The priority issue to submit for CGC grading is Saga #1 in its first printing (March 2012, Image Comics): under-ordered at roughly 37,000 copies per Comichron, it spawned 5 reprints and its original edition in CGC 9.8 trades around $450 per GoCollect. The true series grail, however, is the Diamond Retailer Summit variant, limited to an estimated 500 copies and documented at several thousand dollars in CGC 9.8. The eBay median across all printings is €6 on 46 listings (June 2026) — dragged down by reprints and not a valid benchmark for the first print.
Saga launched in March 2012 from Image Comics, written by Brian K. Vaughan and drawn by Fiona Staples. The series follows Hazel — narrated as an adult — born to Alana (of Landfall) and Marko (of Wreath), two people from warring species. It became one of the most acclaimed comics of its era, winning a total of twelve Eisner Awards between 2013 and 2017. As of 2026, it has received no film or television adaptation: Brian K. Vaughan has explicitly declined to adapt it, viewing the comic as the definitive form of the work.
This guide sticks to the verifiable: eBay data from our estimator (eBay.fr + eBay.com, June 2026), records documented by GoCollect and specialist sources, and confirmed edition facts. Method note: any eBay median based on fewer than 15 listings is not cited as a headline price — several Saga issues outside #1 are thinly traded.
Why grade Saga #1 — and which one to submit
The absolute key issue of the series is Saga #1 in first printing. Initially under-ordered — Comichron documents roughly 37,000 copies for the first print — the issue sold out quickly, triggering no fewer than 5 reprints within weeks. While reprints are common and affordable, the first printing in high grade is substantially rarer. Per GoCollect, the fair market value (FMV) of a CGC 9.8 first printing sits around $450, versus approximately $190 for the second printing in CGC 9.8 — a meaningful gap that makes proper identification essential before submission.
How to tell the first printing from later ones
Correctly identifying your copy of Saga #1 before sending it to CGC is essential: the CGC label will specify the printing, and a misidentified copy can disappoint at resale.
| Printing | Key identifying feature | CGC 9.8 value (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st printing | "Saga" logo in orange lettering; no reprint notation anywhere | ~$450 (GoCollect) |
| 2nd printing | "Saga" logo in black; "Second Printing" noted below the cover price | ~$190 (GoCollect) |
| 4th printing | "Saga" logo in white outlined in orange; "Fourth Printing" noted below price | Significantly lower |
| 5th printing | Light brown background on the logo; "Fifth Printing" noted below price | Significantly lower |
| Diamond Retailer Summit variant | Distinct cover distributed exclusively to attending retailers; ~500 copies estimated | Several thousand dollars in CGC 9.8 |
Sources: GoCollect, recalledcomics.com, CGC Comics Boards. GoCollect FMV figures are indicative and fluctuate with the market; always check recent sales before buying or submitting.
The Diamond Retailer Summit variant: the series grail
The Diamond Retailer Summit variant (also called the RRP variant) of Saga #1 was distributed exclusively to retailers attending the Diamond Comics summit — a promotional practice that generates ultra-limited print runs, estimated at roughly 500 copies. It is the most sought-after issue in the entire run. Documented sales have exceeded $2,000 in CGC 9.8, and a signed copy with a Fiona Staples sketch was listed at $2,799.99 (source: comixpriceguide.com via WorthPoint). This variant almost never appears in standard eBay listings: the eBay market for Saga #1 (46 listings, €6 median) reflects only ordinary printings.
In CGC, this variant is labeled as "RRP Diamond Incentive Retailer Variant." Before any purchase, verify the CGC certificate and serial number on cgccomics.com to confirm authenticity.
Which grade tier to target and why
For Saga #1, the break-even threshold for CGC submission sits around CGC 9.6 minimum for the first printing. Below 9.0, grading fees are generally not offset by the value added. The Saga #1 cover — white background with the family against a starfield — is susceptible to micro-scratches and handling marks, making very high grades difficult to achieve and correspondingly more valuable.
- CGC 9.8 — target grade for maximum value; significant premium on the first printing (~$450) and the Summit variant.
- CGC 9.6 — the common grade for well-preserved copies; lower value but submission can be worthwhile if the first printing is confirmed.
- CGC 9.4 and below — the value added by grading decreases sharply; reserve for rare variants or copies with particular narrative significance to the collector.
Other Saga issues to consider for grading
Beyond #1 and the Summit variant, other Saga issues show too few eBay transactions to establish reliable benchmarks: Saga #2 has only 8 active listings and Saga #12 just 2. Submitting these for grading can make sense for personal collection purposes, but the secondary market for graded copies remains thin. Worth noting: Saga #12 was briefly pulled from sale on ComiXology in April 2013 due to an internal misinterpretation of platform content policy — ComiXology itself clarified it was their own decision, not Apple's, and the issue was reinstated shortly after. The incident generated significant press attention at the time but created no meaningful scarcity in physical copies.
Own a copy of Saga? Get a free valuation with our tool based on real eBay sales to find its low, median and high value before considering a CGC submission.