MARVEL FEATURE PRESENTS THE THING AND IRON MAN ##12
Marvel Comics • Marvel Feature Vol. 1
Writer
Mike Friedrich
Interior Artist
Jim Starlin
Cover Artist
Jim Starlin
Publication Date
November 1973
Cover Variant
Regular
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Team-up story featuring The Thing and Iron Man. The plot involves a battle against the Blood Brothers and serves as an early appearance/continuation of the Thanos Saga introduced in Iron Man #55. This issue is highly collectible for Jim Starlin fans and cosmic Marvel collectors.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Good (CGC 4.0)
Condition Details
Visible surface wear and heavy creasing/dimpling on the right side of the cover. Minor spine stress and blunting on the bottom right corner. Presence of a slight vertical crease potentially through the center. Yellowing consistent with age.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $30 - $55; Graded (CGC 4.0 target): $65 - $85. Higher grades (9.0+) significantly increase value.
Recent Sales
Mid-grade copies (VG/FN) recently average between $35 and $60. High-grade (9.4+) copies can exceed $300 due to Jim Starlin art and Thanos-related interest.
Grading Recommendation
Not highly recommended in current condition unless purely for preservation. The costs of grading ($30-$50) roughly equal the raw value of the book. Pressing might improve the creasing impact but won't fix color-breaking wear.
Notable Features
Early appearance of the Blood Brothers. Jim Starlin cover and art (legendary for his work on Thanos and the Infinity Gauntlet). Bronze Age key team-up issue.
Authentication Notes
Authentic Bronze Age Marvel print. Displays period-accurate 20-cent price point. The 'C' in the top left indicates it was intended for direct or specific regional distribution common in 1973. No signs of reproduction or counterfeiting are visible.