Auctions: comic books published by charlton

Blue Beetle (1964 Charlton) 1 VG- 3.5

1" tear on back cover. Store stamp on back cover.

Cover by Bill Fraccio and Frank McLaughlin. Stories and art by Joe Gill, Bill Fraccio and Tony Tallarico. The second Charlton series to feature Dan Garrett, the Golden Age Blue Beetle, is also the first to contain original material. This issue is also notable as Charlton's first entry into the superhero genre in the Silver Age. Dan Garrett, the Golden Age Blue Beetle, battles an ancient mummy. An injured police officer needs an artificial heart to survive, in a story that predates the actual artificial heart by a decade or two. Plus fun facts about the duckbill platypus, a "fun" animal if there ever was one. The Giant Mummy Who Was Not Dead; Jungle Waters; Freaks of Nature; Have a Heart; Record of the Rocks. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Blue Beetle (1964 Charlton) 1 GD/VG 3.0

1" tear on back cover.

Cover by Bill Fraccio and Frank McLaughlin. Stories and art by Joe Gill, Bill Fraccio and Tony Tallarico. The second Charlton series to feature Dan Garrett, the Golden Age Blue Beetle, is also the first to contain original material. This issue is also notable as Charlton's first entry into the superhero genre in the Silver Age. Dan Garrett, the Golden Age Blue Beetle, battles an ancient mummy. An injured police officer needs an artificial heart to survive, in a story that predates the actual artificial heart by a decade or two. Plus fun facts about the duckbill platypus, a "fun" animal if there ever was one. The Giant Mummy Who Was Not Dead; Jungle Waters; Freaks of Nature; Have a Heart; Record of the Rocks. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Captain Atom (1965 Charlton) 79 FN 6.0

Cover pencils by Steve Ditko, inks by Rocke "Rocke" Mastroserio. Captain Atom Faces Doctor Spectro, script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Joe Gill (script), pencils by Steve Ditko, inks by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio; When an Air Force truck is hijacked Captain Atom begins to track down the criminals; Along the way he meets Doctor Spectro, who uses colors and light as weapons. Moon-Run!, art by Steve Ditko. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fightin' Army (1956 Charlton) 38 GD/VG 3.0

1/2" spine split. Cover oxidation. Staple rust.

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Cover by Sam Glanzman. Stories and art by Sam Glanzman, Bill Molno, Vince Alascia, Charles Nicholas, and Sal Trapani. War comics featuring the US Army in WWII, Korea and other conflicts, part of Charlton's Fightin' military series. A soldier escapes from his Nazi captors, but now he must prove to the DuBois family that the Germans are not their friends, in a story by artist and combat veteran Sam Glanzman. A supplies driver gains a reputation as a lazy soldier, until he has the chance to make a heroic run. A soldier is separated from his unit after he's knocked unconscious in a foxhole. Lazy Lew's Last Run; A Foxhole Is a Place to Die!; The Lonely Warrior; 13-2 Into 1814; Escape to the Enemy. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Fightin' Five (1964) 40 GD- 1.8

3.5" Cumulative spine split. Cover detached at one staple and loose at other.

Cover by Bill Montes and Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio. Stories and art by Pat Boyette, Bill Montes, Ernie Bache, and Joe Gill. Five tough guys form a specialized combat unit for specialized missions. A sinister female agent of the terrorist organization called D.E.A.T.H. manages to gain control of F5 member Hank Hennessey. But the real draw for this particular issue is the backup story. Diplomat Chris Smith is so dedicated to the cause of peace that he decides he will fight for it. So he becomes the Peacemaker, the first version of the character later revived by DC Comics (and the inspiration for the Comedian from Watchmen). The Agents of D.E.A.T.H.; Introducing: The Peacemaker. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Fightin' Marines (1951 St. John/Charlton) 69 VG+ 4.5

Cover oxidation. Staple rust.

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Cover by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio. Stories and art by Morris Waldinger and Bill Fraccio. Charlton's long-running series focused on the miliary exploits of the US Marines throughout the 20th century. After an ambush in Vietnam, a Marine sets out to rescue a top Marine commander from his captors. Marines in Vietnam use down-home hunting techniques to deal with guerrillas in the jungle. A tough Marine survives the rest of his WWII outfit, but doesn't get distressed until he loses his chewing tobacco. Viet Nam Mission; The Goddess Gada Goes Great; Invisible Death; Outpost; Too Mean to Die. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

I Love You (1955-80 Charlton) 38 VG- 3.5

Water spotting.

