Auctions: comic books April 1964

Tales of Suspense (1959) 52 CGC 8.0

Paper: White

Label #4641576015

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Paul Reinman. First appearance of the Black Widow in "The Crimson Dynamo Strikes Again!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Don Rico (as N. Korok), art by Don Heck; The Black Widow and Boris are sent to America to kill Anton Vanko, the Crimson Dynamo, for defecting to America; They are also tasked with killing both Iron Man and Tony Stark. The first half of "The Magician" text story. "The Seance!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber, pencils by Larry Lieber, inks by Chic Stone; A fake medium uses special effects to simulate supernatural powers, but he is taken into the spirit world by real ghosts as punishment. "The Failure!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), pencils by Larry Lieber, inks by Paul Reinman; The Earth of the future is overwhelmingly materialistic, except for one idealistic young man and his lover; They are abducted by aliens, who have determined that he is the best suited to be absolute ruler of their empire. This issue includes a statement of ownership - average print run, 318,932; average paid circulation, 188,005. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.12.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 103 CGC 6.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4641576011

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by George Roussos. "The Enchantress and the Executioner!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Chic Stone; Loki and Odin conspire to end Thor's infatuation with Jane Foster by sending the Enchantress to seduce him away from his mortal love; The heavy handed Executioner fouls things up and the mission is unsuccessful; features the first appearance of the two title characters. "Poor Oscar" text story. "To Live Forever!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), pencils by Larry Lieber, inks by Chic Stone; In a future where capital punishment has been abolished, the maximum sentence is 90 years imprisonment; A brilliant scientist decides to find a way to make himself immortal, so he may commit crimes with impunity, but turns himself into a rock. This issue also has a statement of ownership: average print run 318,413; average paid circulation 187,740. "Thor's Mission to Mirmir!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Chic Stone; Thor must reach Mirmir to tell him that Odin has decided it is time to create the human race. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.