Auctions: comic books 1972-1974, graded by CBCS

Action Comics (1938 DC) 415 CBCS 9.2

Paper: Off white

1st cover 7.5, 2nd cover 9.0, interior cover 9.2. Triple Cover.

Label #21-31C4038-001

Cover by Nick Cardy. "Meet the Metropolis Monster!", script by Cary Bates, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Murphy Anderson; Superman brings a male humanoid back to life after he has been attacked by a Frankenstein-like monster, only to learn that he has made a terrible mistake in doing so. "Fill My Grave With Money!", script by Bob Haney, art by John Calnan; Metamorpho helps out a man who has voluntarily trapped himself within a mine Simon Stagg has shut down, and who is transformed into a monster as a result. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.20.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 117 CBCS 7.5

Paper: Off white

Label #19-333D6E6-003

"The Deadly Designs of the Disruptor" continues reprinting pages from "Lo, This Monster" in Spectacular Spider-Man #1 (1968)--see comments on Amazing Spider-Man 116 for details. However, there is quite a bit of new material here by scripter Gerry Conway, penciller John Romita Sr., and inkers Romita, Jim Mooney, and Tony Mortellaro. New cover by Romita. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 117. Cover price $0.20.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 121 CBCS 8.0

Paper: White

Label #21-356E081-001

The Green Goblin kills Gwen Stacy in "The Night Gwen Stacy Died," a story that fans still talk about. It was the first big shocking death in comics (perhaps even ushering in the bronze age!). Script writer Gerry Conway is remembered by many as "the writer who killed Gwen" (even though obviously Stan Lee himself okayed a story of this significance). Gil Kane provides the unforgettable pencils, with inks by John Romita Sr. and Tony Mortellaro. Romita cover. The story continues in issue #122. (Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 98 and 192.) 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.20.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 128 CBCS 4.0

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #23-1BEA953-001

Cover by John Romita Sr. The Vulture Hangs High!, script by Gerry Conway, pencils by Ross Andru, inks by Frank Giacoia and Dave Hunt; Spider-Man uses his last reserve of webbing after being dropped from the sky by the (third) Vulture!; After narrowly avoiding death, Spidey returns to ESUs campus to uncover the motives behind an innocent womans death; In a twisted web of mistaken identities, will Spider-Man solve this murder mystery before theres a second victim? Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 105. 36 pgs., full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Batman (1940) 257 CBCS 9.0

Paper: White

Label #22-0FD4FF7-005

100-page giant. Cover by Nick Cardy. "Hail Emperor Penguin!", script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Irv Novick, inks by Dick Giordano; When a young King is kidnapped by the Penguin, it takes the efforts of Batman, Robin and Talia to free him from the madman's clutches. The Penguin's Unique Umbrellas! panels from previous comics. "Hunt for a Robin-Killer!", script by Gardner F. Fox, art by Gil Kane; After finding the Boy Wonder nearly dead from a brutal beating, a vengeful Batman hits the streets to find the man responsible. One-page Casey the Cop story by Henry Boltinoff. "Ally Babble and the Fourteen Peeves!", script by Bill Finger, art by Dick Sprang; Ally Babble accepts the offer of $5000 from a rich man to eliminate 14 peeves he has against others, but is soon charged with ripping off the man who paid him. "Conversational Clue!", script by Mort Weisinger, art by Jerry Robinson; When Alfred accidently hears some unsettling conversation in a local library, he follows the clue up...which nearly costs him his life! "Die Small--Die Big!", script by Robert Kanigher, pencils by Bob Brown, inks by Joe Giella; The appearance of a man dressed as the Batman at a party at Wayne Mansion and carrying a death threat for the Caped Crusader spurs Batman to attack the problem alone without the aid of Robin. "Rackety-Rax Racket!", script by Don Cameron, art by Dick Sprang (as Bob Kane); A series of crazy college initiations are actually a blind for daring thefts masterminded by the Joker! 100 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.60.

Defenders (1972 1st Series) 17 CBCS 8.5

Paper: White

Label #22-2D520EC-034

"Power Play!" Part 1 of 3. Guest-starring Power Man. Script by Len Wein. Pencils by Sal Buscema. Inks by Dan Green. The Wrecking Crew has destroyed two of Kyle Richmond's skyscrapers in New York City! And are now threatening to demolish an unfinished third one! However, Doctor Strange and Nighthawk converge on the construction site to protect it! But unknown to the two defenders, someone else has already been hired to guard the skyscraper...Luke Cage! A genuine misunderstanding leads to a fierce struggle between Power Man and the Defenders! And that's just fine for the four super-villains lurking in the background! Cameo appearances by Walter Cronkite, Valkyrie, the Hulk, Wrecker, Thunderball, Bulldozer, and Piledriver. (Notes: The Wrecker previously appeared in Thor 171. The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp series A #20 Brother Voodoo.) 32 pages Cover price $0.25.

