The Mighty Thor ##394
Marvel Comics • Thor Vol. 1
Writer
Tom DeFalco
Interior Artist
Ron Frenz
Cover Artist
Ron Frenz and Joe Sinnott
Publication Date
August 1988
Cover Variant
Newsstand Edition (Barcode present)
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
The story '...And How Shall Mortals Know Ye?' follows Thor as he interacts with humanity and deals with his dual identity. It features an appearance by the construction worker Eric Masterson, who later becomes Thunderstrike, marking an early part of his significant character arc in the series.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Fine/Very Fine (CGC 7.0 - 7.5 range)
Condition Details
Visible color-breaking spine stress ticks; corner blunting on the bottom right; slight edge wear along the top; minor surface scuffing/rubbing on the white areas of the barcode box.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $3 - $8; Graded (9.8): $40 - $60
Recent Sales
Recent raw newsstand copies in mid-to-high grade typically sell for under $10. Graded 9.8 copies have a low sales volume, generally hovering around the cost of grading plus a small premium.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The market value of this specific issue does not currently justify the cost of grading (CGC/CBCS) unless it were a guaranteed 9.8 candidate. This copy shows too much spine and corner wear to hit that tier.
Notable Features
Newsstand edition barcode. This issue is part of the iconic Tom DeFalco/Ron Frenz run which revitalized Thor in the late 1980s by returning to a Lee/Kirby aesthetic.
Authentication Notes
Genuine 1980s Marvel newsstand copy. Proper newsstand barcode placement (bottom left), 75 cent price point, and late-80s glossy-to-newsprint paper transition are all standard for this era.