2004 July Comic Auction
| Sale Number: | 751 |
| Location: | |
| Auction Date: | July 29th at 6 pm CT |
Featured Collections
2004 July Comic Auction
Session 1
Golden Age (1938-1955)
Haunt of Fear #10 Gaines File pedigree 10/12 (EC, 1951) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. It's hard to imagine a nicer copy than this brilliant copy from the Gaines Files, but two copies managed slightly higher grades from CGC as of this writing. This is EC at its horror-ible best, with an Al Feldstein cover plus interior art by a peerless group -- Feldstein, Jack Kamen, Graham Ingels, Johnny Craig, and Jack Davis. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $570.
Shock SuspenStories #9 Gaines File pedigree 3/11 (EC, 1953) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages. Al Feldstein's horrific cover shows that it's tough to carry on when your pal is carrion. Feldstein gets help from Wally Wood, Jack Kamen, Joe Orlando, and Reed Crandall on the interior, wherein you will find the always popular injury-to-eye panel. The issue also features an adaptation of a Ray Bradbury story and a biography of the science-fiction author. In CGC's most recent survey, only one other copy has attained exalted 9.8 status. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $360.
Tales From the Crypt #30 Gaines File pedigree 3/12 (EC, 1952) CGC NM 9.4 Cream to off-white pages. The eleventh issue of the title finds Jack Davis doing his usual creepy-cover thing -- he created 18 of the 27 covers and contributed interior artwork on even more. Here, he is joined by Jack Kamen, Graham Ingels, and Joe Orlando on the interior. The Near Mint offering ranks as the third highest-graded copy of #30 yet certified by CGC. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $610.
Two-Fisted Tales #27 Gaines File pedigree 7/10 (EC, 1952) CGC NM/MT 9.8 Off-white pages. Beautiful colors characterize this Harvey Kurtzman dynamo of a cover, and William Gaines made certain those colors were maintained for an appreciative posterity by preserving a number of file copies of this and other EC titles. This beauty currently shares CGC's top assigned grade for issue #27 with two other copies. Sterling artwork as always by Wally Wood, Jack Davis, John Severin, and Mr. Kurtzman. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $260.
Weird Fantasy #6 Gaines File Copy 9/12 (EC, 1951) CGC NM+ 9.6. Al Feldstein's wacky "world of robots" cover kicks off this early issue, loaded with great art from Wally Wood, Jack Kamen, and Harvey Kurtzman (his story here, "The Dimension Translator", has long been a fan-favorite). To top it off, this particular copy is tied with only one other as best in CGC's current census report. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $560.
Weird Fantasy #11 Gaines File pedigree 3/12 (EC, 1952) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. This is another one of those covers that almost screams "classic," but somehow didn't get that classification from Overstreet. Al Feldstein really outdoes himself with this horrific image of the island of Manhattan after a nuclear attack, an especially chilling piece of art during the scary Cold War days of the early 1950s. Interior art for this issue is by Joe Orlando, Wally Wood, and Jack Kamen. There is currently only one copy of this issue that has been graded higher by CGC. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $460.
Weird Fantasy #16 Gaines File pedigree 3/12 (EC, 1952) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. The best EC artists often managed to disturb as well as horrify, as Al Feldstein manages to do with this cover effort. The misshapen heads of the alien abominations alone would provide nightmare material, not to mention the fact that they're busy destroying Earth. Great stories and art here, with contributions from Al Williamson, Jack Kamen, and Joe Orlando. The condition of this comic is simply stunning. To date, no copies of this issue have been graded higher by CGC. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $430.
Weird Fantasy #22 Gaines File pedigree 3/11 (EC, 1953) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. This was the last issue of the comic before it merged with Weird Science to become Weird Science-Fantasy. The intriguing cover is by Joe Orlando, and is the second of only two he did for Weird Fantasy. This issue's lineup of artists includes Reed Crandall, Jack Kamen, and Bernard Krigstein. To date, no copies of this issue have been graded higher by CGC. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $330.
Weird Science #6 Gaines File pedigree (EC, 1951) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white pages. Ride a rocket ship to Venus with the EC crew: artists Al Feldstein ("Spawn of Venus"), Harvey Kurtzman ("Man and Superman"), Wally Wood ("Sinking of the Titanic"), and Jack Kamen (who turns in the wild "good girl" story, "Divide and Conquer"). Great comic stories, all wrapped up in a beautiful NM- package from the Gaines files! Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $660.
Weird Science #9 Gaines File pedigree (EC, 1951) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. Wally Wood's first EC cover manages to out-gross the company's famous horror comics with this scary portrait of invading aliens, complete with horrible green, oozing skin! The Air Force to the rescue! Art by Jack Kamen is also featured in this terrific issue. This incredibly fresh copy will leave you gasping in awe; it's originally from publisher Bill Gaines' private files. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $660.
Weird Science #15 Gaines File pedigree (EC, 1952) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white to white pages. Wally Wood turns in one of his greatest covers for this issue, combining dinosaurs and rocket ships in a way only he could! Graham Ingels, Al Williamson, and Jack Kamen appear along with Wood inside. This fantastic copy originally came from the legendary stash of comics held by publisher William Gaines, and while this one may not top the CGC charts (currently, four other copies grade higher), it's still a treasure. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $485.
Weird Science #20 Gaines File pedigree 9/11 (EC, 1953) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. Even the more pleasant images on EC covers had an element of the unnerving -- so it is on this Wally Wood effort. It's hard to top a scene of lovelies in revealing evening gowns, but Jack Kamen, Joe Orlando, and Wood do their best inside the comic. The honor of illustrating the cover story, "50 Girls 50", fell to Al Williamson and Frank Frazetta. To date, only two copies of this issue have been graded higher by CGC. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $625.
Air Fighters Comics #1 Mile High pedigree (Hillman Fall, 1941) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. Here is the premiere issue of a series that ran for 22 issues bearing this title, then another decade as Airboy. The cover spotlighted the Black Commander -- and we encourage you to cherish every panel of his story, as it was his only appearance. Gerber calls this an "uncommon" book, and it's hard to find in any grade. This Mile High copy has the impressively preserved color's you'd expect from Edgar Church's legendary collection. And like many a comic from that hallowed hoard, this is the highest-graded copy that CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $2,750.
Amazing Mystery Funnies #20 Mile High pedigree (Centaur, 1940) CGC VF- 7.5 White pages. The 1939 season of the New York World's Fair had come to an end, so hero Fantom of the Fair expanded his crimefighting horizons beyond the fairgrounds. That's he leaping to the rescue on this vivid cover, which sports the double-slash pencil marks characteristic of many early Mile Highs. Inside the comic, the Fantom is drawn by his creator Paul Gustavson. Space Patrol, Speed Centaur, and Fantasy Isle are also featured. It's CGC's highest-graded specimen to date. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $463.
America's Best Comics #10 Mile High pedigree (Nedor Publications, 1944) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white pages. You just can't beat Alex Schomburg's powerful cover image, and you can't enjoy it any more than on the Mile High copy! The cover is a real sign of the times that produced it -- it's quite a shock to see Doc Strange carrying the Russian flag and Pyroman bearing the Chinese banner (used by Taiwan these days). For that matter, you don't expect to see a hero named American Eagle lugging the Union Jack... obviously Allied solidarity was paramount in 1944. The NM- gem we're offering is one of only two copies of the book that CGC has certified as of this writing, so we feel safe in calling this specimen America's best. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $620.
Atomic Comics #1 (Green Publishing Co., 1946) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Cream to off-white pages. The DC fan could have been forgiven for thinking this was a National Periodical Publication: the cover swipes Detective Comics #8, and the logo resembles that of a certain Action-packed mag. But at least Green Publications did it right by getting Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster to do the Radio Squad feature. Barry O'Neal makes an appearance too. Overstreet 2004 VF/NM 9.0 value = $1,219; NM- 9.2 value = $1,625.
Black Cat Mystery #39 Spokane pedigree (Harvey, 1952) CGC NM 9.4 White pages. This comic with a hanging cover, caught the interest of a gentleman most comic fans would have liked to string up -- Dr. Fredric Wertham. The doctor used images from the issue in his book Seduction of the Innocent. This copy is the highest-graded certified by CGC to date, with the next-highest clocking in at a mere 8.0. The art is by Rudy Palais. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $300.
Boy Comics #3 (Lev Gleason, 1942) CGC VF+ 8.5 Cream to off-white pages. Names like Lev Gleason and Charles Biro are most often associated with Crime Does Not Pay and the like, so it's no surprise that even their costumed boy hero was "the Crimebuster". This issue, the first after the name change from Captain Battle #2, features the origin of Crimebuster and the first appearance of Iron Jaw. There are also appearances by Young Robin Hood, Bombshell, and many others. There are no tears, creases or chips on this nice book, which is the highest-graded copy that CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $1,925; VF/NM 9.0 value = $2,963.
Boy Comics #8 (Lev Gleason, 1943) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Cream to off-white pages. Only a handful of comic book titles from the Golden Age can claim the longevity of Boy Comics, which ran for 117 issues over 14 years. Charles Biro, one of the most prolific of Golden Age artists, gives us a Crimebuster vs. Iron Jaw cover that informs us "Iron Jaw Dies In This Issue." It took all of two issues before ol' Metal Mouth returned (please join us in pretending to be shocked). Not only is this the highest-graded copy CGC has certified to date, the runner-up is a mere FN/VF. Overstreet 2004 VF/NM 9.0 value = $844; NM- 9.2 value = $1,125.
Brenda Starr #14 (#2) Mile High pedigree (Four Star, 1948) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages. Is it hot in here, or is it just us? Actually, it's just Jack Kamen, who delivered one of the most memorable "good girl" covers of all with this issue. The book Comics: Between the Panels named this one of the top ten "headlight" covers in all of comics. And while we're discussing genres, any collector of bondage covers would be hard-pressed to pass this one up as well! This stunning copy has intense colors with a near-perfect spine, secure staples (no stress at all) and exact centering. It's a textbook example of why comics from this legendary collection are so highly desired. Just three copies of the issue have garnered VF 8.0 or better from CGC to date, with this offering easily the highest-graded. Bring an ample bidding budget for this one, as any comic fan not tied to a radiator will be going after it! Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,050.
Captain Marvel Adventures #5 (Fawcett, 1941) CGC VF- 7.5 Off-white pages. C. C. Beck drew both this issue's vertigo-inducing cover and the interior art. And though the Nazi menace is battled on the cover, it's archfoe Sivana who bedevils Captain Marvel in the stories. Though comics featuring the Big Red Cheese were among the top-selling books of their era, they're tough to find in a decent grade -- as of this writing, only one copy of this issue has been graded higher by CGC. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $950.
Captain Midnight #10 Mile High pedigree (Fawcett, 1943) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white pages. This remarkable Mac Raboy cover so exudes patriotism, you can almost hear "The Star Spangled Banner" while admiring it. Its incredible traits don't stop there: rich cover colors, sharp off-white pages, the illustrious Edgar Church pedigree, and its status as the second-highest graded copy in CGC's current survey will certainly entice your bid. Overstreet 2004 VF/NM 9.0 value = $750; NM- 9.2 value = $1,000.
Captain Science #2 Bethlehem pedigree (Youthful Magazines, 1951) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white pages. This gem received the highest grade yet assigned by CGC for this issue. You don't see 50-year-old comics in such superb condition every day! This copy could be grouped with two much-collected cover categories, as it's both a robot cover and a UFO cover. And give our hero Captain Science credit: when he has a lovely lady in his arms, he's not putting her down even to shoot his ray gun. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $525.
Catman Comics #1 (Holyoke Publications, 1941) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages. After proving himself in Crash Comics, Catman was given comics' equivalent of the corner office: his own title. And since his original outfit wasn't exactly the cat's pajamas, he got a spiffier costume as well. The blue garb you see here would itself only last for two issues... perhaps to avoid confusion with any other characters out there whose names ended in -atman, if you get our drift. Charles Quinlan drew both the sock-it-to-'em cover and an interior story. Inside the comic, the heroes backing up the feline crimefighter include Blaze Baylor, the Deacon, Rag-Man and Dr. Diamond. Catman is on many a want list -- even when you can find them they tend to be low grade, brown, brittle etc. That makes it all the more pleasing to lay eyes on this one, which has fresh cover colors of the kind usually only seen on pedigree books. This is the highest-graded copy of this issue that CGC has certified to date -- you could search from here to Katmandu and not find a better one! Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $5,000.
Clue Comics #4 Pennsylvania pedigree (Hillman Publications, 1943) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white pages. Dan Barry drew this issue's Nazi-busting cover. Tony DiPreta contributed an interior story. This NM- Golden Age book is the only copy of the issue that CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $465.
Crackajack Funnies #1 Denver pedigree (Dell, 1938) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. Dell Comics' original flagship title gets started with this premiere issue, featuring newspaper reprints of popular strips like Tom Mix, Wash Tubbs, Don Winslow, Boots, and plenty more. This lovely copy hails from the Denver collection, and retains lots of newsstand freshness. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $3,000.
Cyclone Comics #3 Larson pedigree (Bilbara, 1940) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white pages. Overstreet deems this cover a "classic," and perhaps its controversial image of savage tribesmen has added to its accompanying status of "scarce." With its kaleidoscopic cover colors, superlative interior pages, and notable Larson pedigree, this ultra-rarity, outgraded by only one copy in CGC's current survey, is too good to let slip away. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,300.
Eerie #3 Spokane pedigree (Avon, 1951) CGC VF- 7.5 Off-white to white pages. This short-lived title is noted for having great art, and this issue is certainly no exception. Start off with a cover by Wally Wood; turn the pages and find stories by Joe Kubert and Joe Orlando. Not too shabby, hmm? Of course if you disagree, we might have to send out the hideous ghouls pictured on the cover to find you! Oh, you do like this book? We thought so! To date, only one other copy tops this one in CGC's census. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $425.
Eerie #9 Spokane pedigree (Avon, 1952) CGC VF+ 8.5 White pages. We know boobs when we see 'em -- we're talking about the guys on comic book covers who are dumb enough to walk through haunted cemeteries with their sweethearts. Such behavior does make for a vivid, spooky cover scene, though. Great art can be found inside the covers of this issue, with fan favorites Joe Kubert and Sid Check providing the eeriness. CGC lists this as the highest graded copy of issue #9 to date. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $212; VF/NM 9.0 value = $301.
