June Auction, Silver Age (1960-1969)

Superman stars in "Superman's Battle with Hercules!" Supergirl stars in "The Mystery Supergirl!" Curt Swan cover pencils.

Superman stars in "Superman's Rival, Mental Man!" (Pencils by Curt Swan.) Supergirl stars in "The Second Supergirl!" Swan cover pencils.

6th appearance Legion of Super-Heroes; 1st appearance of Brainiac 5, Phantom Girl, Triplicate Girl, Bouncing Boy, Sun Boy, and Shrinking Violet in the Supergirl story "Supergirl's Three Super Girl-Friends!" Supergirl joins the Legion. Superman stars in "The War Between Supergirl and the Supermen Emergency Squad!" Curt Swan cover pencils.

Superman stars in "The Man Who Exposed Superman!" (pencils by Curt Swan). Supergirl stars in "The Man Who Made Supergirl Cry!" (art by Jim Mooney?). Supergirl's origin retold; Mon-el app. Swan cover pencils.

John F. Kennedy (JFK) appears in the Superman story, "Who is the Mystery Guest?" plus cameo appearances by Batman, Robin, and the Legion of Super-Heroes. Pencils by Curt Swan. Supergirl stars in "The Untold Story of Argo City!" (art by Jim Mooney). Swan cover pencils.

Cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Stan Kaye. The Super-Star of Hollywood!, script by Jerry Siegel, art by George Papp; Krypto becomes swell headed after going to Hollywood to make a movie. The Strong Boy of the Jungle starring Congorilla, script by Robert Bernstein, art by Howard Sherman. The Human Flying Fish!, script by Robert Bernstein, art by Ramona Fradon; Dr. Krill, a skilled surgeon, operates on Bragg, turning him into a Human Flying Fish to pull robberies that Aquaman cannot stop. 36 pgs. $0.10.

Cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Stan Kaye. The Origin of the Superman-Batman Team!, script by Jerry Coleman, art by George Papp; The Wayne family moves to Smallville and young Bruce Wayne assumes the identity of the Flying Fox, helping Superboy fight crime. House ad for Superman Annual #1. Champion of the World starring Congorilla, script by Robert Bernstein, art by Howard Sherman; Congo Bill and his gorilla alter ego help a boxer regain his self-confidence in the ring. The Interplanetary Mission! starring Aquaman, script by Robert Bernstein, art by Ramona Fradon. 36 pgs. $0.10.

Last 10-cent cover-priced issue. Cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Stan Kaye. 9th appearance of the Legion of Super-Heroes in The Secret of the Seventh Super-Hero!, script by Robert Bernstein, pencils by George Papp, inks by George Papp; A fake Sun Boy comes to Smallville asking Superboy's help in assembling a super-weapon; Meanwhile Tom Tanner, an escapee from reform school, takes over Clark Kent's identity. Ollie humor page by Henry Boltinoff. The Invasion of the Bizarro World--Tales of the Bizarro World, script by Jerry Siegel, art by John Forte; The Bizarros celebrate when their world is invaded by animated Blue Kryptonite statues, until the invaders try to make it round again; Then war breaks out. 36 pgs. $0.10.

Last 10-cent cover-priced issue. Cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Stan Kaye. 9th appearance of the Legion of Super-Heroes in The Secret of the Seventh Super-Hero!, script by Robert Bernstein, pencils by George Papp, inks by George Papp; A fake Sun Boy comes to Smallville asking Superboy's help in assembling a super-weapon; Meanwhile Tom Tanner, an escapee from reform school, takes over Clark Kent's identity. Ollie humor page by Henry Boltinoff. The Invasion of the Bizarro World--Tales of the Bizarro World, script by Jerry Siegel, art by John Forte; The Bizarros celebrate when their world is invaded by animated Blue Kryptonite statues, until the invaders try to make it round again; Then war breaks out. 36 pgs. $0.10.

Cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by George Klein. The Super-Planet of Clark Kent and Lana Lang, art by George Papp; Lana and Clark are accidentally transported to a strange world where Clark must make her think they both have superpowers in order to prevent her from guessing he's Superboy. House ad for Superman Annual #5. Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes series begins in The Face Behind the Lead Mask!, script by Jerry Siegel, pencils by John Forte, Al Plastino (page 4 and some Superboy and Luthor heads only), inks by John Forte and Al Plastino; At a regular meeting of the Legion of Super-Heroes, the Legionnaires lose control of their powers; Mon-el joins the Legion. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by George Klein. The Fatal Five--Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes, script by Jim Shooter, pencils by Jim Shooter (layouts only) and Curt Swan, inks by George Klein; As a last resort, the Legion decides to enlist the villainous Fatal Five to defend Earth from the Sun-Eater, so the Legionnaires set out separately to collect each of the Fatal Five. Cap's Hobby Hints display tips by Henry Boltinoff. Champs Against Odds! public service announcement starring Mickey Mantle, Wilma Rudolph, and Ben Hogan, pencils by Jack Schiff, inks by Sheldon Moldoff. The Origin of Cosmic Boy text article. Letter to the editor from Irene Vartanoff. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. The Coming of the Krills; The alien Krill offer the most beautiful woman in the universe to an earthman if he will betray his native planet but finds to his regret that beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. Everyone Likes a...Ghost Story; A swindler buys a castle with the intention of faking it as a haunted attraction, but then he meets a real ghost and dies of heart failure thus ends up legitimately haunting the castle. The Eyes of Edward Morgo. The Yo-Yo. A Monster Among Us; An alien ambassador lands on Earth and, because of its monstrous appearance, is driven away. All scripts by Stan Lee, all art by Steve Ditko. 36 pgs. $0.10.

