Auctions: comic books December 1973, graded by CGC

Defenders (1972 1st Series) 11 CGC 9.6

Paper: White

Label #3806439017

The Avengers/Defenders crossover continues with "A Dark and Stormy Knight." Script by Steve Englehart, pencils by Sal Buscema. Inks by Frank Bolle. Cover by John Romita. Story continues from Avengers 118. The epic battle vs. Dormammu is over and Earth has survived! But there's one more mission remaining for the Defenders! Return the Black Knight's stone body back to flesh and blood. To that end six defenders along with the Evil Eye travel back in time to the 12th century and find Dane Whitman smack dab in the middle of the Crusades! The super-heroes from the 20th century get a medieval history lesson as all the famous combatants are present: Prince John, Mordred the Evil, Chandu, Prester John, and Richard the Lionheart! Can the Dynamic Defenders save the King (and the Black Knight)? Cameo appearances by the Avengers, Nick Fury, and Loki. Defenders Lineup: Doctor Strange, Hawkeye, Hulk, Silver Surfer, Sub-Mariner, and Valkyrie. (Notes: Prester John previously appeared in Fantastic Four (1st series) 54. The 20th century stone statue of the Black Knight comes to life in Avengers 157. The 12th century Black Knight (aka Dane Whitman) and the Evil Eye return in Avengers 225 & 226.) Cover price $0.20.

Special Marvel Edition (1971) 15 CGC 9.2

Paper: White

Label #2067567005

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.

Walt Disney Comics Digest (1968 Gold Key) 44 CGC 9.6

Paper: White

Label #4346188009

Gold Key edition with 50c cover price. NOTE: There is a 69c cover-priced Whitman variant of this issue. Donald at His Duckiest. Classic multi-part Carl Barks stories: Donald Duck and the Mummys Ring, Luck of the North, Donald Duck in Ancient Persia, and The Pixilated Parrot. 4.75. x 6.5. 128 pages. Cover price $0.50.