Auctions: comic books 1952

Action Comics (1938 DC) 167 CGC 8.0

Paper: Off white to white

Slab: Significant side/edge cracks 1" or more

Label #4435643004

Cover art by Win Mortimer. The Machines of Crime starring Superman, pencils by Wayne Boring, inks by Stan Kaye. The Man Who Stopped Space Flight starring Tommy Tomorrow, script by Edmond Hamilton, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by John Fischetti. The King of the Bandits starring Congo Bill, script by Jack Miller, art by Ed Smalle. The Outlaw Editor starring Vigilante. 44 Pages, Full Color. $.10 Cover price $0.10.

Action Comics (1938 DC) 168 CGC 4.5

Paper: White

Label #0915233006

Cover art by Win Mortimer. Happy Hobby Time! public service announcement starring Superboy, script by Jack Schiff, art by Win Mortimer. The Menace of Planet Z starring Superman, script by Bill Finger, pencils by Wayne Boring, inks by Stan Kaye. The Meteor Mystery starring Tommy Tomorrow, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by John Fischetti. Congo Bill's Last Fight, script by Jack Miller, art by Ed Smalle. Outlaws For Sale starring Vigilante, art by Bob Brown. 44 Pages, Full Color. $.10 Cited in Parade of Pleasure. Cover price $0.10.

Batman (1940) 72 FR/GD 1.5 (R)

Restored (see item notes)

RESTORATION. Tear seals, TRIMMED. Pieces of tape on interior cover spine. 6" Cumulative spine split (taped).

Cover by Win Mortimer. It's Smart to Check -- And Double Check! public service announcement starring Superman, script by Jack Schiff, art by Winslow Mortimer. "The Jungle Batman!", script by David Vern, pencils by Bob Kane (Batman and Robin figures only) and Lew Sayre Schwartz, inks by Charles Paris; After capturing the feared Sinister Eight, Commissioner Gordon asks the Dynamic Duo to deliver the crooks by radio-controlled ship to their prison at Satan's Island; The ship is torpedoed and sunk during a storm at sea. Two-page Varsity Vic story by Henry Boltinoff. "The Legion of Faceless Men!", pencils by Dick Sprang, inks by Charles Paris; Batman and Robin get invited to a party at The Maskers Club, which is formed by people who wear masks at their jobs; After the party, crime ensues. Half-page Private Pete story by Henry Boltinoff. One-page Peg story by Henry Boltinoff. Changing Styles In Magic article by David Kahn (as Donald King), art by Raymond Perry. Half-page Shorty story by Henry Boltinoff. "The Death-Cheaters of Gotham City!", script by David Vern, art by Jim Mooney (as Bob Kane); Batman becomes a member of the strange "Death Cheaters Club," but a wanted criminal, who fits the qualifications for membership, is denied the same--and vows vengeance against all the members! Casey the Cop one-page story by Henry Boltinoff. 52 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Battle (1951 Atlas) 13 VG 4.0

Edited by Stan Lee. Cover by Carl Burgos? Stories by Stan Lee and unknown. Art by Russ Heath, Cal Massey, Norman Steinberg and Gil Evans. Battle adventures of troops in combat! In this issue: "Surrender, Hell!" with art by Russ Heath; 2-page text story "The Deadliest Enemy"; "Troop Movement" by Stan Lee and Cal Massey; "Surprise Attack!" with art by Norman Steinberg; and "Barbed Wire" with art by Gil Evans. 32 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Battlefront (1952 Atlas) 1 GD+ 2.5

Glue on front cover.

Cover by Russ Heath. Written by Don Rico. Art by Jerry Robinson. Complete in this issue is a 4-part story by Rico and Robinson: "Operation Killer"; "Attack!"; "South to the 38th"; and "O.K."! Plus: 2-page text story "The Sarge"! 32 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Blue Bolt (1949) 115 CGC 4.5

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4683996001

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. 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. The origin of Sergeant Spook, as a dead policeman learns he can still be seen and heard by teenage Jerry, and helps Jerry rid an orphanage of ghosts. A cursed parchment from Tibet kills anyone who reads it. An explorer and his dog seek a shape-shifting Alaskan monster, in a rare sequel to a previous story, "The Ghoul of the North" from issue #113. Cavern of Death; The Parchment of Death; Death from the Skies; Terror in the Fields; Secret of the Moaning Ghosts; The Return of the Ghoul. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Bobby Benson's B-Bar-B Riders (1950 ME/AC) 13 GD/VG 3.0

Cover oxidation.

