Watchmen ##3
DC Comics • Watchmen Vol. 1
Writer
Alan Moore
Interior Artist
Dave Gibbons
Cover Artist
Dave Gibbons
Publication Date
November 1986
Cover Variant
Regular
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Part 3: The Judge of All the Earth. Following the death of The Comedian, Dr. Manhattan is accused of causing cancer in his former associates during a live TV interview, leading to his self-imposed exile to Mars. This significantly shifts the Cold War balance of power.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Fine (CGC 8.0)
Condition Details
Visible spine stress/creasing, slight corner blunting on the bottom left, and minor foxing or surface wear on the bright yellow cover. Bagged and boarded which reflects light, potentially obscuring minor surface scratches.
Estimated Market Value
$15 - $25 (Raw), $65 - $85 (CGC 9.0+)
Recent Sales
Ungraded copies in similar mid-to-high grade condition typically sell for $15-$20. CGC 9.8 copies have sold for over $150, but this copy shows visible wear preventing that grade.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for grading unless part of a complete high-grade set. The cost of grading ($35+) likely exceeds the value added for a mid-tier grade like 8.0 or 8.5. If intended for preservation, a Mylar bag is sufficient.
Notable Features
Iconic Fallout Shelter cover. Includes the 'Tales of the Black Freighter' meta-fiction backup story. Features early character development for Dr. Manhattan.
Authentication Notes
Authentic issue from 1986. Correct cover gloss and color saturation typical of the Baxter paper used by DC for this prestige-format series. Logo and price placement are consistent with the original print run.