Auctions: comic books October 1969

Action Comics (1938 DC) 381 CGC 9.6

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4589945001

Cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Murphy Anderson. "The Dictator of Earth!", script by Leo Dorfman, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by George Roussos; Superman decides not to expose himself to Gold Kryptonite and instead agrees to stand trial at the United Nations for his apparent misdeeds. Tales of the Legion of Super-Heroes backup, "The Hapless Hero!", script by Jim Shooter, pencils by Win Mortimer, inks by Jack Abel; While other Legionnaires spend time with their families, Matter-Eater Lad has an argument with his father; He ends up back at Legion headquarters where Shrinking Violet complains about her boyfriend troubles; Appearances by Matter-Eater Lad, Shrinking Violet, Duplicate Boy, Braniac 5, Chemical King, Saturn Girl, Ultra Boy, Phantom Girl, and Projectra. Half-page Super-Turtle gag by Henry Boltinoff. Batman ad. 36 Pages, Full Color. $0.15 Cover price $0.15.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 77 CGC 7.5

Paper: White

Label #4495316001

"In the Blaze of Battle!" Part 2 of 2. Guest-starring the Human Torch. Plot by John Buscema. Script by Stan Lee. Art by John Buscema (layouts) and Jim Mooney (finishes). Cover by John Romita. In the nick of time, the Human Torch arrives to interrupt the Lizard's attack! The web-slingershould be overjoyed, but he's not! Because Johnny Storm might accidentally hurt the Lizard during the fight. So as a result a confusing three-way battle takes place across the city! The Human Torch vs. the Lizard; Spider-Man vs. the Human Torch; and the Lizard vs. Spider-Man! How can thewall-crawler make sure everyone walks away a winner? Appearances by Billy Connors and Martha Connors. (Notes: Spider-Man tangles with the Lizard again in Amazing Spider-Man 102. The letters page includes a letter from comics writer Don McGregor. This issue was reprinted in Marvel Tales #58.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.15.

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 69 CGC 8.0

Paper: White

Label #4524785008

"Let the Game Begin!" Part 1 of 3. Script by Roy Thomas. Pencils by Sal Buscema. Inks by Sam Grainger. Cover by Sal Buscema and Sam Grainger. Fate of Tony Stark: Part 3 of 4 - After the events of Iron Man 18, Earth's Mightiest Heroes rush to the hospital to check on the condition of their benefactor, Tony Stark! While waiting in Tony's room, the Wasp notices a small doll lying on the floor. But it's not a small doll; it's a small man…the Growing Man! And in a matter of minutes the alien stimuloid surges to thirty-feet tall and grabs Tony! The Avengers begin pursuing the Growing Man but are suddenly halted and whisked away to another place and time! Wow, who could have done that? Who else…but the Master of Time! Kang the Conqueror has transported the Avengers to the 41st century to fight as his pawns in the game of the galaxies! And the game starts next issue vs. the Squadron Sinister! First appearances of the Grandmaster, Kyle Richmond (cameo), and the Squadron Sinister (cameo). Additional cameo appearances by Ravonna, Doctor Spectrum, Hyperion, Nighthawk (aka Kyle Richmond), and the Whizzer. Avengers Lineup: Black Panther, Captain America, Goliath, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Thor, Vision, Yellowjacket, and the Wasp. (Notes: This is the first appearance of Kyle Richmond who would eventually become a long-time member of the Defenders. The Whizzer is a new villain not to be confused with the golden age Whizzer (aka Bob Frank). Kang and the Growing Man previously appeared in Thor 140. The Avengers last fought Kang in Avengers 23 & 24.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.15.

Bijou Funnies (1968) Underground #3, Printing 1&2 VG+ 4.5

Signed by Skip Williamson (interior margin), certification is not included.

*18+ Mature Readers Only* 1st/2nd printing (1st and 2nd printings are believed to be indistinguishable). Jay Lynch cover. Art by Lynch, Skip Williamson, Roger Brand, Kim Deitch, Jay Kinney, Rory Hayes, Dan Clyne, Robert Crumb, and Justin Green. 6 1/2" x 8 5/8", 36 pages. MATURE READERS. *18+ Mature Readers Only* Cover price $0.50.

Captain Marvel (1968 1st Series Marvel) 17 FN- 5.5

Cover pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Dan Adkins. First full appearance of the new Captain Marvel in "And a Child Shall Lead You!", script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Dan Adkins; Trapped in the Negative Zone, Mar-Vell is told by the Supreme Intelligence that he is trapped in this realm due to his blind quest for revenge against Yon-Rogg; However, he offers Mar-Vell a way to potentially free himself and directs his mind towards Earth and to the plight of young Rick Jones, who had just been rejected by his partner Captain America; (Unknown to Rick, Cap had forcefully switched bodies with the Red Skull.); He follows Rick as he returned to Avengers Mansion one last time to collect his things and start hitting the road again; When Jones gets close to an ancient Kree station which contains the Nega Bands, Mar-Vell conjures up an image of Captain America to lure Rick Jones to the bands; There Mar-Vell contacts Jones and explains his plight and that the Bands would allow them to temporarily switch places; Given the opportunity to become a super-hero, Rick accepts and puts on the Nega Bands; Clashing them together he and Mar-Vell change places. Cameos by the Hulk, the Avengers (Thor, Captain America, Iron Man,and Giant Man), and the Red Skull. Letter to the editor from comics historian Peter Sanderson. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.15.

