Comic books 1970-1985, graded by CBCS

Jaka returns in "Upstairs," the fourth of Cerebus's six crises as prime minister. Moon Roach and Arnold the Isshurian cameos. "Sideways" issue. Back-up "Unique Story," a "Journey" preview titled "Search" by Bill Loebs. Cover price $1.40.

Moon Roach and Lord Julius guest star in "The Last Stand," the fifth of Cerebus's six crises as prime minister. Classic "sideways" (and upside down and right side up) issue. Back-up "Unique Story" featuring a "Journey" preview, "Search" (part 2) by Bill Loebs. Cover price $1.40.

Crisis Number Six: Denouement. His tenure as prime minister at a premature end, Cerebus prepares to leave the Regency Hotel. The final chapter of High Society. Story, art and cover by Dave Sim. Black and white; 24 pages. Cover price $1.40.

Exodus. In the aftermath of High Society, Cerebus escapes, alone on a boat, only to find an ever-increasing number of familiar stowaways, in a story based on the Marx Brothers famous stateroom skit. This story was not reprinted in the High Society or Church & State collections. Story, art and cover by Dave Sim. Cover price $1.60.

"Church & State" begins with a series of short stories: "Writing," "Elfguest" (an Elfquest parody), and "The Insecure Sinecure" (starring Lord Silverspoon). Back-up "Unique Story," "Cutey Bunny" by Joshua Quagmire. Letter from Diana Schutz. Cover price $1.40.

First appearance of Wolveroach (cameo). The Countess & The Aardvark. Cerebus spars verbally with the mysterious Countess, little suspecting her connection to the aardvarks least-favorite lunatic. Story, art and wraparound cover by Dave Sim. Also includes the Unique Story "Quoth the Reagan Nevermore," written and drawn by Don Goodrum. Black and white; 24 pages. Cover price $1.40.

First full Wolveroach story, "The Origin of the Wolveroach." Back-up "Unique Story," "Night of the Living Teddy Bears" by Greg Wadsworth. Cover price $1.40.

Wolveroach appears on cover and in story. Wolverine parody. The Why and the Are. Cerebus is once again drawn into the Roachs mania, but his rebellious new Wolveroach persona makes him harder to control than ever. Story, art and cover by Dave Sim. Black and white; 24 pages. Cover price $1.40.

The Wolverine parody continues in "Origin of the Wolveroach" (part 3). Back-up "Unique Story," normalman in "Someting Like an Origin" by Jim Valentino. Cover price $1.40.

Cerebus suddenly finds himself married to Red Sophia in "Suddenly, Sophia." Intro Sophia's mother Henrot-Gutch (cameo). Back-up "Unique Story," normalman in "Let's Get Normal, Man!" by Jim Valentino. Letter from comics artist Steve Leialoha. Cover price $1.40.

Red Sophia guest stars in "All Lined Up." Regency Elf cameo. Back-up "Unique Story," "Ten Handy Tims for Writing Dave and Deni" by Mike Bannon. Letters page photos of Dave Sim and Sergio Aragones at Altacon. Cover price $1.70.

Regency Elf appears in one of this issue's short stories: "Carroll E. King Reads," "At the Club One Afternoon," "Memoirs," "First Impression," "Tree Planting," "Approved By," and "Rough Pope." Back-up "Unique Story," "Scratch" by Treadwell. Small letters page photo of Dave Sim and Chris Claremont. Cover price $1.70.

Cover art by Dave Sim. Sophia, script and art by Dave Sim; Sophia has a one-sided conversation with Cerebus in bed. Henrot-Gutch, script and art by Dave Sim; Henrot-Gutch and Mr. Blakely have conversation in a garden about Sophia. Elf, script and art by Dave Sim; The Elf tries to tell a joke she heard about Cerebus. Scratch Part Two, script and art by Charles Treadwell; A demon tries to trick Kidmund into getting rid of Scratch. Ad for stuffed toy of Cerebus from Sheila M. Watson in Kitchener. Ad for Cerebus Fan Club. 36 pgs. $1.70. Cover price $1.70.

Flaming Carrot back-up by Bob Burden. Stormy Writing. Cerebus deals with the eccentricities of his compatriots, including Red Sophias fear of thunder and Lord Juliuss respect for Weisshaupts magic cannons. Story, art and cover by Dave Sim. Black and white; 24 pages. Cover price $1.70.

Cerebus does not appear in this issue's "Appointments" as Weisshaupt meets with Theresa, Lord Julius, and Leonardi. Back-up "Unique Story" featuring Flaming Carrot in "The New People" by Bob Burden. The letters page contains an early photo of Dave Sim and Gerhard. Cover price $1.70.

