THE SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN THE BARBARIAN ##167
Marvel Comics (Curtis Magazines imprint) • The Savage Sword of Conan Vol. 1
Writer
Chuck Dixon
Interior Artist
Gary Kwapisz
Cover Artist
Earl Norem
Publication Date
December 1989
Cover Variant
Regular
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Features the story 'The Blood of the Hunter'. Conan travels to a remote mountain village and becomes embroiled in a conflict involving a monstrous bear and tribal rivalries. Key characters include Conan and the various mountain tribespeople.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Fine- (CGC 7.5)
Condition Details
Visible moderate spine stress and color-breaking ticks along the spine. Slight blunting of the top and bottom right corners. Minor edge wear on the right side. Surface appears slightly flat with some light scuffing on the yellow background.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $8.00 - $15.00; Graded (9.6+): $50.00 - $75.00
Recent Sales
Recent ungraded copies in similar condition have sold for approximately $10-$12. High-grade CGC 9.8 copies occasionally reach $90-$110, but mid-grade copies remain extremely affordable.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The costs of grading (shipping, fees) would exceed the market value of a 7.5 grade copy. Only 9.8 candidates are typically worth the investment for this specific issue.
Notable Features
Earl Norem cover art. This is a black-and-white magazine format (Copper Age) which was not subject to the Comics Code Authority, allowing for more mature content than the standard Conan line.
Authentication Notes
Authentic magazine format. Features the standard $2.25 price point and axe logo in the UPC box area, characteristic of the newsstand/magazine distribution of that era. Paper stock is standard for 1989 Marvel magazines.