Exciting Comics #56 Rockford pedigree (Nedor Publications, 1947) CGC NM+ 9.6 Cream to off-white pages. Judy of the Jungle makes a cover appearance this issue, with art courtesy of Golden Age great Alex Schomburg. This copy certainly qualifies as "great", too -- what a beauty! Of the scant four copies of issue #56 currently appearing in CGC's census list, this one tops the list. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $660.
Platinum Age (1897-1937)
Famous Funnies: Carnival of Comics #nn (Eastern Color, 1933) CGC VF+ 8.5 Cream to off-white pages. You are looking at the second comic book ever published! This promotional giveaway, a collection of newspaper reprints, was the brainchild of the father of the modern comic book format, M. C. Gaines. An experiment using this freebie turned out to be one of the key moments in the history of comic books: Gaines put price stickers (10ยข) on a few copies and arranged to have some newsstands try to sell them. They sold out, providing early proof that demand for the format existed. Of course, the content of the comic was quite desirable, as some of the best-known funnies of the day, including Joe Palooka, Mutt and Jeff, and Dixie Dugan, are inside. Gerber's The Photo-Journal Guide to Comic Books lists the comic as "rare. " As for this copy, the condition is amazing considering the book's age -- even a Golden Age book in VF+ is a nice find, and this is from the Platinum Age, five years before Action Comics #1 and many years before preserving comics in top condition crossed anyone's mind. There are currently only two unrestored copies of this issue that have been graded higher by CGC. The CGC holder for this comic has a crack at the top right corner. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $5,480; VF/NM 9.0 value = $8,740.
Golden Age (1938-1955)
Fighting Yank #12 Big Apple pedigree (Nedor Publications, 1945) CGC NM- 9.2 White pages. If the wild image of Hirohito in bondage (by Alex Schomburg) on the cover of this issue isn't enough for you, how about the incredible page quality? This is another fantastic Big Apple copy, bested by only one other in the current CGC census for issue #12. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $725.
Fighting Yank #13 Mile High pedigree (Nedor Publications, 1945) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages. Fighting Yank saves the day (and the children) from unspeakable horrors on this wild World War II cover by Alex Schomburg. CGC notes: "4 sets of Siamese pages" rest inside this copy, which currently tops the CGC census for this issue. Get lucky with this thirteenth issue! Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $610.
Fighting Yank #20 (Nedor Publications, 1947) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. We all know how frustrating it can be to find high-grade copies of any book with a predominantly white cover. This copy's whites are unsullied, and you won't find a nicer copy of this book, which boasts an Alex Schomburg cover. This is the highest-graded copy of this issue that CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $610.
Flying Saucers #nn River City pedigree (Avon, 1952) CGC NM- 9.2 Cream to off-white pages. Gene Fawcette's dynamic depiction of alien invaders is a textbook example of an effective cover; its limited color palette employs contrasting hues that spellbind the eye and refuse to let go. Interior art by Wally Wood is another bonus, as is its peerless River City pedigree. Currently CGC's highest-graded specimen. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $550.
Four Color Comics #9 Donald Duck Finds Pirate Gold (Dell, 1942) CGC VF+ 8.5 Cream to off-white pages. This issue was a milestone -- Carl Barks' first rendering of Donald Duck. Not only is Barks the most famous Duck artist, he helped shape the character as we know it today (even creating many of the best-known supporting characters such as Uncle Scrooge). That makes this premiere issue (on which Barks shared art chores with Jack Hannah) one of the most significant Disney comics of all. A bonus is the alluring treasure map on the back cover -- what young boy could resist that, and why didn't comic books use that idea more often? It's an irresistible package, and our offering is one of the finest copies you could hope to find. CGC lists just three nicer unrestored copies. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $5,625; VF/NM 9.0 value = $9,313.
Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies Comics #1 (Dell, 1941) CGC GD 2.0 Light tan to off-white pages. This premiere issue took gags directly from the cartoon shorts of the Leon Schlesinger characters. In this star-studded affair, Bugs Bunny, Porky Pig, Daffy Duck, and Elmer Fudd all make their first comic book appearances! Gerber lists this issue as "uncommon." Overstreet 2004 GD 2.0 value = $1,025.
Magazines
Mickey Mouse Magazine Dairy Giveaway V1#1-6, 8, 11, and 12 Group (Walt Disney Productions, 1933-34) Condition: Average VG. For good little children who drank all their milk came this most remarkable magazine, starring everyone's favorite Pie-Eyed Prince, Mickey Mouse! Courtesy of local dairies, these neat little pamphlets were issued monthly, beginning in 1933. They measured 5.25" x 7.25", and were printed in two colors (usually red and black), with wholesome features designed to entertain and educate. And, of course, to extol the virtues of milk every chance possible! We're sure the kiddies didn't mind the commercial aspect of these magazines, as there were lots of riddles, puzzles, stories, and comics to keep them happy! The lucky bidder who wins this lot will be happy as well, as these items rarely turn up today. The lot consists of Volume 1, issues #1-6, 8, 11, and 12. Issue #1 grades the lowest (GD+), with a pronounced water stain visible in the lower 1/5 of the book. All the others have slight water stains, and grade out at VG. Approximate Overstreet value for group = $1,900.
Golden Age (1938-1955)
Military Comics #19 San Francisco pedigree (Quality, 1943) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages. Adorning this cover as well as the interior is the fine artistry of Reed Crandall. Reed's career began at Quality Comics in 1940, where he stayed until he joined the EC crew in the early '50s. This comic is just plain gorgeous with astonishing colors, gloss, and spine. We have a comic here that is nearly perfect in every way, coming from one of the nicest of all pedigrees. As of this writing, only one copy of this issue has been certified with a higher grade by CGC. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $920.
Military Comics #38 Mile High pedigree (Quality, 1945) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. This is a truly stunning example from the Mile High collection that exhibits all of the famous Mile High traits, such as razor-sharp edges, a perfect spine, and great page quality. If you want a great example of a Mile High at an affordable price, this is your book. An all-white cover background makes this one extremely difficult to find in grade, and this is the highest grade that CGC has assigned for this issue to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $660.
National Comics #18 (Quality, 1941) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white to white pages. This eerily prophetic issue depicts an attack of Pearl Harbor, and was on the newsstands a month before the actual event! The classic tandem of Lou Fine and Reed Crandall provided the cover, and Quality's usual peerless interior art came from Fine, Crandall, Jack Cole, Paul Gustavson, Klaus Nordling, and Al Bryant. This beautiful copy is one of only two to be certified by CGC to date of issue #18. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,500.
Pep Comics #6 (MLJ, 1940) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages. Before Archie Andrews took this title over, comics' first patriotic hero, the Shield, was the star of the show. He's drawn on the cover and inside the comic by Irv Novick. Mort Meskin and Charles Biro are among the other artists. This is the highest grade that CGC has assigned for this issue to date. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $688.
Phantom Lady #15 (Fox Features Syndicate, 1947) CGC VF- 7.5 Off-white pages. That crime-busting bombshell, the Phantom Lady discovers "An Army of Walking Dead" in this third issue. Matt Baker, who drew the cover and interior art, was considered a master of drawing the female form, a reputation based largely on his fine work for this title! This copy looks as good as our heroine, which is saying a lot considering how tough it is to find nice copies of Fox books from this era. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $1,525.
Phantom Lady #16 (Fox Features Syndicate, 1948) CGC FN/VF 7.0 Off-white to white pages. When Matt Baker turns on the "headlights" and even adds a negligee to the mix, a classic cover is the natural result. Even the title character, though relegated to an inset, adds a sultry gaze of her own. Inside the comic, true crime tales and, yes, even some negligee panels await. A must for Baker fans... and who isn't one? Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $732; VF 8.0 value = $1,525.
Power Comics #4 Mile High pedigree (Holyoke Publications, 1945) CGC VF 8.0 White pages. The Black Raiders, Miss Espionage, Merlin the Boy Magician, and Dr. Mephisto make for an eclectic mix, but the real draw here is a sensational cover by L. B. Cole. As of this writing, only one copy of this issue has received a higher grade from CGC. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $925.
Rangers Comics #16 Pennsylvania pedigree (Fiction House, 1944) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages. There's danger at every turn on this pulse-pounding "good girl" cover. Graham Ingels and George Tuska provide interior art for this high-grade Fiction House book, boasting the prestigious Pennsylvania pedigree. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $420.
Rocketman #1 White Mountain pedigree (Farrell, 1952) CGC NM 9.4 White pages. This title featured the helmeted hero in startling "space stories of the future." This premiere issue was the title's only issue, though Rocketman also appeared in Scoop Comics and Samson. Gerber lists this one-shot as "uncommon." We think it's gonna be a long, long time before another copy this nice comes along -- it's the highest-graded copy CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $450.
Saint #3 (Avon, 1948) CGC NM 9.4 Cream to off-white pages. Leslie Charteris' The Saint was a hit in many media, so it's a shock that the popular character's comic only had a 12-issue run. But that run was characterized by some top artists like Jack Kamen and Matt Baker. This cover scene complete with leggy blonde would have done either of those gents proud! It was drawn by Allen Ulmer, who did the interior art as well. This NM specimen is the highest-graded copy of this issue that CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $375.
Silver Streak Comics #6 (Lev Gleason, 1940) CGC VG+ 4.5 Cream to off-white pages. The Golden Age hero known as Daredevil made his first appearance in this issue, which also recounts his origin. The character, an expert with boomerangs, soon got his own title, and Daredevil Comics ran well into the 1950s. This issue's cover, called "classic" by Overstreet, depicts the Claw, a regular in this title (stories starring villains were a Lev Gleason specialty). None other than Jack Cole of Plastic Man fame drew the cover, as well as the Claw story and other features. Daredevil's adventure is by Jack Binder. This issue has been designated "scarce" by both Overstreet and Gerber, and that's in any grade -- only two unrestored copies of the issue have received higher grades from CGC to date. Overstreet 2004 VG 4.0 value = $2,438.
Special Edition Comics #1 (Fawcett, 1940) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages. If you aren't faster than a speeding bullet like Superman, what's the next best thing to do? Why, ride one, of course! And the Captain rides a big one! This Golden Age key issue (published prior to Captain Marvel Adventures #1) is the very first comic book devoted entirely to the "Big Red Cheese," and sports art by the character's co-creator C. C. Beck. This copy has a nice spine, an appealing cover, and nice edges, everything a book in this grade should have. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $5,796.
Speed Comics #15 Mile High pedigree (Harvey, 1941) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white to white pages. This 100-page digest was one of the very first Harvey Comics, and only the second issue of Speed under the Harvey brothers' stewardship. The Al Avison cover depicts hero Shock Gibson battling ... red-skulled Nazis? Since Simon and Kirby joined the team one issue later, we'll assume they were OK with it. Meanwhile, nurse Pat Parker, not content just emptying bedpans, donned a mask and costume to become War Nurse in this issue. Captain Freedom and Biff Bannon are among the backup battlers. Digest-size comics are always hard to find in high grade, but you're in luck with this one; this is the highest-graded copy CGC has certified to date, with the only other one quite literally a Poor substitute at 0.5. Overstreet 2004 VF/NM 9.0 value = $657; NM- 9.2 value = $875.
Speed Comics #36 Mile High pedigree (Harvey, 1945) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. Harvey Comics, famous for humor titles like Richie Rich, had their share of heroes, too. Here's a nice Golden Age book featuring three of them; Captain Freedom, Black Cat, and Shock Gibson. Alex Schomburg drew the action-packed airborne WW II cover, and it's a memorable one. This beautiful copy comes from the legendary Edgar Church collection, and is undoubtedly the nicest copy in existence. Flat, clean, glossy, and bright, with sharp corners, there is no mistaking the provenance of this gem. CGC's census lists just one other unrestored copy of the issue certified to date - at VG 4.0. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $635.
Startling Comics #41 Mile High pedigree (Better Publications, 1946) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. From the collection of Edgar Church comes yet another like-new decades-old comic book. CGC has certified just four unrestored copies of issue #41 to date, only two of which managed grades as high as VF 8.0. The great Alex Schomburg offered a Pyroman/atomic bomb cover to coax a dime from the 1940s-era comic buyer, and Front Page Peggy begins in this issue. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $500.
Strange Worlds #1 (Avon, 1950) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white pages. Avon's experience in creating lurid paperback covers shone through in comic book covers like this by Gene Fawcette. Joe Kubert (Kenton of the Star Patrol) and John Giunta (Crom the Barbarian) contributed interior art. A Gerber "uncommon" issue, our copy boasts the highest grade CGC has certified to date for the premiere issue. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,425.
Target Comics #4 Mile High pedigree (Novelty Press, 1940) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. This issue boasts a veritable Who's Who of superhero artists: Joe Simon, Jack Cole, Carl Burgos, Bill Everett, and Tarpe Mills were the guys (and one gal) wielding the pencils with aplomb. The 9.6 says more than we can express about the condition of this pedigree gem. If you're shooting for the highest-graded known copy of this issue, you've hit your target dead center -- CGC's latest census backs us up on that score. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,850.
Target Comics #5 Mile High pedigree (Novelty Press, 1940) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. Among this title's heroes, White Streak was the MVP -- that status was confirmed here, as the android's name received bigger billing than the mag's title. But as so often happened with superheroes, the character had appeared several times without his origin being recounted. That's taken care of in a text story in this issue. One backup feature is a special treat, offering the debut of Space Hawk, drawn by the incomparable Basil Wolverton. Other interior artists include Bill Everett of Sub-Mariner fame and Carl Burgos of Human Torch fame, as well as that era's First Lady of comic artists, Tarpe Mills. This comic is "uncommon" (according to Gerber) in any condition, and certainly unique in this grade, brought to you courtesy of the Mile High pedigree. That is to say, this NM+ dazzler is the highest-graded copy of the issue that CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $6,000.
Target Comics #6 Mile High pedigree (Novelty Press, 1940) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages. Artist Bill Everett was a constant in the early issues of Target, drawing covers and Bull's-Eye Bill stories. Here his creation the Chameleon, a detective who's a master of disguise, makes his first appearance. Other characters include top-billed hero White Streak, whose origin story continues in a text feature, and Basil Wolverton's Spacehawk. Overstreet speculates that this issue may well have the first-ever letter column in comics, and notes that the page in question has an early mention of comic book collecting. Apparently, not many picked up on the idea to start saving these works of art, otherwise this issue wouldn't be "uncommon" according to Gerber. When you examine the condition of this NM/MT Mile High copy, you're gonna party like it's 1940 -- the cover's Technicolor sunset is the perfect showcase for the well-preserved glory of this 9.8 pedigree book. This is the highest-graded copy CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $2,400.