Defenders (1972 1st Series) 18 CBCS 7.5

Paper: White

Label #22-2D520EC-035

The Defenders face the Wrecking Crew--the Wrecker, Thunderball, Pile-Driver, and Bulldozer! "Rampage!" Script by Len Wein, pencils by Sal Buscema, inks by Dan Green." Power-Man guest-stars. Gil Kane cover pencils. Cover price $0.25.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 132 CBCS 9.2

Paper: White

Slab: Significant scuff(s) front or back

Label #22-0F7594C-016

"Omega! The Ultimate Enemy!" Part 2 of 2. Guest-starring Quicksilver and the Inhumans. Script by Roy Thomas. Art by John Buscema (breakdowns) and Joe Sinnott (finishes). Cover by Jim Steranko and Frank Giacoia. In the underground lair of the Alpha Primitives, the awesome Omega has seized Crystal! And now the Human Torch and Quicksilver must join forces to set her free! However, the massive android is powerful indeed! It's going to take all of the Inhumans plus Mr. Fantastic and the Thing to stop the invasion of the Alpha Primitives! Can the FF and the royal family defeat the Alphas and Omega? But even if the heroes win, Johnny Storm is still going to lose. (Notes: The Human Torch changes his costume from blue to red in this issue, and Medusa joins the Fantastic Four (through issue 159). The letters page contains a statement of ownership: average print run 457,990; average paid circulation 245,695.) 32 pages Cover price $0.20.

From Beyond the Unknown (1969) 22 CBCS 9.2

Paper: Off white

1st cover 8.5, interior cover 9.2. Double Cover.

Label #21-31C4038-011

Ghost Rider (1973 1st Series) 2 CBCS 9.2

Paper: Off white to white

Label #21-15EED5A-029

"Shake Hands with Satan!" Guest-starring Daimon Hellstrom (Son of Satan). Story by Gary Friedrich. Art by Jim Mooney and Syd Shores. Cover by Gil Kane. The Spirit of Vengeance will travel to Hell itself and come face-to-face with Satan (Mephisto) in the ultimate showdown of the macabre. Story continued in Marvel Spotlight (1971-1977 1st Series) #12. 32 pages, FC. NOTE: 2nd appearance of Daimon Hellstrom (Son of Satan). Cover price $0.20.

Ghost Rider (1973 1st Series) 2 CBCS 8.0

Paper: White

Label #22-069BD64-015

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"Shake Hands with Satan!" Guest-starring Daimon Hellstrom (Son of Satan). Story by Gary Friedrich. Art by Jim Mooney and Syd Shores. Cover by Gil Kane. The Spirit of Vengeance will travel to Hell itself and come face-to-face with Satan (Mephisto) in the ultimate showdown of the macabre. Story continued in Marvel Spotlight (1971-1977 1st Series) #12. 32 pages, FC. NOTE: 2nd appearance of Daimon Hellstrom (Son of Satan). Cover price $0.20.

Human Torch (1974 1st Series) 1 CBCS 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #22-0FD4FF7-012

Cover pencils by John Romita, inks by Joe Sinnott. Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; In Glenville, Johnny lives with his sister Sue; While she's known as a member of the Fantastic Four, he tries to keep a low profile; We get to see the house, much of which is chemically fire-resistent, and equipped with various crime-fighting equipment; But even in the suburbs danger lurks, as someone called The Destroyer is hell-bent on wrecking a local amusement park nearing completion. Part 2: The Flaming Fury Strikes Back!!; Ben shows up, but Johnny refuses help, saying it's his fight. Horror Hotel!; A hotel is terrorized by a "man-killing beast," sending tenants fleeing. 36 pgs. $0.25. Cover price $0.25.

Human Torch (1974 1st Series) 1 CBCS 3.0

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #23-253E131-002

Cover pencils by John Romita, inks by Joe Sinnott. Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; In Glenville, Johnny lives with his sister Sue; While she's known as a member of the Fantastic Four, he tries to keep a low profile; We get to see the house, much of which is chemically fire-resistent, and equipped with various crime-fighting equipment; But even in the suburbs danger lurks, as someone called The Destroyer is hell-bent on wrecking a local amusement park nearing completion. Part 2: The Flaming Fury Strikes Back!!; Ben shows up, but Johnny refuses help, saying it's his fight. Horror Hotel!; A hotel is terrorized by a "man-killing beast," sending tenants fleeing. 36 pgs. $0.25. Cover price $0.25.

