The Pirates of Dark Water ##1
Marvel Comics • The Pirates of Dark Water (Limited Series)
Writer
Dwight Jon Zimmerman
Interior Artist
Michael Bair
Cover Artist
Identification likely Michael Bair (uncredited or credited inside)
Publication Date
November 1991
Cover Variant
Direct Edition
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Adapted from the Hanna-Barbera animated series. Prince Ren discovers he is the heir to the throne of Octopon and must find the thirteen Treasures of Rule to stop the Dark Water from consuming his world. Features first comic appearance of Ren, Tula, Ioz, and Niddler.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Fine- (CGC 7.5) to Very Fine (CGC 8.0)
Condition Details
Visible moderate spine stress marks and ticks that break color. Slight corner blunting on top right and bottom left. Minor edge wear and slight storage puffiness/rolling visible through the polybag.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $15 - $25; Graded (CGC 9.8): $120 - $150
Recent Sales
Recent raw copies in similar condition have sold between $12 and $22. High-grade slabbed copies carry a significant premium due to the nostalgic 90s cartoon fan base.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading unless it is a sentimental piece. The estimated grade of 7.5-8.0 would not yield a high enough market return to justify the grading fees ($30+). A press and clean might bump the grade slightly but likely not to the 9.6+ tier required for investment profit.
Notable Features
First appearance of characters from the Pirates of Dark Water animated series. Part one of a six-part limited series. Direct edition identified by the octopus logo in the UPC box.
Authentication Notes
Authentic Marvel stock from 1991. The print quality shows the standard dot matrix pattern of the era. No signs of reproduction. Gloss level appears consistent with age.