Frank Frazetta cover. Stories include the Lemonade Kid in "The Clutching Claws of Terror"; the Ghost Rider in "The Stagecoach for Death"; Red Hawk in "The Land of the Flaming Ground!" (art by Bob Powell); and Bobby Benson's B-Bar-B Riders in "The Mystery of the Maverick Trail" (art by Powell). Cover price $0.10.

Combat Kelly (1951 Atlas) 2 GD 2.0

1/2" cumulative spine split. Cover oxidation with chipping. Water damage.

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Combat Kelly in "The Big Push" and "The Devil Wore Skirts" (art on both by Al Hartley). Back-up stories "Who Goes There" (art by Dick Rockwell) and "The Victim!" Two-page text story, "I Was a Prisoner in Korea." Cover price $0.10.

Cowgirl Romances (1950 Fiction House) 12 FN- 5.5

Cover oxidation.

Art by Maurice Whitman and Pete Morisi. Tender tales of romance among the cowhands and roughnecks of the Old West. After a stagecoach mishap, a woman impersonates another to sneak onto a ranch. Stella Dawson realizes that her rodeo stablehands are horse thieves, and handsome Rick was the only one to warn her. A woman discovers one of her ranch hands is a deserter on the run from the Confederate army. The Ranch of Riddles; Love Rode In; Revenge on the Rebound; Send Back My Love; My Rebel Heart. Final issue of the series. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Diary Loves (1949 Quality) 19 GD+ 2.5

Water spotting.

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Photo Cover. Stories by unknown. Art by Little Al, Gene Colan, John Forte, Sam Citron and unknown. Featuring: "Big City Blues" starring Karen Marlow, Harry Dean, David Rayburn, Nick, Jane and Jim; "Too Fast" starring Doreen Willis, Dale Agard, Roy Paxton, Mrs. Willis, Pop Frazer and Bill; "The Bride Wore Black" starring Shelley Logan, Bob Garfield, Ernest Payne, Mrs. Logan and Mrs. Maulsby; and "Stolen Kisses" starring Marilou Arden, Bart Long, Rita Sills, Aunt Eunice, Aunt Genevra and Mayor Perkins. Plus: 1-page text story "Two Seats on the Aisle" starring Sandra Fleming, Hank Barlow and Jeff. 32 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Flyboy (1952 Ziff-Davis) 1 GD/VG 3.0

Cover oxidation. Moisture damage.

Painted cover by Norman Saunders. Stories and art by Alex Kotzky and George Tuska. Aerial action with the aviator hero known as Flyboy. Larry gets constant ribbing and hazing from his peers and officers in the Air Force, but when his trainer blacks out in midair, Larry takes the controls and earns the name "Flyboy." A Korean War veteran, two lovely ladies, a case full of cash and trigger-happy gangsters add up to trouble for Flyboy and Happy. Anne's father, who looks like J. Jonah Jameson in colonel's stripes, becomes even worse after he learns he has reputation as a "monster." Plus a look at 1950s combat training for pilots, and a story with art by future Marvel legend George Tuska. Training for Combat; Stunting with Death; Angels Without Wings; The Dogface; The Gripes of Wrath!; Navy Wings; Fortress in the Sky. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Ghost Comics (1951 Fiction House) 6 CGC 6.5

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4491104004

Cover art by Maurice Whitman. The Sleepers in the Crypt; Gangster returns to the scene of his crime to recover hidden loot; His henchmen are frightened by ghosts and ironically turn on their boss, accidentally killing him. Zandini Did It!, art by A. Albert; Zandini comes back from the dead to wreak revenge on Dan Kramer, the man who caused his death years ago. Payoff Blues, art by Jack Kamen; Triggerman and train robber Chopper Mack is driven insane by a tune he keeps hearing over and over again. He also sees ghosts everywhere. Two Must Die, pencils by Bill Benulis, inks by Jack Abel; Two mine owners inquire about ghostly apparitions in their mine in Mexico. Not believing in ghosts, they enter an accident-prone shaft and perish. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Haunt of Fear (1950 E.C. Comics 2nd Series) 14 GD/VG 3.0

Water damage. Interior tearing.