Chamber of Darkness (1969 Marvel) 1 CGC 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4544980005

Cover art by John Romita. It's Only Magic!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Buscema, inks by John Verpoorten; Tommy steals a spellbook and summons a Djinn who plans to destroy the world. Mr. Craven Buys His Scream House!, script by Denny O'Neil, art by Tom Sutton; Creighton Craven tries to destroy his grandfather's house. Always Leave 'Em Laughing!, script by Gary Friedrich, pencils by Don Heck, inks by Frank Giacoia; Boswell Boliver builds a time machine to escape into the past where he believes that people won't laugh at him. 36 pgs. $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

Daredevil (1964 1st Series) 57 CGC 6.5

Paper: White

Label #4593213006

Cover pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Syd Shores. In the Midst of Life...!, script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Syd Shores; With a little help from the Page's butler, DD defeats Death's-Head, only to find at the villain's death that he is Karen's father; At Paxton Page's funeral, DD reveals his secret identity to Karen. 36 pgs. Cover price $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 91 CGC 9.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4589365017

"The Thing Enslaved!" Part 2 of 4. Script by Stan Lee. Pencils by Jack Kirby. Inks by Joe Sinnott. Cover by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott. Millions of miles from Earth, Ben Grimm is a prisoner of the Skrulls! What diabolical destiny do the Skrulls have planned for Aunt Petunia's nephew? How about turning the Thing into a modern day Roman gladiator! But before the Thing takes his turn in the ring, he's sold into slavery to a Roaring 20's gangster! What in the world, make that what in the galaxy is going on?! Is the strongest member of the Fantastic Four lost in both time and (outer) space? First appearance of Torgo. Cameo appearances by Alicia Masters, Crystal, and Franklin. (Note: The letters page includes a letter from comics writer Don McGregor.) 36 pages Cover price $0.15.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 91 CGC 8.0

Paper: White

Label #0106423006

"The Thing Enslaved!" Part 2 of 4. Script by Stan Lee. Pencils by Jack Kirby. Inks by Joe Sinnott. Cover by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott. Millions of miles from Earth, Ben Grimm is a prisoner of the Skrulls! What diabolical destiny do the Skrulls have planned for Aunt Petunia's nephew? How about turning the Thing into a modern day Roman gladiator! But before the Thing takes his turn in the ring, he's sold into slavery to a Roaring 20's gangster! What in the world, make that what in the galaxy is going on?! Is the strongest member of the Fantastic Four lost in both time and (outer) space? First appearance of Torgo. Cameo appearances by Alicia Masters, Crystal, and Franklin. (Note: The letters page includes a letter from comics writer Don McGregor.) 36 pages Cover price $0.15.

Iron Man (1968 1st Series) 18 VG/FN 5.0

Fate of Tony Stark: Part 2 of 4 - "Even Heroes Die!" Guest-starring the Avengers. Story by Archie Goodwin. Art by George Tuska and Johnny Craig. It's an action-packed issue as Midas sends Tony and Madame Masque to break into Stark Industries to capture...Tony Stark! However, Midas does not know that he already has the real Tony Stark, and it's the life model decoy that is actually running Stark Industries. What a twist! When the life model decoy dons Iron Man's armor, Tony only has one option...wear the old golden suit of armor. Will the Avengers arrive in time to save Tony? And is Madame Masque having second thoughts about working for Midas? The story of Iron Man's failing heart condition continues in Avengers 69. Cameo appearances by Captain America and Nick Fury. Avengers Lineup: Goliath, Vision, Wasp, and Yellowjacket. 32 pages Cover price $0.15.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 169 CGC 5.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4050440009

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby and John Romita (central Thor image), inks by George Klein and John Romita (central Thor image). "The Awesome Answer!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by George Klein; Thor, always honorable, is deemed worthy to hear the origin of Galactus; Out of mortal death, comes a rebirth of cosmic energy; The history of Galactus, as told by Galactus, revealed to Marvel readers at long last! Appearances by Balder, Hogun, Fandral, Volstagg, the Watcher, the Thermal Man, and Odin. Letter to the editor from book and comics retailer Bud Plant. 36 pgs., full color. $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

Uncanny X-Men (1963 1st Series) 61 CGC 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4447306006

1st Printing. Cover pencils by Neal Adams. Monsters Also Weep!, script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Neal Adams, inks by Tom Palmer; The X-Men battle Sauron and his hypnotic powers but the villain gets away and the heroes do not make the connection between the flying dinosaur and Dr. Karl Lykos; Visiting Lykos, they find Alex restored to health and witness a reunion between Karl and his love, Tanya; Tanya's father arrives and forbids their love as the X-Men slink away from the uncomfortable domestic scene; Karl drains energy from Lorna and turns into Sauron once again; Once he changes back into Lykos, he confronts Tanya at their old mountain cabin and seemingly falls to his death as he runs away, afraid of trying to drain energy from the woman he loves. 36 pages, full color. NOTE: JC Penney reprint exits. It can be identified by having a X-Men on Video ad on back cover. Cover price $0.15.