Heroes for Hope Starring the X-Men ##1
Marvel Comics • Heroes for Hope Starring the X-Men
Writer
Various (Chris Claremont, Ann Nocenti, Stan Lee, Stephen King, et al.)
Interior Artist
Various (John Byrne, Rick Leonardi, Bernie Wrightson, Brent Anderson, et al.)
Cover Artist
Arthur Adams
Publication Date
December 1985
Cover Variant
Direct Edition
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
A benefit comic created to raise funds for African famine relief. The story features the X-Men confronting an entity called 'Hunger'. It is notable for its massive collaboration of industry legends and outside writers like Stephen King and George R.R. Martin.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Good (CGC 4.0)
Condition Details
Significant damage to the upper right corner including large creases and paper loss. Heavy spine stress with color-breaking ticks. Numerous visible surface scratches, ink writing (signatures and personal inscription 'For Erin!'), corner blunting, and edge wear. Notable staining or foxing on the right border.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $5 - $20 (Signed but unauthenticated/damaged condition). Graded: Marginal due to low condition and unverified signatures.
Recent Sales
Near Mint copies typically sell for $15-$25. Copies with significant wear and unauthenticated signatures often sell at a discount unless signatures can be verified by a service like CBCS.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The heavy structural damage (corner loss/creasing) and the presence of unauthenticated ink writing/personalization make the cost of grading exceed the potential market value.
Notable Features
Includes a story segment written by Stephen King. Features a personalized inscription and multiple signatures including what appears to be 'Mike Baron' on the left edge and others like 'Arthur Adams' or 'Paul Gulacy' (unverified). No UPC (Spider-Man head in box).
Authentication Notes
Signatures are on the cover in various pens/markers. Without a witness from a grading company (CGC Signature Series) or secondary verification (CBCS), they are considered 'writing on cover' in some technical grading aspects. The print quality and character alignment are consistent with mid-1980s Marvel paper stock.