Target Comics #10 Mile High pedigree (Novelty Press, 1940) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. Here's yet another sterling entry in the run of top-grade, white-page, we're-amazed Target Comics that we have the privilege of offering. This one's notable for sporting the best-drawn cover of the bunch. Overstreet credits the cover to Joe Simon, Gerber to Jack Kirby... regardless, any S&K fan would love to add this S or K cover to his collection. Basil Wolverton, Carl Burgos, and Tarpe Mills are among those contributing interior features. As for the new hero on the block, Target Comics' name was, we presume, a nod to Bull's-Eye Bill, the first issue's coverboy, but since Bill had settled into more of a supporting role, it was time to introduce the Target! On the cover, the titular hero just dropped in to see what condition his condition was in. And we're happy to report that it's an amazing NM+. This comic is the highest-graded copy CGC has certified to date, and the only unrestored copy above 5.0. Take your best shot at this one! Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $2,500.
Target Comics V2#11 Mile High pedigree (Novelty Press, 1942) CGC NM/MT 9.8 Off-white to white pages. Lucky for you, you're probably sitting as you examine this copy -- if not, you'll be knocked off your feet! Edgar Church's collection delivers the goods once again, outdistancing by a mile the only other copy of this issue currently in CGC's census. Another bonus: Spacehawk by Basil Wolverton. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $700.
Top-Notch Comics #14 Mile High pedigree (MLJ, 1941) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white to white pages. A bondage cover means a damsel in distress, and that means it's time for the Black Hood! He's assisted on the cover by the Wizard's sidekick Roy the Super-Boy (not to be confused with Stan Lee's sidekick Roy the Boy of later years). This copy from the Edgar Church collection is the highest-graded example that CGC has certified to date, and the only one graded higher than VF+. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,285.
Whiz Comics #2 (#1) (Fawcett, 1940) CGC Apparent FN/VF 7.0 Extensive (P) Off-white pages. One of the most famous cover scenes of all is our introduction to one of the most desirable comics of all -- Overstreet ranks it among the ten most valuable comic books of any era. It's the origin and first appearance of Captain Marvel, with art by C. C. Beck. Not only that, it's the first comic book Fawcett ever released (the #1 designation was given to an ashcan edition which never made it to newsstands). Captain Marvel may have debuted after Superman (and been modeled on him as well), but in the character's heyday, Captain Marvel comics were the bestselling superhero books of all. Some fans know him from those early days, some from his revival in DC's Shazam book, but he's a character almost every fan has a soft spot in his heart for. CGC notes, "Restoration includes: color touch, pieces added, tear seals, reinforced." Overstreet 2004 GD 2.0 value = $7,000; VG 4.0 value = $14,000; FN 6.0 value = $21,000.
Dell Giant Comics - Sleeping Beauty #1 (Dell, 1959) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. This issue features one of the most beautiful images to ever grace a comic cover. It was probably painted by Norm McGary, the illustrator most closely associated with Walt Disney's animated classic. This is the highest grade that CGC has assigned for this issue to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $480.
Plastic Man #58 (Quality, 1956) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. The Man of Plastic was in the hands of two fine artists here: Chuck Cuidera on the outside and Jack Cole on the inside. Quality books from the mid-fifties are increasingly difficult to locate in this grade, making this book all the more desirable. It's only the third unrestored copy CGC has certified as of this rating, and unsurprisingly the highest-graded of the three. When we see a copy this nice, we're as woozy as Mr. Winks himself! Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $325.
Silver Age (1956-1969)
Star Trek #1 Back Cover Variant - Pacific Coast pedigree (Gold Key, 1967) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. This is the variant Overstreet calls "rare", which unlike the more common edition has a photo of Captain Kirk on the back cover. Demand for this title increases by the year, and we don't expect it to remain this undervalued in Overstreet for long. To date, only one copy of this variant has received a higher grade from CGC. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $700.
Bronze Age (1970-1979)
Zap Comix #1 First Printing - Plymell Edition (Apex Novelties, 1967) CGC VF+ 8.5 Off-white pages. This book is to Undergrounds what Action Comics #1 is to superhero comics! This book is referred to as a "Plymell" edition due to the printer's name being printed on the back page. Printing numbers vary depending on who is telling the story, but suffice to say no more than 5,000 copies were completed. The true number is likely closer to 1,500. The issues were printed and folded by hand, and then sold out of a baby carriage on the streets of Berkeley and San Francisco, so finding copies this nice can be quite a challenge! With sales records being broken on a regular basis for this book, it's a safe bet to say this one has real potential. Jerry Weist listed the first printing of Zap #1 in his 2000 Comic Art Price Guide as having a value between $750 (FN) and $1,500 (NM).
Golden Age (1938-1955)
Action Comics #1 (DC, 1938) CGC GD+ 2.5 Cream to off-white pages. The comic that officially launched the Golden Age rightfully claims the distinction of being the most valuable of any comic book. Superman's first appearance makes it a no contest between this and the comic book currently ranked second most valuable, Detective Comics #27. Of the 27 copies of Action Comics #1 that CGC has certified to date, nearly one-third are restored copies. Even at this modest grade, CGC has awarded a higher unrestored grade to 13 copies, only four of which earned better grades than VG+ 4.5! Our unrestored offering shows some foxing along the edges, mostly along the front spine, and has a moderate piece out at the top left front. But holding an otherwise complete copy of the Holy Grail of comic collecting still gives us goosebumps! Overstreet 2004 GD 2.0 value = $38,250.
Action Comics #2 (DC, 1938) CGC VG+ 4.5 White pages. The superhero who started it all, Superman, made his second-ever appearance in this issue, which is why Overstreet ranks it among the 20 most valuable comic books. This copy of the sought-after book won't come cheap, but compared to prices for issue #1 which are usually ten times that amount, it's a steal, particularly in light of the fact that it's just as hard to find as #1! Gerber's Photo Journal gives the book a "scarce" rating. Surprisingly for the modern-day reader, Superman didn't make the issue's cover (Action was an anthology in its early years, featuring a number of different characters). But this cover's a stunner in its own right, a gorgeous adventure illustration by Leo O'Mealia. Inside the comic, the Man of Steel is of course portrayed by his creators, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, but big-name Golden Age artists Fred Guardineer (drawing Zatara the Magician, probably the best known of the non-Kryptonian characters in the book), Bernard Baily, and Sheldon Moldoff are also among the contributors. Take note of this copy' s outstanding page quality! And don't count on finding a better specimen -- as of this writing, only four unrestored copies of this issue have received higher grades from CGC. Overstreet 2004 VG 4.0 value = $7,076.
Action Comics #5 (DC, 1938) CGC FN 6.0 Light tan to off-white pages. Not to take anything away from Action #1, but some of the other early issues of the title are even tougher to find! Witness this issue, which is a Gerber "8" (meaning "Rare", compare that to a "7" for issue #1). It's the first copy we've ever seen here at Heritage. Superman stars in the lead story (by his creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster), but didn't make the cover -- that went to an exciting adventure illustration by Leo O'Mealia. Other artists include Fred Guardineer, Bernard Baily, Sven Elven, and Paul Gustavson. Only two copies of the issue have been graded higher by CGC as of this writing. We know from experience that it's one thing to acquire a Gerber "8" if it's one of the more oddball books, and quite another if it's a high-demand mainstream title. We suggest you don't expect another one to come along soon. Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $8,076.
Action Comics #6 (DC, 1938) CGC FN 6.0 Cream to off-white pages. To put it mildly, this comic has plenty to recommend it. It's one of the earliest Superman adventures, and as stated elsewhere in this catalog, the owners of these books seldom part with them (this is the first copy of #6 we've ever offered). It also has the first appearance of one of DC's most recognizable characters, Jimmy Olsen. And before you dub Jimmy a supporting player, remember that Superman's Pal later starred in his own comic that ran for twenty years! Neither Jimmy (who's called "office boy" here) nor Superman made the cover, but Leo O'Mealia's absolutely superb cover illustration more than makes up for that. In fact, we regret that the artist, who was best known as a sports cartoonist, wasn't much more prolific in the comic book field. We'd be remiss if we didn't note that this may be DC's first ever gorilla cover -- a theme the publisher would return to over and over in later decades, to the delight of many fans including us. Last but definitely not least, this is one of the nicest copies around, with only two unrestored copies earning higher grades from CGC to date. Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $4,038.
Action Comics #15 (DC, 1939) CGC FN 6.0 Off-white pages. Superman made the cover of Action Comics! If that sounds about as surprising as "the sun rose in the east," think again -- this was only the fourth cover appearance for the Man of Steel. He's drawn by Fred Guardineer, who was better known for rendering the Zatara stories in the mag (including this issue). Superman's appearance inside the comic is drawn by Joe Shuster, and Bob Kane and Bernard Baily also contributed artwork on the issue's other action and adventure tales. This FN specimen is actually one of the very finest available; only three have been graded higher by CGC, none scoring better than a 7.0. CGC notes, "piece of tape on interior spine." Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $1,863.
Action Comics #23 (DC, 1940) CGC VG/FN 5.0 Cream to off-white pages. Two major firsts in the Superman mythos highlight this issue. For one, it's Lex Luthor's first appearance, and we'd say he's one baddie who needs no introduction (but you may be surprised to hear that he had red hair in his first go-round). For another, the story (by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster) contains the first mention of perhaps the best-known newspaper in all of fiction: the Daily Planet. Clark Kent and his fellow newshounds had delivered their scoops to the Daily Star up to then. Though the Man of Steel was the star, this was still an anthology book with many other features; the most notable in this issue is the first appearance of the Black Pirate of later Sensation Comics fame, with Sheldon Moldoff drawing the 16th century action. Note that the highest grade CGC has awarded for the issue is a 7.5, making this VG/FN specimen one of the best available. Overstreet 2004 VG 4.0 value = $1,352; FN 6.0 value = $2,028.
Action Comics #30 (DC, 1940) CGC VF/NM 9.0 White pages. Any Action issue from this early in the run tends to leave jaws agape, but it's really something when one in this condition comes along. According to CGC's latest census, only the Mile High copy of the issue has been graded higher. The cover colors look superb; combined with the white pages (!), the result is a comic that looks like it came out four years ago, not sixty-four. Superman's adventure in this issue is drawn by Jack Burnley according to most sources, though CGC credits Joe Shuster. Sheldon Moldoff drew a story featuring the character he reportedly later called his personal favorite, the Black Pirate. A tale of since-forgotten hero Tex Thomson is also here, drawn by the fondly remembered Bernard Baily. Overstreet 2004 VF/NM 9.0 value = $2,325; NM- 9.2 value = $3,100.
Action Comics #137 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1949) CGC VF- 7.5 Off-white to white pages. If the Mile High copy of this issue seems somewhat lower-graded than what you've come to expect of the famed pedigree, consider this: CGC has certified just two unrestored copies of #137 to date, and, as usual the highest-graded is the one from Edgar Church's collection! Wayne Boring provided the cover, with interior art contributions coming from Boring, Curt Swan, and Dan Barry. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $356.
Adventure Comics #48 Larson pedigree (DC, 1940) CGC Apparent NM- 9.2 Slight (A) Off-white to white pages. This key Golden Age issue features the very first appearance of early superhero the Hourman. The hero, whose powers last for one hour from the time he takes a dose of Miraclo, went on to become a charter member of the Justice Society as well as starring in this title for many an issue. The caped hero is drawn on the cover and inside the comic by Bernard Baily. Among the book's other stories is a tale featuring Hourman's future JSA colleague the Sandman (drawn by Ogden Whitney). The other "name" artists include Bob Kane and Paul Gustavson. Overstreet lists this key issue among the top 30 most valuable comic books of all. With no unrestored copies grading at better than VF+ appearing on CGC's census, this specimen from one of the most respected pedigrees is second to none in attractiveness. CGC notes, "Restoration includes: small amount of color touch on cover." Overstreet 2004 GD 2.0 value = $2,188; VG 4.0 value = $4,376; FN 6.0 value = $6,564; VF 8.0 value = $16,400; VF/NM 9.0 value = $25,700; NM- 9.2 value = $35,000.
Adventure Comics #51 (DC, 1940) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white to white pages. Creig Flessel's distinctive style graces the Sandman cover of this early Golden Age issue, which features interior stories of Sandman and of Hourman. Flessel, Bernard Baily, and Joe Shuster are among the contributing interior artists. To date, CGC has certified higher grades for just three other copies of #51. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $2,165.
Adventure Comics #98 (DC, 1945) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. This issue's surreal cover is something straight out of a strange dream... but what would you expect from those specialists in slumber, the Sandman and Sandy? Gil Kane drew the Sandman story inside the comic. CGC lists Simon and Kirby as artists for the issue, while the cover has been attributed to both Kane and Kirby. This is the highest-graded copy, and the only one above VF/NM, that CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,200.
Adventure Comics #103 (DC, 1946) CGC NM- 9.2 Cream to off-white pages. In 1946, the powers that be reshuffled their features a bit, deciding that this title should be about adventure (!) and More Fun Comics should be more about funnies. We'd say this title got the better of the ensuing swap: they gave up the Genius Jones features, and starting with this issue got Aquaman, Green Arrow, Johnny Quick, and even Superboy. The character's creator, Joe Shuster, drew this issue's cover as well as an interior story. Shuster's vision of Superboy is fascinating -- he's younger and more pumped-up than the later, more familiar version. As of this writing, only two copies of this issue have been certified with higher grades by CGC. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $3,900.
Adventure Comics #141 (DC, 1949) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages. Superboy was firmly entrenched as the star of this comic; here John Sikela draws a story in which the young hero loses his powers. The backup features are no slouches either. Green Arrow and Aquaman appear, as does Johnny Quick (a speedster who joined Superboy in the move from More Fun Comics to this title). This is easily the highest-graded copy of this issue certified by CGC thus far, with only a 9.0 even within shouting distance. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $620.
All-American Comics #22 (DC, 1941) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white to white pages. This was one of Green Lantern's earliest adventures, the character having debuted in #16 of this title. GL's cover appearance was drawn by Sheldon Moldoff, while the hero's creator Martin Nodell drew the story itself. Other tales in the issue include an Atom story and a Scribbly feature by Sheldon Mayer featuring the Red Tornado (not the Justice Leaguer of later years, but the comic relief heroine whose mask is -- we kid you not -- an overturned pot). You won't find a better copy than this one, which is the finest CGC has certified by a healthy margin; the second-team All-American is a mere 6.0. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $3,087.