Cover art by Graham Ingels. A Little Stranger!--The Witch's Cauldron!, script by Albert B. Feldstein, art by Graham Ingels; A man finds himself scratched by wolfsbane and transforms into a werewolf on every full moon; After his third kill, he hears someone approaching and hides in the brush. Take Your Pick!--The Vault of Horror!, script by Albert B. Feldstein, art by Jack Kamen; A woman with a miser for a husband loses her marbles after enduring countless acts of 'ice-heartedness' and takes an ice-pick to his chest. Ship-Shape!--Haunt of Fear, script by Albert B. Feldstein, art by Sid Check. This Little Piggy...--The Crypt of Terror, script by Albert B. Feldstein, art by Jack Davis. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Men's Adventures (1951 Marvel/Atlas) 14 VG- 3.5

"name, Rank, Serial Number" (art by Robert Q. Sale), "Retreat" (art by Gene Colan), "Insane" (art by Norman Steinberg), "The Coffin" (art by Bill Everett), and a two-page text story, "Military Man With a Spear." Everett cover. Cover price $0.10.

Mystic (1951 Atlas) 10 VG- 3.5

Signed by artists Joe Sinnott and Russ Heath (interior), does not include certificate of authenticity. 1" spine split from bottom. Cover oxidation.

Cover art by Russ Heath. Bluebeard, art by Tony Di Preta; A man who calls himself Bluebeard murders and robs the guests of his inn, but when a thief carrying a bottle of Nitro becomes his latest victim, Bluebeard decides to dispose of the bottle outside. Death Notice!; An obit writer who finds that he has the power to cause the deaths he writes about has the tables turned on him when the ghosts of his victims print an edition of the paper that says he dies in a train wreck. They Called Her a Witch!, script by Stan Lee, art by Russ Heath; Peasants call an old woman a witch, a man gives her the benefit of the doubt, but it turns out the peasants were right. Doom Island text story. The Man Who Saw Tomorrow, art by Joe Sinnott; A man who invents a camera that can photograph the future is terrified when he sets it to a week in advance and produces a...blank photo. Detour!, art by Myron Fass; A man at a train crossing is killed and places a curse on motorists every year that one person must take his place. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Parole Breakers (1951) 2 CGC 2.0

Paper: Off white

Label #4444968002

Art by Everett Raymond Kinstler, Michael Becker, Vince Alascia, and Joe Kubert. Stories about mobsters, bank robbers and other bad guys and gals from the golden age of crime. A trucker is robbed and decides crime is more profitable; Juanita Spinelli trains young men to be criminals, earning the nickname The Duchess; The gang called The Flatheads commits the first armored car robbery. Featuring a painted cover reprinted from Avon mystery paperback #114. Also featuring a contents page illustrated by Everett Raymond Kinstler on the inside front cover. Marion Gilmore: Queen of the Waterfront Gangs; Vinnie Sherwood: The Racket King; The Fiddler of Death; She Murdered for Money; Juanita Spinelli: Duchess of Crime; Pete Loris and the Flathead Gang. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Perfect Crime (1949 Cross) 26 GD/VG 3.0

Centerfold detached at one staple.

Steve Duncan in "Murder at Sea," "The Jewels of Sylvia Dudley," "The Last Job," "The Wrong Steal," "Revenge in Reverse." Two page text story, "Sir Peel's Bobbies!" The Overstreet Price Guide says this issue contains a "Drug propaganda story," but none of the stories relate to the cover or drugs in general. Cover price $0.10.

Planet Comics (1940 Fiction House) 67 FR 1.0 (R)

Restored (see item notes)

RESTORATION. Tear seals. Near complete spine split. Cover coming detached at both staples. Brittle.

Maurice Whitman cover. Stories reprinted from Planet Comics (1940 Fiction House) #22. In order of appearance: "Flint Baker" art by Art Saaf; "Star Pirate" art by George Appel; "Reef Ryan" art by Pagsilang Rey Isip; and "The Lost World" art by Nick Cardy. 36 pages. Full color. Cover price $0.10.

Planet Stories (1939-1955 Fiction House) Pulp Vol. 5 #6 CGC 3.5

Paper: Off white

Label #4359904012

May 1952. Cover by Allen Anderson. "War-Maid of Mars" by Poul Anderson. Other stories by J. T. McIntosh, Bryce Walton, Robert Moore Williams, Peter Phillips, Lloyd Palmer, Bolling Branham, and John McGreevey. Illustrations by Herman Vestal, Kelly Freas. 7-in. x 9.75-in.; black and white; 116 pages. Cover price $0.25.

