The Adventures of Kool-Aid Man ##1
Marvel Comics • The Adventures of Kool-Aid Man Vol. 1
Writer
John Warner
Interior Artist
Herb Trimpe
Cover Artist
Joe Kubert
Publication Date
1983
Cover Variant
Regular Edition (Direct)
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Promotional comic featuring the Kool-Aid Man as a superhero. In this debut issue, he battles his arch-nemeses, the Thirsties, in outer space and on a baseball field. Includes children characters and standard 1980s Marvel promotional storytelling.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Fine (CGC 6.0)
Condition Details
Visible spine stress and ticks along the left edge. Minor corner blunting on the bottom right. Small color-breaking creases near the top edge. Bagged and boarded appearance suggests some surface gloss remains, but there is visible shelf wear.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $5 - $15; Graded (9.6+): $50 - $100
Recent Sales
Recent raw sales for mid-grade copies range from $5 to $12. High-grade slabbed copies (CGC 9.8) have sold in the $150-$200 range due to the novelty/crossover appeal.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading unless it is in pristine (9.8+) condition. The current estimate of 6.0 would result in grading fees exceeding the comic's market value.
Notable Features
First appearance of the Kool-Aid Man in Marvel Comics. Features '60c Value' logo in the top right corner. Promotional giveaway or mail-away issue.
Authentication Notes
Authentic Marvel-produced promo from the early 1980s. Paper stock is standard newsprint which shows typical tanning on edges. The 'Marvel Comics Group' banner and Kool-Aid Man corner box are consistent with genuine prints.