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Cover by Joe Sinnott and Vince Colletta. Stories and art by Joe Sinnott, Vince Colletta, Sal Trapani and Charles Nicholas. Charlton's long-running romance title showcased the fashions and relationship ideals of its rapidly changing eras. Vicki doesn't suspect that new beau Jim is part of the construction crew that she's got a running argument with. Debbie gets attention for her looks, but wants someone to desire the real Debbie, in a story with early art by future Fantastic Four legend Joe Sinnott. Ethel takes the extreme measure of wearing Hollywood-style makeup so she isn't bothered by men who think her beautiful. Nan and Art meet during the Korean War, then are separated during a skirmish. Romance Under Construction; Beauty Backwards; Just a Pretty Face; Lament and Learn; Life of Heartbreak. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves (1967) 52 CGC 7.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4715726003

Cover by Tom Sutton. Stories and art by Steve Ditko, Sanho Kim, Joe Gill, and Pat Boyette. Ghost hunter Dr. Graves presents, and sometimes participates in, tales of ghosts, monsters and the supernatural. A genteel mugger learns he's not the only thing stalking the London night. Cruel Captain Cobb forces the African Zuligi tribe into servitude - but luckily, they have voodoo on their side. Thomas is cruel to his redheaded wife and the servants, but the servants ALSO have voodoo on their side, in a story with art by Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko. Terrific werewolf cover by Tom Sutton. Evil Prowls the Night; Satan Is Free; A Little of This - A Little of That! 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.25.

Out of this World (1956 Charlton) 6 PR 0.5

INCOMPLETE. Multiple pages missing, interrupts art and story. 7" Cumulative spine split. Cover detached. Water damage.

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Cover by Steve Ditko. Stories and art by Steve Ditko, Bill Molno and Vince Alascia. Charlton responds to the new Comics Code with kid-friendly tales of science fiction, often illustrated by Steve Ditko or other future comics legends. A spy is a master of disguise, but there's one angle he's overlooked, in one of several stories in his issue with art by Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko. In another Ditko story, a sentient river rebels against human efforts to channel it. A scientist figures out how to save humanity by freezing it for a year with a designer pathogen. All Those Eyes; The Rivers Wrath; The Secret Room; Inside the Imagined Image; Plague; A Caveman Named Smith. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Out of this World (1956 Charlton) 9 GD- 1.8

Heavy water damage.

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Cover by Pat Masulli and Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio. Stories and art by Steve Ditko, Gene Colan, Bill Molno and Vince Alascia. Charlton responds to the new Comics Code with kid-friendly tales of science fiction, often illustrated by Steve Ditko or other future comics legends. Refugees flee their planet after robots take over, in one of several stories in his issue with art by Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko. In another Ditko story, a wealthy wine merchant describes how a show by gypsy acrobats changed his life for the better. Bullying outlaw Tom Molton meets his match, in a Western sci-fi story with early art by another future Marvel legend, Gene Colan. Journeys End; They Dont Come Back; Manana; The Lost Tribe; Reservoir Rescue; Johnny on the Spot; Lightning Gun. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Six Million Dollar Man (1976 comic) 1 CGC 9.4

Paper: White

Label #4680883001

Comic book version of the popular 1970s TV adventures of Steve Austin, the bionic super-hero. Issue features "The Beginning" which tells the origin of the Six Million Dollar Man and "The Secret Web" in which Steve Austin investigates evil-doings in China, and a two-page text story "No Way Out." Stories by Joe Gill & art by Joe Staton. Cover price $0.30.

Soap Opera Love (1983) 1 FN/VF 7.0

Cover pencils by A. Martinez, inks by J. Zuniga. I Know the Man I Want to Love...; Elaine takes a job at a South American oil refinery where she hopes to land a wealthy executive, but in spite of her plans she falls in love with Gus, a bush pilot. Days to Remember, pencils by Charles Nicholas, inks by Vince Alascia. Find-a-Word activity page. David and Eileen Part 1, pencils by A. Martinez, inks by J. Zuniga; Eileen O'Brien meets David Goldman and they quickly fall in love and plan to marry, to the horror of both sets of parents. 36 pgs. $0.60. Cover price $0.60.

Special War Series (1965) 4 CGC 5.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4629410001

Cover by Frank McLaughlin. Stories and art by Frank McLaughlin and Vince Alascia. Special War Series takes a hard left turn from war comics into superhero adventure. Sgt. Rip Jagger, escaping Axis forces during World War II, is taken in by Pacific Islanders of a strange judo cult. They teach Jagger everything they know, so he can fight for justice as the masked hero Judomaster. Plus, Sarge Steel demonstrates judo, aikido, and karate for readers. Introducing Rip Jagger…Judomaster; Fight for Freedom; The Dojo!; Judomaster is Born; Sarge Steel: Sport of Judo. Final issue of the series; Judomaster's adventures continue in Judo Master (1966 Charlton) #89. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Sweethearts (1954-1973 Charlton) 79 GD 2.0

Water damage. Staple rust with migration.

