Auctions: comic books August 1974

Astonishing Tales (1970) 25 CGC 9.4

Paper: White

Label #4349132002

This issue not only marks George Perez's first pro comic art, but the first appearance of Deathlok! Cover pencils by Rich Buckler, inks by Klaus Janson. A Cold Knight's Frenzy, script by Rich Buckler (Plot; Concept) and Doug Moench (Script), pencils by Rich Buckler, inks by Rich Buckler (Primary Inks), Klaus Janson (Ink Assist), Al Milgrom (Ink Assist), and Mike Esposito (Ink Assist); Deathlok is shown to be a robot with a human mind that has the ability to override its programming; Deathlok has a flashback showing that his old army buddy Major Simon Riker is responsible for his creation. Stan Lee's Soapbox, art by Rich Buckler. Creation of Deathlok article, art by Rich Buckler. Promo for Giant-Size Spider-Man #1. Deathlok creation satire, script by Doug Moench, pencils by George Perez, inks by Mike Esposito; George Perez' first published work. Marvel Value Stamp #68 featuring Daimon Hellstrom [Son of Satan]. 36 pgs. $0.25. Cover price $0.25.

Batman (1940) 257 CBCS 9.0

Paper: White

Label #22-0FD4FF7-005

100-page giant. Cover by Nick Cardy. "Hail Emperor Penguin!", script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Irv Novick, inks by Dick Giordano; When a young King is kidnapped by the Penguin, it takes the efforts of Batman, Robin and Talia to free him from the madman's clutches. The Penguin's Unique Umbrellas! panels from previous comics. "Hunt for a Robin-Killer!", script by Gardner F. Fox, art by Gil Kane; After finding the Boy Wonder nearly dead from a brutal beating, a vengeful Batman hits the streets to find the man responsible. One-page Casey the Cop story by Henry Boltinoff. "Ally Babble and the Fourteen Peeves!", script by Bill Finger, art by Dick Sprang; Ally Babble accepts the offer of $5000 from a rich man to eliminate 14 peeves he has against others, but is soon charged with ripping off the man who paid him. "Conversational Clue!", script by Mort Weisinger, art by Jerry Robinson; When Alfred accidently hears some unsettling conversation in a local library, he follows the clue up...which nearly costs him his life! "Die Small--Die Big!", script by Robert Kanigher, pencils by Bob Brown, inks by Joe Giella; The appearance of a man dressed as the Batman at a party at Wayne Mansion and carrying a death threat for the Caped Crusader spurs Batman to attack the problem alone without the aid of Robin. "Rackety-Rax Racket!", script by Don Cameron, art by Dick Sprang (as Bob Kane); A series of crazy college initiations are actually a blind for daring thefts masterminded by the Joker! 100 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.60.

Vampire Tales (1973) 6 VG 4.0

Cover art by Boris Vallejo. "The Axe Man," script by Marv Wolfman (plot) and Steve Gerber, pencils by Bob Brown, inks by Tom Palmer; A mugging is avenged; Martin Gold is arrested for murdering his girlfriend and is released because two more murders happened while he was in jail; As Martin starts to lose his grip on reality he meets Angel O'Hara and takes her to his apartment. "A Novel Way to Die!" Dracula article by Chris Claremont, art by Pablo Marcos. "Angie's Soul," script by Chris Claremont, art by Andres Balcells; Angie Freeman and Jimmy Sarran investigate the murder of a junkie (drug addict) and find others; Angie believes it is the work of a vampire. "Blood Death," script by Doug Moench, art by Alfredo Alcala; George is getting old and contemplates on how to live forever; He sees an ad in the paper for an attractive vampiress seeking a warm-blooded man. Dark Shadows article by Gerry Bourdreau with photos from the show. "The Color of Crimson Gold," script by Doug Moench, art by Vicente Alcazar; A peasant buys a treasure map from a crippled beggar; Tevye wants twice as much gold to continue to supply victims to a group of vampires; Tevye sells a copy of the map to Tovarr; After being warned of vampires in the treasure's cave, Tovarr cautiously enters the cave and hear Tevye and the vampires talking. Article of preview paragraphs of upcoming movies and books by Carla Joseph. 68 pgs., B&W. Cover price $0.75.