Auctions: comic books January 1978

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 176 VF+ 8.5

"He Who Laughs Last...!" Part 1 of 5. Script by Len Wein. Art by Ross Andru (breakdowns) and Tony DeZuniga (finishes). Cover by Ross Andru and Frank Giacoia. After surviving his harrowing adventure with the Punisher and the Hitman, Peter Parker decides to check in on his good friend Harry Osborn. To his dismay the web-slinger discovers the office of Harry's psychiatrist (aka Dr. Bart Hamilton) completely trashed! Oh my, has Harry suffered another mental breakdown? The wall-crawler rushes to Harry and Flash's apartment and realizes his worst nightmare has come true! The Green Goblin is back...and crazier than ever! Meanwhile on the steps of City Hall, Aunt May suffers a heart attack while protesting for senior citizens' rights. Cameo appearances by J. Jonah Jameson, Flash Thompson, and Mary Jane Watson. (Note: The Green Goblin previously appeared in Amazing Spider-Man 137.) 32 pages. Cover price $0.35.

Captain America (1968 1st Series) 217 CGC 9.4

Paper: White

Label #4109544008

First appearance of Quasar (aka Marvel Man) in "The Search for Steve Rogers!" Plot by Roy Thomas. Script by Don Glut. Pencils by John Buscema. Inks by Pablo Marcos. Cover by John Buscema and Frank Giacoia. Captain America and the Falcon visit SHIELD's underground complex in Midtown...and meet the new Super-Agents of SHIELD! Nick Fury has been concerned about a shadowy organization called: The Corporation, so he recently assembled his own team of super-powered operatives. They are: the Blue Streak, Marvel Boy (aka Wendell Vaughn), the Texas Twister, and the Vamp. And now the Director of SHIELD wants the Sentinel of Liberty to put the new Super-Agents to the test! Four against one! This should be a piece of cake for the star-spangled avenger! First appearances of the Blue Streak and the Vamp. Cameo appearances by Dum Dum Dugan, Sharon Carter, Senator Kligger Stivak, Veda, and Redwing. (Notes: Wendell Vaughn was only called Marvel Boy in issue 217. Redwing appears for the first time since Captain America 191.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.35.

Godzilla (1977 Marvel) 6 FN+ 6.5

"A Monster Enslaved!" Part 1 of 3. Story by Doug Moench. Art by Herb Trimpe. Has S.H.I.E.LD., with help from Stark International (a company owned by Tony Stark a.k.a. Iron Man), finally devised a way to take down the reptilian titan known as Godzilla. Plus, what is "Mr. Project," and what does it mean for Godzilla. Cover price $0.35.

Spectacular Spider-Man (1976 1st Series) 14 CGC 9.6

Paper: White

Label #4651651014

"Killing Me Softly With His Hate!" Part 3 of 4. Script by Bill Mantlo. Art by Sal Buscema (breakdowns), Mike Esposito (finishes), and John Tartaglione (finishes). The wall-crawler, Razorback, and Flash are prisoners of the Hate Monger! The trio is chained to a wall and staring down a time bomb set to explode! Can the heroes escape the Hate Monger's trap? And get to Yonkers Stadium in time for the next Legion of Light rally? Cameo appearance by the Man-Beast. 32 pages Cover price $0.35.