Iron Man #1 (2023) — 1:100 Tao “Virgin” Edition, CGC 9.8

CGC grading & overall condition: CGC Universal Grade 9.8 (blue label) with WHITE pages. Book presents as Near‑Mint/Mint inside the holder — tight corners, a flat spine and clean surfaces consistent with a premium 9.8 copy. CGC label, barcode and hologram are intact and clearly visible in the photos. No visible restoration, pressing marks, or significant blemishes seen through the holder.

Variant, creators & art details: Tao “Virgin” Edition (no title text/logos) of Iron Man #1 (February 2023). Story by Gerry Duggan with interiors by Juan Frigeri; cover art by Ivan Tao. This is the full‑art virgin cover — the Ivan Tao illustration runs uninterrupted across the front with no foil stamping or special printing on this edition.

Notable features & collectible value: Virgin cover presentation makes this issue highly desirable for display collectors and those who prefer uninterrupted art. As an opening issue in the 2023 Iron Man run, it attracts interest from collectors following the Duggan/Frigeri/Tao creative team and from modern-era Marvel investors. The CGC 9.8 grade with WHITE pages significantly increases registry and investment appeal versus raw copies — this combination places the book well above typical market examples for this modern release.

Physical observations & meta notes: Front and back appear clean through the slab; the back displays the “The Invincible Iron Man” text treatment found on this variant. No noted misprints, variant numbering, or restoration flags — scarcity/value derive from the virgin artwork and top-tier grade. This copy is primarily a display/registry/investment grade modern collectible with strong visual appeal.