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Cover inks by Dick Giordano. Stories and art by Vince Colletta and Sal Gentile. Sweethearts was Charlton's continuation of the first monthly romance title, lasting from the romance boom of the '50s until the early '70s. Teacher Susan Rankin is so controlling of her students' romantic behavior, they call her "Vinegar Puss" - but then she meets her student's handsome guardian, Ralph. Plus-size Kay is about to meet her pen-pal boyfriend for the first time, so her friend Maud helps her go on a crash diet, in a story that reflects the attitudes of its time. Class president Beth wonders if she can choose between love and politics when Paul feels threatened by her campaign. Vinegar-Puss; Too Sweet For Love; Always Advice; Lady President. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Thing (1952 Charlton) 3 GD/VG 3.0

1/2" Spine split from bottom with splitting to interior wraps.

Cover by Albert Tyler. "The Clutch of Doom," art by Bob Forgione; Galvin manor has been cursed by the previous owner; Anyone digging for the treasure hidden in the cellar will be attacked by Henry Galvin's skeleton hand. "Ghost Town Ghost," pencils by John Belfi , inks by Dick Giordano; Western outlaw Dude Fenley and his gang murder the prospector Old Cady and take off with his gold by kidnapping a train. "The Marching Dead Men," art by Bob Forgione; Two US-American pilots are forced to land in Mongolia, behind enemy Korean lines; They join a march of living dead, led by a shaman, returning to their home soil. "What Was It! The Adventure of Two Ghostbreakers" text story. "Crypt of the Vampire," art by Martin; Rumanian castle Zangra is still inhabited by its vampire baron. "Mirror, Mirror, On My Wall," art by Albert Tyler; James Garth is not only an antiques dealer, but also the middleman of a dope-smuggling ring; He employs the services of a demon to get back at all those who betrayed him financially. 36 pgs., full color. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

This Magazine Is Haunted (1957 Charlton) 16 PR 0.5

INCOMPLETE. Full length spine split. First four pages missing, interrupts art and story. Paint damage.

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Cover by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio. Stories and art by Steve Ditko and others. More tales of ghosts and the supernatural from Charlton. Most of the stories in this issue feature art by Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko. An astronaut returns to Earth after two years in space and finds a very different world. In another Ditko story, a deep-sea diver discovers a sense of tranquility when he's under the surface. Frank is starting to believe his new TV set is alive, and out to get him. The Man from Time; The Green Peace; The Night Was Strange; Try This Trip; The Star-Seekers; Impossible, But…. Final issue under this title; series continues as Outer Space Vol. 1 (1958 Charlton) #17. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

True Life Secrets (1951 Capitol Publications Inc.) 23 VG+ 4.5

The fantastic (and unfortunately uncredited) Good Girl cover art for this issue was repurposed from My Desire #34 (sometimes listed as My Desire #4) with altered dialogue, making the scene a bit more salacious. Stories and art by Leon Winik and Ray Osrin. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Lola is contemptuous of her friends' make-do marriage plans, and sets out to find a wealthy husband. Nurse Ginny falls for Carl, the handsome doctor she works for, but hypochondriac Sandra wants Carl's attention for herself. Helen enjoys walking in the rain and brooding over her loneliness, but that's how she meets handsome Tod, who comes to her aid when she twists her ankle. Plus a romantic poem by Robert Louis Stevenson in comics form. Fast Track for Love; A Savage in Love; Romance; The Price I Paid; None But the Lonely. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Unusual Tales (1955 Charlton) 20 GD 2.0

Cover oxidation. Staple rust. Water damage.

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Cover pencils by Charles Nicholas, inks by Vince Alascia. "The Unbelievable Stone Man"; When an alien rock creature literally crashes on Earth, John Travers, fishing nearby, unwittingly reassembles him; Revealing his race's ominous plan to plunder the Earth, he begins transforming a giant rock into a spaceship to report back to his world; Travers saves the day by blowing up Norkan and his ship. "The Time Cap," pencils by Bill Molno, inks by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio; When part time explorer Phil Winship finds an ancient helmet in an an Iranian cave in the desert, he puts it on and is instantly transported 20,000 years into the past; Invisible to anyone in the past, Phil observes a scientist, Adab and his beautiful daughter Accara, and falls in love. "Bubbling Magic" text story. "The Demon Within," pencils by Charles Nicholas, inks by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio; A painter struggles with his own work. "The Incredible Advice," pencils by Matt Baker, inks by Vince Colletta. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.

Unusual Tales (1955 Charlton) 25 GD 2.0

Cover oxidation. Staple rust with migration. Water damage.

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Cover art by Steve Ditko. "Castle of Fear," art by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio; A castle, perfect for a film shoot, is inhabited by two Count Rudolfos. "Unkaben," Bill Molno, inks by Vince Alascia; A boy has an imaginary friend who does wonders with his toys, but is he really imaginary? "The Corner Drugstore," art by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio (as RM); A man is cured by a prescription written by a pharmacist who hasn't been around for ten years. Death Did a Double" text story. "The Confederate Girl," art by Steve Ditko; Writer and debunker of Civil War ghost stories Hiram White encounters his own Civil War ghosts. "Frozen Terrors," pencils by Bill Molno, inks by Vince Alascia. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.