"Mind Game IV." Back-up "Unique Story," "Adventures in Limbo" by Bob Burden. Letter from animation director Don Bluth ("The Secret of Nimh"). Cover price $1.70.

"Never Pray for Change." Back-up "Unique Story," Ricky Robot in "The Creation of Ricky" by Jerry Siegel and Dave Sim. Letters page photo of Sim and Bill Loebs. Cover price $1.70.

1st Gerhard art on Cerebus in "Anything Done For the First Time Unleashed a Demon." Back-up "Unique Story," Ricky Robot in "The Creation of Ricky" (part 2) by Jerry Siegel and Dave Sim. Letters page photo of Sim with Julius Schwartz, Colleen Doran, and Jack Kirby. Full-page sketch of Sim by Bill Sienkiewicz. Cover price $1.70.

"The Thrill of Agony and the Victory of Defeat" contains the famous baby-throwing incident. Back-up "Unique Story" featuring "Spaced" by Tom Stazer and John Williams. Cover price $1.70.

"Day of Greatness, Age of Consent." Back-up "Unique Story" featuring Spaced, "Wish Zone" (part 2) by Tom Stazer and John Williams. The letters page contains a photo of Dave Sim with Archie Goodwin and Will Eisner from a panel at Acmecon. There's also a Sim drawing of Cerebus as Mike Grell's Jon Sable, plus a photo and letter from C. Lingus as the "Bizarre Letter of the Month." Cover price $1.70.

Another Thing Coming. Cerebus reign of holy terror is interrupted when he is bedridden with a cold, allowing his enemies to press their advantage. Story, art and cover by Dave Sim; backgrounds by Gerhard. Backup story: The Jade Princess, a Dick Mallet adventure, by Mike Cherkas. Black and white; 24 pages. Cover price $1.70. Cover price $1.70.

Ignore It, Its Just Another Reality. Cerebus manages to outwit Weisshaupt one last time; then he encounters the Big Round Glowing White Strange Thing and the Regency Elf. Story, art and cover by Dave Sim; backgrounds by Gerhard. Backup story: The Jade Princess Pt. 2, a Dick Mallet adventure, by Mike Cherkas. Black and white; 24 pages. Cover price $1.70. Cover price $1.70.

Sane as It Ever Was. Cerebus returns to the Regency Hotel, where he soon realizes the disembodied thing hes talking to is not the Regency Elf, but some Thing different. Story, art and cover by Dave Sim; backgrounds by Gerhard. Backup story: The Jade Princess Pt. 3, a Dick Mallet adventure, by Mike Cherkas. Includes a farewell from longtime publisher Deni Loubert. Also includes a Cerebus/Spirit pinup by Sim and Will Eisner. Black and white; 24 pages. Cover price $1.70.

Hovering Below the Fray. As Cerebus debates his next move, Bishop Powers looks at filling the power vacuum left by Weisshaupt; Lord Julius shows up at exactly the right moment. Story, art and cover by Dave Sim; backgrounds by Gerhard. Backup story: Demlins, by Jim Bricker. Final issue with Deni Loubert as publisher. Black and white; 32 pages. Cover price $1.70.

Time Passes and Life Manoeuvres. Cerebus turns the adoring crowds into his own private army; Lord Julius secures his position. Story, art and cover by Dave Sim; backgrounds by Gerhard. Black and white; 24 pages. Cover price $1.70. Cover price $1.70.

Fascination and Fruition. Red Sophia decides shes had enough; Cerebus realizes who he really wants, but gets some unwelcome news about her. Story, art and cover by Dave Sim; backgrounds by Gerhard. Black and white; 24 pages. Cover price $1.70. Cover price $1.70.

Acquired Tastes. Cerebus offers Jaka anything she wants, only to learn that his wealth and power is too much for her to handle, so he makes a radical decision. Story, art and cover by Dave Sim; backgrounds by Gerhard. Black and white; 24 pages. Cover price $1.70.

Cover art by Dave Sim. Dave recounts Jim Shooter working on Neal Adams' movie and being asked to sign a contract without reading it. Terrible Analogies, script by Dave Sim, art by Dave Sim and Gerhard (backgrounds); Cerebus discovers Jaka is pregnant. Ad for Cerebus T-shirts and cloisonne pins. Letters from readers, including 2 photos of Dave Sim and Gerhard from a visit to North Bay, Ontario. Ad for Friends of Cerebus Fan Club. 28 pgs. $1.70. Cover price $1.70.

Cover art by Dave Sim. Dave explains his new rules for being at a convention. Varying Reasons of Assorted Depths, script by Dave Sim, art by Dave Sim and Gerhard (backgrounds); Weishaupt imparts last words of advice; Cerebus learns there are two other aardvarks. Letters from Jerry Siegel. Friends of Cerebus Fan Club ad. 28 pgs. $1.70. Cover price $1.70.

