This is an amazing vintage single issue of Fantastic Four comic book from Marvel Comics, published in 1964. It features the first appearance of DR. Franklin Storm, father of the Fantastic Four's Sue and Johnny Storm. This comic is a first printing and first edition, with a grade of 4.5 Very Good+.
The story is set in the Marvel (MCU) universe and features a team-up between the Fantastic Four and the Avengers. The cover art is done by Jack Kirby, and the comic is written by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. This comic is perfect for general audiences who love superheroes and is a must-have for any serious collector.
Grading Criteria - 3.5
Front Cover:
- Spine Wear: Significant spine wear with multiple spine ticks and stress lines, along with some color-breaking creases.
- Corners: The corners are rounded and show signs of blunting and wear.
- Edges: The edges show moderate wear with some small tears and fraying, especially near the bottom.
- Surface: The cover shows signs of handling wear, with creases and color breaks. There is a notable crease running across the bottom right corner.
- Staples: The staples are intact but there is visible stress around the staple areas.
Back Cover:
- Edges: Moderate wear along the edges with some small tears and fraying.
- Corners: The corners are rounded and show signs of wear similar to the front cover.
- Surface: The back cover shows noticeable discoloration, stains, and handling wear. There are also creases and minor tears.
- Staples: Intact and no visible rust.
Interior Pages:
- Page Quality: The interior pages appear to be off-white to tan, indicating significant aging.
- Staple Placement: The staples are well-placed but there are stress signs around them.
- Print Quality: The print quality is good, but there are some signs of wear consistent with the age and handling of the comic.
Defects Summary:
- Significant spine wear with multiple ticks and stress lines
- Rounded and blunted corners
- Moderate edge wear with small tears and fraying
- Handling wear, creasing, and color breaks on both covers
- Notable creases on the front cover
- Discoloration and stains on the back cover
- Off-white to tan interior pages
Estimated Grade:
Given the described defects and the overall condition of the comic, the estimated grade would be 3.5 (Very Good-). This grade reflects the significant spine and edge wear, blunted corners, handling wear, and discoloration.