Auctions: comic books in 'Pre-Code Horror'

Adventures into Darkness (1952) 5 GD+ 2.5

2" cumulative spine split. Cover oxidation.

Jack Katz cover. Contains Alex Toth art. In order of appearance: "Murder Mansion" art by Alex Toth and Mike Peppe, reprinted in Seduction of the Innocent (1985 Eclipse) #2, Genius Isolated The Life and Art of Alex Toth HC (2011 IDW) #1-1ST, and Setting the Standard: Comics by Alex Toth 1952-1954 HC (2011 FB) #1-1ST; "Drury's Dream"; "Death Follows Orders" art by Jerry Grandenetti; "The Phantom Hounds of Castle Eyne" art by Alex Toth and Mike Peppe, reprinted in Alex Toth Reader TPB (2003-2005) #1-1ST and in Setting the Standard: Comics by Alex Toth 1952-1954 HC (2011 FB) #1-1ST; "Horror's Little Acre" art by Ruben Moreira, reprinted in Seduction of the Innocent (1985 Eclipse) #2; "The Phantom Warning"; and "Day of Reckoning!". "The Chimes of Doom: Charles Hanover Didn't Understand the Real Power of the Clock!" illustrated text story by Irwin Shapiro. 36 pages. Full color. Cover price $0.10.

Adventures into Darkness (1952) 6 VG- 3.5

Centerfold detached at one staple.

In order of appearance: "The Groping Ghost" art by Jack Katz, reprinted in Haunted Horror (2012 IDW) #4 and Haunted Horror: The Chilling Archives of Horror Comics HC (2013-2017 IDW) #2-1ST; "Mystery of Mu"; "Corpse Convention" art by George Tuska, reprinted in Haunted Horror (2012 IDW) #2 and Haunted Horror: The Chilling Archives of Horror Comics HC (2013-2017 IDW) #1-1ST; "The Thing From the Sea" art by Ralph Mayo, reprinted in Seduction of the Innocent (1985 Eclipse) #1; "The Strange Cats of Killough Heath"; and "The Phantom Horseman" reprinted in Seduction of the Innocent (1985 Eclipse) #3. "The Return of the ThunderBird: The Great Shaman of the Red Men Curses the White Man's Skies!" illustrated text story by Irwin Shapiro. 36 pages. Full color. Cover price $0.10.

Adventures into Darkness (1952) 7 FR/GD 1.5

5" cumulative spine split. Cover oxidation.

Jack Katz cover reprinted on Haunted Horror (2012 IDW) #29. In order of appearance: "The Pit of Horror"; "The Dancer From the Beyond" reprinted in Seduction of the Innocent (1985 Eclipse) #2; "Bride of Death" art by Jack Katz, reprinted in Seduction of the Innocent (1985 Eclipse) #2, Mammoth Book of Best Horror Comics TPB (2008) #1-1ST, Haunted Horror (2012 IDW) #12, and Haunted Horror: The Chilling Archives of Horror Comics HC (2013-2017 IDW) #4-1ST; "The Ghost That Warned a King"; "Death Drum" art by Art Saaf, reprinted in Seduction of the Innocent (1985 Eclipse) #5; and "The Origin of 'He Kicked the Bucket'". "The Clutching Reed: There Was Something About the Slimy Kelp That Was Frightening!" text story by Russ Hill with Art Saaf illustrations. 36 pages, Full color. Cover price $0.10.

Adventures into Darkness (1952) 8 FR 1.0

Interior complete. Full length spine split. Covers detached. Oxidation.

Contains Alex Toth art. In order of appearance: "Mark of Evil" art by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio; "Creepy Crossword Puzzle" activity page; "Death's Bridal Gown"; "The House That Jackdaw Built" art by Alex Toth, reprinted in Setting the Standard: Comics by Alex Toth 1952-1954 HC (2011 FB) #1-1ST; "The Fatal Strands"; and "The Twisted Hands" art by Alex Toth, reprinted in Setting the Standard: Comics by Alex Toth 1952-1954 HC (2011 FB) #1-1ST. "The Beast Wasn't Hungry: Stolen Diamonds Bring a Strange Reward in the Wilds of Africa!" illustrated text story by R. S. Fenton. 36 pages. Full color. Cover price $0.10.

