Auctions: comic books May 1971

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 96 FN 6.0

This classic issue is the first of three that were not approved by the Comics Code Authority because of the (anti-)drug themed story. (Not that the Comics Code was pro-drug, of course. It's just that back then, comics couldn't mention drugs at all, even negatively.) Stan Lee published the stories anyway, which eventually led to a major revision in the code, allowing for anti-drug stories, plus other various things such as horror comics and vampires. (That's why there were suddenly tons of horror and mystery comics in the early seventies, shortly after the revision went into effect.) Anyway, back to the Spider-Man story at hand: the Green Goblin returns to annoy Spider-Man in "And Now, the Goblin." Script by Stan Lee, pencils by Gil Kane, and inks by Frank Giacoia. Kane cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 77 and 191. Cover price $0.15.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 110 CGC 9.2

Paper: White

Label #4206650002

Corrected color version (The Thing is not green, etc.). "One From Four Leaves Three!" Script by Stan Lee. Pencils by John Buscema. Inks by Joe Sinnott. Cover by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott. Reed Richards is trapped in the Negative Zone, along with the revitalized Annihilus! Fortunately, Agatha Harkness arrives at the Baxter Building in the nick of a time! Could young Franklin's nanny suddenly become the savior of the universe? Meanwhile, Ben Grimm has been acting very strange since he gained the ability to change back and forth to the Thing. Is something amiss with the blue-eye idol of millions?Cameo appearances by J. Jonah Jameson and Joe Robertson. (Notes: Annihilus returns in Marvel Team-Up 2. This issue has a pink and green cover variant due to a printing error.) 32 pages Cover price $0.15.

Iron Man (1968 1st Series) 37 CGC 8.5

Paper: White

Label #4059142013

"In This Hour of Earthdoom!" Story by Gerry Conway. Art by Don Heck and Jim Mooney. Cover by Marie Severin and Sal Buscema. Iron Man lies seriously wounded after his battle against Ramrod. Tony's transplanted heart is failing, and only Kevin O'Brien can save him! Meanwhile, Ramrod and his master, the Foreman, are still planning to destroy the Earth. The Foreman has also captured Marianne. It may take a miracle for Shell-head to emerge victorious on this day. 32 pages Cover price $0.15.

New Gods (1971 1st Series) 2 VG/FN 5.0

Water spotting.

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta. O' Deadly Darkseid, script and pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta; Orion explains the nature of the war against Darkseid to Lanza, Shane, Lincoln, and Lockman. Second full appearance of Darkseid. 36 pgs. $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

Ringo Kid (1970 Marvel) 9 CGC 9.2

Paper: White

Label #1974102008

All reprints. The Ringo Kid stars in "Black Sunset," plus two untitled stories (art on all by John Severin), plus "It Happened in Gunsmoke" back-up story (script by Stan Lee, art by Vic Carrabotta). Herb Trimpe cover? Cover price $0.15.