All-American Comics #102 (DC, 1948) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. This was the very last issue of this proud title. The comic, which was a Green Lantern vehicle for much of its run, became All-American Western the following month. That meant costumed crimefighters Green Lantern and Dr. Mid-Nite were sent riding off into the sunset, and another stalwart of the series, the Black Pirate, had to strike his sails. On the positive side, the move gave some stars of the range-ridin' variety a bigger showcase. The cover (by the great Alex Toth) offered a preview of things to come, highlighting the second DC character to be named Johnny Thunder. This Johnny is a lad whom everyone considered the coward of the county; he decided he had to fight to be a man, and DC had a new gunslinging star. Last issues are often the hardest ones to find, and Overstreet notes this one to be "scarce." We were surprised that this isn't a pedigree book, such is the outstanding condition of this copy. Indeed, CGC notes this to be the finest copy of the issue yet certified. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $3,475.
All-American Comics #102 (DC, 1948) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages. This is the "scarce" (according to Overstreet) last issue of the title, which would become All-American Western with #103. That meant this was the last go-round for Green Lantern, the Black Pirate, and Dr. Mid-Nite. They made way for this issue's coverboy Johnny Thunder, who was rendered both on the cover and inside the comic by the great Alex Toth. DC Westerns have long been treasured by collectors for their superior art and stories, and this one ranks among the most desirable of them all. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $1,738.
All-Flash #1 (DC, 1941) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages. Kids of the forties got 64 pages of their favorite speedster for a dime, and this one was all Flash (as opposed to Flash Comics which had multiple features). Anyone who was new to the Flash got a refresher in this issue on how Jay Garrick got his powers. The book has an E. E. Hibbard cover and interior art, with scripts by Gardner Fox (the writer who's most identified with our hero, and for that matter with the Silver Age Flash as well). There's even a brief feature on Hibbard and Fox inside the mag. This key comic, the hero's first solo title, is ranked among the fifty most valuable comic books by Overstreet, and the still-lush colors of this copy certainly impress. Only three copies of this issue have been certified with higher grades by CGC to date. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $10,313.
All-Flash #10 San Francisco pedigree (DC, 1943) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. If you've wondered why the San Francisco collection inspires so much awe, a look at this comic would tell you all you need to know. Whether you look at the unsmudged black front cover, the superb colors on the back cover, or the white pages, the result is to abandon all hope that there might be a nicer copy of this book. The content of the comic, as the title might indicate, is all Flash (save for a one page humor fill-in) and all of the stories were drawn by E. E. Hibbard. The cover, also by Hibbard, features comic relief characters Winky, Blinky, and Noddy. Unsurprisingly, this is the highest-graded copy, and the only one graded above VF-, that CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,300.
All Star Comics #1 (DC, 1940) CGC VG/FN 5.0 Off-white pages. It's a matter of general consensus that if you want to be taken seriously as a Golden Age DC collector, you'd better have a decent run of All-Star, the title that launched the Justice Society and Wonder Woman among other legends. From this first issue on, the book lived up to its name, witness the presence of the Flash (drawn by E. E. Hibbard), Hourman (by Bernard Baily), the Sandman (by perhaps the best of the bunch, Creig Flessel), and the Spectre (by Baily). But it's just as fascinating to see the way DC gave tryouts to other heroes who ended up not making the grade (take cover co-star Ultra-Man ... please!). This comic's historical importance makes it no surprise that it's on Overstreet's list of the 100 most valuable Golden Age books. CGC notes, "Centerfold detached." Overstreet 2004 VG 4.0 value = $2,250; FN 6.0 value = $3,375.
All Star Comics #2 (DC, 1940) CGC FN+ 6.5 Cream to off-white pages. This issue of the aptly named title not only has top heroes, they're drawn by their signature artists: how about Hawkman by Sheldon Moldoff, Green Lantern by Martin Nodell, and The Spectre by Bernard Baily? And don't forget other future Justice Society members Flash, Hourman (by Baily), and Sandman, as well as comic relief from "say you"-sayer Johnny Thunder. Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $1,491; VF 8.0 value = $3,479.
Batman #11 (DC, 1942) CGC Apparent VF 8.0 (Trimmed) Off-white pages. This issue's classic cover by Fred Ray makes it one of the most sought-after of the title's early run. Inside the comic, top Bat-artists Bob Kane, Jerry Robinson, and George Roussos applied their pencils to appearances by both the Joker and the Penguin. This issue was only the third cover appearance for the Clown Prince of Crime. CGC notes, "Trimmed." Overstreet 2004 GD 2.0 value = $655; VG 4.0 value = $1,310; FN 6.0 value = $1,965; VF 8.0 value = $4,585.
Batman #19 Spokane pedigree (DC, 1943) CGC VF/NM 9.0 White pages. With apologies to Messrs. Moldoff, Robinson, etc., you could make a strong case for Dick Sprang as the Batman artist of the Golden Age. That makes the publication of this issue a happy moment for DC fandom, as it was Sprang's first work on Batman -- he handled both the cover art and all Batman features on the interior of this issue. That milestone, coupled with the fact that this book has bone-white pages, are enough to send collectors into a feeding frenzy, but it also has a Joker appearance. This black cover is just about as nice as you could hope to find. Overstreet 2004 VF/NM 9.0 value = $1,800; NM- 9.2 value = $2,400.
Batman #62 Palo Alto pedigree (DC, 1950) CGC NM- 9.2 White pages. With the Catwoman movie hitting theaters just days before this auction, demand for the character's appearances is very much on the ascent. This is one of the key issues for Ms. Kyle, as not only is her origin story told in the issue, she's also featured on the cover. It's fascinating to see how the character's look has evolved -- back in '50, hemlines were low, and that included villainesses! The cover is by Win Mortimer; the interior artists include Dick Sprang. This is the highest-graded copy that CGC has certified to date. A certificate of authenticity for the Palo Alto collection is included with this lot. Note that this book's CGC holder has a crack at the top edge. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,500.
Boy Commandos #2 Pennsylvania pedigree (DC, 1943) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white to white pages. You can't help but love Simon and Kirby's rousing cover image, with the exhortation "Let's give Adolf the bum's rush!" The interior art is also by the incomparable S&K. As Liberty Belle, the backup feature that stars her was the heroine's last appearance in this title before moving to Star-Spangled Comics. To date, only two copies of this issue have been certified with higher grades by CGC. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $2,500.
Boy Commandos #7 Pennsylvania pedigree (DC, 1944) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. Simon and Kirby's cover looks positively smashing on this sparkling copy, currently ranked as the third-best copy to be certified by CGC to date. Issued at times quarterly, and at other times bi-monthly, the series ran for only 36 issues, but did endure a healthy seven years, all but a few issues featuring S&K cover and/or interior art. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $640.
Platinum Age (1897-1937)
Detective Comics #1 (DC, 1937) CGC GD/VG 3.0 Off-white pages. Here's the first issue of the comic book that gave DC its name! Detective is the longest-running comic book series of all, having been in continuous publication for 67 years and counting. It was only the third title DC published, following More Fun Comics and New Adventure Comics. Overstreet ranks the premiere issue among the 15 most valuable comic books of all. That's if you can get your hands on one: Overstreet and Gerber both term the issue "scarce." Adding to its significance, it's the first successful comic book ever to be devoted to a single theme. That theme was of course detection, and too many gumshoes to list made their first appearances here. The most notable was hard-boiled private eye Slam Bradley, who was a regular in the comic for the next ten years. He was created by none other than Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Other artists in the issue are Creig Flessel, Fred Guardineer, and Paul Gustavson. A word about the cover: the character is often mistaken for Fu Manchu, and though that Sax Rohmer character did appear in later issues of Detective, the fellow you see here is Chin Lung, drawn by Vincent Sullivan. This is one of only three unrestored copies that CGC has certified to date. CGC notes, "Cover detached." Overstreet 2004 GD 2.0 value = $8,333; VG 4.0 value = $16,000.
Golden Age (1938-1955)
Detective Comics #3 (DC, 1937) CGC VG+ 4.5 Cream to off-white pages. This is one tough-to-find comic book. Overstreet calls it "rare", while Gerber calls it "very rare", signifying that between six and ten are thought to exist. It's only the second unrestored copy that CGC has certified. The cover is by Creig Flessel, one of the top talents of the Golden Age, while the tales of detection inside the comic are courtesy of artists such as Flessel, Joe Shuster (this predates Action Comics #1, you'll note), and Sven Elven. Overstreet 2004 VG 4.0 value = $3,332.
Detective Comics #10 (DC, 1937) CGC FN- 5.5 Off-white pages. It's our privilege to offer not one, but several of the earliest issues of the title that gave DC Comics its name. Another fine Creig Flessel cover graces the issue. The interior art is by Flessel, Joe Shuster, and Sven Elven, among others. To our knowledge, this comic has never been reprinted anywhere, so don't miss the chance to own this book and experience the comic in that pre-Batman era when Slam Bradley, Speed Saunders, and Handcuff Hawkins ruled the mag. Only two unrestored copies of this issue have been certified with higher grades by CGC to date. Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $2,064.
Detective Comics #11 (DC, 1938) CGC FN 6.0 Cream to off-white pages. Creig Flessel endowed his figures with a certain panache -- never more so than in his rendition of a dapper Speed Saunders on this wonderful cover, which stands as perhaps the best of Detective's pre-Batman run. Flessel also drew two interior stories; other artists include Joe Shuster and Sven Elven. According to Ernie Gerber, who assigned the book his "scarce" rating, this issue is harder to find than those immediately preceding or following it. It's certainly hard to find in grade -- this is the highest-graded unrestored copy of the issue that CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $1,575.
Detective Comics #15 (DC, 1938) CGC FN- 5.5 Off-white pages. Indicating just how early in the history of comics this issue was, the inside front cover has a full-page ad for Action Comics #1! And even Batman was still just a twinkle in Bob Kane's eye. Kane was already contributing to Detective, though -- he drew a one-page humor feature for this very issue. Other artists in the issue include Creig Flessel (who also drew the cover), Joe Shuster (whose Action duties didn't keep him from penciling Spy and Slam Bradley stories here), and Sven Elven. This is the highest-graded copy of this issue that CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $1,575.
Detective Comics #16 (DC, 1938) CGC FN/VF 7.0 White pages. Our amazing run of early Detective continues with the first copy of #16 we've ever offered. It's also by far the nicest copy of the issue that CGC has certified to date, far ahead of the VG runner-up. The issue's cover is by Creig Flessel. The interior artists include Flessel, Joe Shuster (drawing a Slam Bradley story written by Jerry Siegel), and Sven Elven art. The inside front cover is a full-page ad for Action Comics #1. Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $1,575; VF 8.0 value = $2,625.
Detective Comics #193 (DC, 1953) CGC VF+ 8.5 White pages. Joker covers and stories are always enticing, and a high-grade copy thereof, especially so. Actually if you can find any copy of this issue, you're fortunate -- this is the only issue #193 that has been certified to date by CGC. Win Mortimer's cover art is backed by interior art from longtime DC artists Lew Schwartz and Ruben Moreira. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $350; VF/NM value = $525.
Flash Comics #1 (DC, 1940) CGC VG- 3.5 Off-white to white pages. When it comes to significance, how could you top a comic that has the first appearances of two star characters? That's exactly what we have here -- both Flash and Hawkman were seen here for the first time, and their origin stories are told as well. Shelly Moldoff, Hawkman's preeminent artist, was assigned the cover, creating a classic image that every comics fan recognizes. The Flash was certainly an instant hit, perhaps because the human touch rang true (when Jay Garrick gets his powers, he reacts as a real college kid would -- the first thing he does is become a football star and try to impress girls). Incidentally, this issue also has a couple of other notable first appearances. For one, Shiera Sanders appears; though she wouldn't become Hawkgirl until later, she's a key part of Hawkman's origin story. Also debuting is the always-funny comic relief character Johnny Thunder, a well-meaning doofus who (unbeknownst to him) activates his magic thunderbolt whenever he says the words "say you." He'd join Flash in the Justice Society before long. With so many impressive introductions, it's no wonder that Overstreet ranks this issue among the top ten most valuable comic books of all. Overstreet 2004 VG 4.0 value = $12,400.
Flash Comics #62 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1945) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages. Take one look at this comic and you'll have nothing to say except "Wow!" The first Hawkman story drawn by Joe Kubert is virtually eclipsed by the stellar condition of this incredible comic. This is by far the highest CGC-graded copy of this issue to date (the runner-up is a distant 9.0), and among the highest-graded of all Golden Age comics. If you dare open the slab for a very, very careful read, you'll find the aforementioned Hawkman tale, an adventure of the Flash himself (with art by E. E. Hibbard, who also drew the cover), and the hilarious blunders of Johnny Thunder. But we'll forgive you if the outside interests you more than the inside in the case of this exceptional book. If you want the best, here it is. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,400.
Green Lantern #1 (DC, 1941) Apparent VG+ 4.5 Extensive (P) Off-white to white pages. Whether in brightest day or blackest night, a Gerber "scarce" first issue should not escape your sight! This book is ranked among the 20 most valuable comic books by Overstreet. The art is by Martin Nodell. The story features a retelling of Green Lantern's origin. CGC notes, "Restoration includes: color touch, pieces added, tear seals, cleaned, re-glossed." Overstreet 2004 GD 2.0 value = $2,941; VG 4.0 value = $5,882.
Green Lantern #9 San Francisco pedigree (DC, 1943) CGC NM 9.4 White pages. Sheldon Moldoff's cover scene shows us different approaches to crimefighting: Green Lantern delivers a blow as per Queensberry rules, while streetwise Doiby Dickles opts to sneak up from behind and stove his man's head in with a wrench. Inside the comic are multiple GL features, most by the hero's creator Martin Nodell, as well as a few yuks courtesy of Mutt and Jeff. When you see this copy with its white pages and perfect edges, your only question could be "San Francisco or Mile High"? It's the former, and not only is it the highest-graded copy CGC has certified to date, it's the only one above VF. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $2,350.
