The Flash ##279
DC Comics • The Flash Vol. 1
Writer
Cary Bates
Interior Artist
Don Heck
Cover Artist
Dick Giordano
Publication Date
November 1979
Cover Variant
UK Price Variant (15p)
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
The Flash (Barry Allen) faces a life-draining psychic villain named The Psychon. The storyline involves Barry Allen's life being drained away until he potentially dies, as depicted in the dramatic three-panel cover art.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Fine- (CGC 7.5)
Condition Details
Minor spine stress with small color-breaking ticks. Slight blunting on the top right corner. Minor shelf wear on the back cover is expected. The white cover remains relatively bright, but some slight yellowing is visible at the very edges.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $10 - $20 USD / Graded 7.5: $45 - $60 USD
Recent Sales
Recent sales for mid-to-high grade raw copies of this issue range from $8 to $15. UK variants occasionally command a slight premium to specialists but generally follow standard market pricing.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The cost of CGC/CBCS grading would likely exceed the total market value of the book. It is best kept raw in a bag and board for personal collection.
Notable Features
Features a UK Price Variant cover (15p rather than 40 cents). Includes a backup story featuring Firestorm 'The Nuclear Man'. This issue occurs during the Bronze Age of comics.
Authentication Notes
Authentic DC Bronze Age stock. The 15p price stamp is a known regional variant for the United Kingdom market. The UPC barcode is present in the lower left, consistent with late 70s newsstand/distributed copies.