SWAMP THING #No. 9
DC Comics • Swamp Thing Vol. 1
Writer
Len Wein
Interior Artist
Bernie Wrightson
Cover Artist
Bernie Wrightson
Publication Date
April 1974
Cover Variant
Regular
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Title: 'The Garden of Unearthly Delights.' Swamp Thing encounters a mysterious old man named Nathan Ellery and his collection of mutated creatures. This issue continues the classic Wein/Wrightson run that defined the character's Bronze Age horror aesthetic.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Fine- (CGC 7.5)
Condition Details
Minor spine stress lines visible along the left edge. Slight blunting on the top-left and bottom-right corners. Faint surface wear on the dark green area of the masthead. The edges show very minor shelf wear, but the colors remain vibrant with no significant creasing.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $40 - $60 / Graded (CGC 7.5): $120 - $150
Recent Sales
CGC 7.5 copies have recently sold in the $130 range. Raw copies in similar mid-to-high grade condition typically fetch between $45 and $55 on platforms like eBay.
Grading Recommendation
Optional. While the cover art by Wrightson is iconic, a grade of 7.5 may yield a marginal return after grading fees. However, if a professional press/clean improves it to an 8.0 or 8.5, the value increase would justify the cost.
Notable Features
Final interior art by Bernie Wrightson for the original series; iconic horror cover art; Bronze Age key series.
Authentication Notes
Displays authentic 20-cent price point and DC 'The Line of Super-Stars' logo characteristic of 1974. Ink saturation and paper aging are consistent with original 1970s newsprint stock.