Odd Transformations. In a dream, Cerebus encounters familiar faces from his past and surreal imagery that offers little insight as to his next steps. Story, art and cover by Dave Sim; backgrounds by Gerhard. Black and white; 24 pages. Cover price $1.70.

Odd Transformations, Part Two. Still dreaming, Cerebus encounters more familiar faces and tries to travel over dangerous terrain. Story, art and cover by Dave Sim; backgrounds by Gerhard. Also includes a photo essay about a convention event where Bob Burden, Butch Guice, Arthur Adams, and Sim sketched on a young womans legs. Black and white; 24 pages. Cover price $1.70.

Cover pencils by Dave Sim, inks by Dave Sim and Gerhard. Dave talks about discontinuing the fan club and an idea that Alan Moore had for a Cerebus story. Spinning Straw into Gold, script by Dave Sim, art by Dave Sim and Gerhard (backgrounds); Stormsend tries to give Cerebus advice. Cerebus has a cold and gets stuck in a wall. Ad for Cerebus t-shirts and cloisonne pins from Graphitti. Pictures of Dave Sim, Gerhard and Connie. Friends of Cerebus Fan Club ad. 28 pgs. $1.70. Cover price $1.70.

Cover art by Dave Sim and Gerhard (backgrounds). Causality Casualty, script by Dave Sim, art by Dave Sim and Gerhard (backgrounds); Thrunk claims to be Tarim and demands Cerebus' gold. Bran MacMuffins dies. Thrunk throws Cerebus out of the upper city. 28 pgs. $1.70. Cover price $1.70.

First appearance of Spider-Roach. Cover art by Dave Sim and Gerhard (backgrounds). Becoming Synonymous With Something Indescribable, script by Dave Sim, art by Dave Sim and Gerhard (backgrounds); The Bug tries to explain the Secret Sacred Wars to Cerebus; Fortunately the "Big White Glowing Strange Thing" comes along and eats Cerebus. 28 pgs. $1.70. Cover price $1.70.

Cerebus Diamondback Card Game (1981), consisting of 15 cards and rules sheet in illustrated 6-1/2 in. x 3-1/2 in/ envelope. A single Diamondback Deck consists of 15 cards in 5 different ranks. Lower ranking cards are more plentiful than those of higher ranks. The quantity of each card, ranked from highest to lowest, is as follows: 1 Magician, 2 Priestesses, 3 Queens, 4 Kings, 5 Priests. A single Diamondback Deck is used in the 2-player game.

Early jam comics by Dave Sim and other well-known comics artists. Includes The Defense of Fort Columbia, Squinteye the Sailor, Cerebus versus The Spirit (with Will Eisner) and The First Invention of Armor. The first issue of a proposed series, but no other issues were published. Black and white; 28 pages. Cover by Bill Sienkiewicz! Cover price $1.70.

Set 01 - Limited to 1750 copies, Signed by Dave Sim. Art and Cover by Dave Sim. 14-in. x 11 1/2-in., (Horizontal Format), 6 pages, B&W.

Issue 1. June 1985. Founded in 1985 by Roger Hill of Squa Tront fanzine fame, the Comic and Fantasy Art Amateur Press Association is a knowledgeable fan group which initially consisted of just 17 members. Extremely limited printing, probably less than 50 copies. Contributions include: "Publishing Ltd. Ed. Prints" by Gary Fairfax, "Riding the Fringe" by Wallace Harrington, "My Life in Fandom" by Joel Pollack, "Hello Everyone" by Tom Vincent, "Meanwhile..." by Tom Roberts, "History" by Stephen Turner, "Introductions" by James Taylor, "In the Beginning..." by Mike Shields, "Hello Fellow Collectors" by Ike Wilson, "Meeting Michael W. Kaluta" by Todd Adams, "Bits and Pieces" by Russ Garwood, and "If Not for Boris or Bela" by Roger Hill. Bernie Wrightson front and rear covers. 8 1/2" x 11". 76 pages. Black and white. Cover price $5.00.

Subtitled "The Magazine of Fantasy & SF," Chacal features some of the biggest names in the industry. Issue #1 includes: Road of Azreal by Robert E. Howard, Der Untergang Des Abenlandesmenschen by Howard Waldrop, Jeff Easley portfolio, C.L. Moore interview, Mistress of Windraven by Tom Reamy, Hannes Bok article, and Sing A Last Song Of Valdese by Karl Edward Wagner. Cover art by Jeff Easley. Back cover art by Richard Corben. 60 pgs. Cover price $3.50.

