Auctions: comic books March 1956, graded by CGC

Batman (1940) 98 CGC 4.5

Paper: Off white to white

Slab: Significant scuff(s) front or back

Label #4014319024

Cover by Win Mortimer. "The Return of Mister Future," script by Arnold Drake (pages 1-7, first Drake story for DC) and Bill Finger (pages 7-8), pencils by Dick Sprang, inks by Charles Paris; Crooks steal a secret weapon created by author Jules Verne, so the Capred Crusaders travel back in time, bring Verne back to the present, and have him design a counter weapon that will nullify his deadly weapon. 2/3-page Casey the Cop story by Henry Boltinoff. Healthy Teeth for You and Your Pet! public service announcement with Buzzy, script by Jack Schiff, art by Win Mortimer. "The Desert Island Batman," script by Edmond Hamilton, pencils by Sheldon Moldoff, inks by Charles Paris; Bruce takes a cruise on a yacht populated by millionaires because he suspects something will happen, and it does when a gang hijacks the ship and holds the millionaires captive on an island. One-page Casey the Cop story by Henry Boltinoff. Patrolman with Six Legs article by Joe Mallory. "Secret of the Batmobile," script by Bill Finger, pencils by Sheldon Moldoff, inks by Charles Paris; Vicki Vale unwittingly discovers the true identity of the Batman without knowing it when she takes a photo of the Batmobile after it's engine was damaged. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Crime Illustrated (1955) 2 CGC 3.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4378731003

Cover by Reed Crandall. Stories by Al Feldstein, Jack Oleck, John Larner, and Maxwell Williams. Art by Jack Davis, Joe Orlando, Reed Crandall, Graham Ingels and Johnny Craig. Part of EC's Picto-Fiction line, published in response to the Comics Code, featuring tales of law and outlaws in text stories copiously illustrated by EC's lineup of artists. A movie stand-in plots to permanently replace a famous movie star, in a story adapted from "Cut!" which originally appeared in Crime Suspenstories (1950-55 E.C. Comics) #9. Condemned man Arnold tells the priest who's come for last rites why and how he murdered his wife. Norman and Sally conspire to kill Norman's wife in Pieces of Hate (adapted from "In Each and Every Package" in Crime Suspenstories (1950-55 E.C. Comics) #22, written by Al Feldstein using the soon-to-be-famous moniker "Alfred E. Neuman." Ax-wielding maniac cover by Reed Crandall is actually kind of tame for EC. Motive; Fair Trade; Clean Sweep; Screenplay For Murder; Pieces Of Hate. Final issue of the series; a third issue was planned, but not printed until the modern era, in EC Picto-Fiction HC Set (2006 Gemstone) #1. 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 60 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.25.

Foxhole (1954) 7 CGC 5.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4388597007

Cover by Bill Molno. Stories and art by Al McWilliams and others. Gritty war comics "produced by veterans," (as the tagline proclaims) created and originally published by comics legends Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Marines Steve and Tony must postpone their fighting with each other when their sergeant sends them on a dangerous mission in Korea. Soldiers try to help their injured sergeant before the enemy arrives. Express to Extinction; Han River Trap; Challenge Under Fire; Armored Doom; Major Error. Final issue under this title; series continues as Never Again (1955) #8. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Terror Illustrated (1955) 2 CGC 5.5

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4378731005

Cover by Reed Crandall. Stories by John Larner, Jack Oleck, and Al Feldstein (credited as Alfred E. Neuman). Art by Graham Ingels, Charles Sultan, Jack Davis, George Evans, Johnny Craig, and Joe Orlando. Part of EC's Picto-Fiction line, published in response to the Comics Code, featuring horror tales in text stories copiously illustrated by EC's lineup of artists. Members of a carnival freak show get ironic revenge on the cruel owner after he blinds the knife-thrower. A man who survived an auto accident doesn't understand why everyone flees in terror at the sight of him. A town turns against the local constable after a series of decapitation murders, but the truth is more horrifying still. Some stories are credited to Alfred E. Neuman, a name soon to be irrevocably connected to MAD Magazine. Classic cover by Reed Crandall. Horror in the Freak Tent; Requiem; Mother Love; Head Man; Reflection of Death. Final issue of the series. 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 60 pages, B&W with single-color accents. Cover price $0.25.