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You are purchasing the item in the title and described below in "About the comic". Pictures on the listing are of the actual issue (not stock image).

This listing is for Marvel Comics' Marvel Team Up issue #55 (from 1972 series, issue released in 1977).

About the Comic & Condition Notes

The issue picks up with Spider-Man, Hulk, and Woodgod being targeted by a National Guard unit led by the villainous Major Del Tremens. Tremens uses a high-tech "electro-mass net" to capture the trio, intending to cover up a lethal nerve gas disaster in the town of Liberty.

The comic features work from some of the industry's most prominent Bronze Age creators:

Writer: Bill Mantlo
Penciler: John Byrne
Inker: Mike Esposito
Colorist: George Roussos
Letterers: Jim Novak and Joe Rosen
Editor: Archie Goodwin
Cover Artists: Gil Kane and Mike Esposito

NOTE: This issue is a "diamond variant". Some information:

The meaning of the diamond evolved slightly over its period of use (roughly 1977–1979):

Multi-Pack Distribution: Many early diamond editions were distributed by Western Publishing (Whitman) in plastic 3-packs sold in department stores and toy aisles.
UPC Variations: Depending on the specific year, diamond boxes may be paired with:

A standard barcode: Often early first printings distributed to hobby shops.
A blank UPC box: Typically those intended specifically for multi-packs.
A barcode with a line through it: A later method used to prevent scanning at newsstands.

Reprints vs. First Prints: While many diamond issues are second or third printings (notably for Star Wars #1), first printings of many other titles (like Iron Fist #14 or X-Men #107) also exist in this format

Value and Scarcity

Historically, collectors viewed these as "inferior" reprints, but the market has shifted. Because direct market sales accounted for only about 5% of total production in the late '70s, these diamond variants are often significantly rarer than their newsstand counterparts. In high grades, awareness of this scarcity has led to a "collectible craze" where they sometimes command a premium.

I am going from memory but I likely picked this up at Woolworth's Department Store in 1977 in Horseheads, NY in a multi-pack.

GRADING NOTES:

Very Good/3.5
Spine: Moderate wear
Edges: Moderate wear
Front Cover: Dimpling, wear
Corners: Blunting, creasing
Back Cover: Dimpling, wear
Staples: Flat, no obvious tearing
Interior: Cream/off-white; no tearing

About the listing:

The issue is individually bagged and boarded (silver age size), placed with cardboard backer, and secured in a Gemini comic mailer. This is then wrapped in a water/tear proof mailing envelope. I use painters tape to better secure packaging.

Delighting you:

If you have any questions about the item, please ask!

If you are not pleased with your purchase...like it's not the item you expected or isn't the grade/condition you thought...please contact me so I can fix the problem.

Shipping is via USPS Ground Advantage; postage will be added to the price of the book and processed by eBay. I will combine shipping upon request - please submit via eBay.

About me:

I'm a private collector (not a store); issues are purchased and carefully handled. Upon purchase, I place the issue in a bag/board, typically have read once, and then store in a short/long box. Over time I've decided these should be enjoyed by other readers or collectors. I am not a professional grader, but I have many years' experience in comic grading. I am confident I've been pretty accurate and the grade is fair.

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