Auctions: comic books May 1969

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 72 VG 4.0

Sticky residue.

"Rocked by the Shocker!" Plot by John Buscema. Script by Stan Lee. Art by John Buscema (layouts), John Romita (pencils), and Jim Mooney (inks). Cover by John Romita. In the middle of the night, the Shocker breaks into Captain Stacy's home...and steals the priceless clay tablet! The super-villain wants to sell the tablet to the highest bidder. But potential buyers are few and far between because they know the Kingpin once possessed the tablet. In frustration the Shocker starts causing a ruckus -- that draws the attention of the wondrous wall-crawler! Who will get the shock of his life...when Spider-Man and the Shocker clash for the second time? Cameo appearances by Aunt May, Anna Watson, Gwen Stacy, Flash Thompson, and J. Jonah Jameson. (Note: The Shocker appears next in Amazing Spider-Man 151.) 32 pages. Cover price $0.12.

Atom (1962) 42 FN- 5.5

Cover by Joe Kubert. "When Gods Make Madness," script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Dick Dillin, inks by Sid Greene; Carter Hall and Ray Palmer are leaving a scientists' convention in Midway City, when they are attacked by a man with a tear gas grenade, which knocks out Carter; The Atom attacks him, but is startled to find this enemy is Carter's double; This man disappears in the symbol of Shiva, Hindu god of destruction; Hawkman and the Atom jet to India, but their flight is attacked en route by locusts, and the pilot, another Carter Hall double, must crashland in India; Hawkgirl joins them there, and they are attacked by Brahma, god of light; The trio is overwhelmed by the faceless Nether-Man, and they are brought before Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu, god of restoration. Letter to the editor from inker Klaus Janson and two (!) from comics writer Martin Pasko. Statement of ownership - average print run 319,000; average paid circulation 185,800. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Captain America (1968 1st Series) 113 CGC 9.2

Paper: White

Label #4096793014

Cover by Jim Steranko. "The Strange Death of Captain America," script by Jim Steranko (plot) and Stan Lee (dialogue), pencils by Jim Steranko, inks by Tom Palmer and Jim Steranko; The news reports Cap's death and explains that "Steve Rogers" was a fake identity while Madame Hydra has Cap's HYDRA file burned; A flashback reveals how she replaced Baron Strucker as head of the organization; The Avengers, Nick Fury, Sharon Carter and several SHIELD agents hold a wake but are suddenly gassed by HYDRA; Rick follows to the cemetery and is almost caught, but Cap unexpectedly appears on a motorcycle, very much alive!; A battle follows, ending when a set of missiles miss their target and kill Madame Hydra; Cap reveals he faked his death in order to retain his secret identity. Appearances by the Vivion, the Black Panther, Iron Man, Hawkeye, and Thor. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Doctor Strange (1968 1st Series) 180 VG 4.0

Extra manufacturing staples removed.

Cover pencils by Gene Colan (Dr. Strange figure) and Steve Ditko (Eternity figure), inks by Tom Palmer (Dr. Strange figure) and Steve Ditko (Eternity figure). Eternity, Eternity, script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Tom Palmer; Nightmare attacks on New Year's Eve at Times Square; Reveals he has captured Eternity; Clea guest stars; Cameo appearance by writer Tom Wolfe. Dr. Strange pin-up by Colan. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 86 VG 4.0

Water spotting.

"The Victims" Part 3 of 4. Script by Stan Lee. Pencils by Jack Kirby. Inks by Joe Sinnott. Cover by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott. In horrific fashion, Victor Von Doom unleashes his robot army on the helpless citizens of Latveria! And despite not having their fantastic powers; Reed, Ben, Johnny, and Crystal try to inspire the populace to fight! When the idol of millions lands the first blow against the robots, a glimmer of hope emerges! Dr. Doom's subjects rally around the FF and repel the robots' first assault! But Mr. Fantastic still needs additional time to discover the robots' weakness! Can the brave men and women of Latveria make one more stand against the murderous machines of their monarch? Power to the people! Cameo appearance by the Invisible Girl. (Note: The letters page includes a letter from comics writer Don McGregor.) 32 pages Cover price $0.12.

Iron Man (1968 1st Series) 13 CGC 6.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4387949023

"Captives of the Controller!" Part 2 of 2. Script by Archie Goodwin. Pencils by George Tuska. Inks by Johnny Craig. Cover by George Tuska. It's an awesome cover to cover slugfest between the Controller and the Invincible Iron Man! The Controller has hijacked a train and is headed for New York City to enslave the population! Can Shell-head stop the runaway locomotive and also rescue Janice Cord? Cameo appearance by Nick Fury. 32 pages Cover price $0.12.

Marvel Super Heroes (1967 1st Series) 20 FN+ 6.5

Giant-size issue. Doctor Doom stars in "This Man, This Demon!" Script by Larry Lieber and Roy Thomas, pencils by Lieber and Frank Giacoia, inks by Vince Colletta. Brief Fantastic Four appearance. The remainder of the issue contains Golden Age reprints: the Sub-Mariner by Bill Everett ("The Sub-Mariner Meets a New Enemy...Fire!"); and, from Young Men 24, the Human Torch, Captain America ("Back From the Dead!"), and the Sub-Mariner. This issue also contains a one-page ad for a Starhawk story that never appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes. John Buscema cover pencils. 68 pages, full color. Cover price $0.25.

Marvel Tales (1964 Marvel) 20 CGC 7.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4389449011

Cover art by Steve Ditko. Captured by J. Jonah Jameson, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; reprinted from Amazing Spider-Man (Marvel, 1963 series) #25. When the Grey Gargoyle Strikes! starring Thor, script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Chic Stone; reprinted from Journey Into Mystery (Marvel, 1952 series) #107. The Man Who Became the Torch! starring Human Torch, script by Stan Lee, art by Dick Ayers; reprinted from Strange Tales (Marvel, 1951 series) #118. 68 pgs. $0.25. Cover price $0.25.

Sub-Mariner (1968 1st Series) 13 CGC 5.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4061040015

"Death, Thou Shalt Die!" Written by Roy Thomas. Could death of someone close to him push the mighty Prince Namor over the edge? 32 pages, FC. Cover price $0.12.

Sub-Mariner (1968 1st Series) 13 CGC 5.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4082419001

"Death, Thou Shalt Die!" Written by Roy Thomas. Could death of someone close to him push the mighty Prince Namor over the edge? 32 pages, FC. Cover price $0.12.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 164 CGC 9.2

Paper: Off white to white

Label #0244950026

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta. "Lest Mankind Fall!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta; Trapped in an apocalyptic future with Pluto, God of Death, Sif and Thor find themselves in dire need of back-up; In true god-like fashion, Zeus makes his sweeping entrance; Is the King of the Gods here to support the Asgardians, or Pluto?; Back on Asgard, Balder continues to struggle with stray thoughts of Karnilla, the Norn Queen. Appearances by Balder, Sif, Karnilla, Zeus, and Odin. Re-introduction of Athena (from Red Raven Comics 1, August 1940). Adam Warlock (still in cocoon) cameo. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.