Adventures into Darkness (1952) 9 GD- 1.8 (R)

Restored (see item notes)

RESTORATION. Color touch. 1" cumulative spine split. Cover loose at both staples. Oxidation. Water damage.

Contains Alex Toth art. In order of appearance: "The Hands of Don José" art by Alex Toth, reprinted in Seduction of the Innocent (1985 Eclipse) #6, Genius Isolated The Life and Art of Alex Toth HC (2011 IDW) #1-1ST, and Setting the Standard: Comics by Alex Toth 1952-1954 HC (2011 FB) #1-1ST; "Weird Maze" activity page; "The Three Monkeys"; "Phantom of Flushing"; "Flowers on Deborah's Grave"; "Ghost of Raynham Hall"; and "Nothing Can Save Her" reprinted in Tales Too Terrible to Tell (1989) #8, Haunted Love (2016 IDW) #1, and Haunted Love: The Chilling Archives of Horror Comics HC (2017 IDW) #1-1ST. "Call for Claws: Old Bates Knew a Magic Word, but He Used It Once Too Often!" illustrated text story by Lewis Island. 36 pages. Full color. Cover price $0.10.

Adventures into Darkness (1952) 11 FR/GD 1.5

Heavy tape on exterior and interior of cover. Staples added (not manufacturing).

In order of appearance: "Mission From the Grave" art by Mike Sekowsky; "Rider in the Storm" reprinted in Haunted Horror (2012 IDW) #4 and Haunted Horror: The Chilling Archives of Horror Comics HC (2013-2017 IDW) #2-1ST; "The Finger of Guilt" art by John Celardo, reprinted in Haunted Horror (2012 IDW) #16; "Trophies of Doom" art by Nick Cardy, reprinted in Seduction of the Innocent 3-D (1985) #2, Haunted Horror (2012 IDW) #8, and Haunted Horror: The Chilling Archives of Horror Comics HC (2013-2017 IDW) #3-1ST; "The Bride of Death" art by Jack Katz; and "The Bread of Madness". "Call of the Werewolf: Jody Had a Date with the Dentist, But a Nightmare Preceded It..." illustrated text story by Jim Hendryx. 36 pages. Full color. Cover price $0.10.

Adventures into Darkness (1952) 12 GD/VG 3.0 (R)

Trimmed

TRIMMMED. Cover oxidation. Water damage.

Contains a lingerie panel in "Serpent of Doom", story page two, panel four. In order of appearance: "Serpent of Doom" reprinted in Snake Tales: The Chilling Archives of Horror Comics HC (2016 IDW) #1-1ST; "The Spectral Sergeant"; "Horror's Scrapbook: The Breeder of Crime, Ship of the Dead..."; "The Living-Dead of Kulatum" art by Gene Fawcette; "Weird Maze" activity page reprinted in Haunted Horror (2012 IDW) #27; "Conspiracy with Death"; "The Last Dance"; "The Gypsy Curse"; and "Nightmare Island" art by Gene Fawcette. "Shanghai Ship: A Bucko Mate Learns an Important Fact About Kidnapping Sailors..." illustrated text story by John Marvin. 36 pages. Full color. Cover price $0.10.

Adventures into Darkness (1952) 13 FR/GD 1.5 (R)

Restored (see item notes)

RESTORATION. Staples replaced. TRIMMED. Centerfold detached. Tape on interior cover and under staples. Oxidation.

Contains cannibalism story "The Feast of the Ghouls", referenced by T. E. Murphy in "For the Kiddies to Read", Reader's Digest, June 1954. In order of appearance: "Feast of the Ghouls" art by Mike Sekowsky; "The Haunted Hotel" reprinted in Haunted Horror (2012 IDW) #18 and #21; "Paid in Full"; "Satan's Pawn"; "Escape From Terrorland: Can You Get Through This Labyrinth?" activity page; "The Monster in the Maze" reprinted in Seduction of the Innocent 3-D (1985) #2, Tales Too Terrible to Tell (1989) #3, and Haunted Horror (2012 IDW) #24; "Let's Go Mad"; "When Hell Broke Loose"; and "The Unbeliever" art by Mike Sekowsky, reprinted in Haunted Horror (2012 IDW) #21. "The Lonely Place: There Was Something in the Old Family Homestead That Terrified Him..." illustrated text story by John Marvin. 36 pages. Full color. Cover price $0.10.

