Set Description:
The BEST of Nick Fury! This set has holds all 9.8 copies and is the top set as of 2021. It holds seven 9.8 SS copies signed by Jim Steranko, Stan Lee and /or Herb Trimpe. I hold a few CGC 9.8 doubles now and slowly getting a few more Steranko signatures. This prior set leader, Doc Joe, said it best stating “Steranko covers are always stunning”! I have always agreed, and slowly worked over the last 10 years to make this the best CGC set. Oh, there is one 9.9 CGC graded issue of #1, held by “Marvin the Martain”, LOL, not for sale. Otherwise most of the comics in this set are the highest graded or the only examples of the highest grade. All are White Pages except issues #6, 13 and 16 which are OWW copies.
To collect this set you need a bit of information. Issues 1-7 had Steranko covers. Issues 8-18 had assorted artists and writers. The title ran from issue 1-18 from 1968 to 1970. Oddly, it seems the last three issues, #16-18 had a smaller print run or collectability, and have much lower census numbers. Some issues had dark covers and are very hard to get in 9.8. The set also had assorted characters in and out of the storyline which make some issues more valuable than others.
Issue #10 has one solo 9.8 graded copy. Issues #13, 17 and 18 only have 2. Seven other issues have less than 9 copies in 9.8. Besides issue #1 with 63 copies in 9.8, most of the other issues have few 9.8s, #4 has 21, # 14 has 16m, #2 has 15, #7 with 14.
All in all, out of 7604 graded copies, there are only 210 in 9.8 and 615 in 9.6. This is a very low ratio number.
As far as Signature copies, the numbers are even rarer. Out of 1184 SS copies, only 18 got a 9.8 grade. Number 1 has 7, 2 has 1, 4 has 2, 5 has 2, 6 has 1, 8 has 1, 9 has 2, 11 has 1, 14 has 1. I have 7 of these 18 SS comics. I did make a horrible mistake a few years back. I sent my 9.8WP CVA #1 to have signed, and has Steranko sign it. I Ignored Stan Lee on this one, as he had nothing to do with the cover, or was my thoughts at the time. Heritage Auctions sold a NF#1 SS by Steranko AND Stan for $18,000.00. My bad.
Besides the Steranko cover, which was my main desire to collect this set, I considered the rarity of the Nick Fury character. There are few Marvel characters that have his kind of history, where he morphs from a cigar chewing WWII hero Sgt. Fury in his first comic series to a Nick Fury Agent of SHIELD. His presentation by Samuel Jackson in the MCU also has added to his legendary MCU status. His is a fixture in the MCU world, and can be added or subtracted from almost every MCU character plot line without explanation, and with a smile.
Thus as a collector and investor I expected this to be both a more popular and valuable series to collect and invest in, that simple.
I collected most of these 5-10 years ago, and had most of the SS Steranko or Stan Lee work done by Sharron at Celestial Comics in Las Vegas. I sadly passed on part of a CGC graded SS lot years ago as they were mainly 9.6’s, as I wanted 9.8’s! Ops. During the 2020-21 comic price spike I passed Doc Joe on the census and all of a sudden A LOT of 9.8 Nick Fury’s were presented at auction and I bought the final ones to complete the set in 9.8.
I still monitor and collect any 9.8 graded issue if the price is right, and hope to send a final few to get a Steranko SS. Almost all the other artists/writers have passed away.
Finally, the valuations. Number 1 in 9.8 expect to pay at least $2k, and any other issue 2-6 expect to pay $1k now. Issues 8-18, well match the census to your pocketbook. Number 10 could easily be $3k or more, it is rare and hard to get.
If anyone has a 9.8 or 9.8SS copy they want to sell, send me an email ! matthollymarshalls@yahoo.com
December 2022.
Have a fun day!
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| Slot: |
Nick Fury 1 |
| Item: |
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 1 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1320779001
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Owner Comments
A 9.8 WP SS Copy.
