Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 11/66
UNIT ECA-000670
TALES TO ASTONISH #73
Silver Age Marvel double feature starring the Incredible Hulk and the Sub-Mariner.
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | November 1966 | Silver | — | — | AVAILABLE |
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-000670 | ~6.0 | — | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
The image is rotated 90 degrees, and the cover shows moderate wear consistent with a mid-grade Silver Age book: visible corner softening, some edge wear along the top and bottom edges, and light surface handling wear across the cover art. There is a small amount of spine stress apparent near the bottom of the spine, with no major color breaks visible. No tears, tape, or writing are visible on this side of the cover. Interior pages and back cover were not assessed, so overall grade could shift once those are examined.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $13 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $29 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $1,300 |
// Archive commentary
Tales to Astonish #73 is a Silver Age split-book from Marvel's peak Lee-era production, pairing an Incredible Hulk feature with a Sub-Mariner adventure under one cover. By late 1966 the title had settled into its dual-lead format, giving two of Marvel's most volatile characters room to develop in serialized chapters. It is a mid-run issue rather than a landmark, but it sits squarely within a well-collected anthology series whose Hulk and Namor installments remain foundational reading for the period.
The market profile is that of a solid, liquid mid-run Silver Age book: broadly available across mid and lower grades, with a census weighted toward the 8.0-9.2 range and only a handful of copies at the very top. Demand is steady rather than speculative, driven by run collectors filling the title and by Hulk and Sub-Mariner completists. High-grade certified copies command meaningful premiums because the top of the census thins abruptly, with just a single copy above 9.4 and none certified at 9.8.
Collecting outlook favors buyers assembling complete Tales to Astonish runs or dedicated Hulk/Namor collections. In low and mid grades the book trades affordably and moves readily, making it accessible filler for a Silver Age set. The upside concentrates at the top of the grade ladder, where scarcity of pristine copies rewards patient buyers willing to pay for registry-quality condition.
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