Adventures into Darkness (1952) 14 GD 2.0 (R)

Trimmed

TRIMMED. 1" cumulative spine split. Cover detached at one staple. 2" tear in cover. Staple rust with migration. Oxidation.

Cover reprinted on Tales Too Terrible to Tell (1989) #9. In order of appearance: "The Garden of Evil!" art by Mike Roy; "Murder by Movie"; "Weird Watson" reprinted in Haunted Horror (2012 IDW) #26; "The Outcast"; "The Frozen Death"; "Horror's Scrapbook"; "The Curse of the Ancient Devil Gods"; "Part-Time Lunatic"; "Ghosts in the Sky"; and "The Corpse Candle". "The Living Brain: The Mad Scientist Took a Step Over the Human Dividing Line..." illustrated text story by Terry Hendryx. 36 pages. Full color. Cover price $0.10.

Adventures into Terror (1951 Atlas/Marvel) 44 GD+ 2.5 (R)

Restored (see item notes)

RESTORATION. Color touch. Centerfold detached at one staple. Cover oxidation.

Second issue of the series (despite numbering). "The Stranger" (script by Hank Chapman), "The Creeping Vine," "No Escape" (script by Chapman, art by Russ Heath), and "The Storm." Cover price $0.10.

Adventures Into the Unknown (1948 ACG) 25 FR 1.0

4" Cumulative spine split. Cover coming loose at both staples and centerfold coming loose at one staple. Severe water damage.

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"The Were-Tiger of Assam," "The Zombie's Eyes," "The Spectral Pirate," and "Assault From the Unknown." Edited by Richard E. Hughes. Cover by Ken Bald. Stories by Charles Sultan, Lin Streeter, Al Camy, Ed Moritz, and Paul Gattuso. Spine-chilling tales of suspense, horror, and the supernatural—prepare yourself for Adventures into the Unknown! 52 pages, full color. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Adventures Into the Unknown (1948 ACG) 35 GD 2.0

Cover detached at one staple and loose at the other.

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Edited by Richard E. Hughes. Cover by Ken Bald. Stories by Pete Riss, Emil Gershwin, Al Camy, George Klein, Charles Nicholas, and Gus Ricca. Spine-chilling tales of suspense, horror, and the supernatural—prepare yourself for Adventures into the Unknown! 36 pages, full color. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Adventures Into the Unknown (1948 ACG) 58 CGC 2.5

Paper: Off white

Label #2111297006

3-D effect cover and stories: "Dead Man's Gold," "The Man Who Died Laughing," "The Clasp Knife," "The Last Bars," "The Plague Ship," and "The Crime Machine." Edited by Richard E. Hughes. Cover by Harry Lazarus. Stories by Harry Lazarus, Pete Riss, and Robert Sale. Spine-chilling tales of suspense, horror, and the supernatural—prepare yourself for Adventures into the Unknown! 3-D effect stories and cover. 36 pages, full color. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Adventures Into Weird Worlds (1952-1954 Marvel/Atlas) 30 VG- 3.5

Cover oxidation.

"I Saw a Vampire" (art by Manny Stallman), "The Worm Turns" (art by Bill Walton), "Inside Is Ty" (art by Seymour Moskowitz), "the Impatient Ghost" (art by Dan Loprino), "When Worlds Meet" (art by Joe Sinnott), and a two-page text story, "Two-Headed Snake." Edited by Stan Lee. Cover by Carl Burgos. Stories by Manny Stallman, Bill Walton, Seymour Moskowitz, Dan Loprino, and Joe Sinnott. These tales of horror, sci-fi, and suspense will take you on Adventures into Alien Worlds! 36 pages, full color. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Amazing Adventures (1950 Ziff Davis) 1 GD/VG 3.0

Piece of tape on interior front cover.

