July Auction

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.

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.

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.

New Vulture (Blackie Drago) appearance in "The Wings of the Vulture." Script by Stan Lee, art and cover by John Romita Sr. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 34 and 188.

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. 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.

Ka-Zar appearance in "The Coming of Ka-Zar." Script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr. and Don Heck, inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Romita cover.

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.

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.

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.