Auctions: comic books in 'Scourge of the Underworld'

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 263 CGC 9.8

Paper: White

Label #4550261016

Return of Jean Grey: Part 1 of 3 - "What Lurks Below?" X-Factor tie-in. Script by Roger Stern. Art by John Buscema (breakdowns) and Tom Palmer (finishes). Cover by John Buscema and Tom Palmer. While attempting to escape from the police, the Enclave's charter jet skids off the runway and crashes into Jamaica Bay! The plane erupts into a giant fireball, but one piece of cargo safely sinks to the bottom of the bay. Captain Marvel is the first avenger on the scene and finds a strange energy cocoon half-buried in the bay floor. Did the cocoon come from the Enclave's plane or has it been resting at the bottom of the bay for several years? The Avengers investigate further and discover that a sentient being is inside the sunken capsule! After bringing the capsule back to Avengers Mansion, the mystery grows! Story continues in Fantastic Four 286. Cameo appearances by Jean Grey, Scourge, and the Melter. Flashback cameos by Adam Warlock and Her (aka Kismet). Avengers Lineup: Black Knight, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Hercules, Sub-Mariner, and the Wasp. Last 65¢ issue. (Note: Jean Grey (aka Marvel Girl) previously appeared in Uncanny X-Men 100.) Story continues in Fantastic Four (1961-1996 1st Series) #286. 36 pgs. Cover price $0.65.

Captain America (1968 1st Series) 319 CBCS 9.8

Paper: Off white to white

Direct Edition

Label #21-218A045-029

"Overkill" Story by Mark Gruenwald. Art by Paul Neary and Joe Sinnott. Both Captain America and Diamondback are hot on the trail of Scourge! Cap tries to work with her, but Diamondback has other things on her mind. Meanwhile, Firebrand has convened a meeting of 18 super-villains at The Bar With No Name to discuss the common threat of Scourge. It might be a good idea to check the identity of the bartender before starting the meeting. This issue includes the origin of Diamondback. 36 pages Cover price $0.75.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 278 CGC 9.4

Paper: White

Label #4681627020

Direct Edition. "If This Be Justice" Plot by Tom DeFalco. Script by Peter David and Mary Jo Duffy. Pencils by Mike Harris. Inks by Vince Colletta. Cover by Mike Harris. Still reeling from the revelation that Flash Thompson might be the Hobgoblin, Peter Parker walks to the police station to visit his friend. Aunt May's nephew thinks that Flash may be innocent. But someone else walking to police station already thinks he's guilty! The Scourge of the Underworld! Oh no! Oh yes, from the pages of Captain America's title...the gun-toting vigilante is ready to bring justice to the Hobgoblin! Whether he's got the right one or not! When Scourge enters the police station, justice is indeed served! But to whom? Flash, Scourge, or your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! Cameo appearances by the Rose, Hobgoblin, and the Wraith (aka Brian DeWolff). (Notes: The striking cover to this issue is unsigned -- possible pencils by Charles Vess or Mike Harris with inks by Kyle Baker. This issue was reprinted in Marvel Tales 286.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.75.

Captain America (1968 1st Series) 350 CGC 9.8

Paper: White

Newsstand Edition.

Label #4362921003

Steve Rogers returns as Cap in "Seeing Red," a 68-page giant issue. Story by Mark Gruenwald. Art by Kieron Dwyer and Al Milgrom. The Red Skull is back! And he tricks John Walker into fighting Steve Rogers! Can the former shield-slinger defeat John Walker, stop the Red Skull, and win back his old uniform and shield? Back up story: "Resurrection" Story by Mark Gruenwald. Art by John Byrne and Joe Marzan Jr. Following the events of Captain America 300, Armin Zola transferred the mind of the Red Skull into a new cloned body. (Note: This issue includes six pages of pin-ups that feature Captain America's past and present partners, the women in Steve Rogers' life, and the five other men who have worn the uniform of Captain America. Art by John Buscema, Al Milgrom, Ron Frenz, Joe Sinnott, and Tom Morgan.) Cover price $1.75.

US Agent (1993 1st Series) 1 CBCS 8.5

Paper: White

Direct Edition

Label #21-13BC5B3-022

Direct Edition. Scourge, the super-villain mass-murderer, has returned with a vengeance and there is only one thing standing in his way, Johnny Walker, the U.S. Agent. Story by Mark Gruenwald. Art by M.C. Wyman and Keith Williams. Follow John Walker, the one time successor to Captain America, on his first solo-adventure. Origin revealed in flashback. 32 pages. Cover price $1.75.