Signed by Steranko!!
One of the classic covers from one of the classic comic book series.
Jim Steranko story and cover, Jim Steranko and Joe Sinnott art.
CENSUS: 1 at 9.9, 55 at 9.8 and 55 more at 9.6 out of 2141 graded copies.
347 SS copies, 7 at 9.8, the highest grade as of October 2021.
NOTES: Marvin the Martian owns the solo 9.9 copy.
My SS copy only has Steranko signing, I passed on Stan Lee as it didn't seem like a good idea at the time...and recently a Heritage auction sold a double signed Lee and Steranko for $18,000.00. Ops. My bad.
prior notes...
AMAZING PRICE 2DAY! 18K for a 9.8WPSS Copy SS by both Stan Lee and Jim Steranko on Heritage Auctions 11-15-2018.
One solo copy at 9.9 that just sold for like $12k.
49 more copies at 9.8, with another 124 at 9.6 out of 1527 graded copies as of 10-2017.
199 SS copies, 5 now at 9.8, this in one of them.
The SS copies, all probably by Jim Steranko and/or Stan Lee.
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| Slot: |
Nick Fury 2 |
| Item: |
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 2 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
2536672003
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Owner Comments
A 9.8 WP SS Copy.
SS by Steranko!
1st appearance of Centurius, (Doctor Noah Black).
I now have TWO perfect copies, one SS and one blue label.
CENSUS: 15 in 9.8, 55 in 9.6 out of 582 graded copies.
101 SS copies, ONLY ONE AT 9.8 SS by Steranko, and here it is! ...as of October 2021.
prior notes...
CENSUS: 14 in 9.8, 53 in 9.6 out of 496 graded copies.
70SS copies, only ONE at 9.8, ME! A WP copy too! as of March 2020.
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| Slot: |
Nick Fury 3 |
| Item: |
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 3 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3718759017
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Owner Comments
A 9.8 WP Copy.
A BEAUTY!
CENSUS: 6 in 9.8, 30 in 9.6 out of 487 graded copies.
90 SS copies, one at 9.6, the highest grade as of March 2023.
Key Comments. Half page ad for Silver Surfer #1
Art Comments Jim Steranko story and cover, Jim Steranko and Dan Adkins art.
Expect to pay around $2000 for a 9.8WP copy.
prior notes...
Jim Steranko story and cover, Jim Steranko and Dan Adkins art
CENSUS: 5 in 9.8, 29 in 9.6 out of 422 copies. That's RARE!
83 SS copies, but only 1 in 9.6, the highest grade as of October 2021.
Jim Steranko story and cover, Jim Steranko and Dan Adkins art
TOUGH to get due to dark spine and cover.
Prior notes...
CENSUS: 5 copies in 9.8, 28 in 9.6 out of 419 graded copies.
83SS copies, the highest is ONE ay 9.6 as of September 2021.
Hard to get cover in 9.8 die to black spine edge and dark overall colors.
Expect to pay over $2000 for a 9.8 copy now.
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| Slot: |
Nick Fury 4 |
| Item: |
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 4 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1506825001
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Owner Comments
A 9.8 WP SS copy.
Signed by Steranko!
Origin of Shield Story.
Roy Thomas story, Frank Springer art, Jim Steranko cover.
CENSUS: 22 in 9.8, 44 in 9.6 out of 902 graded copies!
232 SS copies, WOWOW, with only 2 in 9.8, this is one of them with WPs, the highest grade as of March 2023.
prior notes...
CENSUS: 20 at 9.8, 43 at 9.6 out of 708 graded copies.
210 SS copies! Only 2 at 9.8, this is one of them! As of October 2021.
prior notes...
CENSUS: 18 at 9.8, 41 at 9.6 out of 550 graded copies.
142SS copies! Wowow! 2 at 9.8, mine is one of them, a WP copy too! As of March 2020.
