Lot #52: The Avengers #396

This issue is part of The Avengers Volume 1, which ran for 402 issues from 1963 to 1996. Volume 1 Synopsis: "First Sign" Part 4 In Volume 1, #396, the story reaches its climax as the Avengers face the final phase of the "First Sign" crossover. Following the events of The Crossing, the team is in a state of flux—the original Iron Man has been replaced by his teenage self, and Thor is significantly weakened. The plot focuses on the team's desperate attempt to liberate Manhattan, which has been trapped under a massive energy dome by the terrorist organization Zodiac. The Breach: Captain America leads a tactical assault on the dome from the Brooklyn Bridge. The Technical Solution: Inside the barrier, the teenage Tony Stark works alongside Giant-Man (Hank Pym) to find a way to destabilize the field. The Confrontation: The team successfully breaches the dome and engages the Zodiac forces. The conflict ends when Giant-Man destroys the dome's power source, forcing the villain Libra to retreat and effectively ending the threat to the city. This volume concluded just six issues later (#402), leading directly into the "Heroes Reborn" relaunch (Volume 2) where the Avengers were transported to a pocket universe. Estimated Market Value Condition / Type Estimated Price Range Ungraded (Raw) 3 – 10 High-Grade Newsstand (Raw) 55 CGC Graded 9.4 (Near Mint) 83 CAD (60 USD) CGC Graded 9.8 (Near Mint/Mint) Higher (Contact dealer) Value Drivers Condition: Small creases, spine ticks, or blunted corners significantly lower the value of "raw" copies. Most standard ungraded copies in very good to fine condition sell for around 5 – 8. Grading: Professionally graded copies (slabs) command a significant premium. For example, a CGC-graded 9.4 copy can retail for approximately 60 USD. Newsstand vs. Direct Edition: Newsstand editions (which have a barcode on the front, as seen in your image) are often considered rarer than direct-market copies sold in comic shops and can sometimes fetch a higher price in high-grade condition, such as around 54 This comic is in mint condition comes bagged and boarded Pickup category timeslot {A}