The House of Mystery ##285
DC Comics • The House of Mystery Vol. 1
Writer
J.M. DeMatteis, Bob Rozakis, Jack Oleck
Interior Artist
Gerald Fortunon, Romeo Tanghal, Greg LaRocque
Cover Artist
Joe Kubert
Publication Date
October 1980
Cover Variant
Regular (Direct Edition with UPC)
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
An anthology horror series hosted by Cain. This issue features three stories: 'Dead End!' about a man who discovers a terrifying shortcut; 'The Man Who Could Not Die' featuring a protagonist seeking immortality; and 'Whatever Happened to Joey?' involving a suspenseful mystery with a child.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Good/Fine (CGC 5.0)
Condition Details
Moderate spine wear with visible stress lines and color breaking. Noticeable color-breaking crease on the bottom right corner. Edge wear and slight blunting on all corners. The left white border shows some discoloration/yellowing. General surface scuffing and minor soiling visible under the plastic bag.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $5 - $12 | Graded (estimated 5.0): $35 - $45
Recent Sales
Recent sales for mid-grade raw copies of this issue typically range between $6 and $10. High-grade (9.6+) slabs can reach over $80, but mid-grade slabs often sell for just the cost of grading.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The fair market value in this condition is lower than the cost of grading fees and shipping. It is better kept as a reader copy or in a protective bag/board.
Notable Features
Features an iconic 'killer clown' cover by the legendary Joe Kubert. Also includes the '8 Extra Pages of Shock and Suspense' branding which was a DC initiative at the time for higher price-point anthology books.
Authentication Notes
Authentic 1980 bronze age DC comic. Features the era-appropriate $0.50 cover price, Comic Code Authority seal, and standard newsstand-style UPC barcode block. No signs of restoration or reproduction detected.