Price history & market evidence
Price observations belong to this edition. Guide estimates, catalog references and completed sales are separate kinds of evidence.
| Grade | Amount | Evidence | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | $10.49 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_4_0_valueguide | 1973-01-01 |
| 6.0 | $40.00 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_6_0_valueguide | 1973-01-01 |
| 8.0 | $60.18 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_8_0_valueguide | 1973-01-01 |
| 9.2 | $78.00 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_9_2_valueguide | 1973-01-01 |
| 9.4 | $104.06 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_9_4_valueguide | 1973-01-01 |
| 9.6 | $672.00 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_9_6_valueguide | 1973-01-01 |
| 9.8 | $611.01 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_9_8_valueguide | 1973-01-01 |
| RAW | $12.38 | PANEL_PROFITS · ungraded_valueguide | 1973-01-01 |
| 10.0 | $794.00 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_10_0_valueguide | 1973-01-01 |
| 9.4 | $63.00 | ComicBase · catalog referencecatalog | Date not recorded |
Reading this edition’s market
Compare the same cover, printing and grade before setting a bid. A raw guide or a higher-grade price does not establish a slab’s value. Include selling fees, shipping and the depth of completed-sale evidence when assessing an exit price.
The table includes 9 guide observations and 1 catalog references. These are reference values, not guaranteed sale proceeds.
Graded population
CGC records 200 graded copies for Hero For Hire #5 (1973). Population is the number recorded by this grading source, not the total print run or all surviving copies.
Don't Mess With Black Mariah!
When Frank Jenkin's is murdered in the Gem Theater, Luke Cage informs his widow of his demise. However, Luke is shocked when another ambulance arrives after one already picked up Jenkin's body. When Jenkin's widow shows up at the Gem, Luke tells her the bad news and tells her that he'll find her husband's body -- free of charge. As it turns out Jenkin's body was stolen by Black Mariah, an obese criminal who's men would pose as ambulance drivers and steal people who died in public and loot their possessions.
While tracking down Black Mariah, Luke Cage seeks information from the street informant known as Flea, who sells his information to Cage for fifty dollars. However, Luke refuses to pay until he checks out the information. After Flea's information turns out to be incorrect, Luke still manages to track down Black Mariah and battle her and her goons. During the battle, Luke makes short work of Mariah's men, while Mariah tries to escape in a boat. However, Luke pounces on the boat, destroying it and sending Mariah in the water.
After Black Mariah and her gang are turned over to police, Jenkin's widow arrives on the scene to thank Luke. Flea takes this moment to come to collect payment from Luke. Believing that Luke was trying to make her pay for his services she throws the 50 dollars in his face and storms off. Flea takes the money and leaves, and Luke ponders over his decision to be a "Hero for Hire"
Creative credits
Writers: Steve Englehart
Interior art: George Tuska
Color: Mimi Gold
Source records & attribution
Panel Profits keeps each source identity attached to its edition record.
COMICBASE: comicbase:528793
GCD: 25833
PANEL PROFITS: 2410791