MARVEL TALES STARRING SPIDER-MAN ##169
Marvel Comics Group • Marvel Tales Vol. 2 (1964 series)
Writer
Stan Lee
Interior Artist
Gil Kane and John Romita Sr.
Cover Artist
Charles Vess
Publication Date
November 1984
Cover Variant
Regular/Direct Edition
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
This issue reprints 'The Claws of the Cat!' from The Amazing Spider-Man #97. It features Spider-Man battling the Green Goblin (Norman Osborn) as he deals with Harry Osborn's drug addiction storyline. Notable for being a reprint of a classic Bronze Age story originally published without the Comics Code Authority seal.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Fine/Very Fine (CGC 7.0)
Condition Details
Visible spine stress ticks along the left edge, slight blunting on the bottom left corner, and minor surface wear/scuffing concentrated on the black ink areas of the cover. Appears relatively flat within the polybag.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $3 - $8 / Graded (9.8): $40 - $60
Recent Sales
Recent raw copies of Marvel Tales #169 have sold for approximately $2.00 to $10.00 depending on condition. High-grade graded copies rare and usually trade near the cost of the grading fee.
Grading Recommendation
Not worth professional grading. The cost of CGC/CBCS grading exceeds the current market value of the book. A press and clean might improve the grade slightly, but it remains a low-value copper-age reprint.
Notable Features
Direct Edition (barcode with no strike-through). This is a Charles Vess cover. The story reprinted is a significant 'Key' in the original ASM run due to its anti-drug themes and the temporary omission of the CCA seal.
Authentication Notes
Authentic 1980s Marvel stock. Paper age and ink saturation are consistent with 1984 production. The UPC barcode indicates a direct market edition.