Auctions: comic books September 1969

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 76 CGC 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #3709255015

"The Lizard Lives!" Part 1 of 2. Plot by John Buscema. Script by Stan Lee. Art by John Buscema (layouts) and Jim Mooney (finishes). Cover by John Romita. The Lethal Lizard is on the loose in New York City! And Dr. Connors' alter-ego has only one thing on his reptilian mind: destroy Spider-Man! Peter Parker knows that a ferocious fight against the Lizard awaits him, so he takes a moment to visit Gwen Stacy before searching for his scaled adversary. A while later on the East Side, the Lizard ambushes the web-slinger! And their dazzling donnybrook begins! However when the Lizard wraps his tail around the wall-crawler's neck -- it looks like curtains for your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! Cameo appearances by Aunt May, Harry Osborn, Joe Robertson, Captain Stacy, Martha Connors, Billy Connors, and the Human Torch. (Note: This issue was reprinted in Marvel Tales #57.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.15.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 76 VG 4.0

Two center wraps detached at one staple.

"The Lizard Lives!" Part 1 of 2. Plot by John Buscema. Script by Stan Lee. Art by John Buscema (layouts) and Jim Mooney (finishes). Cover by John Romita. The Lethal Lizard is on the loose in New York City! And Dr. Connors' alter-ego has only one thing on his reptilian mind: destroy Spider-Man! Peter Parker knows that a ferocious fight against the Lizard awaits him, so he takes a moment to visit Gwen Stacy before searching for his scaled adversary. A while later on the East Side, the Lizard ambushes the web-slinger! And their dazzling donnybrook begins! However when the Lizard wraps his tail around the wall-crawler's neck -- it looks like curtains for your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! Cameo appearances by Aunt May, Harry Osborn, Joe Robertson, Captain Stacy, Martha Connors, Billy Connors, and the Human Torch. (Note: This issue was reprinted in Marvel Tales #57.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.15.

Captain America (1968 1st Series) 117 FN+ 6.5

Cover pencils by Gene Colan and John Romita (alterations), inks by Joe Sinnott and John Romita (alterations). First appearance and origin of the Falcon in "The Coming of... the Falcon!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Joe Sinnott; With the Red Skull previously having switched bodies with Captain America, the Skull uses the Cosmic Cube to send Cap to the tropical island home of the Exiles; There Cap encounters a falconer from Harlem who had been hired by the Exiles but who is now attempting to help the island natives kick the Exiles from their home; Cap joins forces with the falconer who, with Cap's urging, dons a costume and takes the name the Falcon. Letter to the editor from writer James Van Hise. 36 pgs., full color. $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

Captain America (1968 1st Series) 117 VG 4.0

.5" Spine split from bottom.

Cover pencils by Gene Colan and John Romita (alterations), inks by Joe Sinnott and John Romita (alterations). First appearance and origin of the Falcon in "The Coming of... the Falcon!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Joe Sinnott; With the Red Skull previously having switched bodies with Captain America, the Skull uses the Cosmic Cube to send Cap to the tropical island home of the Exiles; There Cap encounters a falconer from Harlem who had been hired by the Exiles but who is now attempting to help the island natives kick the Exiles from their home; Cap joins forces with the falconer who, with Cap's urging, dons a costume and takes the name the Falcon. Letter to the editor from writer James Van Hise. 36 pgs., full color. $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

Doctor Strange (1968 1st Series) 182 CGC 9.2

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4742311006

First 15-cent issue. Cover pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Tom Palmer. And Juggernaut Makes Three!, script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Tom Palmer; Strange leads Juggernaut from the Crimson Cosmos into the Dream Dimension; Nightmare and Juggernaut's errant spells free Eternity; Eternity changes Strange's name to Stephen Sanders; appearance by Clea. Letters to the editor from author Tom Wolfe and comics artist Walt Simonson (misspelled "Simerson"). Cover price $0.15.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 90 VG+ 4.5

Water damage.