Prior notes
A 9.8 WP SS Copy.
This one is off to get SS by Steranko...
13 copies at 9.8, 37 more at 9.6 out of 437 graded copies as of 10-2017.
109 SS copies, only 2 at 9.8 when I submitted mine. Stand by!
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| Slot: |
Nick Fury 5 |
| Item: |
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 5 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
2536672001
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Owner Comments
A 9.8 WP SS Copy.
SS by Steranko!
CENSUS: 9 at 9.8, 39 at 9.6 out of 539 graded copies.
101 SS copies, 2 at 9.8, the highest grade as of March 2023.
Key Comments. Scorpio appearance., Last Jim Steranko story and internal art on Nick Fury. He still does the next 2 covers.
Art Comments Jim Steranko story and cover, Jim Steranko and John Tartaglione art.
prior notes...
CENSUS: 9 at 9.8, 38 at 9.6 out of 468 graded copies.
95SS copies, 2 at 9.8, I made both of them, kept one, sold one, both WP copies, for $1500 as of October 2021.
prior notes...
CENSUS: 9 at 9.8, 37 at 9.6 out of 396 graded copies.
68SS copies, 2 at 9.8, mine is one of them! As of March 2020.
Notice the 9.8 count has dropped by 2 over the last few years...someone tried a SS maybe and sadly they may have dropped in grade.
Prior notes...
One of 11 at 9.8. This one is off to get SS by Steranko!
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| Slot: |
Nick Fury 6 |
| Item: |
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 6 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0218931007
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Owner Comments
A 9.8OWW Copy.
I also have a 9.6 OWW SS Copy.
SS By Steranko.
Roy Thomas and Archie Goodwin story, Frank Springer art, Jim Steranko cover
Waiting for the 9.8 WP Copy!!
124 SS copies, one in 9.8, the highest grade, and 2 more in 9.6 as of August 2023.
Prior notes...
CENSUS: 8 in 9.8, 35 in 9.6 out of 487 graded copies.
107 SS copies, 1 at 9.8 as of October 2021.
No prior notes as I got these both recently.
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| Slot: |
Nick Fury 7 |
| Item: |
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 7 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1266457023
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Owner Comments
A 9.8 WP Copy.
I got this one and never got it SS yet.
Archie Goodwin story, Frank Springer art, Jim Steranko cover.
CENSUS: 16 in 9.8. 54 in 9/6 out of 594 graded copies.
142 SS copies (wow), 1 in 9.8, the highest grade as of November 2023.
Key Comments. Letter from Bob Gale.
Art Comments Archie Goodwin story, Frank Springer art, Jim Steranko cover.
Last Steranko cover on this series.
prior notes...
CENSUS: 13 at 9.8, 48 at 9.6 out of 458 graded copies.
124 SS copies, 3 at 9.6 as of October 2021.
prior notes...
CENSUS: 12 at 9.8, 47 at 9.6 out of 550 graded copies.
85SS copies, none at 9.8, 2 at 9.6 as of March 2020.
I am fearful of having this one SS'd. But Maybe get another perfect WP copy and try for a Steranko SS.
Prior notes...
Census: Only 8 at 9.8, most are OWW copies.
This one is off to be SS by Jim Steranko!
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| Slot: |
Nick Fury 8 |
| Item: |
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 8 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0905370012
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Owner Comments
A 9.8 WP Copy
NOT a Steranko cover.
Ernie Hart story, Herb Trimpe and John Tartaglione art, Frank Springer cover and art.
CENSUS: 8 at 9.8, 31 at 9.6 out of 178 graded copies.
12 SS copies, 1 at 9.8 as of October 2021.
prior notes...
One of 7 as of March 2021
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| Slot: |
Nick Fury 9 |
| Item: |
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 9 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1276010001
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Owner Comments
A 9.8 WP SS Copy.
Signed by Stan Lee.
Gary Friedrich story, Frank Springer cover and art.
