Auctions: comic books in 'Avengers/Defenders War'

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 115 CGC 9.0

Paper: White

Label #4384236004

"Below Us The Battle!" Avengers-Defenders crossover. Script by Steve Englehart. Pencils by Bob Brown. Inks by Mike Esposito. Cover by John Romita and Mike Esposito. The Avengers fly to Great Britain to visit their fellow avenger, the Black Knight! But when the team approaches Garrett Castle, an invisible barrier repulses them! While Earth's Mightiest Heroes are devising a way to pierce the mystical barrier, a group of troglodytes attack! Where did these grotesque creatures come from? Surprisingly, the cave-dwellers get the best of the Avengers and throw them into a deep underground pit! Surrounded by complete darkness and with the troglodytes moving in for the kill, Earth's Mightiest Heroes turn to the Black Panther to save the day! Can T'Challa single-handedly lead the charge to victory? Flashback cameos by Magneto and Doctor Strange. Second story: "Alliance Most Foul!" Avengers-Defenders Clash Part 1 of 8. At the conclusion of Thor 207, a blind Loki fell off a high cliff and seemed headed toward certain death below! But unbeknownst to anyone, the god of lies and mischief was rescued by none other than the Dread Dormammu! Why would Dormammu do that and for what sinister purpose? If Loki and Dormammu were to join forces, who on Earth could stop them? Story continues in the second story of Defenders 8. Avengers Lineup: Black Panther, Captain America, Mantis, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Swordsman, Thor, and the Vision. (Notes: The Black Knight most recently fought alongside Earth's Mightiest Heroes in Avengers 100. Dormammu previously appeared in Marvel Feature (1st series) 2. The letters page includes letters from comics artists Richard Howell and Dusty Vohland respectively.) 32 pages Cover price $0.20.

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 116 CGC 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4384236001

"Betrayal!" Avengers-Defenders crossover. Part 3 of 8. Guest-starring the Defenders. Script by Steve Englehart. Pencils by Bob Brown. Inks by Mike Esposito. Cover by John Romita and Mike Esposito. Story continues from Defenders 8. Earth's Mightiest Heroes visit Dr. Strange's townhouse in Greenwich Village and request permission to enter, but Wong slams the door in their faces! After an angry Thor breaks down the door, the Avengers storm inside, but a mystic spell sweeps them back out onto the street! Meanwhile gathered around the Orb of Agamotto, the Defenders put together a plan to find the six pieces of the Evil Eye. However, in the dark realm, Loki has grown suspicious of his dreadful ally! And contacts the Avengers to tell them about the Defenders' search for the ancient instrument from Avalon! So the die is cast! And the blockbuster battles are about to begin! Flashback cameos by Prester John, Wyatt Wingfoot, and the Human Torch to recap the history of the Evil Eye. Next Chapter: "The Silver Surfer vs. the Vision and the Scarlet Witch" The Avengers-Defenders Clash kicks into high gear as members of both teams span the globe to searching for the Evil Eye! And the first showdown features two of the most popular Marvel super-heroes of the 1970's! The Silver Surfer arrives in French Polynesia and plunges into the island's indigenous volcano to look for the Evil Eye. But the cosmic sky-rider's probing triggers a volcanic eruption! The fiery blast knocks a passing quinjet out of the sky and nearly kills the Scarlet Witch! Needless to say this act enrages the synthezoid avenger! And in the heart of the raging volcano, the Vision and the Silver Surfer fight for the Evil Eye! Story continues in Defenders 9. (Notes: The Evil Eye previously appeared in Fantastic Four 54. This issue includes a full-page survey for readers to complete and mail back to the Marvel bullpen. A reprint edition exists for this issue.) Cover price $0.20.

Defenders (1972 1st Series) 10 VG/FN 5.0

"Breakthrough" Avengers-Defenders crossover. Part 6 of 8. Guest-starring the Avengers. Script by Steve Englehart. Pencils by Sal Buscema. Inks by Frank Bolle. Cover by John Romita. One of the classic issues of the Defenders! Story continues from Avengers 117. The sixth and final superhero battle of the Avengers-Defenders Clash! And as shown on the cover, it's a matchup of true Marvel heavyweights! The Green Goliath rumbles thru the streets of Los Angeles looking for the Evil Eye. And lo and behold he finds it! However, the Avengers have also sent a team member to the city of angels! The Prince of Asgard! When the thunder god confronts the gamma-radiated defender, the epic clash of the titans erupts! Wow, the Mighty Thor vs. the Incredible Hulk! A battle for the ages! Next Chapter: "United We Stand!" In Greenwich Village the Defenders gather around the four pieces of the Evil Eye that they have recovered. When Prince Namor joins his teammates, he brings with him the fifth piece of the eye plus the Avengers! Whoa! Not exactly what Doctor Strange was expecting! Is another battle on the horizon? Or have the super-heroes finally realized who's been orchestrating the events? Story continues in Avengers 118. Cameo appearances by Asti and Dormammu. Flashback cameo by Loki. (Notes: This issue includes two outstanding full-page panels. The first on page 15 depicting Thor and the Hulk locked in combat; and the second on page 23 featuring seven avengers and five defenders conversing in Dr. Strange's townhouse. The Avengers-Defenders clash was reprinted in a trade paperback in 2002 and again in a hard cover edition in 2007.) 32 pages Cover price $0.20.