The Man of Steel ##1
DC Comics • The Man of Steel (1986 Mini-Series)
Writer
John Byrne
Interior Artist
John Byrne / Dick Giordano
Cover Artist
John Byrne
Publication Date
October 1986
Cover Variant
Regular/A Cover (Clark Kent reveal)
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Post-Crisis on Infinite Earths origin story of Superman. Depicts the destruction of Krypton and Clark Kent's discovery of his heritage and powers in Smallville.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Fine (CGC 6.0)
Condition Details
Visible color-breaking spine stress/ticks; significant corner blunting top-left and top-right; light surface creasing near the spine; edge wear along the right side; minor soiling on the white border areas.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $5-$10 | Graded (9.8): $150-$200
Recent Sales
Recent raw copies in Mid-Grade sell for $3-$8; high-grade 9.8 slabbed copies typically fetch between $160 and $210 depending on variants.
Grading Recommendation
Not worth professional grading in current condition. The visible spine stress and corner wear likely cap the grade at a 6.0–7.0 range, making the grading fees higher than the final market value. Grading is only recommended for pristine 9.8 candidates of this issue.
Notable Features
First appearance of the Modern Age Superman (Post-Crisis); First appearance of Jonathan and Martha Kent (Post-Crisis version). This is the 'Regular' cover; four other variants were released.
Authentication Notes
First printing confirmed by the 75 cent price point and absence of later-printing indicators in the UPC/indicia area. Ink density and paper stock appear consistent with 1980s DC newsstand/direct standards.