Auctions: comic books 1955

Astonishing (1951 Marvel/Atlas) 41 GD 2.0

Water damage. Centerfold detached at one staple. 1" spine split from the bottom.

Cover by Russ Heath. "The Locked Room!", script by Paul S. Newman, art by Mort Drucker; An Indian mystic needs half a million dollars to build a temple so he bets an American businessman that he can use the power of his mind to move chess pieces in a locked room thousands of miles away. "The Search" text story. "The Inventors!", art by Bill Benulis; Machines take over and make slaves out of humanity. "Wings in the Night!", pencils by Dick Ayers, inks by Ernie Bache; A destitute man who feeds the park birds gets in trouble when the birds begin stealing for him. "The Rag Doll!", art by John Tartaglione; A child with a new baby sister feels neglected so she pours her love into a rag doll pretending that it is her baby. "The Living Proof," script by Carl Wessler, art by Pete Tumlinson; A newspaper editor refuses to believe his reporter's story about meeting men from Mars so the reporter becomes one of them in order to convince the man and take his daughter away to Mars with him. 36 pgs., full color. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Blue Beetle (1955 Charlton) 19 PR 0.5

REMAINDERED COPY. Cover oxidation.

All reprints. In order of appearance: "Blue Beetle, Mystery of the Tolling Bell, The Bell Which Refused to Stop Ringing" reprinted from Blue Beetle (1939 Fox/Holyoke) #38; "Minit Mystery"; "Blue Beetle, Anonymous Atom!" reprinted from Blue Beetle (1939 Fox/Holyoke) #55; "Rocket Kelly, Atom World of Selura"reprinted from Bouncer, The (1944) #10"; and "Imagine That!". "Fight For Life" text story. Indicia states: "THE BLUE BEETLE". 36 pages. Full color. Cover price $0.10.

Commander Battle and the Atomic Sub (1954) 4 CGC 3.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4742157004

Stories by Richard E. Hughes. Art by Sheldon Moldoff and Ken Landau. Cover by Ogden Whitney. The crew of an atomic-powered submarine, The Atomic Commandos roam the seas battling threats to American naval supremacy. The Commandos are assigned to protect a scientist with a revolutionary new discovery, but they must contend with sleeping gas that works underwater, manned torpedoes, a gigantic super-sub, and other enemy weapons. Piercing the Iron Curtain!; Can't Stand Those Pigboats!; Sunken Treasure!; Brother, You've Done a Good Job!; A Day in the Life of an Atomic Commando: Doc Blake. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Dark Mysteries (1951) 23 GD 2.0

Centerfold detached. Cover oxidation with chipping.

Cover by Hy Fleishman. Stories and art by A.C. Hollingsworth and others. A pre-Code horror series that is not as well-known other horror comics, but makes up for it with grue. When the old rivalry between two barons is revived by horse-racing and murder, a mysterious horse appears on a mission of vengeance. A Civil War soldier shares a magic charm with his sweetheart that will keep them united through life and death, but he didn't really think about what that means. Archaeologist Dr. Peale finds evidence of a race preceding the Native Americans, and awakens things that were better left in slumber. First issue to feature the Comics Code seal on the cover. The Mardenburg Curse; The Final Waltz; Shadow over Manton Farm; Don't Box Me In. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Jackie Gleason (1955 St. John) 1 GD/VG 3.0

Stories and art by Frank Ryan, Bill Shelly, Mike Roy and Mike Peppe. St. John presents a comic based on the many characters of comedy legend Jackie Gleason, including his influential TV series The Honeymooners, inspiration for The Flintstones. Wealthy lunatic Reggie van Gleason is so insulated from real life that he can't function without servants. Mr. Finch endures the nonstop chatter of Charlie Bratton, the Loudmouth. Plus a message from Mother Fletcher, The Famous Sponsor of the Late Late Late Late Show. The Honeymooners; Reggie van Gleason; The Poor Soul; Charlie Bratton the Loudmouth; Fenwick; Mother Fletcher; Rudy the Repairman. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Mystery Tales (1952 Atlas) 30 GD/VG 3.0

Cover oxidation.

Cover art by Carl Burgos. The Boy Who Could Fly!, pencils by Dick Ayers, inks by Ernie Bache. Strange Meeting text story. The Warning!, art by Don Heck. The Lady Vanished, art by John Forte. Too Late!, art by Sid Greene. From Out of Nowhere, art by Pete Tumlinson. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Secret Story Romances (1953) 15 CGC 4.0

Paper: Off white

Label #4313392002

Treasure Chest Vol. 11 (1955) 1 PR 0.5

Interior is complete. Full length spine split. Missing front cover.

September 8, 1955. Presenting fiction and non-fiction stories, many of which are religious in nature - a Treasure Chest of fun and facts! Includes a puzzle page, "Chuck White," by Francis Taylor, illustrated by Paul Karch, "Famous Flags in American History," by B. Geller, "West of the Panhandle," by Capt. Frank Moss, illustrated by Frank Borth, "Bears Are Almost Human," a story by Ferris Weddle, "Who Said It Frirst," "Englkish America's First Mass," by F.E. Crandall, illustrated by Powell, "Dramatic Moments in Sports," about Babe Ruth, illustrated by Powell, "John Gerard, Gentleman of God," by Ann Hall Marshall, illustrated by Frank Borth, "Words That Live - Patrick Henry," by F.E. Crandall, illustrated by Paul Zender, "Pierre," (cartoon), and an ad for the publisher. 32 pages, full color.

Uncle Scrooge (1954-2008 Dell/Gold Key/Gladstone/Gemstone) 12 VG+ 4.5

Cover by Carl Barks. Stories and art by Carl Barks. Comics legend Carl Barks creates his masterpiece, featuring the adventures of Donald Duck's Uncle Scrooge, the richest duck in the world. Drawn in by stories of the Golden Fleece, Scrooge is captured by harpy-like "larkies," and his nephews must rescue him from the Sleepless Dragon. Scrooge is dying of thirst in the desert, but he still thinks the prices at Joe's Oasis restaurant are too high. Scrooge saves money on coffee by bringing his own "doughnut" cut from a sponge. Watt an Occasion; The Golden Fleecing; Doughnut Dare; A Sweat Deal. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Weird Science-Fantasy (1954 E.C. Comics) 27 FR 1.0 (R)

Restored (see item notes)

RESTORATION. Color touch, spine rebuild. Full length spine split under tape.

Cover art by Wally Wood. "Adaptability," script by Otto Binder, art by Wallace Wood; John Oxton is the captain of a ship on a generations long voyage to another planet; Unfortunately, when they arrive they are not prepared for living outside the ship. Piracy comic ad. "Close Shave," script by Otto Binder, art by Reed Crandall; Two lovers are caught in the middle of racism between Earthlings and aliens from Ganymede. "Hello? Hello?" text story, art by Marie Severin. "4th Degree," script by Bill Gaines (co-plot) and Al Feldstein (co-plot and script), art by Jack Kamen; Val Draper wants to travel to the past to prevent the downfall of the planet; But he soon learns that he has been duped. "I, Robot," script by Otto Binder (as Eando Binder) and Al Feldstein (adaptation), art by Joe Orlando; Dr. Link has created a thinking robot who unfortunately is believed to have killed him. Letter to the editor from comics writer E. Nelson Bridwell. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.