Incredible Hulk (1962 Marvel 1st Series) 162 CBCS 9.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #21-1B1DB9E-011

Cover pencils by Herb Trimpe, inks by Sal Trapani. Spawn of the Flesh-Eater!, script by Steve Englehart, pencils by Herb Trimpe, inks by Sal Trapani; Hulk is lost in the Canadian woods when he runs across a distressed young woman who is looking for her missing brother; Hulk rescues a man from the Wendigo whom he thinks to be her brother but Marie tells him that it is her brother's friend, Georges; When Georges regains consciousness, he tells a chilling tale of an act of cannibalism that turned Paul Cartier into the Wendigo. 36 pgs. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Journey into Mystery (1972 2nd series) 1 CBCS 4.5

Paper: Off white

Label #23-253E131-003

Cover by Gil Kane and Tom Palmer. Dig Me No Grave!, script by Roy Thomas (adaptation) and Robert E. Howard (original story), art by Gil Kane and Tom Palmer; When John Grimlan dies, two of his friends must undertake a strange series of tasks that reveal dark secrets about the life of the dead man. House!, script by Steve Englehart, art by Ralph Reese; Jim Staton finds refuge in a deserted house during a storm, or so he thinks. You Show Me Your Dream -- I'll Show You Mine!!, script by Steve Skeates, art by Jim Starlin and Mike Ploog; A man and woman who have never met repeatedly dream the same weird dream, seeing each other and the figure of Death. House ad for Marvel Spotlight #6 and Luke Cage Hero for Hire #3, art by Mike Ploog and Billy Graham. 36 pgs., full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Justice League of America (1960 1st Series) 107 CBCS 3.0

Paper: Off white

Label #19-1D88571-041

Cover art by Nick Cardy. Crisis on Earth-X!, script by Len Wein, pencils by Dick Dillin, inks by Dick Giordano; During an annual meeting between the JLA and JSA, six members and the Red Tornado (accidentally interfering with the transmatter machine that transports the two groups between Earths 1 and 2) are accidentally transported to another Earth, one in which the Nazis won World War Two; At first, the seven heroes are able to defeat a small group of Nazi soldiers, but are almost defeated by sonic machines when the Freedom Fighters, led by Uncle Sam, take the heroes away and explain what's going on in their secret headquarters; The three groups learn of machines around the world controlling everyone's minds, and set about to destroy them all. A letter from comics writer Mike W. Barr. 36 pgs. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Kamandi (1972 DC) 13 CBCS 9.0

Paper: White

1st cover 9.0, interior cover 9.0. Double Cover. Exceptional White.

Label #21-34BDE0B-012

"Hell at Hialeah." Script and pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Mike Royer. Cover by Kirby and Royer. Kamandi fails in his attempt to escape the Hialeah raceway and must participate in a race to the death with Bull Bantam. Cover price $0.20.

Magnus Robot Fighter (1963 Gold Key) 30 CBCS 3.5 Restored

Slight amateur restoration

Paper: Cream to off white

Amateur Restoration Includes: Moderate amount of color touch on the cover.

Label #19-279A9AA-205

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Reprint of issue #15. Cover art by Russ Manning. "The Weird World of Mogul Badur," script by Herb Kastle, art by Russ Manning; Magnus and Leeja are kidnapped by Mogul Badur, a dictator seeking to prolong his already abnormally long life. "Free to Fly"; Magnus tells Leeja about some of mankind's achievements in the field of flight. # on cover 10046-111. November #29 11/71. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.15.

Marvel Spotlight (1971 1st Series) 3 CBCS 6.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #21-3246A82-007

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First 20-cent cover price. Cover art by Mike Ploog. Werewolf By Night!, script by Gerry Conway, art by Mike Ploog; Andrea Timly captures Jack Russell and tries to get the location of the Darkhold from him. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.20.

Marvel Spotlight (1971 1st Series) 4 CBCS 4.0

Paper: White

Label #22-069BD64-029

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Cover art by Mike Ploog. Island of the Damned!, script by Gerry Conway, art by Mike Ploog; Jack Russell travels to an island while searching for the Darkhold; While there he is turned into stone. Continued in Werewolf By Night #1. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.20.

