Fantastic Four ##22
Marvel Comics • Fantastic Four Vol. 1
Writer
Stan Lee
Interior Artist
Jack Kirby
Cover Artist
Jack Kirby
Publication Date
January 1964
Cover Variant
Regular
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Features the return of the Mole Man, the first super-villain the Fantastic Four ever faced. The story involves the FF being lured into a trap in a mysterious dungeon below the Earth's surface. Key characters: Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Girl, Human Torch, The Thing, and Mole Man.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Good (CGC 4.0)
Condition Details
Visible spine stress and heavy creasing along the left edge, corner blunting, possible minor staining or discoloration in the white border areas, and general surface wear consistent with age and handling.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $150.00 - $250.00; Graded (CGC 4.0): $300.00 - $450.00
Recent Sales
Recent sales for mid-low grade raw copies (VG/FN) range from $200 to $350. Graded 4.0 copies have recently cleared the $350 mark depending on eye appeal.
Grading Recommendation
Moderate recommendation. While a Silver Age key involving Mole Man, the current condition (roughly 4.0) makes the cost of grading significant relative to the value gain. Best suited for grading if intended for long-term preservation or if a professional 'Clean and Press' could bump it to a 5.0.
Notable Features
Significant early Silver Age issue; return of the Mole Man; classic Jack Kirby cover art; 12-cent cover price variant.
Authentication Notes
The item appears to be an authentic 1964 arrival based on color registration, paper aging patterns, and staple placement. No immediate signs of being a modern reprint or counterfeit are visible.