The Amazing Spider-Man ##194
Marvel Comics • The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1
Writer
Marv Wolfman
Interior Artist
Keith Pollard
Cover Artist
Al Milgrom
Publication Date
July 1979
Cover Variant
Regular/Newsstand Edition
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
This issue features the first appearance of Felicia Hardy, better known as the Black Cat. The story follows Spider-Man as he encounters this new cat-burglar who seems to have the power of 'bad luck' affecting those around her.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Fair/Good (CGC 1.5)
Condition Details
Significant damage to the top center of the cover including paper loss and possible liquid staining. Major color-breaking creases across the right side and bottom right corner. Heavy spine stress with white 'ticks'. Bottom left corner impact. A vertical black line is drawn through the UPC barcode. Overall heavy wear and surface scuffing.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $30 - $50. Graded (1.5): $100 - $120.
Recent Sales
High-grade copies (CGC 9.8) sell for over $2,000, but low-grade copies (1.0 - 2.0) consistently sell in the $30 - $60 range due to the major key status of the issue.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for grading. The cost of CGC/CBCS submission would exceed the value gained for a book in this condition (1.5 range). Better kept as a raw 'reader' copy or placeholder for a collector.
Notable Features
First appearance of the Black Cat (Felicia Hardy). This is a Newsstand Edition (indicated by the UPC barcode in the bottom left). Significant Bronze Age key issue.
Authentication Notes
The wear patterns, paper aging, and newsstand UPC indicate a genuine 1979 copy. The physical damage to the masthead (title area) is consistent with paper peeling from tape or price sticker removal.