Marvel Age Comic Book Value
This article lists out the different marvel age comic book values. While some might ignore or ridicule this preview market, there is no denying the prices some of them are commanding now.
Acknowledging the preview market does not mean that it is more important than traditional first appearances. It is recognizing that there are enough people who care about such books to form a market.
In addition, not all preview collectors think that preview can be considered first appearances. They just want to collect previews because:
- it is something unique to traditional comic issues
- it is challenging to find some of these harder to come by previews
Marvel Age falls into the preview market. Below are some of the more significant issues that contain a preview of characters.
Marvel Age Annual #4
Date of Publication: 1988
Sale number: No Information
Value: $10
Key strengths of this book
1. First Appearance of Damage Control
This is the only Marvel Age issue that has an actual first appearance. Specifically, there is a 4 page original content that contain Damage Control, which previously was supposed to have its own TV show. Speedball might also made his first appearance here.
Below are some scans of the interior
Marvel Age #2
Date of Publication: 1983
Sale number: No Information
Value: $3
Key strengths of this book
1. Preview of Alpha Flight members, Pluck and Marrina before Alpha Flight #1
2. New Alpha Flight cover art, featuring the first look of 2 new characters, Pluck and Marrina
Within the issue, there is an exclusive interview with John Byrne about the new series. There is no preview of Alpha Flight #1 within Marvel Age #2.
Marvel Age #7
Date of Publication: 1983
Sale number: No Information
Value: $10
Key strengths of this book
1. Preview of Spider-Ham
There is a one page preview of Marvel Tails #1, with no original cover or content.
Marvel Age #17
Date of Publication: 1984
Sale number: No Information
Value: $3
Key strengths of this book
1. First Transformer content ever published. It was even before the toys are on the shelf.
This is one of the rare issue where there is something significant found within the book. It is a pity that the cover does not contain Tranformers or I suspect its collectibility will increase even more.
Marvel Age #41
Date of Publication: 1986
Sale number: No Information
Value: $15-20
Key strengths of this book
1. Photo cover of the great Stan Lee
This issue took off with the passing of Stan Lee. While prices have fallen off the peak, it is still a collector’s item especially those with Stan Lee’s signature on it.
Marvel Age #70
Date of Publication: 1989
Sale number: No Information
Value: $5
Key strengths of this book
1. New She Hulk cover art by John Byrne. This is the first bikini She Hulk cover by John Byrne. Pre-dates Sensational She Hulk #34.
John Byrne’s sexy She Hulk covers have become something of a collecting niche. In this case, collecting Marvel Age #70 makes perfect sense as you don’t need anything else than the cover ? Fortunately, there is a John Byrne interview within about She Hulk.
Marvel Age #76
Date of Publication: 1989
Sale number: No Information
Value: $8
Key strengths of this book
1. New She Hulk cover art by John Byrne. This is the second bikini She Hulk cover by John Byrne.
The previous She Hulk Bikini cover must have sell well because a second one was published just 6 issues after. Again, there is no need for any content within as the cover IS the reason for collecting it.
Marvel Age #82
Date of Publication: 1989
Sale number: No Information
Value: $8
Key strengths of this book
1. Preview of Cable before New Mutants #87
There is a one pager containing some sketches from Rob Liefield. Specifically, there are 3 character designs: Cable, Stryfe and Cougar of Youngblood. The Cable design however is not the final design as there are subtle color differences.
Marvel Age #87
Date of Publication: 1990
Sale number: No Information
Value: $3
Key strengths of this book
1. Preview of Ghost Rider (Danny Ketch) and Deathwatch before Ghost Rider Vol 3, #1.
2. New Ghost Rider cover art
This Marvel Age issues contains a one page introduction of Danny Ketch as well as 4 preview pages from Ghost Rider Vol 3 #1. Because of the cover, it might attract some interest from collectors who like Marvel Age #97.
Marvel Age #90
Date of Publication: 1990
Sale number: No Information
Value: $10
Key strengths of this book
1. New Spider-Man cover art by Todd McFarlane
Todd McFarlane fans have been gobbling up any of his Spider Man covers. This cover is no different and attracts a lot of interest. Since it is for the cover, no interior content is necessary.
Marvel Age #97
Date of Publication: 1991
Sale number: No Information
Value: $20
Key strengths of this book
1. Preview of Darkhawk before Darkhawk #1
2. New Darkhawk cover art
Marvel Age #97 is one of the first Marvel Age book to break out, mainly due to the first cover art of Darkhawk. While there is no new content within this issue, it seems that collectors only need the cover to be satisfied.
Marvel Age #98
Date of Publication: 1991
Sale number: No Information
Value: $10
Key strengths of this book
1. Preview of Toxic Avenger before Toxic Avengers #1
2. New Toxic Avenger cover art
If Toxic Avenger has any fans, this would surely take off as Marvel Age #97, given its cover art. Nevertheless, this book still comamnds a small premium with its $10 value. Pretty surprising to see any value here.
Marvel Age #100
Date of Publication: 1991
Sale number: No Information
Value: $8
Key strengths of this book
1. Preview of Sleep Walker before Toxic Avengers #1
The issue features a one page write up from creator Bob Budiansky on Sleep Walker as well as a brand new one page pin up. There is also a 4 page preview of Sleep Walker #1.
Marvel Age #117
Date of Publication: 1992
Sale number: No Information
Value: $5
Key strengths of this book
1. Preview of 2099 characters except Spider-Man 2099
The write up on the 2099 universe was pretty extensive and ran 6-7 pages. It even includes Stan Lee’s comments on his Ravage character.
Marvel Age #129
Date of Publication: 1993
Sale number: No Information
Value: $10
Key strengths of this book
1. New Adam Hughes cover art
Besides the Hughes cover, there is nothing really important happening in the book. So, this is a cover buy and nothing else.
Conclusion
Overall, most of the Marvel Age issues are still pretty affordable, although issues like #41 and #97 have clearly broken out.
In the long term, I see issues which are desired due to the cover art holding their value since cover collecting has been a comic tradition. For issues like #100 where there is no new cover art, the preview aspect might be less appealing.
Great article on some underrated books, I’ve just picked up number 71 with the Mobius Silver Surfer cover (which also makes a nice three book set with the comics.) All the best.