Auctions: comic books 1971-1973, graded by CBCS

Action Comics (1938 DC) 415 CBCS 9.2

Paper: Off white

1st cover 7.5, 2nd cover 9.0, interior cover 9.2. Triple Cover.

Label #21-31C4038-001

Cover by Nick Cardy. "Meet the Metropolis Monster!", script by Cary Bates, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Murphy Anderson; Superman brings a male humanoid back to life after he has been attacked by a Frankenstein-like monster, only to learn that he has made a terrible mistake in doing so. "Fill My Grave With Money!", script by Bob Haney, art by John Calnan; Metamorpho helps out a man who has voluntarily trapped himself within a mine Simon Stagg has shut down, and who is transformed into a monster as a result. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.20.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 117 CBCS 7.5

Paper: Off white

Label #19-333D6E6-003

"The Deadly Designs of the Disruptor" continues reprinting pages from "Lo, This Monster" in Spectacular Spider-Man #1 (1968)--see comments on Amazing Spider-Man 116 for details. However, there is quite a bit of new material here by scripter Gerry Conway, penciller John Romita Sr., and inkers Romita, Jim Mooney, and Tony Mortellaro. New cover by Romita. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 117. Cover price $0.20.

Conan the Barbarian (1970 Marvel) 9 CBCS 8.5

Paper: White

Label #0012993-AD-004

Last 15-cent issue. Cover art by Barry Windsor-Smith. Last 15-cent issue. The Garden of Fear, script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Barry Windsor-Smith, inks by Sal Buscema; setting: primitive village & lost valley with Wooly Mammoths & man-eating flowers; Conan saves Jenna & kills sole survivor of ancient winged race; adapted from the non-Conan story by Robert E. Howard. 36 pgs. Cover price: $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 132 CBCS 9.2

Paper: White

Slab: Significant scuff(s) front or back

Label #22-0F7594C-016

"Omega! The Ultimate Enemy!" Part 2 of 2. Guest-starring Quicksilver and the Inhumans. Script by Roy Thomas. Art by John Buscema (breakdowns) and Joe Sinnott (finishes). Cover by Jim Steranko and Frank Giacoia. In the underground lair of the Alpha Primitives, the awesome Omega has seized Crystal! And now the Human Torch and Quicksilver must join forces to set her free! However, the massive android is powerful indeed! It's going to take all of the Inhumans plus Mr. Fantastic and the Thing to stop the invasion of the Alpha Primitives! Can the FF and the royal family defeat the Alphas and Omega? But even if the heroes win, Johnny Storm is still going to lose. (Notes: The Human Torch changes his costume from blue to red in this issue, and Medusa joins the Fantastic Four (through issue 159). The letters page contains a statement of ownership: average print run 457,990; average paid circulation 245,695.) 32 pages Cover price $0.20.

Forever People (1971 1st Series) 1 CBCS 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #20-3084086-003

1st full appearance of Darkseid (his 3rd appearance anywhere). Superman guest stars--Odd fact: DC didn't like Kirby's rendition of Superman in this issue, so they had another artist redraw Superman (in the standard Curt Swan fashion of the day) in every panel of the comic! Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Frank Giacoia; The Forever People come to earth and are greeted by Superman. A Visit with Jack Kirby by Marv Wolfman. 36 pgs. $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

From Beyond the Unknown (1969) 22 CBCS 9.2

Paper: Off white

1st cover 8.5, interior cover 9.2. Double Cover.

Label #21-31C4038-011

Ghost Rider (1973 1st Series) 2 CBCS 8.0

Paper: White

Label #22-069BD64-015

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"Shake Hands with Satan!" Guest-starring Daimon Hellstrom (Son of Satan). Story by Gary Friedrich. Art by Jim Mooney and Syd Shores. Cover by Gil Kane. The Spirit of Vengeance will travel to Hell itself and come face-to-face with Satan (Mephisto) in the ultimate showdown of the macabre. Story continued in Marvel Spotlight (1971-1977 1st Series) #12. 32 pages, FC. NOTE: 2nd appearance of Daimon Hellstrom (Son of Satan). Cover price $0.20.

