Approximate
Condition Profile
MARVEL COMICS · 8/87 · DIRECT EDITION
UNIT ECA-007082
THE WEST COAST AVENGERS #23
Copper Age West Coast Avengers issue from the Vision Quest era
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | August 1987 | Copper | Direct Edition | — | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows strong gloss and sharp corners with no visible creases or color breaks; spine appears tight with no stress lines evident in this photo. The price/date box replaces the UPC barcode, consistent with a direct edition, and shows no wear. Minor glare from the protective sleeve obscures fine surface detail, and the back cover and interior were not assessed, so the grade is capped conservatively despite the clean appearance.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $1 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $5 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $55 |
// Archive commentary
The West Coast Avengers #23 (August 1987) arrived during Steve Englehart's run on the title, falling within the multi-issue "Vision Quest" storyline that saw the Vision captured, dismantled, and rebuilt by a government task force. The arc reshaped the character's status quo for years afterward, stripping him of his emotions and altering his appearance, and it remains one of the more discussed extended storylines of the West Coast squad's run. The issue features the team's mid-1980s lineup, including Hawkeye, Mockingbird, Tigra, Wonder Man, and the Vision himself, set against Marvel's broader Copper Age emphasis on darker, more personal superhero drama.
Market data for this issue is sparse, reflecting its status as a mid-run installment rather than a spotlighted key. Census population is small, with only a handful of certified copies across all grades and just two recorded sales, at the 9.0 and 9.8 levels. Pricing at the top end remains modest, consistent with a book valued primarily by completists building a run of the series rather than by speculators chasing a first appearance or landmark moment.
This issue trades as a supporting piece within longer West Coast Avengers or Vision-focused collections rather than as a standalone target. Raw copies in lower and mid grades carry nominal value and are typically acquired inexpensively as part of bulk runs or back-issue bin purchases. High-grade certified copies see occasional interest from Vision Quest storyline collectors and Copper Age completists, but demand remains limited and pricing stays modest even at the top of the census.
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-007082 | ~9.0 | Direct Edition | AVAILABLE |
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