Auctions: comic books February 1969

Adventure Comics (1938 1st Series) 377 CGC 9.2

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4462694001

Cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Neal Adams. Heroes for Hire!--Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes, script by Jim Shooter, pencils by Jim Shooter (layouts only) and Win Mortimer, inks by Jack Abel; The Legion appears to turn mercenary, accepting money for deeds, until the money's unique properties allow them to defeat the criminals on Modo. Ollie and Super-Turtle humor pages by Henry Boltinoff. Statement of ownership--average print run, 697,000; average paid circulation 411,200. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 69 FN- 5.5

"Mission: Crush the Kingpin!" Part 2 of 3. Plot by John Romita. Script by Stan Lee. Art by John Romita (layouts) and Jim Mooney (finishes). Cover by John Romita. The Spectacular Spider-Man is on the hunt for the Kingpin-- after the crime boss stole the ancient clay tablet from the ESU exhibit hall. However the Kingpin actually wants the web-slinger to find him, so he can polish off the wall-crawler permanently! When the amazing one locates Wilson Fisk's hideaway...another great battle between Spider-Man and the Kingpin erupts! Who will win this time? And where is the clay tablet? Cameo appearances by Captain Stacy, Gwen Stacy, J. Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson, and Randy Robertson. (Notes: The first mention of the Kingpin's wife occurs in this issue. The letters page includes a letter from comics artist Kerry Gammill. This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales #52.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.12.

Captain America (1968 1st Series) 110 FN+ 6.5

Cover by Jim Steranko. Rick Jones becomes Cap's partner in "No Longer Alone!", script by Jim Steranko (plot) and Stan Lee (dialogue), pencils by Jim Steranko, inks by Joe Sinnott; Cap runs across the Hulk on a rampage in NYC; The Hulk escapes and Cap vows Rick must never put himself in danger until the monster can be tamed. Back at Avengers Mansion Rick finds Bucky Barnes' old uniform, and rejects Cap's protests against wearing it; After putting him off for years, Cap finally accepts Rick officially as his new partner; Almost immediately they uncover a plot by HYDRA to contaminate the city's water supply. After a series of battles the HYDRA goons are driven off, and Cap tells Rick he survived his "baptism of fire" like a man. 36 pgs., full color. NOTE: 1st appearance of Madame Hydra Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 83 FN+ 6.5

"Shall Man Survive?" Part 2 of 2. Guest-starring the Inhumans. Script by Stan Lee. Pencils by Jack Kirby. Inks by Joe Sinnott. Cover by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott. Maximus the Mad has conquered Attilan! And his next target is the entire planet! With the Fantastic Four and the Inhumans as his captives, Black Bolt's crazy brother is on the brink of world domination thanks to his powerful hypno-gun! But the Inhumans still have one card to play! Black Bolt's awesome voice! His booming voice could free the royal family from its prison! Or destroy the whole city! Likewise in a nearby chamber, the FF work feverishly to escape from their confinement! If both super-teams can break out, they'll have a chance to break up Maximus' mad plan of conquest! Cameo appearances by the Invisible Girl and (baby) Franklin. Inhumans Lineup: Black Bolt, Gorgon, Karnak, Medusa, and Triton. (Notes: This issue is the second appearance of Franklin Richards. Although the Invisible Girl appears on the cover, she is not in Attilan for the battle. Maximus returns in Incredible Hulk 119. The Inhumans appear next in Silver Surfer (1st series) 18. This issue includes a full-page ad for Avengers 60 and Amazing Spider-Man 69. This two-part story was reprinted in Marvel's Greatest Comics 64 & 65) 36 pages Cover price $0.12.

Showcase (1956-1978) 80 CGC 6.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4742311021

Cover by Neal Adams. 1st Silver Age appearance of the Phantom Stranger in "Men Call Me the Phantom Stranger," script by Mike Friedrich, pencils by Jerry Grandenetti, inks by Bill Draut; Children huddle around a candle in a cave, talking about a "curse" that is about to hit the city; The Phantom Stranger appears, and hopes to puts the children at ease with a story. "The Three Signs of Evil...", script by John Broome, pencils by Carmine Infantino; In Columbus Circle in New York City, a group of sorcerers gather to make use of the full moonlight, using symbols on a board; Artist Mark Davis comes passing by, and unknowingly sketches out the symbols as his newest work of art; When the Stranger takes a look at Davis painting, he realizes that the symbols represent Columbus Circle, Times Square, and Washington Square. "I Talked with the Dead!", pencils by Leonard Starr, inks by Leonard Starr and Wayne Howard (traced & re-inked original); Before his fathers death, Dr. Thirteen made a deal that they would meet up five years after his death; If ghosts were real, then this would prove it. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Silver Surfer (1968 1st Series) 4 CGC 4.0

Paper: White

Label #4186700002

"The Good, the Bad, and the Uncanny!" Guest-starring Thor. Written by Stan Lee. Art by John Buscema and Sal Buscema. Cover by John Buscema. When the Silver Surfer ventures to fabled Asgard, home of the Norse Gods, a misunderstanding sets the Sentinel of the Spaceways against the mighty God of Thunder. It's the Power Cosmic vs. godly might. It's Thor vs. the Silver Surfer in a battle that will truly shake the heavens! Includes the Watcher back-up "The Terror of Tim Boo Ba." Story by Stan Lee. Art by Howard Purcell and Paul Reinman. Low distribution. 68-page giant. Cover price $0.25.

Silver Surfer (1968 1st Series) 4 FR 1.0

Full length spine split. Back cover detached.

"The Good, the Bad, and the Uncanny!" Guest-starring Thor. Written by Stan Lee. Art by John Buscema and Sal Buscema. Cover by John Buscema. When the Silver Surfer ventures to fabled Asgard, home of the Norse Gods, a misunderstanding sets the Sentinel of the Spaceways against the mighty God of Thunder. It's the Power Cosmic vs. godly might. It's Thor vs. the Silver Surfer in a battle that will truly shake the heavens! Includes the Watcher back-up "The Terror of Tim Boo Ba." Story by Stan Lee. Art by Howard Purcell and Paul Reinman. Low distribution. 68-page giant. Cover price $0.25.

Wonder Woman (1942 1st Series DC) 180 VG+ 4.5

Cover pencils by Mike Sekowsky, inks by Dick Giordano. "A Death for Diana!", script by Denny O'Neil (plot & dialogue), pencils by Mike Sekowsky (art & continuity), inks by Dick Giordano; Private eye Tim Trench joins Diana and Ching in their pursuit of Doctor Cyber and helps them fight off an attack by the villain's henchmen; After returning to her training, Diana receives a call purportedly from the hospital, saying Steve Trevor is asking for her, but it is a trap; After escaping a submerged taxi, Diana rejoins Trench and Ching who receive another tip about Cyber's whereabouts. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.