Journey into Mystery (1972 2nd series) 1 CBCS 4.5

Paper: Off white

Label #23-253E131-003

Cover by Gil Kane and Tom Palmer. Dig Me No Grave!, script by Roy Thomas (adaptation) and Robert E. Howard (original story), art by Gil Kane and Tom Palmer; When John Grimlan dies, two of his friends must undertake a strange series of tasks that reveal dark secrets about the life of the dead man. House!, script by Steve Englehart, art by Ralph Reese; Jim Staton finds refuge in a deserted house during a storm, or so he thinks. You Show Me Your Dream -- I'll Show You Mine!!, script by Steve Skeates, art by Jim Starlin and Mike Ploog; A man and woman who have never met repeatedly dream the same weird dream, seeing each other and the figure of Death. House ad for Marvel Spotlight #6 and Luke Cage Hero for Hire #3, art by Mike Ploog and Billy Graham. 36 pgs., full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Justice League of America (1960 1st Series) 107 CBCS 3.0

Paper: Off white

Label #19-1D88571-041

Cover art by Nick Cardy. Crisis on Earth-X!, script by Len Wein, pencils by Dick Dillin, inks by Dick Giordano; During an annual meeting between the JLA and JSA, six members and the Red Tornado (accidentally interfering with the transmatter machine that transports the two groups between Earths 1 and 2) are accidentally transported to another Earth, one in which the Nazis won World War Two; At first, the seven heroes are able to defeat a small group of Nazi soldiers, but are almost defeated by sonic machines when the Freedom Fighters, led by Uncle Sam, take the heroes away and explain what's going on in their secret headquarters; The three groups learn of machines around the world controlling everyone's minds, and set about to destroy them all. A letter from comics writer Mike W. Barr. 36 pgs. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Magnus Robot Fighter (1963 Gold Key) 30 CBCS 3.5 Restored

Slight amateur restoration

Paper: Cream to off white

Amateur Restoration Includes: Moderate amount of color touch on the cover.

Label #19-279A9AA-205

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Reprint of issue #15. Cover art by Russ Manning. "The Weird World of Mogul Badur," script by Herb Kastle, art by Russ Manning; Magnus and Leeja are kidnapped by Mogul Badur, a dictator seeking to prolong his already abnormally long life. "Free to Fly"; Magnus tells Leeja about some of mankind's achievements in the field of flight. # on cover 10046-111. November #29 11/71. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.15.

Marvel Spotlight (1971 1st Series) 3 CBCS 6.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #21-3246A82-007

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First 20-cent cover price. Cover art by Mike Ploog. Werewolf By Night!, script by Gerry Conway, art by Mike Ploog; Andrea Timly captures Jack Russell and tries to get the location of the Darkhold from him. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.20.

Marvel Spotlight (1971 1st Series) 4 CBCS 4.0

Paper: White

Label #22-069BD64-029

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Cover art by Mike Ploog. Island of the Damned!, script by Gerry Conway, art by Mike Ploog; Jack Russell travels to an island while searching for the Darkhold; While there he is turned into stone. Continued in Werewolf By Night #1. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.20.

Marvel Spotlight (1971 1st Series) 9 CBCS 8.0

Paper: White

Label #22-0FD3AC2-023

Cover art by Mike Ploog. The Snakes Crawl At Night, script by Gary Friedrich, pencils by Tom Sutton, inks by Chic Stone; everyone believes Johnny Blaze is dead when he falls down Copperhead Canyon; Sam Silvercloud kidnaps Roxanne. 36 pgs. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Mister Miracle (1971 1st Series) 1 CBCS 6.5

Paper: White

Label #20-3084086-005

"Murder Missile Trap." Elite soldier Scott Free escapes Apokolips and comes to Earth, where he assumes the role of Mister Miracle. Inspired by the real world exploits of Jim Steranko, who was a magician and escape artist prior to his career in comics, Mister Miracle was created by the great Jack Kirby for his epic Fourth World saga. Script, pencils, and cover by Jack Kirby. Inks by Vince Colletta. Cover price $0.15.

Psycho (1971-1975 Skywald) 3 CBCS 7.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #23-3A44982-005

Includes: cover art by Boris Vallejo; Frankenstein, Book II: Chapter One, script and art by Tom Sutton (as Sean Todd); A Coffin for Captain Cutlass, script by Gardner Fox, art by Serg Moren; The Heap Meets the Horror Master!, script by Charles McNaughton and Ross Andru, pencils by Andrus, inks by Mike Esposito; Gruesome Crewcut! by Chic Stone; The Man Who Stole Eternity, script by Gardner Fox, art by Bill Everett; and The Love Witch, script by Marv Wolfman, art by Ernie Colon (as Jack Purcell). 66 pgs. Cover price: $0.50. Cover price $0.50.