Painted cover by Robert Gibson Jones. Stories and art by Wally Wood, Murphy Anderson, Ogden Whitney, Alex Schomburg, Jerry Siegel and Harry Sahle. Sci-fi and fantasy from Ziff-Davis, edited by the legendary co-creator of Superman, Jerry Siegel. Fortune-hunters return to the lost city of the Winged People to steal the diamond eye of their idol, in a story with art by comics legend Wally Wood. Vince breaks up with his Martian girlfriend Kit-E and goes to find the legendary Asteroid Witch, in a story with art by comics legend Murphy Anderson. Professors Graves and Arnold's serum accidentally transports them into the 4th dimension, and they must enter the timestream to escape, in a story with art by Golden Age legend Alex Schomburg. Plus the one-pager "Amazing Prophecies" by Ogden Whitney. ("Which nation will own the moon?") Painted cover by famed science fiction illustrator Robert Gibson Jones (Fantastic Adventures, Amazing Stories). The Asteroid Witch; A-Day; Winged Death on Venus; Trespasser in Time; The Stone Men; Amazing Facts from Nature; Cosmic Comics; Amazing Prophecies. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Baffling Mysteries (1952) 8 CGC 4.5

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #3886194006

The Bride's Borrowed Time, pencils by Lou Cameron, inks by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio; Husband becomes curious about the lifelike male dolls kept by his beautiful young wife -- and why one of them talked to him; Lucretia is a witch dabbling with the secrets of the "Australian bush country head-hunters." Baffling Mysteries #7; One spring day in 1912, Richard Wentworth an American business man, checked in at a well-known hotel in London ...; The ghost of a burning man warns Wentworth that the hotel is on fire. Jungle Idol's Vengeful Rage; Professional hunters in northern India stalk a black panther guided by Ra-La, goddess of destruction; Stealing Ra-La's ruby eyes, the hunters flee to London. At the Sound of Airi's Drum, pencils by Lou Cameron, inks by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio. Yama's Fiery Fury, art by Chic Stone; Explorers in Sumatra encounter a race of belligerent lava-men. They can be rendered harmless by contact with water, of course. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Beware (1952 Youthful) 10 FR 1.0

Large back cover tear. Near full length spine split through most wraps due to oxidation.

Cover by Ed Goldfarb and Bob Baer. Stories and art by Doug Wildey, Gerald Altman, Vince Napoli, Ernie Bache and Harry Harrison. Violent pre-Code horror comics from Youthful Magazines. Numbering continues from Fantastic (1952) #9. An adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's classic horror story The Pit and the Pendulum, with early art by Doug Wildey. Denny the ventriloquist believes his dummy Hector is trying to kill him, but Hector is actually under the influence of sinister psychic Hugo. In the far reaches of the Rockies during a blizzard, prospector Fenley admits his crimes to a mysterious visitor. The Pit and the Pendulum; The Last Word; Nightmare!; Death Claims His Own; Doll of Death. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Beware (1953 Trojan/Merit) 6 FR 1.0

7" cumulative spine split. Cover detached. Oxidation.

Stories and art by Henry Kiefer, Al Tyler, John Belfi, and Myron Fass. Pre-Code horror comic from Trojan Magazines really gets into gear with this issue. In fact, this issue was used for an illustration in the anti-comics classic Seduction of the Innocent (illo #12, with caption, "Children are first shocked and then desensitized by all this brutality."). A mad scientist builds a robot and programs it to think, then is surprised when it attacks him with a yen for taking over the world. In one of the more original "poetic justice" horror stories, a man murdered in a paper pulper returns from the grave to avenge his murder through paper products. Hugo seeks revenge on those who have slighted him. Plus a grisly article about real-life decapitations and what happens after. The Thing from Beyond; Almost Human; The Paper Ghost; Life After Death?; The Phantom of the Moor. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Black Magic (1950-1961 Prize/Crestwood) Vol. 1 #6 CGC 4.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4374136002

Cover art by Jack Kirby. The Masterpiece!, pencils by Mort Meskin, inks by George Roussos. The Moment of Shadow!, art by Bill Draut. A Wolf That Hummed a Nursey Rhyme!, art by Vic Donahue. Union with the Dead, art by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Vacation in the Mountains text story. Skulls' Eyes Never Sleep! The Girl the Earth Ate Up!, art by George Roussos; Mary Higgens goes to Old Min for help to stop her daughter from partying all night long, and is given a pair of magic scissors. 44 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Blue Bolt (1949) 113 FR/GD 1.5

4" cumulative spine split. Cover oxidation. Water damage. Brittle.