Subtitled "The Magazine of Fantasy & SF," Chacal features some of the biggest names in the industry. Issue #2 includes: The Adventure of the Grinder's Whistle by Howard Waldrop, Raven's Eyrie by Karl Edward Wagner, To 1966 by Steve Utley, Daughter of Evil and Palace of Bast (poems) by Robert E. Howard, Jim Fitzpatrick portfolio, Manly Wade Wellman interview, and Robert E. Howard article. Cover art by Jeff Easley. Inside front cover art by Jim Steranko. Cover price $3.50.

British fanzine

"When Evil Calls." The Slaves of Chu capture the Challengers, and Tino Manarry intends to rescue them. Script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Jack Sparling, inks by Frank Giacoia. Cover by Nick Cardy. Cover price $0.15.

"A Plague of Darkness." An alchemist villain named Mr. Murlin unleashes a plague that turns humans into rampaging zombies. Script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Dick Dillin, inks by Frank Giacoia. Cover by Neal Adams. Cover price $0.15.

"The Curse of the Killer Time Forgot." An astronaut in outer space is murdered, and the Challengers must investigate. Script by Denny O'Neil, art by George Tuska. Cover by Nick Cardy. Cover price $0.15.

"To Call a Deadman." Deadman helps the Challengers defeat evil magician Seth Gross. Script by Denny O'Neil, art by George Tuska (pgs. 1-16) and Neal Adams (pgs. 17-23). Cover by Adams. One-page article, "So You Want To Be a Cartoonist?" Cover price $0.15.

"Ultivac is Loose" Corinna Stark listens to the Challengers tell the story of their battle with Ultivac. Mostly a reprint of "Ultivac is Loose" from Showcase #7. Script by Denny O'Neil, art by George Tuska. Cover by Tuska, Jack Kirby, and Marvin Stein. Cover price $0.15.

Cover by Joe Kubert. Challengers reprints: "The Traitorous Challenger" (from issue 2), pencils by Jack Kirby (inks are NOT by Wally Wood, despite what the book's credits say); A prospector uncovers a monster, an indestructible one-eyed walking box that tramples villages; The Challengers' weapons don't make a dent; And June mysteriously sabotages their efforts!; Prof finally guesses the monster's one eye is solar-powered; Pursued until sunset, the monster expires. "The Secret of the Sorcerer's Mirror" (from issue 3), pencils by Jack Kirby (inks are NOT by Wally Wood, despite what the book's credits say); A mirror and chart have been stolen from a museum by Hillary Mycroft and his gang; The mirror was fashioned by Kregon the Sorcerer to show where "the ancients" hid their most potent secrets; The chart shows where the secrets are hidden; The Challengers break into Mycroft's hideout but he escapes in a plane. Moolah the Mystic one-page story by Henry Boltinoff. 36 pgs., full color. $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

Last 15-cent cover price (the next issue will not appear for another two years). Cover pencils by Jack Kirby. "The Menace of the Ancient Vials!" (Reprint from Showcase 12), script by Dave Wood, pencils by Jack Kirby, art assist by Wally Wood; Karnak and his men land on an island while trying to escape from the Challengers; There they find Amos Hunter and 5 mysterious vials; The first vial makes two members of the gang into giants; The next vial releases a fiery salamander that begins to burn down the island; The fiery salamander is defeated but the third vial releases a giant octopus creature; The fourth vial turns Karnak into 50 copies of himself. One-page text history of the Challengers comic. 36 pgs., full color. $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

First 20-cent issue. Cover by Jack Kirby. Challengers reprints: "The Isle of No Return" (from issue 7), script by Jack Kirby and Ed Herron, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Wally Wood; After hearing a television report about a burglar with the ability to walk through walls, the Challengers patrol the city with honorary member June Robbins accompanying them; They arrive too late to stop another robbery but pursue the thief, Anton Zammer, to his hideout, an abandoned laboratory owned by the late Prof. Macon, who left behind a number of inventions Zammer intends to use for his own gain. "The Sorceress of Forbidden Valley" (from issue 6), script by Jack Kirby and Ed Herron, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Wally Wood; June Robbins crash-lands on an uncharted island and finds an Aladdin's lamp in a cave; Lighting it creates fumes that overpower her; The Challengers track June down, discovering a hidden valley where they are attacked. 36 pgs., full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Cover by Joe Kubert. Challengers reprints: "The Monster Maker" (from issue 2), pencils by Jack Kirby; The Challengers pursue Roc, a would-be conqueror; Using "mind over matter," Roc runs them off by mentally conjuring a giant ape and missile; Fighting fire with fire, the scientist who created the mind-over-matter machine gives Ace similar powers; They battle with a conjured dragon, knight, giant vacuum cleaner, mirrors, and more. "The Human Pets" (from issue 1), pencils by Jack Kirby; An alien boy collects "animals." Half-page Kirby biography. 36 pgs., full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.