The Uncanny X-Men ##221
Marvel Comics • The Uncanny X-Men Vol. 1
Writer
Chris Claremont
Interior Artist
Marc Silvestri
Cover Artist
Marc Silvestri
Publication Date
September 1987
Cover Variant
Regular/Direct Edition (Spider-man head in UPC box)
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
The X-Men encounter the Marauders. This issue is highly significant as it features the first cameo appearance of Nathaniel Essex, better known as Mister Sinister, on the final page.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Fine- (CGC 7.5) to Very Fine (CGC 8.0)
Condition Details
Visible spine stress marks/ticks along the left edge, slight blunting on the top right corner, and minor color-breaking creases near the bottom edge. Gloss appears decent but shows shelf wear.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $60 - $90 | Graded (CGC 9.8): $350 - $450 | Graded (CGC 8.0): $100 - $130
Recent Sales
Recent raw mid-to-high grade copies have sold between $70 and $110. CGC 9.8 copies have consistently stayed above the $400 mark due to the popularity of Mister Sinister.
Grading Recommendation
Potential candidate for pressing to remove surface dimples and non-color-breaking defects. Grading only recommended if a result of 9.4 or higher is expected to justify costs; current estimated grade (8.0) may not yield high ROI unless for personal archival.
Notable Features
First appearance of Mister Sinister (Nathaniel Essex). Iconic Marc Silvestri cover art. Direct edition copy indicated by the Spider-man icon in the UPC box.
Authentication Notes
Authentic 1987 newsprint interior. Staple placement is correct for the era. Correct 75 cent price point for US/CAN markets. High-quality color registration visible on the 'X-Men' header.