"The Skrull Takes a Slave!" Part 1 of 4. Script by Stan Lee. Pencils by Jack Kirby. Inks by Joe Sinnott. Cover by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott. The FF's cataclysmic clash with the Mole Man is over! But danger is still lurking inside the Mole Man's house! When Reed, Ben, and Johnny try to question the Mole Man, the subterranean super-villain escapes and flees to his sub-surface home! However, the fabulous foursome (plus Crystal) have had enough of the Mole Man on this day and elect not to pursue him further. Meanwhile, a sinister skrull lands in New York! What is the alien's malevolent mission? Here's a hint: It involves the blue-eyed idol of millions and a galaxy far, far away! Cameo appearances by Alicia Masters and Franklin. (Note: The Mole Man returns in Incredible Hulk 127 and battles the FF again in Fantastic Four 127.) 36 pages Cover price $0.15.

Iron Man (1968 1st Series) 17 VG+ 4.5

Centerfold detached at one staple.

Fate of Tony Stark: Part 1 of 4 - "The Beginning of the End!" Story by Archie Goodwin. Art by George Tuska and Johnny Craig. The Tony Stark life model decoy has taken over Stark Industries and kicked the real Tony Stark to the curb! And if that was not bad enough, two new villains attack Iron Man and then later on abduct Tony Stark. Does Tony already know one of his assailants? Meanwhile, Alex Niven expresses romantic interest in Janice Cord. First appearances of Midas and Madame Masque. (Note: The letters page includes a letter from comics publisher John Carbonaro.) 32 pages Cover price $0.15.

Silver Surfer (1968 1st Series) 8 CGC 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4745072009

"Now Strikes the Ghost!" Part 1 of 2. Written by Stan Lee. Art by John Buscema and Dan Adkins. Mephisto, the very embodiment of evil, sends a powerful emissary, The Flying Dutchman, to destroy his hated enemy, the Silver Surfer. Cover price $0.15.

Vampirella (1969 Warren) 1 CGC 9.2

Paper: White

Label #4332045001

Published by James Warren, who gave fandom Famous Monsters, Eerie, Creepy, and other great magazines, Vampirella is a horror anthology series that featured stories and art by such genre giants as Richard Corben, Neal Adams, Archie Goodwin, Steve Englehart, Don Glut, Wally Wood, and many, many others. This first issue includes the following: "Vampirella's Welcome" by Bill Parente and Frank Frazetta; "Vampirella of Draculon" by Forrest J Ackerman (who had a hand in creating vampi vixen Vampirella) and Tom Sutton; "Death Boat" by Don Glut and Billy Graham; "Two Silver Bullets" by Don Glut and Mike Royer; "Spaced-Out Girls" by Don Glut, Bill Fraccio, and Tony Tallarico; and "Room Full of Changes" by Nicola Cuti and Ernie Colon. Cover art by Frank Frazetta. NOTE: A commemorative edition of this magazine was published in October 2001. It is very similar to the original, but can be easily identified by the $4.95 cover price (original 1969 edition was 50c cover priced), and an indica noting it as the commemorative edition. 68 pages, B&W. Cover price $0.50.

Vampirella (1969 Warren) 1 CGC 5.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #1269209001

Published by James Warren, who gave fandom Famous Monsters, Eerie, Creepy, and other great magazines, Vampirella is a horror anthology series that featured stories and art by such genre giants as Richard Corben, Neal Adams, Archie Goodwin, Steve Englehart, Don Glut, Wally Wood, and many, many others. This first issue includes the following: "Vampirella's Welcome" by Bill Parente and Frank Frazetta; "Vampirella of Draculon" by Forrest J Ackerman (who had a hand in creating vampi vixen Vampirella) and Tom Sutton; "Death Boat" by Don Glut and Billy Graham; "Two Silver Bullets" by Don Glut and Mike Royer; "Spaced-Out Girls" by Don Glut, Bill Fraccio, and Tony Tallarico; and "Room Full of Changes" by Nicola Cuti and Ernie Colon. Cover art by Frank Frazetta. NOTE: A commemorative edition of this magazine was published in October 2001. It is very similar to the original, but can be easily identified by the $4.95 cover price (original 1969 edition was 50c cover priced), and an indica noting it as the commemorative edition. 68 pages, B&W. Cover price $0.50.