The Man of Steel #No. 5
DC Comics • The Man of Steel (6-Part Mini-Series)
Writer
John Byrne
Interior Artist
John Byrne (Pencils) & Dick Giordano (Inks)
Cover Artist
John Byrne
Publication Date
November 1986
Cover Variant
Regular / Direct Edition
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
A part of John Byrne's post-Crisis on Infinite Earths reboot of Superman. In this issue, titled 'The Beast Within', Superman meets Bizarro, who is reimagined as a failed cloned copy of Superman created by Lex Luthor's scientists. It serves as a crossover with the 'Legends' event.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Fine- (CGC 7.5)
Condition Details
Visible spine stress marks (ticks), slight corner blunting on the top left and bottom left corners. The edges show minor wear consistent with storage in a standard bag. Surface appears relatively flat but displays some light scratching on the white background. Slight yellowing of the cover edges due to age.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $3 - $8; Graded (9.8): $40 - $60
Recent Sales
Raw copies typically sell for $5 in various conditions. Higher grade 9.8 copies have recently sold for approximately $50 on eBay. Mid-grade copies (7.0-8.0) rarely sell for more than cover price plus a small premium.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The estimated grade of 7.5 means the cost of grading fees and shipping would exceed the market value of the comic. It is best kept as a reader copy or in a personal collection.
Notable Features
First Post-Crisis appearance of Bizarro. 'Legends' crossover tie-in. Iconic John Byrne art style from the definitive 80s Superman era.
Authentication Notes
Authentic DC direct market copy. Features the UPC box indicating a direct edition rather than a newsstand barcode. Colors and paper stock are consistent with DC's mid-1980s quality.