Web of Spider-Man ##40
Marvel Comics • Web of Spider-Man Vol. 1
Writer
Peter David
Interior Artist
Alex Saviuk
Cover Artist
Alex Saviuk
Publication Date
July 1988
Cover Variant
Newsstand Edition
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Part 1 of the 'Cult of Love' storyline. Spider-Man (wearing the black cloth costume) and Flash Thompson attempt to save Betty Brant Leeds from a brainwashing cult led by the Teacher. This issue focuses heavily on the psychological trauma of the supporting cast.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Fine (CGC 6.0)
Condition Details
Visible color-breaking spine stress/ticks, noticeable corner rounding and blunting (particularly bottom right), edge wear along the right side, and a moderate vertical crease near the right edge likely caused by poor storage or handling.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $5 - $10; Graded (CGC 9.8 target): $60 - $80
Recent Sales
Recent raw newsstand copies in mid-to-high grade typically sell for $8-$12. High-grade CGC 9.8 copies have sold in the $75 range recently.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. In its current condition (estimated 6.0 range), the cost of grading and shipping would exceed the market value of the comic. Grading is generally only profitable for this specific issue at a 9.6 or 9.8 level.
Notable Features
Newsstand edition (indicated by the UPC barcode), black costume era (non-symbiote), and features the beginning of the Cult of Love arc.
Authentication Notes
The comic appears authentic based on the newsstand barcode pattern, period-appropriate color saturation, and the '75-cent' price point consistent with Marvel's 1988 distribution. No signs of restoration or counterfeiting are visible from the image provided.