Green Lantern #14 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1944) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages. We won't call this Sphinx cover a classic, but it's certainly a memorable one. Equally memorable are the peerless pedigree and unbelievable condition of this great Golden Age comic, which resides among the upper reaches of the comic book grading scale. Consider for a moment just how famous the comics of the Mile High collection are, and then consider how few comics from even that exclusive hoard have earned grades of NM/MT 9.8 or higher. It should come as no surprise that this is the highest CGC-graded copy of this issue to date; for perspective, the second-highest certified copy of this issue is currently graded only VF 8.0. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,750.
Green Lantern #19 Big Apple pedigree (DC, 1946) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages. Doiby Dickles versus Fate? Nothing against Doiby, but it's a good thing Green Lantern was around. Paul Reinman drew the issue's cover. The interior art is by GL's creator Martin Nodell. Featuring the fresh appearance associated with Big Apple books, this copy is clean and bright with no tanning or soiling present, and the edges and spine are in immaculate condition. This is the highest-graded copy of this issue that CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,625.
House of Mystery #3 Spokane pedigree (DC, 1952) CGC VF/NM 9.0 White pages. Evil ventriloquist dummies have pulled the strings of fans for years, and this killer cover by Bob Brown and Ray Burnley is no exception. This glorious specimen glows with cover gloss and rich colors, the latter of which are maintained inside on its white pages. This rarity ranks among the highest-graded copies currently certified by CGC, and it bears the prestigious Spokane pedigree. Ruben Moreira, Curt Swan, and George Roussos also contribute to House of Mystery #3's tales of terror. Overstreet 2004 VF/NM 9.0 value = $600; NM- 9.2 value = $800.
Leading Comics #8 Pennsylvania pedigree (DC, 1943) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. Early Joe Kubert art is a highlight of this issue -- Kubert drew the cover story, starring the Seven Soldiers of Victory, as well as most of the other features. This phenomenal copy is virtually perfect. The back cover exudes a whiteness normally only seen on Mile Highs. The front cover boasts rich blue colors, and its edges that are free of any defects. This is the highest grade that CGC has assigned for this issue to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $965.
Leading Comics #10 (DC, 1944) CGC NM 9.4 White pages. DC's oft-overlooked title is packed with superheroes and great stories. Features include the Star-Spangled Kid and Stripesy, Green Arrow and Speedy, the Crimson Avenger and Wing, the Vigilante, and the Shining Knight. This is the highest-graded copy of this issue that CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $965.
More Fun Comics #55 (DC, 1940) CGC FN- 5.5 Cream to off-white pages. This issue has "key" status owing to the first appearance of Dr. Fate, who was soon immortalized as a charter member of the Justice Society. The cover, featuring another JSAer-to-be in the Spectre, is by Bernard Baily. This issue is listed among the 100 most valuable comic books by Overstreet. Both Overstreet and Gerber list this issue as "scarce," which should tantalize you even further into venturing a bid on this treasure. Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $3,563.
More Fun Comics #85 San Francisco pedigree (DC, 1942) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. One look at this terrific copy, and you'll know why this pedigree is considered by many as second only to the Mile High pedigree. DC's oldest-running series, which started as New Fun Comics in 1935, offers a daunting challenge for the collector, at any grade. But at Near Mint? This is the only #85 that has earned a CGC grade higher than VF 8.0. George Papp created the Green Arrow/Speedy cover. Howard Sherman and Mort Meskin contribute interior art. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,600.
More Fun Comics #92 San Francisco pedigree (DC, 1943) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. Artist Cliff Young gives us a great action cover featuring Green Arrow and Speedy this issue, which also features art by Howard Sherman, Mort Meskin, and Bernard Baily. We can't imagine ever locating a better copy than this sterling example, and CGC agrees -- no other copy of issue #92 grades higher. If you seek the finest, your search is over, my friend! Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $975.
Platinum Age (1897-1937)
New Adventure Comics #19 (DC, 1937) CGC Apparent FN 6.0 Slight (A) Off-white pages. Creig Flessel offers this charming kids-as-pirates cover, as well as interior artwork. Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster are also on hand with their "Federal Men" strip. CGC notes, "Restoration includes: small amount of glue on spine of cover." Overstreet 2004 GD 2.0 value = $356; VG 4.0 value = $712; FN 6.0 value = $1,068.
Golden Age (1938-1955)
Sensation Comics #1 (DC, 1942) CGC VG 4.0 Cream to off-white pages. Wonder Woman made only her second appearance in this issue, just one month after her first comics appearance in All Star Comics #8. Also making their debuts were two other DC heroes of note, neither of whom had super powers but both of whom packed a punch: Mr. Terrific and Wildcat. H. G. Peter drew the Wonder Woman story; the issue's other artists include Sheldon Moldoff, Irwin Hasen, and Howard Purcell. The number of existing copies of this issue is "less than average" according to Gerber. Coupled with Wonder Woman's ever-increasing popularity, that means this book will only become more sought-after with the passage of time. Overstreet 2004 VG 4.0 value = $5,000.
Sensation Comics #45 San Francisco pedigree (DC, 1945) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. Line up the margaritas, Wonder Woman goes south of the border on this delightful H. G. Peter cover. This copy has many of the best characteristics of the San Francisco pedigree collection; the colors are fresh, the edges sharp, and the pages are bone white. According to CGC's current census, this copy is tied with one other as the highest certified copy to date. Pick up this "San Francisco Treat" while you can. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $540.
Star Spangled Comics #1 Rockford pedigree (DC, 1941) CGC VF+ 8.5 Cream to off-white pages. The Star-Spangled Kid and Stripesy, having debuted in Action Comics, made their second appearance (and have the second half of their origin told) in this issue. That's they on Hal Sherman's robot cover. And if you thought wall-walking, web-shooting heroes didn't come along until the sixties, let us call your attention to the Tarantula, whose origin and first appearance are in this issue. Only two copies of this issue, a Gerber "scarce," have been certified with higher grades by CGC to date. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $3,521; VF/NM 9.0 value = $5,411.
Star Spangled Comics #3 Rockford pedigree (DC, 1941) CGC NM- 9.2 Cream to off-white pages. The Star-Spangled Kid and Stripesy swing into action! There's nothing like a hero and his kid sidekick... er, actually the adult is the sidekick. Anyway, their battle against the foes of freedom is drawn both on the cover and inside the comic by Hal Sherman. The Tarantula, Captain X, and Armstrong of the Army also appear. This is the highest-graded copy of the issue, and the only one graded higher than VF+, that CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,325.
Star Spangled Comics #5 Rockford pedigree (DC, 1942) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Cream to off-white pages. The Star-Spangled Kid and Stripesy take on Dr. Weerd! And if you're wondering how the villain got his name, the foot-long sideburns and foot-long eyebrows might tend to provide a clue. As of this writing, only one copy of this issue has been certified with a higher grade by CGC. Overstreet 2004 VF/NM 9.0 value = $994; NM- 9.2 value = $1,325.
Star Spangled Comics #30 Rockford pedigree (DC, 1944) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages. Joe Simon and Jack Kirby drew both this issue's cover and the interior story featuring the Newsboy Legion. Flat, straight, clean, and colorful, this book looks fantastic. As of this writing, only one copy of this issue has been certified with a higher grade by CGC. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $710.
Strange Adventures #1 (DC, 1950) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white to white pages. This key first issue contains an adaptation of "Destination Moon", with a preview of the movie. This hybrid photo/grey tone cover has always stood out in the minds of collectors as something of a classic. With stories by Edmond Hamilton, David Reed, and Gardner Fox (who are credited on the cover, a rare honor for writers), this seminal issue got Strange Adventures off to a good start -- good enough that it would eventually become one of the most successful sci-fi titles of the 1950s. The additional attraction of Dick Sprang art didn't hurt either. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $2,021.
Strange Adventures #8 (DC, 1951) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white to white pages. This issue featured the title's first "gorilla" cover. The device would be utilized repeatedly in later years after editors determined such covers sold more comics. Win Mortimer, known more for his work on Batman, contributes his only cover in the run. Interior art is by Murphy Anderson, Gil Kane, and Alex Toth; not a bad line-up! There are currently only two copies of this issue that have been graded higher by CGC. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,140.
Strange Adventures #9 (DC, 1951) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. Outside of the first issue, this one is considered the most valuable in the title's long run that lasted 244 issues over 23 years. The reason is that it contains the origin and first appearance of Captain Comet, an Earthling with superpowers who sought adventure in outer space. Why is the character so significant? Well, consider that the book is from 1951, meaning the Captain debuted in those dark years when superheroes were persona non grata. The hero's debut preceded those of the Martian Manhunter and the Silver Age Flash by several years. In other words, the first stirrings of the Silver Age of comics are to be found here. Murphy Anderson and Gil Kane provide interior art for the tale of the mutant superhero. That's right, mutant -- DC was already using the term years before mighty Marvel! Clean, crisp, and fresh, this copy of DC's first science-fiction title has earned the highest grade CGC has assigned to issue #9 to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $2,700.
Strange Adventures #10 (DC, 1951) CGC NM 9.4 Cream to off-white pages. Carmine Infantino's Captain Comet cover hints at Adam Strange covers to come years later in DC's companion title, Mystery In Space. Infantino, Gil Kane, and Murphy Anderson provide interior art. To date, CGC has only certified two other copies of this issue with higher grades than this beauty. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,140.
Strange Adventures #13 Spokane pedigree (DC, 1951) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. What a gem this pedigreed bit of perfection is! DC comics from the early 1950s are extremely rare in this fantastic condition, so it's not surprising that this is the very highest-graded copy according to CGC's census. Penciling the strange adventures are three of the biggest names of this time period, Carmine Infantino, Alex Toth, and Gil Kane. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $750.
Strange Adventures #15 (DC, 1951) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. For nearly 200 issues of this title, DC's threesome of Gil Kane, Carmine Infantino, and Murphy Anderson provided interior artwork in practically every mag, which goes a long way to explaining the book's longevity. Here, Kane also contributes the cover art. CGC hasn't certified a higher grade for this issue to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $750.
Strange Adventures #16 (DC, 1952) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white pages. Gil Kane's cover is shown off in style by this copy, which CGC ranks just shy of the highest grade yet assigned for issue #16. From the front, with its bold and crisp colors, tight spine, and sharp corners, this copy appears even nicer than the CGC's assigned grade. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $750.
Strange Adventures #19 (DC, 1952) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. It's not a misprint, this amazing copy from 1952 has been certified NM+ 9.6 by CGC, the highest grade to date for this issue. Murphy Anderson delights with his cover art featuring Captain Comet, and also works on the interior where he is joined by perennial DC favorites Gil Kane, Carmine Infantino, and Alex Toth. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $750.
World's Best Comics #1 (DC, 1941) CGC FN/VF 7.0 Off-white to white pages. If you've wondered why there's no issue #1 of the long-running title World's Finest, it's because the premiere issue was World's Best! The series is fondly remembered by comics fans of all ages, as its long run under the new name endured all the way to 1986. Back in 1941, Superman and Batman were both already big stars, so pairing them up was a near-guarantee of success (mind you, they didn't start teaming up in the same story for another 70 issues!). But the parade of heroes didn't stop there: magician Zatara from Action, the Crimson Avenger from Detective, the ever-blundering Johnny Thunder and his Thunderbolt from Flash Comics each had adventures in the book along with Lando (no, not Calrissian, but rather the Man of Magic) and a number of other heroes. With a whopping 96 pages and a cardboard cover, this issue doesn't usually turn up in this nice of condition, and this exemplar ranks as one of the finest copies of the issue graded by CGC to date. The cover by Fred Ray is one of the most recognizable to collectors, and the demand for the book is such that it made Overstreet's list of the fifty most valuable of the Golden Age. Here's a great way to add one of DC's early blockbusters to your collection. Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $4,287; VF 8.0 value = $10,080.
Silver Age (1956-1969)
The Brave and the Bold #28 Justice League of America (DC, 1960) CGC VF 8.0 Cream to off-white pages. This key issue singlehandedly brought superhero teams back into vogue; it features the first appearance of the Justice League of America. No wonder Overstreet lists this comic among the ten most valuable books of the Silver Age! Essentially an update of Golden Age supergroup the Justice Society, this issue was written by the JSA's writer of yore, Gardner Fox, and drawn by Mike Sekowsky. How successful was the group? Well, it's still going strong today -- even kids of 2004 know the Justice League cartoons! And the team's comic-book adventures have been in near-continuous publication from 1960 through the present day. By the way, daddy-o, if you think lingo-spouting sidekicks are coolsville, you'll dig the fact that Snapper Carr makes his first appearance here as well. Somewhat surprisingly for a Silver Age book, high-grade copies of the issue are almost unheard of, in fact, CGC has certified only two unrestored copies with higher grades than this VF copy to date. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $3,569.
The Flash #105 (DC, 1959) CGC VF- 7.5 Light tan to off-white pages. His successful tryout appearances in Showcase having launched the Silver Age, the Flash sped into his own title here, with its numbering picking up where the Golden Age Flash Comics left off. This key issue is listed among the top ten most valuable Silver Age books by Overstreet. The cover and interior art are by the Flash artist of the day, Carmine Infantino. The Flash's origin is retold here, and he faces the villainy of the Mirror Master, who makes his first appearance. Just five unrestored copies have been certified with higher grades by CGC to date. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $3,797.
The Flash #123 Mohawk Valley pedigree (DC, 1961) CGC Apparent VF 8.0 Slight (P) Off-white pages. This issue's famous "Flash of Two Worlds" story changed the DC Universe forever -- it introduced the concept that all of the Golden Age heroes were still alive and well, plying their trades on a parallel Earth (later named Earth-Two). In the story, Silver Age Flash Barry Allen meets Golden Age Flash Jay Garrick, and not only do they team up, they resolve to tell DC writer Gardner Fox about their adventures! Fans loved this bit of metadrama, which was written by Fox and drawn by Carmine Infantino. Infantino also drew the cover, one of the most famous in DC history. CGC notes, "cover cleaned." A certificate of authenticity from the Mohawk Valley collection is included with this lot. Overstreet 2004 GD 2.0 = $114; VG 4.0 value = $228; FN 6.0 value = $342; VF 8.0 value = $969.
Bronze Age (1970-1979)
The Forever People #1 (DC, 1971) CGC NM/MT 9.8 Off-white to white pages. We have quite a treat for all Jack Kirby fans in this auction, as we're offering top-grade copies of all three of the "Fourth World" #1 issues. Here, it's the debut of the quasi-hippie Forever People. And while Mark Moonrider, Beautiful Dreamer and friends are fun characters, they take a backseat to one of the most fearsome comic villains ever -- the despotic Darkseid makes his first full appearance here. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $90.