Special Marvel Edition (1971) 15 CBCS 6.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #19-3BB47DB-013

Written by Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin. Art and cover by Jim Starlin and Al Milgrom. Shang Chi, making his first appearance, is a master of martial arts and the son of Fu Manchu, a Chinese mandarin and scientist. Fu Manchu sends Shang Chi to England in order to assassinate the evil Dr. Petrie for the common good. Shang Chi reluctantly agrees, but after the deed is done he is confronted by Sir Denis Nayland Smith, a former British intelligence officer who tells him the truth about Fu Manchu; that he is a nearly immortal evil mastermind. Shang Chi travels back to his father's secret lair in New York and renounces him. Text articles by Roy Thomas and Englehart about the creation of Shang-Chi. Ad for Astonishing Tales #21. A brief obituary for Syd Shores. Ad for the Marvel fan club FOOM (Friends of Ol' Marvel). 36 pages, full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Sub-Mariner (1968 1st Series) 34 CBCS 6.0

Paper: Off white

Label #20-2C72426-017

Cover by Sal Buscema. "Titans Three!" part one of two, script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Sal Buscema, inks by Jim Mooney; Sub-Mariner, Silver Surfer and the Hulk help the citizens of a small Central American country overthrow El General; Prelude (with #35) to 1st Defenders story. 36 pgs., full color. $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

Superboy (1949-1979 1st Series DC) 189 CBCS 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #19-26F2CFD-030

Cover art by Nick Cardy. The Curse of the Hangman's Noose!, script by Leo Dorfman, pencils by Bob Brown, inks by Murphy Anderson; rope, vines, and a garden hose choke Pa Kent, and he tells Superboy it's from a family curse. The Runaway Superbaby!, script by Leo Dorfman [as David George], pencils by Bob Brown, inks by Murphy Anderson; Superbaby accidentally injures Jonathan Kent and flies away from home in remorse. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.20.

Superboy (1949-1979 1st Series DC) 194 CBCS 9.2

Paper: Off white to white

Label #19-26F2CFD-033

Cover art by Nick Cardy. The Super-Merman of the Sea!, script by Leo Dorfman, pencils by Bob Brown, inks by Murphy Anderson; Harkon, a renegade Atlantean scientist, transforms Superboy into a water-breathing merman, which also removes his super-powers. Part 2 Prey of the Sea Wolves!, script by Dorfman, pencils by Brown, inks by Anderson; Superboy discovers that he has new mental powers of telepathy and telekinesis; Unable to leave the sea, he contacts his parents telepathically to tell them he is safe. Part 3 Super-Merman's Final Ordeal! Letter to the editor from comics writer Bob Rozakis. Statement of ownership--average print run 556,000; average paid circulation 265,877. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.20.

Superboy (1949-1979 1st Series DC) 198 CBCS 8.0

Paper: White

Label #19-26F2CFD-035

Cover art by Nick Cardy. The Fatal Five Who Twisted Time!--Superboy Starring the Legion of Super-Heroes, script by Cary Bates, art by Dave Cockrum; At a carnival in his own time period, Superboy faces the Fatal Five. Behind the Scenes at the DC Comic World, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Murphy Anderson. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.20.

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen (1954) 135 CBCS 8.5

Paper: White

Label #20-3A1FD4E-010

2nd appearance of Darkseid (cameo). Cover art by Neal Adams. Snoopy with Sopwith Camel plane--model ad from Monogram. Evil Factory!, script by Jack Kirby, pencils by Jack Kirby and Al Plastino (Superman heads), inks by Vince Colletta; Superman leads Jimmy and the Newsboy Legion to The Project where the original Newsboy Legion work as scientists to crack the DNA code and create clones; Meanwhile, minions of Darkseid, Mokkari and Simyan, dispatch their own clone of Jimmy to The Project complex. The Hairies -- Super-Race -- Or Man's Second Chance article. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.15.

Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen (1954) 138 CBCS 6.5

Paper: Off white

Label #7300889-AB-001

Partial photo cover. Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Neal Adams. The Big Boom!!, script by Jack Kirby, pencils by Jack Kirby and Murphy Anderson (some Superman, Jimmy Olsen, and Perry White heads), inks by Vince Colletta; The cast escapes from the clone from the previous story and prevents Simyan and Mokkari from unleashing more clones on The Project. Letter from comics writer Bob Rozakis. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.15.