Shock Suspenstories (1952 EC) 6 FR/GD 1.5

4" Spine split from top. Cover detached. Water damage.

Cover art by Wally Wood. Dead Right!, script by Albert B. Feldstein, art by Jack Kamen; A fortune teller predicts to a woman that a man who wants to marry her, but she finds repulsive, is going to inherit twenty-five thousand dollars and die shortly afterward, so she marries him. Under Cover!, script by Albert B. Feldstein, art by Wally Wood; When Sam Masters sees a secret society whip a girl to death he tries to contact the F.B.I. before they can catch him. The Bend! text story by Albert B. Feldstein, art by Marie Severin. Not So Tough!, script by Albert B. Feldstein, art by Joe Orlando; A space commander who is as tough as nails on his crew is reduced to soft putty in the grip of a large gravitational force. Sugar 'N Spice 'N..., script by Albert B. Feldstein, art by Graham Ingels (as Ghastly); A brother and sister lose their ball in the yard of an old woman whom they referred to as "The Old Crab"; She eventually gave them the ball back, but warned them to stay away. 36 pgs. $0.10. NOTE: This issue was reprinted by East Coast Comics with a $1 cover a 1970's copyright date (see E.C. Classic Reprints #8). These and other changes make the reprint easy to distinguish from the original which has a 10-cent cover price and a 1950's publication date. Cover price $0.10.

Soldier Comics (1952-1953 Fawcett) 5 VG- 3.5

Water damage.

36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Space Busters (1952) 2 FR/GD 1.5 (R)

Trimmed

RESTORATION. Trimmed. Laminated cover.

Painted cover art by Allen Anderson. Ad for Jim Prentice Electric Football. Victory on Valda, art by Murphy Anderson; Captain Crockett's troops have a hard time convincing the freedom fighters of the planetoid Valda that they're not just as bad as the Belzarians, until nurse Wing saves Menso's daughter Rada. Every Space Buster a One-Man Army; Everything you want to know about their metallo-plastic helmets, thermo rifle, proton pistol, micro-grenades, and Space Buster Academy outside Luna City on the Moon. Remember Makano, art by Murphy Anderson; After the traitor Senstral leads an attack of the Utani ape-men on the outpost on Makano, Captain Crockett leads a select platoon that decimates the Utani barracks and destroys the Belzarian death ray tank corps. The True Story of Flying Saucers text story by Harry Harrison. Life in the Solar System, art by Everett Raymond Kinstler; Mercury is too hot, Jupiter is too cold, but they hold out the possibility of life on Venus and Mars. Mission to Baldor!, art by Marvin Stein; Capt. Crockett befriends Sabra, the leader of the guerilla movement on the planetoid Baldor. The Batmen of Luna, art by John Prentice. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Straight Arrow (1950 Magazine Enterprises) 22 CGC 4.0 Restored

Restored: A1

Paper: Cream to off white

Restoration includes: small amount of color touch on cover, cover reinforced, staples replaced. RIGHT EDGE TRIMMED.

Label #4666735002

Art by Bob Powell and Fred Meagher. Cover by Frank Frazetta. Rancher Steve Adams, a Comanche raised by white settlers, has a secret identity as the warrior Straight Arrow, a hero who first appeared on a popular radio show. Steve's efforts to impress new neighbor Nan only get worse when Packy and Molly try to help. Red Hawk and Bigfoot are taken as legendary figures of prophecy by a neighboring tribe. Straight Arrow, mistaken for part of a raiding party, risks capture to save his horse Fury. Cover by legendary artist Frank Frazetta. Steve Adams - Badman!; The Luck of Loud Calf!; Red Hawk: Beast of the Bayous!!; Trial by Fury! 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Superman (1939 1st Series) 76 0.3

Comic is complete other than being coverless.

