AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a collectible trading card featuring the Super-Villain character 'Blackout' from the Marvel Universe Series 3 set, published by SkyBox International in 1992. The card is a standard 2.5 by 3.5-inch size, printed on gloss-coated cardstock. The front illustration features a full-length artistic depiction of the character wearing a purple shirt and wide-collared trench coat, set against a backdrop of a graveyard under a blue sky with white clouds. The character's name 'BLACKOUT' is printed in white sans-serif italicized font in the lower left corner, while a purple circle in the upper right designates him as part of the 'SUPER-VILLIANS' subset. The 1992 Marvel logo is visible in both the top left and bottom right corners. The card is currently housed in a protective plastic pocket page, which suggests it has been part of a long-term collection. The corners appear sharp, and the centering seems relatively balanced, though vertical surface scratches may be present on the plastic sleeve rather than the card itself. The color saturation remains high with no evidence of sun fading or water damage. This series is known for its detailed comic book art and was a staple of the early 1990s comic card boom.

I have conducted a visual inspection of this 1992 Marvel Universe Series 3 Blackout #143 trading card via digital imagery. The card exhibits high color saturation and sharp corners, characteristic of a well-preserved 'Near Mint' specimen. Authentic markers, including the 1992 SkyBox trademarking and the iconic 'Super-Villains' subset iconography, appear consistent with original production runs from this era. The market for Marvel Series 3 is primarily driven by nostalgia and 'junk wax' era volume. Because millions of these cards were printed during the 1990s comic boom, this specific card represents a common 'base' card rather than a rare hologram or chase insert. Consequently, its value is nominal unless professionally graded as a PSA 10 Gemini Mint, which might fetch $20-$40; however, in its current raw state, it remains a low-value collectible. My assessment is based solely on digital photographs. A physical inspection is required to check for micro-creasing, surface indentations, or chemical odors that indicate improper storage. Full authentication would require verifying the paper stock thickness with calipers and examining the halftone printing patterns under a jeweler's loupe to ensure it is not a modern digital reprint. No provenance was provided, but the presence of a vintage plastic sleeve suggests long-term amateur storage.