CENSUS: 11 at 9.8, 15 at 9.6 out of 115 graded copies.
5 SS copies, now 2 at 9.8, this is one of them as of October 2021.
prior notes...
5 copies in 9.8, one being this single SS copy as of March 2017.
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| Slot: |
Nick Fury 10 |
| Item: |
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 10 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0187267006
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Owner Comments
A 9.8 WP Copy.
THE ONLY ONE! Dark Spine edge makes this one TOUGH !!
Census: 1 at 9.8, 8 at 9.6 out of 120 graded copies.
4SS copies, 1 at 9.4, the highest grade as of April 2022.
Gary Friedrich story, Frank Springer, Barry Smith and, Johnny Craig art, Frank Springer cover.
prior notes...
CENSUS: 1 at 9.8, 8 at 9.6 out of 119 graded copies.
4SS copies, 1 at 9.4 the highest graded as of October 2021.
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| Slot: |
Nick Fury 11 |
| Item: |
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 11 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1116933005
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Owner Comments
A 9.8 WP SS Copy.
The ONLY SS copy in 9.8 grade, signed by Stan Lee.
CENSUS: 12 at 9.8, 31 at 9.6 out of 163 graded copies.
6 SS copies, 1 solo SS copy at 9.8, this one, the highest grade as of 12-2022.
Key Comments Hate-Monger appearance., Ed Sullivan and President, Lyndon B. Johnson cameo.
Art Comments Gary Friedrich story, Frank Springer and Mike Esposito art, Springer and Windsor-Smith cover.
prior notes...
9 copies at 9.8, 26 more at 9.6 out of 103 graded copies as of 10-2017.
5SS copies, only this solo one at 9.8.
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| Slot: |
Nick Fury 12 |
| Item: |
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 12 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1004434009
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Owner Comments
A 9.8 WP Copy.
CENSUS: 6 at 9.8, 30 at 9.6 out of 192 graded copies.
Steve Parkhouse story, Barry Windsor-Smith and Sid Greene art, Barry Windsor-Smith cover
4 SS copies, one at 9.4, the highest as of October 2021.
prior notes...
One of 6 as of 3 2021.
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| Slot: |
Nick Fury 13 |
| Item: |
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 13 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
3710842008
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Owner Comments
A 9.8 OWW Copy.
CENSUS: 2 in 9.8, 15 in 9.6 out of 139 graded copies.
6 SS copies, 1 at 9.6, the highest grade as of December 2022.
Gary Friedrich story, Herb Trimpe and Sam Grainger art, Herb Trimpe cover.
Key Comments 1st appearance of Super-Patriot., Flag cover.
HARD TO GET ISSUE!
prior notes...
CENSUS: 2 at 9.8, 15 at 9.6 out of 117 graded copies.
6 SS copies, 1 at 9.6 as of October 2021.
I still want one WP's...anyone??
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| Slot: |
Nick Fury 14 |
| Item: |
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 14 Signature |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
1234636001
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Owner Comments
A 9.8 WP SS Copy.
Signed by Stan Lee and Herb Trimpe.
Only 9.8 SS Copy on the census.
This was registered at CGC as a Seattle Drugstore Collection copy.
Gary Friedrich story, Herb Trimpe and Sam Grainger, cover and art.
CENSUS: 16 at 9.8, 29 at 9.6 out of 149 graded copies.
9 SS copies, only 1 at 9.8, this one, as of October 2021.
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| Slot: |
Nick Fury 15 |
| Item: |
Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. 15 Universal |
| Grade: |
CGC |
| Cert #: |
0141875011
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Owner Comments
A 9.8 WP Copy.
1st appearance & "death" of Bull's eye, Story continued in Avengers #72, Last 15 cent issue.
CENSUS: 8 in 9.8, 35 in 9.6 out of 369 graded copies.
16SS copies, with 2 at 9.6, the highest grade as of December 2021.
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