies in any grade trade cheaply and are widely available, while a certified 9.8 example would appeal only to a narrow set of registry-focused collectors chasing a complete high-grade run of the title. As with most mid-run Copper Age team books without a landmark event, the issue is best regarded as reading and run-completion material rather than an investment-grade key.
INQUIRE_ABOUT_THIS_UNIT
Institutional buyers, auction houses, and private collectors — direct line to the archive.