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Steve Ditko. Spider-Man, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; Spider-Man origin retold; J. Jonah Jameson introduced; Spider-Man rescues John Jameson, J. Jonah Jameson's son, from his malfunctioning space capsule. Spider-Man vs. The Chameleon, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; Spider-Man tries to join the Fantastic Four and stops the Chameleon. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 138. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. Marked for Destruction by Doctor Doom!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; Dr. Doom tries to trick Spider-Man into helping him defeat the Fantastic Four; When Spider-Man turns him down, he decides to capture Spider-Man; Flash Thompson dresses up as Spider-Man for a prank and Dr. Doom mistakes him for the real Spider-Man and captures him instead, and Flash has to be saved by the real Spider-Man. First Time Doctor Doom uses a robot to take his place. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 142. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. The Return of the Vulture, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; Adrian Toomes breaks out of prison and goes on a crime spree, and ends up battling Spider-Man in the skies above New York. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 4 and # 144. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. First appearance of Mr. Petty (inventor of the Living Brain) in The Terrible Threat of the Living Brain!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; When two technicians try to steal a computer that is on display at Peter's school, they accidentally turn it into "The Living Brain" that goes wild and must be stopped by Spider-Man. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 5 and #145. Spider-Man Tackles The Torch!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Steve Ditko; Spider-Man crashes a party at Johnny Storm's girlfriend's place, causing a fight between the Human Torch and Spider-Man that soon escalates to include the rest of the Fantastic Four. Letter to the editor from Buddy Saunders, president of mycomicshop.com, written to Marvel in his callow youth. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. First appearance of the Green Goblin (Norman Osborn) in The Grotesque Adventure of the Green Goblin!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; The Green Goblin hires the Enforcers to help him defeat Spider-Man; To further his plan he convinces B.J. Cosmos to film a movie of Spider-Man fighting Goblin and the Enforcers in the desert; While filming, Goblin and the Enforcers attack Spider-Man and accidentally awaken the Hulk. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 9 and 152. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. First appearance of Kraven the Hunter in Kraven the Hunter!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; The Chameleon hires his old friend Kraven the Hunter to hunt down Spider-Man. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 10 and 153. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. Duel with Daredevil, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; When the Circus of Crime comes to town, they advertise that Spider-Man will be appearing in an attempt to fill the big top before they rob it; Spider-Man sees the advertisements and decides he will show up; He is hypnotized along with the rest of the audience, but unfortunately for the Circus of Crime, the Daredevil is in attendance and immune to the Ringmaster's hat. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 11 and 154. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. Second appearance of the Green Goblin in The Return of the Green Goblin!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; Spider-Man attends a fan club meeting organized by Flash Thompson, but the Green Goblin crashes the meeting; Fortunately the Human Torch is in attendance to help Spider-Man; During the battle Spider-Man finds out that Aunt May is in the hospital and he leaves, causing everyone to believe that he is a coward. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 12 and 155. Letter to the editor by comics writer Doug Moench. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. Second appearance of the Green Goblin in The Return of the Green Goblin!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; Spider-Man attends a fan club meeting organized by Flash Thompson, but the Green Goblin crashes the meeting; Fortunately the Human Torch is in attendance to help Spider-Man; During the battle Spider-Man finds out that Aunt May is in the hospital and he leaves, causing everyone to believe that he is a coward. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 12 and 155. Letter to the editor by comics writer Doug Moench. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. Third appearance of the Sandman in The End of Spider-Man!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; With the entire city thinking he is a coward, Spider-Man runs from Sandman; Peter's life is in shambles, and he contemplates giving up being Spider-Man to concentrate on his personal life; Cameos by the Avengers, Daredevil, the Fantastic Four, the Green Goblin, Kraven the Hunter, Doctor Octopus, and the Vulture. First appearance of Ned Leeds (later Hobgoblin). Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 13 and 156. Letter to the editor from comics artist Frank Brunner. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. Spidey Strikes Back!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; Sandman and the Enforcers capture the Human Torch; When Spider-Man questions a stool pigeon and learns of this he comes to the aid of the Human Torch. Second appearance of Ned Leeds (future Hobgolin) in this issue (first time his name is revealed). Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 14 and 157. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. First appearance of the Scorpion in The Coming of the Scorpion!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; J. Jonah Jameson pays Dr. Stillwell to turn Mac Gargan into the Scorpion to try to capture Spider-Man. Stillwell's formula makes Gargan become more evil than he originally was and the Scorpion goes on a rampage and is finally stopped by Spider-Man. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 15 and 158. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. Second appearance of the Beetle in Where Flies the Beetle...!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; after getting out of jail, Abner Jenkins dons his Beetle guise and prepares for revenge on the Human Torch; drama between Johnny Storm and Doris Evans and Peter Parker and Betty Brant; Human Torch teams with Spidey against Beetle. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 16 and 159. Spider-Man pin-up by Ditko. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. The Goblin and the Gangsters, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; the Green Goblin returns and wants to take over Lucky Lobos mob; Spidey battles Lucky Lobo and his gang; Spidey fights the Green Goblin in a factory. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 18 and 161. Letter from Jim Shooter, former editor-in-chief at Marvel, critiquing Marvel's handling of Spider-Man. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. The Goblin and the Gangsters, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; the Green Goblin returns and wants to take over Lucky Lobos mob; Spidey battles Lucky Lobo and his gang; Spidey fights the Green Goblin in a factory. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 18 and 161. Letter from Jim Shooter, former editor-in-chief at Marvel, critiquing Marvel's handling of Spider-Man. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Spider-Man goes to see a psychiatrist! But it's really Mysterio messing with Spidey's mind in "Spider-Man Goes Mad." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by Steve Ditko. Cameos (actually part of Spider-Man's imagination) by Doctor Octopus, the Vulture, and the Sandman. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 19 and 162. Letters to the editor from comics writer Don McGregor and mycomicshop.com president Buddy Saunders!

First appearance of Mary Jane Watson (cameo; face not shown) in "Captured by J. Jonah Jameson." Script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko. First appearance of Spencer Smythe. Ditko cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 20 and 163.

First appearance of Mary Jane Watson (cameo; face not shown) in "Captured by J. Jonah Jameson." Script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko. First appearance of Spencer Smythe. Ditko cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 20 and 163.

Fifth appearance of the Green Goblin in "Bring Back My Goblin to Me." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by Steve Ditko. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 22 and 165.

First appearance of the Molten Man in "The Menace of the Molten Man." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by Steve Ditko. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 166. This is a very difficult book to find in the higher grades because the black cover easily shows virtually every imprefection, no matter how minor.

