Auctions: comic books April 1965

Melvin Monster (1965-1969 Dell) 1 FN- 5.5

Cover by John Stanley. Stories and art by John Stanley. The celebrated cartoonist behind Dell's Little Lulu and Nancy comics, John Stanley presents his own creation, a misunderstood young monster named Melvin. Melvin tries being a bad monster for his Mummy and Baddy, but there's just something different about Melvin. He tries to listen to his guardian demon, and avoid being eaten by the family's pet alligator. But when he ventures into Human Being Land, he sees that life isn't always monstrous. Like a Little Monster Shouldnt; Teachers Patsy; Human Being Land; A Home Away from Home; The Collector; Substitute Sled. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Showcase (1956-1978) 55 FR 1.0

Staple rust. Rust migration. Water damage.

Cover by Murphy Anderson. 1st solo Golden Age Green Lantern in Silver Age (pre-dates Green Lantern 40), Doctor Fate, and Hourman star in "Solomon Grundy Goes on a Rampage!", script by Gardner Fox, art by Murphy Anderson; When Solomon Grundy last fought Green Lantern Alan Scott, Green Lantern encased Solomon Grundy in an emerald sphere prison floating above Earth; Years later, the sphere has now crash landed back on Earth, and Solomon Grundy has emerged to get his revenge on Green Lantern; Solomon Grundy instinctually heads back to his home of Slaughter Swamp, which at this point is bordering the Tyler Chemical Company plant; At the Tower of Fate, Kent Nelson is warned that there is trouble by his crystal ball; Seeing the source of the trouble to be Slaughter Swamp, Nelson becomes Dr. Fate; Hourman comes across Solomon Grundy in Slaughter Swamp; Hourman pops his Miraclo pill, then attacks Solomon Grundy. One-page text feature tells the origins of Dr. Fate and Hourman. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 131 CGC 7.0

Paper: Off white

Label #4521579002

Cover pencils by Bob Powell, Steve Ditko (Dr. Strange figure), inks by Mike Esposito and Steve Ditko (Dr. Strange figure). The Human Torch and the Thing star in "The Bouncing Ball of Doom!", script by Stan Lee and Bob Powell (co-plot), pencils by Bob Powell, inks by Dick Ayers; The Mad Thinker's latest plot involves a flying, electronics-laden metal ball, which nearly manages to destroy a dam; Cameos by Reed Richards and Sue Storm. "The Hunter and the Hunted!", script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Stan Lee (dialogue), art by Steve Ditko; In the far East, Strange is on the run from Mordo and his minions, unaware that Mordo's increased power comes from Dormammu; As Mordo forcibly recruits more followers to search for Strange the mage makes plans to hop a plane to New York City. Statement of ownership--average print run 315,500; average paid circulation 214,800. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 131 FN- 5.5

Cover oxidation. Interior tearing.

Cover pencils by Bob Powell, Steve Ditko (Dr. Strange figure), inks by Mike Esposito and Steve Ditko (Dr. Strange figure). The Human Torch and the Thing star in "The Bouncing Ball of Doom!", script by Stan Lee and Bob Powell (co-plot), pencils by Bob Powell, inks by Dick Ayers; The Mad Thinker's latest plot involves a flying, electronics-laden metal ball, which nearly manages to destroy a dam; Cameos by Reed Richards and Sue Storm. "The Hunter and the Hunted!", script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Stan Lee (dialogue), art by Steve Ditko; In the far East, Strange is on the run from Mordo and his minions, unaware that Mordo's increased power comes from Dormammu; As Mordo forcibly recruits more followers to search for Strange the mage makes plans to hop a plane to New York City. Statement of ownership--average print run 315,500; average paid circulation 214,800. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 115 GD- 1.8

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Chic Stone. "The Vengeance of the Thunder God," script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Frank Giacoia (as Frankie Ray); Thor rescues Jane from Loki; Odin appears and accuses Thor of bringing Jane to Asgard; Loki denies all involvement and Thor calls him a liar; Odin orders the Trial of the Gods, but first Thor is granted 48 hours in which to defeat the Absorbing Man; Aided by reporter Harris Hobbs and a courageous police unit, Thor tricks Creel into absorbing some helium gas. The origin of Loki continues in this "Tales of Asgard" back-up, "A Viper in Our Midst!", script by Lee, pencils by Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta. "Tales of Asgard" back-up, "A Viper in Our Midst!" Script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta; Loki aids the giant, Ghan, in escaping from the Asgardians; Ghan owes Loki a debt of gratitude; Loki plans to ask him to repay the favor when he makes his bid to claim the throne of Asgard; features young Thor and Loki. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.