WONDER MAN #1
First issue of Simon Williams' first solo Marvel series, featuring Captain America and the Grim Reaper
// Unit specification
| Publisher | Cover date | Era | Variant | Key attribute | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvel Comics | March 1986 | Copper | — | — | AVAILABLE |
// Run position
// Condition analysis
Cover shows sharp corners, strong glossy color with no visible fading, and a tight spine with no stress lines or ticks visible in this photo. The book is protected in a plastic sleeve, which slightly obscures fine surface detail and reflects some glare across the lower portion, making minor wear harder to confirm. No creases, tears, or writing are visible on the front cover; interior pages and back cover were not assessed.
// Valuation — market reference
| Bracket | Grade | Est. market value | Marker |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOW_RAW | 0.5 – 1.5 | $1 | |
| MID_RAW | 4.0 – 6.0 | $4 | |
| HIGH_CERT | 9.8 SLAB | $42 |
// Archive commentary
Wonder Man #1 launched the character's first ongoing solo title in March 1986, written by David Michelinie with art by Kerry Gammill and Vince Colletta. Simon Williams, who had debuted decades earlier in Avengers #9 (1964) as a villain-turned-hero, finally received his own book here, backed by a supporting cast that includes Captain America, Hercules, and the returning villain Grim Reaper, Williams' own brother in Marvel continuity. The issue is historically notable chiefly as an origin-refresher and character-launch vehicle rather than for introducing any new figures of consequence.
Market data shows this as a high-volume, low-demand Copper Age title: census population is large (928 Universal copies, with 558 alone at 9.8), and FMV pricing is compressed across nearly the entire grading scale, with sub-8.0 grades essentially flat near the mid-teens in dollars. Demand is driven almost entirely by Wonder Man completists, Avengers-adjacent character collectors, and buyers assembling runs of underappreciated 1980s Marvel solo titles rather than by any landmark first-appearance premium.
This is a book that trades as a bulk or bargain-bin item in low and mid grades, with real value concentrated only at the top of the certified population. Raw copies move for a few dollars regardless of moderate wear, while CGC 9.8 slabs command a modest but consistent premium reflecting sustained collector interest in pristine copies rather than scarcity. It suits dealers stocking character-focused Marvel Copper Age inventory, but has limited crossover appeal outside completist buyers.
// Copies in archive
| Unit | Grade | Variant | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECA-006739 | ~9.0 | — | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-006741 | ~9.0 | — | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-006743 | ~9.0 | — | AVAILABLE |
| ECA-006745 | ~9.0 | — | AVAILABLE |
INQUIRE_ABOUT_THIS_UNIT
Institutional buyers, auction houses, and private collectors — direct line to the archive.