"Never Step on a Scorpion." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by Steve Ditko. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 168.

"Never Step on a Scorpion." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by Steve Ditko. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 168.

First appearance of the Cat (not the same character who would be introduced in "The Cat" # 1 from 1972 who would later become Tigra). "The Claws of the Cat." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by Steve Ditko. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 23 and 169.

First appearances of Gwen Stacy, Harry Osborn, and Professor Warren. First appearance of the Master Planner (revealed in issue 32 to be Doctor Octopus) in "If This Be My Destiny." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by Steve Ditko. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 24 and 170. Letter to the editor from comics writer Don McGregor.

First appearances of Gwen Stacy, Harry Osborn, and Professor Warren. First appearance of the Master Planner (revealed in issue 32 to be Doctor Octopus) in "If This Be My Destiny." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by Steve Ditko. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 24 and 170. Letter to the editor from comics writer Don McGregor.

Doctor Octopus (the Master Planner) in "Man on a Rampage." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by Steve Ditko. In a battle with Doctor Octopus, Spider-Man gets trapped under tons of steel. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 25 and 171.

Fourth appearance of Kraven the Hunter in "The Thrill of the Hunt." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by Steve Ditko. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 27 and 173. Letter to the editor from comics editor Richard Pini (Elfquest).

First appearance of the Looter in "When Falls the Meteor." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by Steve Ditko. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 28 and 175.

First appearance of Norman Osborn (the original Green Goblin) in "Once Upon a Time, There Was a Robot." Script by Stan Lee; art and cover by Steve Ditko. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 176.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. Second appearance of Mary Jane (cameo; face not shown) in Just a Guy Named Joe!, script by Steve Ditko (Plot) and Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; Average joe, Joe Smith, fails at being a fighter and tries his hand at acting; Dressed up as a robotic monster, he is zapped with electricity and chemicals which causes him to go on a violent spree against those who doubted his abilities; Meanwhile, Norman Osborn puts a price on Spidey's head and our hero is plagued with goons trying to bump him off; Pete narrowly misses meeting Mary Jane. This is Ditko's final issue of Spider-Man. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 177. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by John Romita. How Green Was My Goblin!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita (who begins as regular penciler), inks by Mike Esposito [as Mickey Demeo] and John Romita (touch-ups); Peter heads to the doctor with the sniffles and learns that Aunt May's health is very fragile; Spidey is roped into tangling with a bunch of goons who zap him with a mysterious gas; Not realizing that the gas has weakened his spider sense, he changes into Peter Parker under the watchful gaze of the Green Goblin; The Goblin confronts Spidey outside of his home and captures him as Peter is worried that Aunt May might be overcome by the commotion; Trussed up in the Goblin's lair, Peter is shocked when the Goblin takes off his mask and reveals himself to be Norman Osborn. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 178. According to Les Daniels in "Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics" (Abrams, 1991), artist Steve Ditko resigned because of a disagreement over the Goblin's identity. Ditko wanted it to be someone anonymous--a new, unknown guy; Lee wanted it to be a familiar character that would startle readers. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Green Goblin origin in "Spidey Saves the Day." Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr., inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 179.

Green Goblin origin in "Spidey Saves the Day." Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr., inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 179.

First appearance of the Rhino in "The Horns of the Rhino." Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr., inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 30 and 190.

Third appearance of Mary Jane (cameo; first time face is shown). Rhino, Foggy Nelson (from Daredevil), and Dr. Curtis Connors cameos in "The Birth of a Super-Hero." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by John Romita Sr. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 31 and 182.

1st full appearance of Mary Jane (cameos in #25,38, & 42). MJ has her first in-depth interaction with Peter Parker, plus cameos by Foggy Nelson and Matt Murdock (Daredevil) in "Rhino on the Rampage." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by John Romita Sr. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 32 and 183.

Second appearance of the Lizard. in "Where Crawls the Lizard." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by John Romita Sr. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 184.

The third appearance of the Lizard in "Spidey Smashes Out!" Script by Stan Lee; art and cover by John Romita Sr. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 185.