Auctions: comic books April 1986

Batman The Dark Knight Returns (1986) 2-1ST FN/VF 7.0 Miller Variant 1st Printing

1st printing. NOTE: 1st printing has almost matching grey background on inside front cover and facing page. 2nd printing doesn't have matching gray background--grays are very different. 3rd printings are labeled as such. Cover by Frank Miller. "Dark Knight Triumphant," script by Frank Miller, pencils by Frank Miller, inks by Klaus Janson; an aging Batman battles the Mutant gang and their anonymous leader; While walking to work, considering retirement, Jim Gordon is almost killed by a 17-year old boy with an M60; Carrie Kelly, a young girl who owes her life to Batman, seeks out her hero and becomes Robin. 52 pgs., full color. Cover price $2.95.

Extremely Silly Comics (1986 Black and White) 1 VF 8.0

Stories and art by Ben Dunn and others. A very early anthology from indy comics pioneer Antarctic Press. Featuring the obligatory Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles spoof (by future Ninja High School creator Ben Dunn), Samurai Penguins (unrelated to the SLG character), as well as Stellar Losers, Machinegun Belly, and other extreme silliness. 32 pages, B&W. Cover price $0.75.

Punisher (1986 1st Series) 4 CBCS 9.6

Paper: White

Direct Edition.

Label #23-4838836-005

"Final Solution: Part 1!" Story by Steven Grant. Art by Mike Zeck and John Beatty. Frank Castle tracks down the Punisher Hit Squad, a group of murders that includes Jigsaw that dress like the Punisher, to their source and discovers the mastermind behind it. But when he falls into their trap, will the real Punisher become just another brainwashed hit man? Cover price $0.75.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 366 CGC 9.6

Paper: White

Label #4400745018

Cover by Walt Simonson. "Sir!", script and pencils by Walt Simonson, inks by Walt Simonson, Al Milgrom, and Bob Wiacek; Thor, Frog of Thunder, returns to Asgard to confront Loki and get him to break the amphibian curse; The curse is acually lifted by Volstagg, who finds Surtur's sword and breaks Loki's hold over its power; Hela releases Kurse from Hel; Thor abdicates the throne, and proposes Balder for king of Asgard. Appearances by Loki, Hogun, Fandral, Volstag, Heimdall, Kurse, and Hela. By the end, Thor returns to normal - well, sorta': he's grown a beard! The letters page contains a statement of ownership: average print run 389,108; average paid circulation 234,795. Bullpen Bulletins. 36 pgs., full color. $0.75. Cover price $0.75.