Dragon Ball ##1
Viz Comics • Dragon Ball (Viz Select Comics)
Writer
Akira Toriyama
Interior Artist
Akira Toriyama
Cover Artist
Akira Toriyama
Publication Date
March 1998
Cover Variant
Regular Edition
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
First English language comic book appearance of Son Goku, Bulma, and the Dragon Ball mythos. The story covers the 'Emperor Pilaf Saga' where Goku first meets Bulma and begins his quest for the seven dragon balls.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Fine- (CGC 7.5) to Very Fine (CGC 8.0)
Condition Details
Visible spine ticks along the left edge, some corner blunting on the bottom right and top left. Minor surface wear and bagging wrinkles present. Cover gloss appears intact but edges show slight shelf wear.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $30.00 - $60.00. Graded (9.8 candidate): $400.00+. Current condition (roughly 8.0): $75.00 - $100.00.
Recent Sales
Raw copies in similar mid-to-high grade condition have recently sold between $45.00 and $70.00. High-grade 9.8 CGC slabs have reached $500.00 due to Akira Toriyama's recent passing.
Grading Recommendation
Recommended only if a professional cleaning and pressing service can remove spine stress. Currently, it is likely an 8.0. If it can reach a 9.4+, the value increase justifies the fee.
Notable Features
First issue of the first US comic book series for Dragon Ball. Features full-sized comic format rather than the traditional manga tankobon size. Includes the UPC barcode on the bottom left.
Authentication Notes
Authentic Viz Select Comics publication. Indicators include the $2.95 price point, high-quality gloss finish typical of Viz's late-90s output, and correct spacing of the Akira Toriyama credit line.