I am not an expert on comic books. This comic book has been preserved in my dad’s collection for decades with a hard cover and sleeve. It is almost 80 years old and it looks amazing and is 100% intact. Please study the pictures to make your own opinion.
The product is a beautifully preserved comic book titled "Military Comics #43" from October 1945, published by Quality Comics in the United States during the Golden Age era. It features the popular character Blackhawk (Bart Hawk) in an action-packed adventure within the Military Comics series. With artwork by Reed Crandall and Bill Ward, this comic book is a valuable addition to any comic book collector's library, showcasing the superhero team Blackhawk in a thrilling blend of action, adventure, and military themes.
Based on the technical standards used by the Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide and third-party grading services like CGC, this copy of Military Comics #43 visually grades as a Fair/Good (FR/GD) 1.5 on the standard 10-point scale.While the front cover holds up with bright colors, comic grading requires evaluating the entire book. The final grade is always anchored heavily by the most severe structural flaw.Condition BreakdownThe Back Cover (The Deciding Factor): The massive piece of missing paper (chunk out) along the bottom edge is a structural defect that instantly caps the overall grade. By professional standards, a comic book cannot exceed a Good (2.0) rating when it has significant missing chunks that affect interior story panels or large portions of the back cover art.The Front Cover: Shows significant edge wear, color-breaking creasing, and corner rounding. The spine has multiple stress lines and minor splitting starting at the top and bottom.Interior Pages: The distinct tan/yellow borders indicate moderate to heavy oxidation (paper aging). The pages appear intact, but the paper is brittle along the edges.The Owner's Stamp: The vintage "Property of Max Malone" ink stamp on the front cover and interior splash page is considered a "pedigree/owner mark." In lower grades, this ink stamp does not lower the value further, but it is factored into the overall visual presentation.
Market Value at This GradeIn this 1.5 Fair/Good condition, a raw uncertified copy typically ranges between $50 and $75 based on similar historical sales for this specific wartime issue on platforms like eBay.