The Invincible Iron Man ##55
Marvel Comics • Iron Man Vol. 1
Writer
Jim Starlin and Mike Friedrich
Interior Artist
Jim Starlin
Cover Artist
Jim Starlin and Joe Sinnott
Publication Date
February 1973
Cover Variant
Regular/A Cover
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
A major Bronze Age key issue featuring the first appearance of Thanos (the Mad Titan), Drax the Destroyer, Eros (Starfox), the Blood Brothers, Mentor, and Kronos. The story 'Beware the Blood Brothers!' introduces the cosmic conflict between Thanos and Drax that would define decades of Marvel storylines.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Good+ (CGC 2.5) to Very Good (CGC 4.0)
Condition Details
Heavy spine roll and multiple deep spine stress marks/ticks. Visible vertical creasing along the spine. Significant cover wear with scuffing and color loss throughout. Bottom left corner has a visible tear and paper loss. Possible staining or foxing on the white border elements. Edgewear and blunted corners.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $300 - $450; Graded (CGC 3.0 range): $450 - $600. Value varies significantly based on interior page quality (off-white vs white).
Recent Sales
Recent sales for mid-to-high grade copies exceed $1,000, but low-grade copies (2.0-4.0) consistently sell in the $300-$550 range depending on eye appeal.
Grading Recommendation
Yes, grading is recommended despite the low condition because this is a major 'Grail' key issue. Authentication and slab protection are vital for resale. A professional Press and Clean could improve the grade slightly by addressing surface dirt and the spine roll, though color-breaking creases will remain.
Notable Features
First appearance of Thanos; First appearance of Drax the Destroyer; First appearance of Starfox (Eros); First appearance of Mentor and Kronos; 20-cent cover price variant.
Authentication Notes
The wear patterns, paper aging, and ink saturation on the cover are consistent with 1970s Marvel newsprint stock. There are no immediate signs of a modern reprint (such as the 1990s JC Penney reprint or 2000s Marvel Milestone editions) visible in this image.