Silver Age (1956-1969)
Green Lantern #1 (DC, 1960) CGC VF+ 8.5 Off-white to white pages. DC was certainly on a roll back in 1960, when this Silver Age key issue was released. Dusting off another one of its older features (as had been done previously with the Flash) would result in this successful streamlined superhero. This first issue retells GL's origin, and introduces the Guardians of the Universe. Artist Gil Kane finally found his main gig with this title, after years of work on DC's lesser features like Rex the Wonder Dog. Kane is ably assisted here by Murphy Anderson and Joe Giella. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $2,900; VF/NM 9.0 value = $4,700.
Green Lantern #1 (DC, 1960) CGC VF- 7.5 Light tan to off-white pages. One of Gil Kane's most famous covers launches the recently revived Golden Age character in fine fashion. Many consider Kane's work on GL the best of his illustrious career. The Silver Age origin is retold here, and the Guardians of the Universe make their first appearance. Murphy Anderson helps Kane with the interior art. Just a handful of copies of the premiere issue have earned higher grades from CGC than the two copies offered in this sale. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $2,900.
Hawkman #1 (DC, 1964) CGC Apparent NM- 9.2 Slight (P) Off-white pages. When it comes to drawing everyone's favorite Thanagarian, only Joe Kubert can measure up to this issue's artist, Murphy Anderson. A look at the cover will tell you why Anderson's run on the title was popular then and today. CGC notes, Restoration includes: "very small amount of glue on spine of cover." Overstreet 2004 GD 2.0 value = $51; VG 4.0 value = $102; FN 6.0 value = $153; VF 8.0 value = $434; VF/NM 9.0 value = $667; NM- 9.2 value = $900.
Justice League of America #1 (DC, 1960) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white pages. Murphy Anderson's dramatic cover ranks high among the greatest of all Silver Age DCs. For those who were too young to remember the Golden Age Justice Society (and even for the oldsters who could), this premiere issue was greeted with enthusiastic anticipation back in '60. Mike Sekowsky's career-defining stint on the title's interior art continued from the Brave and the Bold tryout issues. So feast both of your eyes (all three, if you're cover villain Despero) on this copy, one of the few in high grade that have come to light. CGC has certified only four copies (of 121 unrestored copies certified to date) nicer, all at NM 9.4. Overstreet 2004 VF/NM 9.0 value = $4,843; NM- 9.2 value = $7,000.
Justice League of America #1 (DC, 1960) CGC FN/VF 7.0 Cream to off-white pages. Here's a near high-grade copy of this key issue, just in case you missed out on the 9.0 copy we have in this sale. Editor Julius Schwartz knew what he was doing assigning Gardner Fox to script this inaugural issue, having Murphy Anderson create the eye-catching cover, and directing Mike Sekowsky to do the interior art. The origin and first appearance of Despero is featured, along with the baddest (in a good way!) and best of DC's superheroes. Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $900; VF 8.0 value = $2,685.
Bronze Age (1970-1979)
Mister Miracle #1 (DC, 1971) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. This Jack Kirby book had something for everyone! Amazing action scenes of the "death-defying escape" variety were one major highlight, but there was also a back story on a grand scale (how could it be otherwise, as the title character was the son of Highfather himself). The characters were memorable as well -- Scott Free's diminutive partner Oberon also debuted in this issue, and Mr. M did plenty to keep his buddy's brow furrowed right from the start. Only one copy of this issue has received a higher grade from CGC to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $85.
The New Gods #1 (DC, 1971) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages. You won't find a nicer copy of the flagship title in Jack Kirby's epic saga! This one is so nice to gaze upon, it seems almost a shame to crack open the CGC holder and thumb through it! If you do, though, you'll thrill to the first appearances of the series' hero Orion, as well as the debuts of Lightray, Metron, Highfather, and Kalibak. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $120.
Golden Age (1938-1955)
Showcase #19 Adam Strange - Double Cover - Big Apple pedigree (DC, 1959) CGC NM+ 9.6 Cream to off-white pages. This book would be cool enough if it were just a nice copy of Adam Strange's third appearance in DC's foremost tryout title (he was next seen in Mystery in Space). But this copy is so much more. Start with the pedigree, one of the nicest from the Silver Age. Next there's the double cover - you don't see these every day! And the grade! This highest-graded copy of #19 to pass through CGC's offices to date has earned the outlandish certification of NM+ 9.6. The cover is by Gil Kane; the interior art is by Mike Sekowsky. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,925.
Silver Age (1956-1969)
Superman Annual #1 (DC, 1960) CGC Apparent VF/NM 9.0 Slight (P) White pages. This book may have retailed for the outrageous price of 25ยข, but kids certainly got plenty of stories for that quarter. This square bound issue is chock full of encore presentations of key Superman tales, by artists including Curt Swan, Wayne Boring, and Kurt Schaffenberger. The cover is by Swan. With no unrestored copies of the issue grading higher than VF/NM in CGC's most recent census, this professionally restored book shapes up very well against the competition. CGC notes, "Restoration includes: small amount of color touch on cover." Overstreet 2004 GD 2.0 value = $86; VG 4.0 value = $172; FN 6.0 value = $258; VF 8.0 value = $731; VF/NM 9.0 value = $1,116.
Golden Age (1938-1955)
All Select Comics #10 (Timely, 1946) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white pages. A dizzying array of action by Alex Schomburg on the cover makes this Golden Age Timely super-desirable. Captain America, the Human Torch, the Destroyer, and Sub-Mariner all appear in the penultimate issue of the run. The bold colors and sharp images of the cover bespeak the excellence of the condition; CGC has certified just one nicer copy to date, and you might not have a chance to bid on that one! Overstreet 2004 VF/NM 9.0 value = $1,275; NM- 9.2 value = $1,700.
All Winners Comics #19 (Timely, 1946) CGC VF- 7.5 White pages. Timely's first superhero team, the All-Winners squad, made its first appearance in this issue (some call it their first story appearance, as they had been mentioned in a text feature previously). The group brought together the publisher's big three of Human Torch, Sub-Mariner, and Captain America, as well as Bucky, Toro, the Whizzer, and Miss America. The result was Timely's answer to the DC's Justice Society. The core group actually endured into later decades as the Invaders. Overstreet and Gerber both call this issue "scarce." As of this writing, only one copy of this issue has been certified with a higher grade by CGC. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $2,996.
Captain America Comics #1 (Timely, 1941) CGC VG+ 4.5 Cream to off-white pages. Visionary comic creators Joe Simon and Jack Kirby tapped into the zeitgeist to produce the perfect hero for 1941: Captain America. He became one of the most beloved characters of all, that's why this comic is one of the most treasured of all. There was certainly plenty of evil afoot in '41, and the fiend behind most of it, one Adolf Hitler, gets a well deserved punch in the face on one of the most famous comic book covers ever. Two other pretty important characters made their debuts in the issue: the evil Red Skull, who would menace Cap for the remainder of the century, and Cap's loyal sidekick Bucky Barnes. Simon and Kirby drew the origin story, while the cover is a solo effort by Kirby. This unrestored copy has been read a few times in its day (who wouldn't read the great origin story over and over?), but it's very appealing overall, with very nice page quality and no major flaw that would detract from your enjoyment. You'll see what we mean when you look at the cover scan -- this is a copy any comic fan we've ever known would be ecstatic to have. Overstreet 2004 VG 4.0 value = $13,888.
Captain America Comics #2 (Timely, 1941) CGC VF- 7.5 Off-white to white pages. Captain America didn't take kindly to Nazi plans for world domination, and he took his grievances straight to the top -- for the second cover in a row, he faced off with Hitler himself! The cover, by Joe Simon, sees Bucky in bondage, and it's the debut of the round shield which Cap is known for (he lugged a less aerodynamic model in his debut). The interior artists include Simon, Jack Kirby, and Reed Crandall. This issue is listed among the 100 most valuable comic books by Overstreet. Plus, it's harder to find in high grade than its predecessor; as of this writing, only one unrestored copy of this issue has been certified with a higher grade by CGC. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $8,910.
Captain America Comics #3 (Timely, 1941) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages. Overstreet calls this book's Alex Schomburg cover "classic". We won't argue, not when we're talking about a bondage cover featuring the leering, malevolent presence of the Red Skull! But we're actually more impressed with the lineup of creators: all stories are written by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, and most are drawn by S&K, but none other than Mac Raboy also contributes his artistic skills. And while text features are usually of little interest, the story "Captain America Foils the Traitor's Revenge" is of great significance, as it's the very first published work of young whippersnapper Stan Lee. Early copies of the first few Captain Americas weren't preserved in Mylar, they were read, re-read, and re-re-read, making this VF copy quite a find. Only two unrestored copies have been certified with higher grades by CGC to date. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $7,483.
Captain America Comics #3 (Timely, 1941) CGC Apparent GD 2.0 Slight (A) Off-white pages. Here's your chance to grab a piece of Timely (and comic book) history for less than the five figures that top-grade copies of the book have been known to change hands for. The book is from the Simon and Kirby run on the title (which only lasted ten issues). Two of Timely's other top names were involved as well: Alex Schomburg (who drew the classic cover depicting the Red Skull) and a very young Stan Lee (in fact, his very first published work is seen here, it's the text feature "Captain America Foils the Traitor's Revenge"). CGC notes, "Restoration includes: spine split sealed, cover reinforced with glue. (Small piece out last page, slightly affects story)." Overstreet 2004 GD 2.0 value = $1,069.
Captain America Comics #12 (Timely, 1942) CGC VF- 7.5 Cream to off-white pages. The Simon and Kirby team never stayed in one place for long, and having created one of the most memorable comic book heroes of all, they turned him over to Al Avison, who drew both this issue's cover and most of the interior art. One writing credit on the issue went to a certain Neel Nats (Guess whose pseudonym that is? Hint: he's a boy who grew up to be "The Man"). Only two copies of this issue have been certified with higher grades by CGC to date. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $2,334.
Captain America Comics #14 (Timely, 1942) CGC VG/FN 5.0 Cream to off-white pages. Though being a superhero's sidekick has its perks, Bucky Barnes had an unenviable role -- cover scene after cover scene had him bound up by evil types. This innovative "fake-3D" effect, making the comic resemble a hardback book, is another eye-catcher. This was the second consecutive issue of the title with a "Pearl Harbor payback" cover theme -- the issue's May 1942 date (meaning it was published several months earlier than that) certainly accounts for that focus. The cover and interior art are by Al Avison. Overstreet 2004 VG 4.0 value = $718; FN 6.0 value = $1,077.
Captain America Comics #15 (Timely, 1942) CGC FN+ 6.5 Cream to off-white pages. Captain America and Bucky make a "Timely" arrival on this bondage cover, preventing unspeakable acts of evil. Al Avison drew both the cover and most of the interior art. As of this writing, only four copies of this issue have been certified with higher grades by CGC. Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $1,077; VF 8.0 value = $2,334.
Captain America Comics #30 (Timely, 1943) CGC VF+ 8.5 Light-tan to off-white pages. Fending off some simian types with scimitars is all in a day's work for Captain America and Bucky. The action-filled cover is by Syd Shores. The Human Torch also appears. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $1,450; VF/NM 9.0 value = $2,175.
Captain America Comics #32 (Timely, 1943) CGC VG/FN 5.0 Off-white to white pages. The title's thirty-second cover was the sixteenth to feature Bucky being rescued by Cap, but the series managed to keep the theme fresh with variations, never more so than on this plummeting-to-Earth rendition by Syd Shores. The Human Torch appears in a backup feature. Overstreet 2004 VG 4.0 value = $400; FN 6.0 value = $600.
Captain America Comics #36 (Timely, 1944) CGC VG 4.0 Cream to off-white pages. What wish fulfillment: Hitler is hapless and Goering's grimacing! The result is a delight -- this cover scene, showing the action from an unusual (but highly dramatic) angle, is courtesy of Syd Shores. The Human Torch appears in a backup feature. Overstreet 2004 VG 4.0 value = $600.
Captain America Comics #74 (Timely, 1949) CGC FN/VF 7.0 Off-white to white pages. By the late 1940s, Timely wasn't quite sure what to do with this title. America was between wars, so the super-patriot theme wasn't nearly as compelling. With this issue, "Weird Tales" was added to the title to capitalize on the budding genre of horror comics. Overstreet lists this as a classic cover and touts the issue as "scarce." Gerber goes further, rating the book as "rare." Either designation applies to our offering, since CGC has certified a higher unrestored grade to just two copies of #74 to date, barely edging this one at VF- 7.5. Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $1,551; VF 8.0 value = $3,619.
Captain America Comics #78 (Timely, 1954) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages. Cap's resurrection in 1954, after a hiatus of some four years, was short-lived, lasting only three issues and ending with this issue. Timely was now Atlas and the entire comics industry was in disarray over censorship, the associated senate hearings, and a general public outcry over what should and should not appear in funny books. Bummer, comic collectors! John Romita Sr. gave us nice cover and interior art, but, alas, Cap's time was up until the early 1960s. The mid-fifties Atlases can be difficult to find in grades this nice. Only one other #78 has earned a higher grade from CGC to date, and at VF+ 8.5 that copy is barely nicer than this. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $625.
Daring Comics #11 "D" Copy pedigree (Timely, 1945) CGC NM 9.4 Cream to off-white pages. The amazing Alex Schomburg gives us another masterpiece of Golden Age comic art on this cover. With an incredible amount of intricate, detailed action, and impossible distortion of scale, Schomburg presented American comic fans with a heart-pumping scene of the Sub-Mariner, Human Torch, and Toro giving the Axis powers a big-time smackdown. This choice pedigree book, currently the highest CGC-graded copy of this issue, has an appearance by the Destroyer inside. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,250.
Journey into Mystery #2 Bethlehem pedigree (Atlas, 1954) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white to white pages. The book's cover blurb may read "Don't look!" but we're lookin', and we have every reason to. For one, pre-Code issues of this title don't exactly grow on trees. For another, any horror book with mood-masters Gene Colan and Russ Heath drawing stories is one we want to get our horror-fan hands on. And thirdly, you won't find many better copies than this pedigree specimen -- to date, only two copies of the issue have been graded higher by CGC. A certificate from the Bethlehem collection is included with this lot. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $650.
