June Auction

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.

First appearance of the Shocker in "The Sinister Shocker." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by John Romita Sr. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 186.

Peter Parker and Mary Jane's first date; fifth appearance of Kraven the Hunter; and a Green Goblin cameo. "In the Hands of the Hunter." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by John Romita Sr. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 33 and 187.

Sixth appearance of Kraven the Hunter, and second appearance of the new Vulture (Blackie Drago) in "From the Depths of Defeat." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by John Romita Sr. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 35 and 189.

Cover pencils by John Romita. First appearance of the Kingpin in Spider-Man No More!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita, inks by Mike Esposito [as Mickey Dimeo]; Fearing for his aunt's health and tired of being hounded by Jameson, Peter gives up being Spider-Man and concentrates on being a simple college student; A kid finds the discarded Spidey suit in the trash can and brings it to the Daily Bugle where Jonah proudly puts it on display; Pete's personal life starts looking up but crime increases as the Kingpin gathers the mob under his leadership; Feeling guilty about the crime wave, Peter remembers the lessons taught to him by his uncle's death and decides to become Spider-Man once again. Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon cameos. Reprinted in Marvel Tales #190. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Second appearance of the Kingpin. "In the Clutches of the Kingpin." Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr., inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. NOTE: This issue is reprinted in Marvel Tales # 36.

Kingpin; first appearance of Joe (Robbie) Robertson. "To Die a Hero." Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr., inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 37.

Doctor Octopus. Story synopsis: Peter and Gwen are off to the Science Expo with Professor Warren to see the "nullifier," but unfortunately Dr. Octopus is there too. Only he isn't there to listen to the lecture, he's there to steal it! After putting up a good fight, Spider-Man finally gets the nullifier back, but not before slipping a spider tracer on Doc Ock. Doc Ock finds the tracer when he gets back to his lab and decides to set up a trap for Spidey, but come on, Spidey isn't gonna fall for it. Aunt May and Anna Watson put an ad in the paper looking for a boarder at their house. And guess who answers the ad? That's right, the one and only Otto Octavius. "Enter Dr. Octopus." Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr., inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 38.

Doctor Octopus guest stars in "The Tentacles and the Trap." Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr., inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 39.

Doctor Octopus guest stars in "The Tentacles and the Trap." Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr., inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 39.

Doctor Octopus. Story synopsis: Spidey is on a rampage - looking for Doc Ock ever since Aunt May collapsed. Meanwhile, Doc Ock is after the Nullifier again - and he finds it and uses it against Spider-Man with most unexpected results. Spidey can't remember who he is, but will he believe Dr. Octopus when the doc tells him they are on the same team??? "Doc Ock Wins." Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr., inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 40.

Doctor Octopus. Story synopsis: Spidey is on a rampage - looking for Doc Ock ever since Aunt May collapsed. Meanwhile, Doc Ock is after the Nullifier again - and he finds it and uses it against Spider-Man with most unexpected results. Spidey can't remember who he is, but will he believe Dr. Octopus when the doc tells him they are on the same team??? "Doc Ock Wins." Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr., inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 40.

Doctor Octopus appearance and the first appearance of Capt. Stacy in "Disaster" script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr., inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Spidey has amnesia, and Doc Ock convinces him that they are partners! Will he fall for it? Or just go along until his memory comes back? Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 41.

Ka-Zar appearance in "To Kill a Spider-Man." Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr. and Don Heck, inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 30.

First cover appearance of Mary Jane Watson, and the first appearance (cameo) of Brainwasher (alias the Kingpin). "The Brand of the Brainwasher." Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr. and Don Heck, inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 42.

The Kingpin appears in "O, Bitter Victory!" Script by Stan Lee; pencils by John Romita Sr. and Don Heck; inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 43.

The Kingpin appears in "O, Bitter Victory!" Script by Stan Lee; pencils by John Romita Sr. and Don Heck; inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 43.

Medusa (of the Inhumans) takes on Spider-Man in "Make Way for Medusa!" Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr. and Don Heck, inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Letter to the editor from Lone Star's old pal Mark Lamberti. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 45.

Medusa (of the Inhumans) takes on Spider-Man in "Make Way for Medusa!" Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr. and Don Heck, inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Letter to the editor from Lone Star's old pal Mark Lamberti. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 45.

It's the Vulture vs. Spider-Man in "Wings in the Night!" Script by Stan Lee; pencils by John Romita Sr. and Don Heck; inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Letter to the editor from comics writer Don McGregor. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 46.

The Vulture returns in "The Vulture's Prey!" Script by Stan Lee; pencils by John Romita Sr. and Don Heck; inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 47.

Mysterio makes trouble for Spider-Man in "The Madness of Mysterio!" Script by Stan Lee; pencils by John Romita Sr. and Don Heck; inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Guest appearance by the Green Goblin (a subplot continued in the Spectacular Spider-Man 2 magazine in 1968). Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 49. Letter to the editor from comics writer Tony Isabella.

First appearance of Randy Robertson in "To Squash a Spider!" Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr., inks by Jim Mooney. Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 50.

The Kingpin appears in "Crisis on the Campus." Script by Stan Lee, art by John Romita Sr. and Jim Mooney. Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 51.

Kingpin puts the squeeze on Spider-Man in "Mission: Crush the Kingpin!" Script by Stan Lee; art by John Romita Sr. and Jim Mooney. Romita cover. Letter to the editor from comics artist Kerry Gammill. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 52.

Kingpin appearance in "Spider-Man Wanted!" Script by Stan Lee; art by John Romita Sr. and Jim Mooney. Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 53.

Cover art by John Romita. The Speedster and the Spider!, script by John Romita (plot) and Stan Lee (script), pencils by John Romita (layouts) and Jim Mooney (pencils), inks by Jim Mooney; With Jonah down for the count, Robbie publishes Peter's pictures in the Bugle showing Kingpin, and not Spider-Man, to be the real crook in the case of the golden tablet; Trying to redeem himself after his recent career with Magneto, Quicksilver decides to bring in the menace known as Spider-Man but discovers he isn't the villain the Bugle has painted him to be. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Spider-Man faces more than a molehill when he meets Man-Mountain Marko in "The Web Closes!" Script by Stan Lee; layouts by John Buscema; pencils by John Romita Sr.; inks by Jim Mooney. Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 54.

The Lizard and Silvermane mix up in Spider-Man's life in "Death Without Warning!" Script by Stan Lee; art by John Romita and Jim Mooney. First 15-cent cover price. Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 56.

First appearance of The Prowler in "Night of the Prowler!" Story by Stan Lee and John Romita Sr.; art by John Buscema and Jim Mooney. Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 59.

Sleazy politician Sam Bullitt targets Spider-Man in "To Smash the Spider." Script by Stan Lee, pencils by Gil Kane, inks by John Romita Sr. Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 72.

Spider-Man origin retold; Green Goblin, Kingpin, Doctor Octopus, Vulture, Rhino, Sandman, and Lizard cameos in "On Wings of Death." Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr., inks by Sal Buscema. Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 75.