Cover by L. B. Cole. Stories and art by Jay Disbrow and Basil Wolverton. Pre-Code tales of horror and monsters, unofficially called Blue Bolt Weird Tales of Terror. As the horror-comics craze grows, Star shifts the former superhero title to horror and mystery stories. Official indicia title remains Blue Bolt, despite shifting cover titles. A reporter follows scientists who encounter a shape-shifting creature guarding a burial ground in Alaska. A Spacehawk adventure by Basil Wolverton, as Spacehawk faces the Terror of the Green Faces. A fiend lures his victims into his castle's ancient deathtrap-room, until the police finally get wise. The Unknown Presence; The Mystery of the Catacombs; The Ghoul of the North; Death in the Sea; Spacehawk: Terror of the Green Faces; The Black Room. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Blue Bolt (1949) 116 FR 1.0 (R)

Trimmed

TRIMMED. Full length spine split (taped). Puncture damage from previously sewn spine. Staples removed (not manufacturing). Oxidation.

Cover by L. B. Cole. Stories and art by Dan Barry, Merl Sage and Jay Disbrow. Pre-Code tales of horror and monsters, unofficially called Blue Bolt Weird Tales of Terror. Official indicia title for issue #116 was Weird Tales. Inspired by the ghosts of those who came before, a GI sacrifices his life to help his buddies during the Korean War. A WWII pilot seeks missing planes and discovers a hidden enemy base, in a story with early art by future Flash Gordon artist Dan Barry. Tarzan-like hero Jungle Jo investigates animal attacks and discovers an old man who can control animals. The Ghostly Guardians; Weird Mr. and Mrs. Murder; Death, Danger, and Deceit; Dead Man's Mistake; Jungle Jo: Valley of the Demon Monsters. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Blue Bolt (1949) 117 FR 1.0

5.5" cumulative spine split. Cover detached. Water damage. Interior soiling. Brittle.

Cover by L. B. Cole. Stories and art by Jay Disbrow and others. Pre-Code tales of horror and monsters, unofficially called Blue Bolt Weird Tales of Terror. Official indicia title for issues #117- 119 was Blue Bolt Weird Tales. Unlucky explorers learn exactly what Native Americans were talking about when they warned them against The Thing in the Pit. Taken captive in WWII North Africa, Blue Bolt is aided by Heinie, a German who is not a Nazi, in a story with early art by future Flash Gordon artist Dan Barry. Jungle hero Jo-Jo the Congo King and his mate Geesha face the adventure of the bloodthirsty jungle plant and the Weird Madman. The Thing in the Pit; Death Pays a Visit; The Devil Plant and the Weird Madman; Blue Bolt: Death in the Desert; The Monster Invaders. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Blue Bolt (1949) 119 FR 1.0

Full length spine split with covers detached. Centerfold detached at one staple.

Cover by L. B. Cole. Stories and art by Jay Disbrow and others. Pre-Code tales of horror and monsters, unofficially called Blue Bolt Weird Tales of Terror. Official indicia title for issues #117- 119 was Blue Bolt Weird Tales. Jeff Barton purchases a mysterious wooden chest at auction that, unknown to him, is all that binds a group of demons. American hero Jock MacReady discovers the nefarious plans of scientist Helmut Stefan during a cabaret performance in the American zone of occupied Germany. Jungle hero Jo-Jo and his mate Tanee discover a lost city in the Congo, but two inhabitants are already there. Demons of Docar; The Image; Die a Weird Death; Ghostly Tiger; Jo-Jo: Weird City. Final issue under this title; numbering continues with Ghostly Weird Stories (1953) #120. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Captain America Comics (1941 Timely) 75 CGC 1.0

Paper: Light tan to off white

Cover Detached.

Label #2116774003

Includes: cover art by Gene Colan; Hoof Prints of Doom! horror story, Pencils by Colan; A Cigarette Stamped Death text story; Thing In the Chest horror story; and The Bat horror story. Cover title is Captain America's Weird Tales. 36 pgs. Cover price $0.10.