Pokémon: The Electric Tale of Pikachu ##2
Viz Comics • Pokémon: The Electric Tale of Pikachu (1998 Monthly Series)
Writer
Toshihiro Ono
Interior Artist
Toshihiro Ono
Cover Artist
Toshihiro Ono
Publication Date
December 1998
Cover Variant
Regular (Newsstand Edition with Barcode)
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Loosely based on the Pokemon anime; Ash battles Misty at the Cerulean Gym and meets Bill. It features a stylized 90s manga aesthetic. Key characters include Ash Ketchum, Pikachu, and Misty.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Fine (CGC 6.0)
Condition Details
Visible horizontal and vertical surface creasing across the center of the cover (Pikachu's body), significant corner blunting on the bottom right and top right, spine stress/ticks visible along the left edge, and general shelf wear on the edges.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $5 - $15 | Graded (CGC 9.8): $150 - $250. Given current condition (~6.0), the value remains in the raw range.
Recent Sales
Raw copies in mid-grade condition typically sell for $10 on eBay. High-grade (9.8) newsstand copies are significantly more sought after by collectors of 1st generation Pokemon media.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The visible creases on the main cover art significantly lower the grade. The cost of grading (approx. $40+) exceeds the market value of the comic in this condition.
Notable Features
Features the UPC barcode (Newsstand), which is often more desirable to specific collectors than the Direct Edition version. Includes the 'Official Nintendo Licensed Product' seal on cover.
Authentication Notes
Authentic 1998 Viz Comics production. Paper stock appears to be the standard non-glossy newsprint style common for this print run; staple placement is consistent with mass-market distribution.