Auctions: comic books October 1952

Joe Palooka (1945 Harvey) 73 VG- 3.5

Cover oxidation.

Cover by Al Avison (credited as Ham Fisher). Stories and art by Ham Fisher and Bob Powell. The amiable boxer strip becomes a pre-Code war comic as the Cold War and Korean conflict heat up. US soldiers think they've contained the enemy, but they didn't reckon on guerrilla fighters. A battalion chafes against its straight-arrow new commander, who insists the men shave every day. Plus a year-by-year history of World War II. Also featuring an introduction - announcing the first of Joe Palooka's Korean War adventures - that is the very definition of "gung ho." Guerrilla Guns; Spit and Polish; Repeat Performance; The Story of World War II! 1942; The Luck of the Irish; Live Bait; The Soldier! 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Mad (1952 EC) Magazine 1 GD- 1.8

1" cumulative spine split. Cover and interior oxidation. Water damage. Lateral spine tear.

Debut issue of the iconic publication Mad, which would change to magazine format with issue 24. Cover by Harvey Kurtzman. "Hoohah!", script by Harvey Kurtzman, art by Jack Davis; Two youngsters run out of gas and enter a house they think is haunted. "Blobs!", script by Harvey Kurtzman, art by Wally Wood; Alfred outlines a terrible thought he has about the end of humanity. "Enter Cosmo McMoon!" text story by Harvey Kurtzman. "Crow Vadis?" text story by Harvey Kurtzman. "Ganefs!", script by Harvey Kurtzman, art by Bill Elder; A perfect crime is hatched but Bumble fumbles. "Varmint!", script by Harvey Kurtzman, art by John Severin; Textron is hunting the killer of Melvin and kills every suspect. 36 pgs., full color. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.