Auctions: comic books October 1971

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 101 CGC 9.0

Paper: White

Label #4641328001

First appearance of Morbius the Living Vampire in "A Monster Called Morbius!" Script by Roy Thomas. Pencils by Gil Kane. Inks by Frank Giacoia. Cover by Gil Kane and John Romita. The first 100 issues of the Amazing Spider-Man title are in the books! And the next chapter in the web-slinger's anthology kicks off with the debut of Marvel's first bronze age vampire: Morbius! However, at the moment Peter Parker has a much bigger problem on his (six) hands. After drinking the special potion he developed, Aunt May's nephew grew four additional arms! Oh, my goodness! Peter is desperate to find a way to remove the arms, so he calls Dr. Curt Connors for help. Dr. Connors has a summer house and laboratory in Southampton on Long Island...and he gives Spider-Man permission to stay there and work on a cure. Meanwhile, a strange, pale, and bloodthirsty man is the sole survivor of a shipwreck near Southampton. And he's looking for a quiet place to rest. Oh no. Is the six-armed Spider-Man on a collision course with a living vampire? Oh yes! Cameo appearances by Gwen Stacy, J. Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson, and the Lizard. Last 15¢ cover price. (Notes: This is the first issue of the Amazing Spider-Man series not written by Stan Lee. There exists a second printing of this issue published in 1992 with a silver background cover. Marvel also published a facsimile edition of Amazing Spider-Man 101 in 2021.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.15.

Astonishing Tales (1970) 8 CGC 9.0

Paper: Off white

Label #4650383006

Cover pencils by Marie Severin, inks by Frank Giacoia. The Battle of New Britannia!, script by Roy Thomas and Gary Friedrich, pencils by Herb Trimpe, inks by Tom Sutton; While flying to see Ka-Zar in the Savage Land Barbara Morris and Paul Allen crash, with Paul being saved by Ka-Zar and Barbara being rescued by the British of New Britannia. Ka-Zar and Paul don't know that Barbara has been saved so they venture into the Lost Lake to save her. Advertisement reproducing covers for Fantastic Four King-Size Special #9 and Spider-Man King-Size Special #8. This Badge Bedeviled!, script by Len Wein and Mike Friedrich (plot), pencils by George Tuska, inks by Mike Esposito; While Damian Link is trying to stop a robbery he and his twin brother Joshua Link are somehow linked together by experimental rays. ...Though Some Call It Magic! starring Doctor Doom, script by Gerry Conway, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Tom Palmer. Advertisement reproducing covers for Thor King-Size Special #4 and Marvel Feature #1. 48 pgs. $0.25. Cover price $0.25.

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 416 FN/VF 7.0

52-page giant issue. Cover art by Neal Adams. "Man-Bat Madness!", script and art by Frank Robbins; A series of chance occurrences leads Kirk Langstrom to relapse into his Man-Bat identity after marrying Francine Lee, and the Batman must capture him and restore him to normalcy. "The Deadly Go-Between!", script by Frank Robbins, art by Don Heck; Commissioner Gordon's friend, officer Jim McClean, has been murdered, and the Commissioner has vowed to catch his friend's killer; This prompts Barbara Gordon to do her own investigation as Batgirl. "Rex - Circus Detective!", script by Bob Kanigher, pencils by Alex Toth, inks by Sy Barry, reprinted from The Adventures of Rex the Wonder Dog #3. "The Case of the Gold Dust Death!", art by Ramona Fradon, originally printed in Gang Busters #30. Letter from author/artist Frank Robbins, who explains that the inspiration for the Man-Bat story came from fan Anthony Kowalik. 52 pgs., full color. $0.25. Cover price $0.25.

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 416 FN- 5.5

52-page giant issue. Cover art by Neal Adams. "Man-Bat Madness!", script and art by Frank Robbins; A series of chance occurrences leads Kirk Langstrom to relapse into his Man-Bat identity after marrying Francine Lee, and the Batman must capture him and restore him to normalcy. "The Deadly Go-Between!", script by Frank Robbins, art by Don Heck; Commissioner Gordon's friend, officer Jim McClean, has been murdered, and the Commissioner has vowed to catch his friend's killer; This prompts Barbara Gordon to do her own investigation as Batgirl. "Rex - Circus Detective!", script by Bob Kanigher, pencils by Alex Toth, inks by Sy Barry, reprinted from The Adventures of Rex the Wonder Dog #3. "The Case of the Gold Dust Death!", art by Ramona Fradon, originally printed in Gang Busters #30. Letter from author/artist Frank Robbins, who explains that the inspiration for the Man-Bat story came from fan Anthony Kowalik. 52 pgs., full color. $0.25. Cover price $0.25.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 115 VG+ 4.5

"The Secret of the Eternals" Part 3 of 4. Plot by Stan Lee. Script by Archie Goodwin. Pencils by John Buscema. Inks by Joe Sinnott. Cover by John Buscema, Frank Giacoia, and John Romita (touch-ups). The Watcher tells the FF the incredible origin of the Over-Mind! But Reed, Sue, Ben, and Johnny don't remember fighting the Eternals' powerful warlord last issue. Did the foursome somehow forget? When Mr. Fantastic starts to put two and two together, the Over-Mind strikes! And now a possessed Reed Richards attacks his teammates and embarks on a mission of conquest for the Over-Mind! Last 15¢ issue. (Note: This issue includes a full-page ad for the first issue of Marvel Feature (1st series) starring the Defenders.) 36 pages Cover price $0.15.

Incredible Hulk (1962 Marvel 1st Series) 144 CGC 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4646447019

Last 15-cent cover price issue. Cover pencils by Herb Trimpe, inks by John Severin. The Monster and the Madman!, script by Roy Thomas and Gary Friedrich, pencils by Dick Ayers, inks by John Severin; General Ross, Betty, Glenn and Samson think the Hulk is dead which is exactly how Dr. Doom wants it; Having made Bruce his willing servant using the awesome power of suggestion, Doom has him construct a gamma bomb with which he plans on subjugating a neighboring nation; Love, alas, brings Doom's well laid plans low as Valeria interferes in Bruce's subliminal programming to save the lives of thousands; The Hulk, not too happy about being controlled, comes close to crushing Doom like a tin can before he leaps off into the sunset; Iron Man cameo. 36 pgs. $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

Mister Miracle (1971 1st Series) 4 VG+ 4.5

"The Closing Jaws of Death." Yet another action packed, whiz bang adventure, this issue finds Mister Miracle trying to escape from a trap by Dr. Bedlam. Features the first appearance of Big Barda. Back-up Boy Commandos reprints begin in this issue. Script, pencils, and cover by Jack Kirby. Inks by Vince Colletta. Cover price $0.25.