Marvel Spotlight (1971 1st Series) 9 CBCS 8.0

Paper: White

Label #22-0FD3AC2-023

Cover art by Mike Ploog. The Snakes Crawl At Night, script by Gary Friedrich, pencils by Tom Sutton, inks by Chic Stone; everyone believes Johnny Blaze is dead when he falls down Copperhead Canyon; Sam Silvercloud kidnaps Roxanne. 36 pgs. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Marvel Spotlight (1971 1st Series) 13 CBCS 8.0

Paper: White

Label #21-24C87C6-016

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Cover art by John Romita. When Satan Walked the Earth, script by Gary Friedrich, pencils by Herb Trimpe, inks by Frank Chiaramonte; Daimon goes home to Fire Lake and finds that demons have crossed the portal to Hell that is in his basement. Continued from Ghost Rider #3. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.20.

Marvel Spotlight (1971 1st Series) 13 CBCS 4.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #21-24C87C6-017

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Cover art by John Romita. When Satan Walked the Earth, script by Gary Friedrich, pencils by Herb Trimpe, inks by Frank Chiaramonte; Daimon goes home to Fire Lake and finds that demons have crossed the portal to Hell that is in his basement. Continued from Ghost Rider #3. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.20.

Special Marvel Edition (1971) 15 CBCS 6.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #19-3BB47DB-013

Written by Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin. Art and cover by Jim Starlin and Al Milgrom. Shang Chi, making his first appearance, is a master of martial arts and the son of Fu Manchu, a Chinese mandarin and scientist. Fu Manchu sends Shang Chi to England in order to assassinate the evil Dr. Petrie for the common good. Shang Chi reluctantly agrees, but after the deed is done he is confronted by Sir Denis Nayland Smith, a former British intelligence officer who tells him the truth about Fu Manchu; that he is a nearly immortal evil mastermind. Shang Chi travels back to his father's secret lair in New York and renounces him. Text articles by Roy Thomas and Englehart about the creation of Shang-Chi. Ad for Astonishing Tales #21. A brief obituary for Syd Shores. Ad for the Marvel fan club FOOM (Friends of Ol' Marvel). 36 pages, full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Superboy (1949-1979 1st Series DC) 189 CBCS 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #19-26F2CFD-030

Cover art by Nick Cardy. The Curse of the Hangman's Noose!, script by Leo Dorfman, pencils by Bob Brown, inks by Murphy Anderson; rope, vines, and a garden hose choke Pa Kent, and he tells Superboy it's from a family curse. The Runaway Superbaby!, script by Leo Dorfman [as David George], pencils by Bob Brown, inks by Murphy Anderson; Superbaby accidentally injures Jonathan Kent and flies away from home in remorse. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.20.

Superboy (1949-1979 1st Series DC) 194 CBCS 9.2

Paper: Off white to white

Label #19-26F2CFD-033

Cover art by Nick Cardy. The Super-Merman of the Sea!, script by Leo Dorfman, pencils by Bob Brown, inks by Murphy Anderson; Harkon, a renegade Atlantean scientist, transforms Superboy into a water-breathing merman, which also removes his super-powers. Part 2 Prey of the Sea Wolves!, script by Dorfman, pencils by Brown, inks by Anderson; Superboy discovers that he has new mental powers of telepathy and telekinesis; Unable to leave the sea, he contacts his parents telepathically to tell them he is safe. Part 3 Super-Merman's Final Ordeal! Letter to the editor from comics writer Bob Rozakis. Statement of ownership--average print run 556,000; average paid circulation 265,877. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.20.

Superboy (1949-1979 1st Series DC) 198 CBCS 8.0

Paper: White

Label #19-26F2CFD-035

Cover art by Nick Cardy. The Fatal Five Who Twisted Time!--Superboy Starring the Legion of Super-Heroes, script by Cary Bates, art by Dave Cockrum; At a carnival in his own time period, Superboy faces the Fatal Five. Behind the Scenes at the DC Comic World, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Murphy Anderson. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.20.

Werewolf by Night (1972 1st Series) 15 CBCS 7.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #21-2E62824-018

Marvel Value Stamp. Cover art by Mike Ploog. Death Of A Monster!, script by Marv Wolfman, pencils by Mike Ploog, inks by Frank Chiaramonte; Flashback reveals how Baron Russoff became a Werewolf and began the curse on his family; In the present, Dracula attacks Jack and Topaz to retrieve a book that belonged to the Baron. 36 pgs. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

World's Finest (1941) 222 CBCS 5.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #19-1d88571-083

Cover art by Nick Cardy. Evil in Paradise starring Super Sons of Superman and Batman, script by Bob Haney, pencils by Dick Dillin, inks by Vince Colletta; The super-sons accompany two scientists with opposing views on the essential nature of man - good or evil - to a newly discovered civilization between South America and Antarctica; But when the experiment doesn't go the way one scientist expects, he interferes in it with deadly results. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.20.