Cover art by Win Mortimer. The Mightiest Team in the World!, script by Edmond Hamilton, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Stan Kaye (pages 1-8) and John Fischetti (pages 9-12); Superman and Batman learn each other's secret identities [for the first time] when they meet on a cruise while trying to find a diamond thief. The Misfit Manhunter starring Superman, Joe Harris, and Frosty Ferris, script by Bill Finger, pencils by Wayne Boring, inks by Stan Kaye. The Gatling Gun text story by Ben Galloway. Mrs. Superman, script by Bill Woolfolk, art by Al Plastino. Superboy stars in a one-page public service announcement, Happy Hobby Time! 52 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Terrors of the Jungle (1952) 17 CGC 6.0 Restored

Restored: C1

Paper: Off white to white

Restoration includes: small amount of color touch on cover.

Label #4373408007

Cover art by L. B. Cole. "Revenge of the Black Magic Idol"; Amazo destroys Gahna's village and enslaves his people. She pricks her finger on the idol of Janus, which she had hoped would help her defeat Rulah, and dies from its poison. "Silent Death"; Skeeter sends his wife, Liz, to Rulah's village to try out the Red Death bacteria he stole. "The Strangest Punishment" text story. "Mankillers"; Renture keeps his subjects by lying to them that they are cursed; In fact, it is their dimly-lit city that disfigures them. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.

Two Fisted Tales (1950 EC) 28 VG- 3.5

Moisture.

Cover by Harvey Kurtzman. Stories by Harvey Kurtzman and Al Feldstein. Art by John Severin, Will Elder, Wally Wood, Jack Davis, and Harvey Kurtzman. Harvey Kurtzman's legendary series enlisted top EC artists for gritty tales of war and adventure. A checkers game gives tank commanders the strategy they need on the battlefield, in a story with inks by MAD legend Will Elder. A Mexican soldier is an unwilling participant in the siege of the Alamo. During the American Revolution, the conflict at Pell's Point is a loss for both sides, with art by Wally Wood. Plus The EC "Artist of the Issue" featuring Harvey Kurtzman. Checkers!; Pells Point!; Submerge!; Alamo!; Saipan! 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Two Fisted Tales (1950 EC) 30 VG 4.0

Centerfold detached at one staple.

Cover by Jack Davis. Stories by Harvey Kurtzman. Art by Ric Estrada, Wally Wood, Gene Colan, and Jack Davis. Harvey Kurtzman's legendary series enlisted top EC artists for gritty tales of war and adventure. A veteran pilot observes a cadet's training all the way to the level of fighter ace, with art by Jack Davis. Civilians on Wake Island get a rude awakening after Pearl Harbor, in an early story by future Marvel legend Gene Colan. Medieval peasants long for a defender to free them from their cruel feudal lord, with art by Wally Wood. Gritty, atmospheric cover by Jack Davis. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Undercover Girl, Starr Flagg (1952) 5 VG- 3.5

A-1 Comics #62. Stories by Gardner Fox. Art by Ogden Whitney. Sometimes listed as A1 Comics (1944 Life's Romances) #62. Female secret agent Starr Flagg debuted in Manhunt! (1947) before graduating to her own title. A reporter is murdered seconds before he could go on the air with a scoop about a hostile foreign country. Starr must find a ring that can trigger a nuclear holocaust. Madam Darkova's gorilla servant captures Starr and a scientist with a deadly steel-melting formula. The Mystery of the Stolen Secrets; The Riddle of the Radio-Death; The House That Hate Built; Jeopardy in Jade; Beauty and the Beast. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

War Action (1952) 3 PR 0.5

INCOMPLETE. Centerfold and corner pieces missing (affects text story). Staple added (not manufacturing).

Cover art by Sol Brodsky. "Death March," script by Robert Bernstein, art by Paul Reinman; Captured American G.I.s are being force marched by Communist Korean soldiers through the snow; Numerous attempts to escape are dealt with deadly force; Macklin just wants to finish the war in a prison camp, but others don't believe there is one. "The River," art by Werner Roth; During the Korean War, a squad of American soldiers wait to attack a bridge; The bridge is attacked and taken, then repaired; This is then followed by a counterattack where the bridge is lost, then retaken. "G.I. Gob" text story. "The Command of General" starring Mu Private Chou Feng, art by Mac Pakula. "Casualty List"; Corporal Thompkins needs to deliver the casualty list from the front lines to headquarters. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.

Whisper (1946 Whisper, Inc.^) Magazine Vol. 6 #2 CGC 7.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4681183004

Volume 6, Issue 2 - September, 1952. Painted cover by Peter Driben. Men's interest magazine with humor and pin-up pictorials. 8.5" x 11.5", 54 pages, B&W. Cover price $0.25.