July Auction, Silver Age (1960s)

3rd appearance of Legion of Super-Heroes; 1st appearance of Chameleon Boy, Colossal Boy, and Invisible Kid in the Supergirl story "The Three Superheroes!" 1st appearance of Supergirl as Superwoman.Superman stars in "Hercules in the 20th Century!" Curt 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.

Single book-length story, "The World's Greatest Heroine!" 12th appearance of Legion of Super-Heroes; Braniac 5 cameo; Supergirl's existence revealed to world; President John F. Kennedy appearance; Jackie Kennedy cameo. Curt Swan cover pencils.

Cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Stan Kaye. The Week That Clark Kent Lost His Memory!, script by Otto Binder, art by Al Plastino; Red Kryptonite causes Superboy to lose his memory and leaves him stranded far from home. Green Arrow In King Arthur's Court!, art by Lee Elias; Green Arrow and Speedy both dream that they are back in the time of King Arthur; Or was it more than a dream? The Adventures of Aquaboy! starring Aquaman, script by Robert Bernstein, art by Ramona Fradon. 36 pgs. $0.10.

Cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Stan Kaye. The Boy Who Was Stronger Than Superboy, script by Jerry Siegel, art by George Papp; A Smallville boy gains super strength from a mysterious meteor. Shorty humor page by Henry Boltinoff. Around The World In 80 Hours!, art by Ramona Fradon; An author needs Aquaman to prove he can swim around the world in 80 hours. Congorilla's Twin, script by Robert Bernstein, art by Howard Sherman. 36 pgs. $0.10.

Cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Stan Kaye. 5th appearance Legion of Super-Heroes (intro Starboy) in Lana Lang and the Legion of Super-Heroes!, script by Otto Binder, art by George Papp; Lana uses Star Boy in an attempt to make Superboy jealous. One Hour to Doom!, script by Robert Bernstein, art by Ramona Fradon; Aquaman and Aqualad escape various one-hour-without-water traps. 36 pgs. $0.10.

Cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Stan Kaye. The Witch of Smallville, script by Robert Bernstein, art by Al Plastino; A witch terrorizes Smallville. Shorty humor page by Henry Boltinoff. Bizarro, Private Detective--Tales of the Bizarro World, script by Jerry Siegel, art by John Forte; Criminal makes pretty things on Bizarro World. 36 pgs. $0.10.

Cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Stan Kaye. The Knave from Krypton, script by Jerry Siegel, art by George Papp; Dev-Em puts Superboy in Phantom Zone; takes his place and destroys his reputation. Homer humor page by Henry Boltinoff. Bizzaro's Secret Identity--Tales of the Bizarro World, script by Jerry Siegel, art by John Forte; Bizarro-Kyltpyzxm gives Bizarro Lois super powers and she adopts a secret identity. 36 pgs. $0.10.

Cover pencils by Curt Swan. The Laughing Stock of Smallville, script by Bill Finger, art by Al Plastino; Luthor pulls a series of stunts designed to make Superboy look ridiculous. Origin explains how Luthor lost his hair and began to hate Superboy. Professor Eureka humor page by Henry Boltinoff. Bizarro Creates a Monster--Tales of the Bizarro World, script by Jerry Siegel, art by John Forte; Handsome Bizarro movie hero viewed as monster. Ollie humor page by Henry Boltinoff. 36 pgs. $0.12.

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 Secret of the Mystery Legionnaire!--Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes, script by Jerry Siegel, art by Jim Mooney; Space pirate Vorm joins the Legion as Dynamo Boy and begins to eliminate the Legionnaires. Casey the Cop humor page by Henry Boltinoff. Chief Hot Foot humor page by Henry Boltinoff. A Job for Super-Dog starring Superboy, script by Otto Binder, pencils by Curt Swan; Krypto wants to be a super-hero. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Batman and Robin crossover. vs. The Joker. Cover art by Bob Oksner. Batman Meets Jerry, script by Arnold Drake, art by Bob Oksner; Inspired by the Batman TV show, Jerry and Renfrew become Ratman and Rotten. Ratman Joins Batman (Part 2); Batman drives the 50's Batmobile. Everybody's Doing the Kangaroo Hop!, script by Arnold Drake, art by Bob Oksner; Batman's villains get together to wipe out the Kangaroo because he's ruining their reputations. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Origin and 1st Appearance of Spider-Man by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (11pgs). 1st appearance of Aunt May and Uncle Ben. Jack Kirby/Steve Ditko cover work. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 137. Back-up stories include a mummy story titled "The Bell-Ringer" and an alien story titled "There are Martians Among Us" by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. First appearance of Dr. Octopus in Spider-Man Versus Doctor Octopus, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; When an experiment goes wrong, Otto Octavius gains control of his robotic arms and decides to take over an atomic facility, but Spider-Man stops him. Spider-Man pin-up page by Ditko. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 140. First issue with a letters column (including a letter by mycomicshop.com president Buddy Saunders!). 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. First appearance of the Sandman in Nothing Can Stop The Sandman!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; The Sandman tries to hide from police in the high school where Peter Parker goes to school. Intro Betty Brant and Liz Allen. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 141. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. First appearance of the Lizard in Face-to-Face With...the Lizard!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; The Bugle challenges Spider-Man to put an end to the Lizard's rampage. Vulture cameo. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 3 and 143. 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. 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 Electro in The Man Called Electro!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; Electro decides to break some other criminals out of jail so they can help him with his crime spree; Spider-Man must balance taking care of Aunt May, who is in the hospital, and capturing Electro. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 6 and 146. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. First appearance of Mysterio in The Menace of... Mysterio!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; Mysterio first frames Spider-Man for a crime wave, then challenges him to a battle on top of the Brooklyn Bridge. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 8 and 151. 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. 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. 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. 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. First appearance of Princess Python (part of the Masters of Menace) in The Clown and His Masters of Menace!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; Spider-Man goes to Ringmaster and his criminal circus performers hotel room; the performers kick Ringmaster out of their group and steal some paintings; Spidey battles Ringmaster. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 17 and 160. 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.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. Fourth appearance of the Green Goblin and first appearance of the Crime Master in The Man In The Crime-Master's Mask, script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Stan Lee (script), art by Steve Ditko; Spider-Man battles the Crime-Master and the Green Goblin. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 21 and 164. Letter to the editor from comics writer Steve Gerber. 36 pgs. $0.12.

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.

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.

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.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. The Final Chapter!, script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Stan Lee (script), art by Steve Ditko; Trapped under a pile of rubble in an underwater base that is filling with water, Spidey has to use all of his strength and determination to break himself free as Aunt May's life hangs in the balance; Spidey escapes and takes down Doc Ock's goons so he can deliver a serum that will remove the radiation from his Aunt's system. One of Spidey's classic moments is captured in the first 5 pages as he struggles to escape from underneath tons of steel! Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 26 and 172. 36 pgs. $0.12.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. The Final Chapter!, script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Stan Lee (script), art by Steve Ditko; Trapped under a pile of rubble in an underwater base that is filling with water, Spidey has to use all of his strength and determination to break himself free as Aunt May's life hangs in the balance; Spidey escapes and takes down Doc Ock's goons so he can deliver a serum that will remove the radiation from his Aunt's system. One of Spidey's classic moments is captured in the first 5 pages as he struggles to escape from underneath tons of steel! Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 26 and 172. 36 pgs. $0.12.

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).

"The Molten Man Regrets." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by Steve Ditko. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 28 and 174.

"The Molten Man Regrets." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by Steve Ditko. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 28 and 174.

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 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.