Shaman's Tears ##1
Image Comics • Mike Grell's Shaman's Tears Vol. 1
Writer
Mike Grell
Interior Artist
Mike Grell
Cover Artist
Mike Grell
Publication Date
May 1993
Cover Variant
Regular (Red Foil Title/Logo)
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
The debut of Joshua Brand, a man of mixed ancestry who returns to his reservation in Montana to discover he possesses the powers of the Earth. He becomes a protector of the environment and his people. This issue establishes the origin of his powers and his conflict with industrial exploiters.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Fine (CGC 8.0)
Condition Details
Multiple visible spine stress marks/ticks along the left edge that break the color on the black background; minor blunting of the corners; slight surface scuffing visible under direct light; reflective foil logo appears intact.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $2 - $8; Graded (CGC 9.8): $40 - $60
Recent Sales
Recent raw copies have sold for $1 to $5. Higher grade 9.8 copies occasionally sell for $50, but demand is relatively low for this specific title.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The market value for this book even in high grades rarely exceeds the cost of grading and shipping fees. It is most valued as a reader copy or for fans of Mike Grell's work.
Notable Features
First appearance of Joshua Brand (Shaman). Features a red foil logo on a high-gloss black cover. Part of the initial wave of independent expansions at Image Comics in the early 90s.
Authentication Notes
The book features a distinctive deep black glossy cover with embossed red foil lettering typical of early 93 Image productions. No signs of restoration or counterfeiting are apparent; this was a mass-produced issue with high survival rates.