THE CHAMPIONS #2

Cover shows moderate handling: a vertical crease/wear line along the left edge near the spine, mild corner softening at top and bottom right, and some surface rubbing visible in the yellow background especially along the spine area. Colors remain bright with no major color breaks, tears, or stains apparent, though the book is in a plastic sleeve which limits full assessment of edge wear and gloss. Interior pages and back cover were not visible and were not assessed.

The Champions #2 continues the short-lived West Coast team title that paired Hercules, Angel, Ghost Rider (Blaze), Black Widow, and Iceman under Tony Isabella's scripting, wrapping up the Olympian-themed opening storyline that pits the team against Ares, Athena, and the Huntsman of Zeus. Don Heck handles interior pencils, while the cover is a Ron Wilson pencil job finished by Joe Sinnott, giving the issue a recognizable Silver-to-Bronze-Age visual pedigree even though the roster and creative team never produced a first appearance or other landmark moment in this issue. The book is best understood as a solid, second-tier entry in a cult-favorite series rather than a key issue.

Market data shows a large certified population (123 Universal copies on a 128-total census) with the overwhelming majority clustered at 9.2 and above, indicating the issue was well preserved from the outset and rarely surfaces in lower grades. Pricing is flat and shallow through the mid grades, with real separation only appearing at 9.6 and 9.8, where FMV roughly triples the 9.0–9.4 range; this pattern is typical of a book collected mainly for census-topping and team-completist purposes rather than broad crossover demand. Sales volume at the top grades (17 sales at 9.8, 15 at 9.6) confirms steady but modest turnover among condition-focused buyers.

This issue trades primarily within Champions and Bronze Age Marvel team-book collecting circles, with little pull from character-specific investors since no major first appearance anchors the book. Raw copies in low and mid grade move slowly and cheaply, largely as reading or run-filling copies, while CGC 9.8 examples command a real premium reflecting their scarcity relative to the abundant 9.2–9.6 population. Long-term interest will likely track broader Bronze Age Marvel team-book demand and any renewed attention to the Champions property rather than intrinsic key-issue value.