Marvel Mystery Comics #2 (Timely, 1939) CGC FR 1.0 Off-white pages. Look at this copy's modest grade as a positive -- it's a chance to afford what is ranked one of the 30 most valuable comic books by Overstreet. This is actually the first issue under this name, #1 having been called simply Marvel Comics. Highlights include the Human Torch by Carl Burgos with a two-page retelling of his origin, the Sub-Mariner by Bill Everett, Ka-Zar, the Angel, and the American Ace. Gerber describes this comic as "uncommon" and the current CGC census bears that out - only 15 copies have been certified and nearly half of those have restoration, while this one does not. CGC notes, "Small amount of tape on cover and 1st wrap." Overstreet 2004 GD 2.0 value = $2,375.
Marvel Mystery Comics #3 Larson pedigree (Timely, 1940) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white to white pages. One of the big names in Golden Age comics never wrote or drew a single story. We're talking about Lamont Larson, whose treasure trove of key 1940s issues has entered collecting lore. The Larson copy of this early Timely issue just happens to have earned the highest grade that CGC has assigned among the handful of unrestored copies that have been certified. The mesmerizing cover featuring the Angel is by Alex Schomburg. Inside the comic, Bill Everett, Carl Burgos, and Paul Gustavson rendered their classic Sub-Mariner, Human Torch, and Angel stories respectively. Also notable are an early Ka-Zar appearance as well as what Overstreet speculates may be the first time a television was shown in a comic book. While this remarkable book has CGC's blue Universal Grade label, CGC does note, "Very minor amount of glue on spine of cover." This is a most attractive copy of a Gerber "uncommon" book. Overstreet 2004 VF/NM 9.0 value = $13,955; NM- 9.2 value = $19,000.
Marvel Mystery Comics #63 (Timely, 1945) CGC NM- 9.2 Off-white pages. Overstreet calls this Alex Schomburg cover "classic," and how can you argue? Not only do the Human Torch and Toro have Hitler on the run, Hermann Goering and Josef Goebbels are taking it on the lam as well (the portrayal of the three nasties as abject cowards was more than borne out in real life very soon thereafter). The comic has many more heroes than just the Torch: Timely standbys Sub-Mariner and Miss America appear, as does the Angel, who battles a certain Cat-Woman (DC's lawyers could rest easy though, it was her only appearance). This issue doesn't turn up without some digging, and you'll have a deep dig before you find another high-grade copy at all, much less one in this grade. A slight miscut cover is probably all that keeps this rarity from scoring 9.4 or better. CGC has graded only three other copies of the issue, and the next highest-graded is a FN/VF, way behind our offering here. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,700.
Marvel Mystery Comics #64 (Timely, 1945) CGC VF+ 8.5 Cream to off-white pages. The bad news was that this was the last German war cover of this title's classic run. The good news is, that's because the war in the European theater was over! Alex Schomburg's cover is a delight as usual, and as detail-packed as ever (you can even make out Hitler and Goering watching their minions getting routed). Inside the comic, the Human Torch is joined by Sub-Mariner, the Angel, and Miss America. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $738; VF/NM 9.0 value = $1,107.
Miss Fury #6 (Timely, 1945) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white pages. Miss Fury swings into action on this Alex Schomburg cover, busting up a robbery in progress. We imagine this superheroine had many adolescent fans in her day, especially considering her skin-tight black costume. Grading out at a jaw-dropping NM+ 9.6, this book may cause whiplash when displayed! Perfect in almost every way, it is easily the highest-graded copy of this issue that CGC has certified to date (the runner up is a VF/NM), and may be the nicest in existence. If you want the best, here it is. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,125.
Mystic Comics #3 San Francisco pedigree (Timely, 1940) CGC VF+ 8.5 Off-white pages. Some of Alex Schomburg's earliest comic book covers were on this title, Timely's second-oldest. His style would change over the decade of the forties, but this early offering is pure, signature Schomburg. This copy, from the esteemed San Francisco collection, earns the highest grade CGC has given to a copy of issue #3 to date. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $2,022; VF/NM 9.0 value = $3,011.
Sub-Mariner Comics #2 (Timely, 1941) CGC VG+ 4.5 Cream to off-white pages. The Sub-Mariner meets some submariners (of the swastika-bearing variety) and makes short work of the latter on Alex Schomburg's action-packed cover. The action depicted on the cover scene is expanded upon in a text feature by Stan Lee ("The Man" was still a teenager at the time). But never fear, there's other Subby action, drawn by his creator Bill Everett. Paul Gustavson contributed an Angel story. Overstreet 2004 VG 4.0 value = $1,020.
Sub-Mariner Comics #8 (Timely, 1942) CGC VF 8.0 Cream to off-white pages. Cover artist supreme Alex Schomburg does it again with this wildly improbable World War II cover, showing a gigantic Sub-Mariner tipping over a Japanese aircraft carrier. We're not sure how Namor always got so big for these cover scenes, but it makes for a lot of fun! There's more fun by the way of two Subby stories inside, plus one featuring that debonair, mustached hero, the Angel. Paul Gustavson gets the nod for some of this issue's interior art. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $1,425.
Sub-Mariner Comics #40 Double Cover (Timely, 1955) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white pages. Here's a great mid-'50s Atlas copy of Sub-Mariner that will be hard to beat! The double-cover wonder is a great-looking copy in itself, even before you factor in the grade (the first cover is 7.5; the second grades 9.0). Only five copies of issue #40 have been certified by CGC to date, with only one copy receiving a higher grade. Let's not forget the marvelous artwork and story by Bill Everett, ether! Made up your mind? Than bid! Overstreet 2004 VF/NM 9.0 value = $688; NM- 9.2 value = $920.
Silver Age (1956-1969)
The Amazing Spider-Man #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC VG/FN 5.0 Off-white to white pages. What's "Amazing" about this particular comic book? Well, plenty, starting with the main character. There were lots of superheroes before Spider-Man, even teen-aged ones, but few had quite the impact on high-school and college-age kids that this wall-walker did! This historic first issue not only launched a powerful and unforgettable character, it managed to breathe new life into the careers of Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, and gave the whole comic book industry a shot in the arm! This solid, unrestored copy frankly looks better than expected for the modest grade assigned by CGC. We won't quibble with their decision; but we do advise checking this copy out closely. It may well be the one you've been looking for! Overstreet 2004 VG 4.0 value = $1,700; FN 6.0 value = $2,550.
The Amazing Spider-Man #2 (Marvel, 1963) CGC VF/NM 9.0 White pages. This is undoubtedly one of the most difficult of the early Amazing Spider-Man issues to find in grade, and this copy is a nice one that ranks among the top 10% of the copies CGC has seen to date. It seems like each early issue of this title introduced a new villain who immediately attained classic status. Here, in the second issue, the Vulture makes his auspicious debut, and Spidey was in for years of recurring battles with the follicly challenged foe. The Terrible Tinkerer also makes his first appearance. Steve Ditko raised the bar for cover excellence with this classic. Overstreet 2004 VF/NM 9.0 value = $4,343; NM- 9.2 value = $6,000.
The Amazing Spider-Man #2 (Marvel, 1963) CGC FN/VF 7.0 White pages. The second issue of this title was only Spidey's third appearance overall. It has the first appearances of the Vulture and the Terrible Tinkerer, as well as the beginning of Peter Parker's career as a part-time photographer, all drawn by Sturdy Steve Ditko. A tiny (3 mm) chunk missing near the spine evidently prevented the copy from grading out higher; do check out our cover scan to see how attractive a copy this is! Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $900; VF 8.0 value = $2,685.
The Amazing Spider-Man #3 (Marvel, 1963) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. Here's the highest-graded copy known to CGC of the first appearance of Doctor Octopus! Interest in Doc Ock has never been higher since he hit movie screens; these days every kid (and darn near every adult) in America knows the character. Ock may well be the best-known Marvel villain of all before the summer's through, moving this issue way up on the list of Silver Age keys. Stan Lee and Steve Ditko certainly packed plenty of story into this 12-cent gem. The origin story of the former Otto Octavius is recounted, the Human Torch appears, and Flash Thompson and J. Jonah Jameson find new ways to make Peter Parker's life difficult. As if that weren't enough, there's the art of the incomparable Ditko, and of course this copy's impeccable condition. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $4,200.
The Amazing Spider-Man #5 (Marvel, 1963) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. One of the most feared villains of all, Doctor Doom, appears in this issue, marking the first time he was seen anywhere but in Fantastic Four. Doom actually wants Spider-Man for a supervillain team-up, thinking Spidey's a bad guy (that's what happens when you get your information from J. Jonah Jameson). The Webhead's having none of it, of course. Other highlights are a brief appearance by the Fantastic Four and the misadventures that ensue when Doom finds high school bully Flash Thompson dressed as the Wallcrawler. And it's all brought to you by artist nonpareil Steve Ditko. This is the second-highest grade that CGC has assigned for #5 to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $2,900.
The Amazing Spider-Man #5 (Marvel, 1963) CGC VF- 7.5 Cream to off-white pages. Here are three marquee names for you: Spider-Man, Doctor Doom, and Steve Ditko! It's the ideal buy in this "summer of Spidey" -- has the Webhead surpassed that guy with an "S" on his chest to become the best-known superhero of all? You certainly can't go wrong with this early appearance. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $1,374.
The Amazing Spider-Man #6 (Marvel, 1963) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. Memorable villain the Lizard made his first appearance in this issue. He returned many times over the years, and no wonder -- every appearance had drama built in, as Spidey always had to pull his punches for fear of hurting the Lizard's innocent alter-ego (yet the scaly one had no such compunctions about whomping the Webhead). The cover and interior art are by Spider-Man's signature artist, Steve Ditko. A pristine copy of one of Spider-Man's earliest appearances is one of the safest comic book investments around in our opinion, and this specimen is one of the finest available. To date, only one copy of this issue has received a higher grade from CGC. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $2,700.
The Amazing Spider-Man #6 (Marvel, 1963) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages. It's Steve Ditko at his best with this wall-crawling fest featuring Spidey and the Lizard, the first appearance of the Slithery One. Issue #6 is harder than most early issues of the title to find in better grades than this, and our archives prove it -- just three higher-graded copies have been offered in our sales over the past year. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $1,308.
The Amazing Spider-Man #50 (Marvel, 1967) CGC VF+ 8.5 White pages. Mighty Marvel made a massive mistake with this issue's cover. That's right -- though John Romita Sr. drew a perfectly nice image, the Bullpenners left out the Kingpin, who makes his first appearance in the comic! Despite this snub, the corpulent capo quickly became one of the most fearsome villains in all of Marveldom, and he's since been immortalized on movie screens in the first Daredevil film. The Kingpin's debut makes this the most important issue of Romita's run as artist, and a must for the serious Spider-Fan. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $416; VF/NM 9.0 value = $658.
Bronze Age (1970-1979)
The Amazing Spider-Man #129 (Marvel, 1974) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. One of the Bronze Age keys has gotten a boost from the recent "Punisher" movie, making this book hot again. The Punisher's first appearance here is matched by the first appearance of the Jackal. Unfortunately for the latter, he never attained the stature of the former, and his movie has been postponed indefinitely. Gil Kane created the striking cover, displayed immaculately by this super high-grade beauty. At this writing, well over 1,000 copies of issue #129 have been certified by CGC, with just two copies earning a higher grade than our offering. Jump on it! Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $400.
The Amazing Spider-Man #129 (Marvel, 1974) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. The most important Amazing issue of the 1970s is also one of the key comic books of the decade, period. It's the first appearance of the Punisher, drawn on the cover by Gil Kane and inside the comic by Ross Andru. By the way, this book also saw the debut of the Jackal, who we thought was just another evildoer at the time. Little did we suspect that he was really ... we won't spoil it for you! With Spider-Man and the Punisher both starring in movies in the same year, demand for this book has never been higher. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $400.
Silver Age (1956-1969)
The Avengers #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Off-white to white pages. In this issue, Marvel brought together established stars to form a group for the first time since the All-Winners Squad in Timely days of yore. Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Ant-Man, and the Wasp formed the group to avenge ... nothing really, the name just sounded good! Fans loved every minute of it, launching the team on a 400-plus issue run. Iron Man is still in his gold armor on the cover of this premiere issue, where the Avengers find themselves pitted against Thor's bad brother, Loki. Don't miss this VF/NM copy of a key issue in the history of the Marvel Universe. Overstreet 2004 VF/NM 9.0 value = $3,405; NM- 9.2 value = $4,700.
The Avengers #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC FN+ 6.5 Off-white pages. Though they never did avenge anything, the Avengers were a hit from the very beginning, with this series enjoying a 400-issue run and other series continuing the group's adventures through the present day. This key issue (which featured the Hulk as a short-lived member) was produced by the team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $723; VF 8.0 value = $2,109.
Daredevil #1 (Marvel, 1964) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages. Daredevil, star of a movie (with more to come?) and one of the most popular Marvel characters, made his first appearance in this issue. Though artist Bill Everett penciled only this one issue, his art and Stan Lee's emotion-packed origin story made the character a success from the get-go. Also making their debuts were loyal pal Foggy Nelson and Matt Murdock's unrequited (or so he thought) love Karen Page. It's hard to find legitimate NM copies of this book, owing partly to the predominantly white cover background. Indeed, only two unrestored copies have received higher grades from CGC to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $3,800.
Daredevil #2 (Marvel, 1964) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages. The Man Without Fear battles one of Spidey's nemeses, Electro, in this second issue, which also features an appearance of the Fantastic Four. Jack Kirby's cover shimmers with bright colors and gloss on this uncommonly nice copy. To date CGC has certified only two copies of #2 with higher grades. Joe Orlando did some outstanding interior work on his all-too brief stint on this title. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,000.
Daredevil #3 (Marvel, 1964) CGC NM 9.4 White pages. Longtime Daredevil foe the Owl made his first appearance in this issue, in a story drawn by Joe Orlando (the cover is by Jack Kirby). DD fans love to hate the Owl, as the caped capo seemingly never menaced any foe but Daredevil! By the way, another sort of OWL (Overstreet Whiteness Level) is very much in play here; the white pages are in keeping with the overall attractiveness of this superb NM copy. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $650.
