MARVEL SPECIAL EDITION STAR WARS ##1
Marvel Comics / Whitman • Marvel Special Edition Star Wars Treasury Edition
Writer
Roy Thomas
Interior Artist
Howard Chaykin
Cover Artist
Howard Chaykin
Publication Date
1977
Cover Variant
Whitman Edition / Star Wars Collector's Edition (Red Corner Snipe)
Printing
First Printing (Whitman Variant)
Comic Description
Official comic book adaptation of the original 1977 Star Wars: A New Hope film. It features the story of Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, and Han Solo as they battle the Galactic Empire and Darth Vader. The Treasury Edition format is significantly larger than standard comic books.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Good/Very Good (CGC 3.0)
Condition Details
Significant edge wear and chipping along the top and right margins. Numerous color-breaking spine stress lines and ticks. Visible creases across the cover, specifically near the bottom right and upper left corners. Heavy blunting on all four corners. Possible surface scuffing and soiling on the black background. Remnants of a price sticker or glue residue in the upper left corner near the Whitman logo.
Estimated Market Value
Raw (as-is): $25 - $45; Graded (CGC 3.0): $60 - $80
Recent Sales
High-grade copies (9.0+) of the Whitman Treasury often fetch over $250. Lower grade copies in the 3.0-4.0 range typically sell between $30 and $55 on eBay.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The costs of grading, shipping, and handling would likely exceed the market value of the book in this condition. The defects are too structural and severe for a significant value boost from a press and clean.
Notable Features
Whitman variant identified by the 'W' logo in the price box. Features the iconic Howard Chaykin cover art which was used for the original Early Bird posters. This issue compiles the content of the first several issues of the monthly Star Wars comic run into a single oversized volume.
Authentication Notes
The book shows authentic aged paper characteristics and period-accurate printing artifacts (dot gain and registration typical of 1970s Marvel Treasury books). The Whitman logo is correctly positioned for this specific variant.