CGC Featured Comic of the Month: Spectre #54

Posted on 9/2/2025

We’re spotlighting the introduction of Michael Holt as the new Mr. Terrific in Spectre #54. Fresh off his big-screen debut in Superman, this key comic set the stage for Holt’s rise as one of DC’s most cerebral champions.


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Name of comic: Spectre #54

Comic publisher: DC Comics

Date: June 1997

Variants: None

What makes it special? The original Mr. Terrific, Terry Sloane, debuted in the Golden Age as a self-made man whose genius and athletic skill drove him to fight crime under the motto “Fair Play.” After his death, Michael Holt stepped into the role, reinventing the character for a new era. A prodigy with multiple PhDs, an Olympic gold medal and unparalleled technological brilliance, Holt became one of DC’s most respected modern heroes.

Why is it interesting now? With Michael Holt making his cinematic debut in Superman, collectors have zeroed in on Spectre #54 as his first appearance, sending demand soaring. Once an overlooked '90s issue, it’s now surging in popularity as fans and investors race to grab a copy before prices climb higher.

Did you know? Mr. Terrific is often called “the third-smartest man in the DC Universe,” ranking just behind Batman and Lex Luthor.

Total graded by CGC: As of September 2, 2025, there are 294 copies of Spectre #54 listed in the CGC Population Report.

CGC highest graded: There are 83 recorded examples Universal graded CGC 9.8, as well as 16 CGC Signature Series 9.8.

CGC median grade: CGC 9.6

Sales highlights: A CGC 9.8 example realized $635 through an eBay auction in April 2023.

CGC Comics Registry Champion: This modern key has flown under the radar for decades, and while many graded copies land at CGC 9.8, the CGC Registry is still light on truly standout examples. But collector TijuanaDagger22 was ahead of the curve when they created a new Registry set of Spectre (1992) comics in June, called Mr Terrific — starting out with issue #54 graded CGC 9.8.

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Since revolutionizing comic book grading in 2000, CGC has grown to include certification services for a vast variety of pop culture collectibles. These divisions include CGC Cards, CGC Video Games and CGC Home Video. CGC Cards provides expert card grading for sports cards, TCGs and non-sports cards. CGC Video Games is dedicated to video game grading for the most popular consoles, including Nintendo, Sega, Atari, PlayStation and more. CGC Home Video provides expert VHS grading in addition to other types of videocassettes, DVD, Blu-ray and more. CGC also offers seamless solutions for autograph collectors with CGC Signature Series and JSA Authentic Autograph services.

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CGC Featured Comic of the Month: Spectre #54

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