The Pirates of Dark Water ##2
Marvel Comics • The Pirates of Dark Water (Part Two of a Six-Part Limited Series)
Writer
Dwight Jon Zimmerman
Interior Artist
John Hebert
Cover Artist
John Hebert
Publication Date
December 1991
Cover Variant
Newsstand Edition (UPC in barcode box)
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Based on the Hanna-Barbera animated series. Ren, the prince of Octopon, continues his quest alongside Tula, Ioz, and Niddler to find the Thirteen Treasures of Rule and stop the Dark Water from consuming the world of Mer. In this issue, titled 'Caught in the Dragon's Fangs,' the crew faces Bloth's pirate fleet and various sea hazards.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Good+ (CGC 4.5)
Condition Details
Visible heavy spine roll, multiple spine stress ticks, significant non-color breaking creases, blunting on all four corners, and noticeable edge wear on the right side. The comic is currently in an oversized, wrinkled plastic bag which may be obscuring further surface wear.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $5.00 - $10.00; Graded (9.8): $60.00 - $80.00
Recent Sales
Recent raw sales for mid-grade copies range from $3.00 to $9.00. High-grade (9.8) copies occasionally sell for $75.00 due to nostalgic demand for the 90s cartoon.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for grading. The estimated grade of 4.5 to 5.0 is below the threshold where grading costs would be recovered by the value of the slab. Best kept as a reader copy or for personal nostalgia.
Notable Features
Hanna-Barbera Presents logos; Limited series branding; Newsstand UPC version (typically rarer than direct editions for early 90s Marvel but less so for licensed properties).
Authentication Notes
The item appears authentic. The print saturation, paper aging (slight tanning on edges), and standard newsstand trade dress are consistent with Marvel's early 1990s production standards.