Auctions: comic books December 1963

Archie's Pals 'n' Gals (1955) 23 CGC 4.0

Paper: Off white

Label #4405338006

First appearance of Josie. Cover by Samm Schwartz. "Temptation"; Veronica throws Archie over for Reggie because Reggie is driving around in his uncle's brand new Avanti, and Archie's none too pleased. "Wheel and Deal," pencils by Harry Lucey; With some help from Jughead, Archie figures out how to get the Avanti away from Reggie. "Admiration Society," pencils by Dan DeCarlo, inks by Rudy Lapick; Betty hears that Archie and Veronica are on the outs and that she has a chance with him. Betty pinup by Dan DeCarlo. Veronica pinup by Dan DeCarlo. "What Makes Archie Run?"; Mr. Weatherbee asks Archie's friends to cut back on his after school distractions so he can pick up his grades. "Tongue Twister," script by Frank Doyle, pencils by Dan DeCarlo, inks by Vincent DeCarlo; Pepper suggests Melody study for her Spanish test by playing a Spanish language instruction record while she sleeps. "To Be Renounced"; Reggie claims he's renouncing women, but it's all a set-up to embarrass Archie. "The Big Lie"; Archie and Veronica catch Reggie in a lie. "The Weak Spot," pencils by Dan DeCarlo, inks by Rudy Lapick; Reggie sets up Archie with a pre-cut board. 68 pgs., full color. $0.25. Cover price $0.25.

Showcase (1956-1978) 47 CGC 6.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4419899019

Cover art by Lee Elias. 5th Tommy Tomorrow issue. Part 1: Doomsday for Planet Earth, script by Arnold Drake, art by Lee Elias; Maj. Tommy Tomorrow and Maj. Lon Vurian are brought to the Academy of Planetary Sciences, where they are told of an anti-matter cloud that could destroy the entire solar system; They have 10 years to evacuate the 20 billion people from every planet, or find a way to stop the cloud. Ad for The Brave and the Bold, now featuring hero team-ups; includes cover art from issue #50 by George Roussos. Balancing Act in Space; facts about gravity. Part 2: Nine Worlds Gone Mad, script by Arnold Drake, art by Lee Elias; While Maj. Tomorrow tries to uncover the person who revealed their mission to the press, there is wide unrest around the solar system because the population believes they are doomed. Doctor Rocket humor page by Henry Boltinoff. Part 3: Threading the Planetary Needle, script by Arnold Drake, art by Lee Elias; Both Maj. Tomorrow's and Maj. Vurian's teams contain a traitor who has been working with a criminal mastermind, Dr. Loglov, to profit from the dire situation. Ad for Flash Annual #1, pencils by Carmine Infantino, inks by Joe Kubert. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951-1976 1st Series) 115 CGC 5.5

Paper: Off white

Label #1362288007

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Steve Ditko. Dr. Strange's 4th appearance finally provides his origin in "The Origin of Dr. Strange," script by Stan Lee (co-plot, script) and Steve Ditko (co-plot, un-credited), art by Steve Ditko; Dr. Stephen Strange, a top neurosurgeon, damages his hands in an accident and seeks out a mystic for help; He saves the seer from his treacherous student, becoming his pupil and finding a new purpose; First mentions of Dormammu and the All-Seeing Agamotto (though no actual appearances). Baron Mordo appearance. Second appearance (and brief origin) of the Sandman in "The Sandman Strikes!", script by Stan Lee (co-plot, script) and Dick Ayers (co-plot, un-credited), art by Dick Ayers; The Human Torch fights and defeats Spider-Mans old enemy Sandman. "Zero of Time" text story. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.