Auctions: comic books December 1974

Batman (1940) 259 VF- 7.5

This issue is dedicated to the memory of Bill Finger (co-creator of Batman).

100-page giant. Cover art by Nick Cardy. Batman and the Shadow team-up in this issue in a new story titled "Night of the Shadow!", script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Irv Novick, inks by Dick Giordano); Batman goes on the trail of a convicted felon from the past, believing that he has stolen a valuable tiara. But he's wrong and discovers that only "The Shadow Knows" who actually is responsible. "The Great Batman Swindle!" (reprinted from Detective Comics #222), script by Bill Finger, pencils by Dick Sprang, inks by Charles Paris; Wealthy yachtsman Ned Judson is called to a mysterious castle once built by an eccentric millionaire, and comes face-to-face with the Brotherhood of Batmen; The leader, Batman Number One, convinces Judson that the figure of Batman is actually four people. "The Strange Costumes of Batman!" (from Detective Comics #165), script by Edmond Hamilton, pencils by Dick Sprang (as Bob Kane), inks by Charles Paris; While making an inspection of equipment in the Bat-Cave, Bruce and Dick also must inspect the various costumes Batman and Robin use in their fight against crime for leaks and tears, and, as it turns out, a never before used costume saves the day for the Batman, who has been seriously wounded. New costumes for Robin drawn by readers of the strip. "Heroes by Proxy!" (from Batman #29), script by Don Cameron, art by Dick Sprang (as Bob Kane); Two private detectives are down in the dumps because they are flat broke, even though they have great detective abilities; When they hear that the Wayne Mansion has been robbed, they decide to change their tactics and investigate, disguised as Batman and Robin! "Two Batmen Too Many!" (from Batman #177), script by Bill Finger, pencils by Sheldon Moldoff (as Bob Kane), inks by Joe Giella; Batman concocts a scheme against numbers racketeer Ed Garvey to prove conclusively that the crook planned and carried out the Kimber Gem job. "The Failure of Bruce Wayne" (from Batman #120), script by Bill Finger, pencils by Sheldon Moldoff, inks by Charles Paris; Called to his dying Uncle's bedside, Silas, Bruce is told by him that he is disappointed that Bruce has not continued the family tradition of adventure; Bruce sets out to prove Silas wrong. 100 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.60.

Batman (1940) 259 VG/FN 5.0

This issue is dedicated to the memory of Bill Finger (co-creator of Batman).

100-page giant. Cover art by Nick Cardy. Batman and the Shadow team-up in this issue in a new story titled "Night of the Shadow!", script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Irv Novick, inks by Dick Giordano); Batman goes on the trail of a convicted felon from the past, believing that he has stolen a valuable tiara. But he's wrong and discovers that only "The Shadow Knows" who actually is responsible. "The Great Batman Swindle!" (reprinted from Detective Comics #222), script by Bill Finger, pencils by Dick Sprang, inks by Charles Paris; Wealthy yachtsman Ned Judson is called to a mysterious castle once built by an eccentric millionaire, and comes face-to-face with the Brotherhood of Batmen; The leader, Batman Number One, convinces Judson that the figure of Batman is actually four people. "The Strange Costumes of Batman!" (from Detective Comics #165), script by Edmond Hamilton, pencils by Dick Sprang (as Bob Kane), inks by Charles Paris; While making an inspection of equipment in the Bat-Cave, Bruce and Dick also must inspect the various costumes Batman and Robin use in their fight against crime for leaks and tears, and, as it turns out, a never before used costume saves the day for the Batman, who has been seriously wounded. New costumes for Robin drawn by readers of the strip. "Heroes by Proxy!" (from Batman #29), script by Don Cameron, art by Dick Sprang (as Bob Kane); Two private detectives are down in the dumps because they are flat broke, even though they have great detective abilities; When they hear that the Wayne Mansion has been robbed, they decide to change their tactics and investigate, disguised as Batman and Robin! "Two Batmen Too Many!" (from Batman #177), script by Bill Finger, pencils by Sheldon Moldoff (as Bob Kane), inks by Joe Giella; Batman concocts a scheme against numbers racketeer Ed Garvey to prove conclusively that the crook planned and carried out the Kimber Gem job. "The Failure of Bruce Wayne" (from Batman #120), script by Bill Finger, pencils by Sheldon Moldoff, inks by Charles Paris; Called to his dying Uncle's bedside, Silas, Bruce is told by him that he is disappointed that Bruce has not continued the family tradition of adventure; Bruce sets out to prove Silas wrong. 100 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.60.

Doctor Strange (1974 2nd Series) 6 FN/VF 7.0

Cover art by Frank Brunner. Dormammu and Umar return in Life High the Veil of Fears!, script by Steve Englehart, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Klaus Janson; Umar the Unrelenting attacks Strange; Mother Earth warns Clea of an unnatural growth, & Dormammu emerges from the Earth. Cameos by Loki, the Watcher, the Vision, the Scarlet Witch, and Captain America. The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp series A #37 (The Watcher by John Buscema). Cover price $0.25.

Ghost Rider (1973 1st Series) 9 VG+ 4.5

"The Hell-Bound Hero!" Story by Tony Isabella. Art by Jim Mooney and Sal Trapani. Cover by Gil Kane. Mephisto (as Satan) arrives on Earth to claim Johnny Blaze's immortal soul, but who is this mysterious stranger that has other plans? 32 pages, FC. NOTE: Marvel Value Stamp #81: Rhino. Cover price $0.25.

Incredible Hulk (1962 Marvel 1st Series) 182 CGC 9.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4026304003

Cover art by Herb Trimpe. First appearance of Hammer and Anvil in "Between Hammer and Anvil!," script by Len Wein, art by Herb Trimpe; The Canadian government reins agent Wolverine back in from his unaccomplished mission of destroying the Hulk; He reluctantly retreats, and they send their special-op commandos to take on the brute; When even that doesnt work, they detonate a huge sleeping gas bomb at him, which finally puts the Hulk out; When the Hulk comes to, he is flying high above the forest, carried by the agents in a steel cage; The Hulk angrily breaks free of his prison, and jumps away to safer pastures. Next Wolverine in Giant-Size X-Men #1. Marvel Value Stamp Series A: The Golem. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.25.

Marvel Treasury Edition (1974) 2 GD/VG 3.0

Reprints Fantastic Four 48-50 (first Silver Surfer and Galactus), 6, & 11. Jack Kirby art. New 2-page John Buscema pin-up. Cover price $1.50.

Uncanny X-Men (1963 1st Series) 91 VG/FN 5.0

Cover pencils by John Buscema. The Torch is Passed...!, script by Roy Thomas and Stan Lee, pencils by George Tuska and Steve Ditko, inks by John Tartaglione; The X-Men attend Professor X's funeral and are surprised when Quicksilver shows up; Returning to the mansion, the X-Men are greeted by a posthumous message from Xavier passing the torch on to his students; Quicksilver returns to Magneto's lair and is plagied with doubt about leaving the Avengers to rejoin his old master but fears for his sister's health; The X-Men lay a trap and attack Magneto and his Brotherhood but the bad guys quickly gain the upper hand; reprinted from issue 42. Journey's End, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; A crook ends up killing a night watchman and flees into the past in a time machine where he has a violent encounter with the machine's creator; reprinted from Amazing Adult Fantasy #7. 36 pgs. $0.25. Cover price $0.25.