TALES TO ASTONISH #70

This 1965 pre-direct/newsstand-split issue shows notable wear: heavy surface scuffing and paint/color loss along the central image (particularly on the Sub-Mariner figure and cage bars), a vertical crease running through the upper right corner near the Comics Code stamp, and general granular surface abrasion consistent with handling. Corners show blunting and there is minor edge wear along the top and right border. The comic is in a protective sleeve which obscures some fine detail; spine and back cover were not visible/assessed. No tears or missing pieces are apparent, but the extensive color rubbing and surface loss push this into the lower mid-grade range.

Tales to Astonish #70 marks a turning point for the anthology title, as the Giant-Man and Wasp feature that had run since issue #35 is replaced by a new Sub-Mariner solo strip, scripted by Stan Lee with art by Gene Colan working under the pseudonym Adam Austin. The issue continues to pair Namor with the ongoing Hulk feature, itself scripted by Lee with Jack Kirby providing layouts and cover work typical of the era's Marvel output. The switch to Sub-Mariner here set the stage for the character's eventual jump to his own title in 1968, making this a notable transitional issue within Marvel's mid-1960s split-book format rather than a first appearance or origin story.

Market data shows a typical Silver Age split-book curve: mid-grade copies trade in the low-to-mid double digits, reflecting steady but unspectacular collector demand, while values climb sharply at the top of the grading scale. The jump from 9.4 to 9.6 is especially pronounced, more than tripling in price, and reflects how thin the population becomes at the highest end — only a handful of 9.6s and a mere three 9.8s exist on certified census, with essentially no completed sales at the top grade. This pattern is common for consistently-read anthology titles from the period, where survival in top condition is rare regardless of story significance.

This issue appeals most to Sub-Mariner completists and Silver Age Marvel run-builders rather than character-first-appearance investors, since its significance lies in a creative and structural shift rather than a landmark debut. Raw copies in low and mid grades will move steadily within established anthology-book price bands, while true gem-quality certified copies are scarce enough that any high-grade sale is likely to set new benchmarks rather than follow existing comps closely.