Fantastic Four #1 (Marvel, 1961) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages. Here's the third most-valuable comic of the Silver Age, and the comic that started the Silver Age as far as Marvel was concerned. Jack Kirby's cover is one of the most recognizable of all. It's the origin and first appearance of the Fantastic Four (Mr. Fantastic, the Thing, the Invisible Girl, and the new incarnation of the Human Torch), with a story by Stan Lee and art by Kirby. The book also has the first appearance and origin of the FF's first opponent, the Mole Man. The earliest version of the characters is fascinating: Reed Richards was a pipe-smoking scientist straight out of a monster mag, the Thing hadn't yet taken on the Yancy Street patois he was later known for, and the FF was strictly a plainclothes group with no costumes in sight. The backstory of the issue's creation is intriguing in itself. Legend has it that Stan Lee was considering abandoning comic books as a career if the experiment didn't pan out. It was a success, all right, and this book is a comic milestone that would be the centerpiece of almost any Marvel collection. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $8,925.
Fantastic Four #48 (Marvel, 1966) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. With the possible exception of #1, this is the best-remembered and most important issue of this title's 400-plus issue run. The story by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby introduced a cosmic scale that comics hadn't seen before. Two of the great Marvel characters, the SIlver Surfer and Galactus, made their first appearances in a story that fans would rave about for years to come. Of 827 copies of the book that have been certified by CGC as of this writing, only six have been assigned higher grades. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,350.
Fantastic Four Annual #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. Back in '63, comics fans were overwhelmed by the epic 37-page story that kicks off this book. The combination of Marvel's top supergroup, the presence of the ever-popular Sub-Mariner, and Jack Kirby's exciting rendering of Namor's undersea world was a heady brew indeed. Also in the issue: the FF's origin is reprinted, and their first meeting with Spider-Man is retold with new Kirby art (and Steve Ditko inks). We would have thought copies of this book would all have been read to death -- with this one we have our doubts if it's even been opened much! This is the highest grade that CGC has assigned for this issue to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,150.
Bronze Age (1970-1979)
Giant-Size X-Men #1 (Marvel, 1975) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. Ranked as the second-most valuable Bronze Age book by Overstreet, this comic is to the Bronze Age what Amazing Fantasy #15 is to the Golden Age! That's because it has the first appearance of the new X-Men, the most popular superhero team ever. As square bound books (this is a hefty 68-pager) are always more susceptible to wear and tear than your average comic, it's a treat to find a Near Mint copy. Artist Dave Cockrum became a star in his own right with his work here, which was carried over to the revived X-Men title. The cover is by Gil Kane. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $1,200.
Silver Age (1956-1969)
The Incredible Hulk #2 (Marvel, 1962) CGC FN/VF 7.0 Off-white pages. It's easy to forget that ol' Greenskin didn't become green until this issue -- The Hulk was gray in #1 (though reprints of that issue have often recolored the skin to match later continuity). And it's also easy to forget that Steve Ditko was one of the Hulk's early artists (he inked Jack Kirby here). Please do forget the menace of the Toad Men -- everyone else has -- but don't forget to put in a bid on this early Marvel gem, the debut of the Hulk look we all know and love. Overstreet 2004 FN 6.0 value = $660; VF 8.0 value = $1,760.
The Silver Surfer #4 (Marvel, 1969) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. John Buscema's art was never less than good, but when he was at his best, he was truly exceptional. This story is a prime example -- every panel is a delight! In the epic story, the Surfer visits Asgard and battles Thor (all owing to Loki's trickery). The fourth issue is the most sought-after of the series except for #1, making this NM copy one to grab. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $600.
X-Men #1 (Marvel, 1963) CGC VF+ 8.5 Off-white pages. The origin and first appearance of the X-Men is in great demand in virtually any grade, and we can't envision the popularity of the group (or this issue) flagging anytime soon. If you're joining us late, this issue has the origin of the group and the first appearances of all its mutant charter members: stern father figure Professor X, rich playboy type the Angel, the ever-eloquent Beast, moody Cyclops, junior member the Iceman, and dreamy Marvel Girl. The group's number one foe, Magneto, also makes his first appearance in this comic, which was written by Stan Lee and drawn by Jack Kirby. Overstreet 2004 VF 8.0 value = $5,810; VF/NM 9.0 value = $9,405.
Original Comic Art
Milton Caniff - Terry and the Pirates Comic Strip Original Art, Group of 5 Consecutive Dailies (Chicago Tribune, 1942). This is an all-out, slam-bang action continuity from 1942. First, Pat Ryan is shillelaghed with a bottle of ketchup by Sammy the Tapper. Then Connie unleashes Big Stoop after the fleeing Sammy and the chase is on. When the Stoop catches him, he sacks Sammy up and throws him onto a harbored freighter's loading dock. This is Milton Caniff, grand raconteur, at his most masterful. His staging, characterizations, and cartooning techniques inspired legions of cartoonists and illustrators, and his storytelling shines in this sensational group lot. The dates run from 1-19 to 1-23-42. Each daily's paper measures an overall 23" x 6.5", while their image size is approximately 19.5" x 5.5". The dailies are all in Excellent condition. Five consecutive Milton Caniff Terry dailies is a beautiful sight to behold!
Al Capp - Li'l Abner Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 12-26-34 (United Feature Syndicate, 1934). Daisy Mae plays the part of a hillbilly Juliet to Li'l Abner's Romeo as she tries to save the Yokum clan from her kin's blood feud. The image area of this daily measures 5" x 22.5", and the art is in Excellent condition. This is a terrific example of Al Capp's early style from his first year on Li'L Abner.
Al Capp - Li'l Abner Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 11-23-48 (United Features Syndicate, 1948). Li'l Abner has the perfect spot for hiding from Daisy Mae on Sadie Hawkins Day, that is until his love-crazed Shmoo gives him away. Oh, those cuddly Shmoos! How did Capp ever get away with such risque character designs?! This sensational daily hails from the first Shmoo storyline, and has an image area of approximately 6" x 22". No comic strip art collection would be complete without a Li'l Abner example by master satirist, Al Capp -- and this daily is a humdinger. Russ Cochran has called this "the greatest Al Capp Shmoo daily in existence. From every angle you look at this original, it is the best of the best." We agree, and "corn-sider" ourselves indeed lucky to be able to offer this outstanding piece!
Al Capp - L'il Abner Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 8-29-48 (United Features Syndicate, 1948). Li'l Abner is thrilled to read the exploits of his favorite Sunday Comics hero, Fearless Fosdick. Al Capp lampoons Chester Gould's Dick Tracy with a rapier-like wit. This week, Fearless hoaxes his criminal father, Fearful, into repenting. Each tier of this Sunday was cut between the borders and then later rejoined using tape on the back of the paper. The conjoined image area measures 19" x 21.75". There are minor tape residue stains on the front of the paper, outside of the image area; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. "Yip-pay! Fosdick triumphs agin!" -- and so can you, with a winning bid on this hilarious Sunday!
Al Capp - Lil' Abner Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 6-12-49 (United Feature Syndicate, 1949). Those loveable Shmoos are back in this superb Sunday page, but we now find out that not all Shmoos are created equal! Seems Shmoos from Lower (ugh!) Slobbovia are not only sickly green in color, they are downright nasty, the total opposite of our helpful little pals! Where Shmoos are good to eat, these "Nogoodnik" shmoos are good to eat you! And whatever you do, don't turn your back on one! Great nonsense from Al Capp, who manages to let a little Russian humor slip into this strip; Capp would, in later years, spend plenty of time stoking the Cold War fires with anti-Russian rhetoric. This big page measures approximately 20" x 27", and has been attractively double-matted to an overall size of 25" x 32". The piece is in Excellent condition, ready to frame and be displayed on the wall of your choice -- notcherly!
Max Fleischer Studios - Out of the Inkwell Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 12-1-34 (King Features, 1934). It's not a well-known fact, but Max Fleischer's first animated star Koko the Clown was featured in his own newspaper comic strip. Koko was a star long before Mickey Mouse, and his early cartoons were filled with innovative techniques, like Rotoscoping (invented by the Fleischer Brothers for the Koko cartoons; it involved filming live-action movement, and then tracing it for animation). Here's a rare example, done completely in pantomime, starring Fleischer's happy-go-lucky clown who just happens to live inside a bottle of ink! An amusing chase follows, as a mouse, a cat, a dog, and finally Koko run in place, creating an early "scale" gag that would be repeated many times to come. There were only four of these Inkwell strips ever produced and this (the second one) is the only original known to survive. The strip is in two pieces that have been taped from behind to form one 18" x 25.25" art board, with an image area of 14.5" x 22". A water stain has darkened the final three panels, but the image is still sharp; overall, the page is in Very Good condition.
Hal Foster - Prince Valiant Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 2-18-62 (King Features Syndicate, 1962). A giant plaster guardian bars the path of Val, Arn, and Justin in Sunday #1306. The first panel tier of this page was cut and then rejoined with tape, while tiers two and three have only been scored and then folded between the panel borders; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. Hal Foster was at the top of his form for this Sunday, as his mastery of figure drawing and background detail are breathtaking. The conjoined tiers combine for an image area measuring 23" x 34". Thrill to the heroic feats of Prince Valiant and the incomparable artistry of Hal Foster.
Chester Gould - Dick Tracy Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 12-12-31 (The Chicago Tribune, 1931). Hold onto your hats, Tracy fans, here's a daily hailing from within the first twelve weeks of Dick Tracy's start. Tracy engages in hard-boiled repartee with bad girl Texie, as he interrogates her. This strip was titled "No Sale." The paper measures an overall 7.25" x 23", while the image area is 6" x 20". The art is in Excellent condition. This early daily is guaranteed to be a jaw dropping show-stopper for Dick Tracy fans!
Chester Gould - Dick Tracy Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 12-25-42 (The Chicago Tribune, 1942). Dick Tracy celebrates a warm and happy Christmas Day with his family of friends: Pat, Mrs. Trueheart, the Chief, Tess Trueheart, and Junior. Tracy's Christmas gift appears to be a new piece of crimestopping hardware, the precise utilization of which has him somewhat baffled. Meanwhile, the merciless Pruneface has reaped what he's sown, as he struggles to escape across the frozen cityscape on a broken leg. Chester Gould adds his own holiday sentiments in a caption. The image area of the strip measures 6" x 20", and the art is in Excellent condition. This daily will be a welcome showpiece to any comic strip connoisseur's collection!
Chester Gould - Dick Tracy "Flattop" Daily Comic Strip Original Art, 2-4-44 (Chicago Tribune, 1944). Every great fictional detective has his arch-nemesis, a Super-Villain so memorable, so distinctive, that it becomes hard to associate one without the other, no matter how many more great characters are introduced. Try to think of Batman without the Joker, for instance. And with Dick Tracy, one name rises to the heap - Flattop Jones. While his caper ran for only half a year or so, his influence stretched over decades; there would be in time a Flattop Jr., as well as a related Angeltop added to the Tracy criminal files. But the original dapper (but dim-witted) villain, seen here in his customary white double-breasted dinner jacket, was the best. Demand for original art examples featuring Flattop reached an early peak, and the few available pieces were quickly snapped up and hidden away in private collections. Here's one that made a getaway back into the market: it's a daily from early in the storyline, featuring Tracy in the first two panels, and Flattop prominently in the last two. The strip measures approximately 23.5" x 7.25", with an image area of 20" x 6". Outside of some light aging and a few pin-holes, the piece is in Excellent condition.
Chester Gould - Dick Tracy Comic Strip Original Art, Entire Week of Dailies Group (Chicago Tribune, 1972). The search for a bag of stolen loot is helped -- or hampered -- by a young boy nicknamed "Peanutbutter" in these dailies, featuring a mustached Tracy. This lot includes all six daily strips from the week of December 4-9, 1972. See the search in the snow! See Peanutbutter's pitiful home! See the artist forget to draw a mustache on Dick (in strip #4)! Great fun from comics' best detective! All pages measure approximately 20.5" x 7.25", with image areas of 16.5" x 5". All pages are in Excellent condition. Dick Tracy originals by Gould are always tough to find; getting the chance to pick up an entire week of dailies is a real treat.
Chester Gould - Dick Tracy Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 2-23-47 (Chicago Tribune, 1947). All Dick Tracy fans want those great Gould villains in any examples of art that might happen to slip into the marketplace. Well, we at Heritage aim to please! Here's a great Sunday page from the 1940s (always a desirable period to collect), featuring that misshapen menace, Influence. In this episode, Influence and his companion are hiding out at a winter resort, while fate is about to bring them face to face with Tracy. The strip is on a large piece of bristol measuring approximately 29" x 20.5"; all panels have been cut from a separate board and repositioned, with a tiny bit of art extended along the bottom of each panel. This was done prior to publication, and in no way detracts from the strip's appeal or value. The overall condition of the piece is Very Good. There are two minor tears along the logo lettering (in the "K" of Dick).
Chester Gould - Dick Tracy Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 10-27-68 (Chicago Tribune, 1968). Sam Catchem and Dick Tracy reconnoiter a greenhouse where two hostages are being held. The two lawmen use their famed one-man magnetic vehicle to launch their rescue mission, and Tracy narrowly avoids a quicksand trap. The art was cut horizontally between tiers three and four and then rejoined using tape on the back of the paper. There are two pieces of tape on the front of the paper on the left and right margins; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. Ah, those fantastic flying buckets - remember Chester Gould's prediction, "The nation that controls magnetism controls the universe!"
Chester Gould - Dick Tracy Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 6-8-69 (Chicago Tribune, 1969). A teen-aged Sparkle Plenty has a problem with her boyfriend in this late-60s era Dick Tracy. Sparkle made quite a splash back in 1947 as the child of Gravel Gertie and B. O. Plenty; in time she would become Tracy's daughter-in-law with her marriage to Dick's adopted son, Junior. Here, she's involved with aspiring cartoonist Vera Alldid, who has decided to turn to a life of crime (by kidnaping pet dogs for ransom), as Sparkle's tears flow. This page is in two pieces taped together for an overall size of 23" x 26" with an image area of approximately 19" x 23.5". The "Crimestoppers" topper is intact, although the Tracy logo is a stat. It's a nice example of later Dick Tracy art, in Very Good condition.
Harold Gray - Little Orphan Annie Unpublished Sunday Comic Strip Original Art (1965). This Sunday was a special page created to celebrate the return of the N. Y. News to the newsstands after a six month strike, and other features were also drawn for a proposed Special Edition. Ultimately none of the strips, including this Annie, were used. Annie tries to fill her friends in about her recent adventures, but they're all too busy reading the newly issued N. Y. News papers to pay her any mind. Completing the page at the bottom tier is a folksy Ma Green strip. The page has been cut between panel tiers two and three and between tiers four and five. The tiers have been rejoined, using tape on the back of the art. The overall size of the conjoined paper is 21.25" x 29" with an image area of 19" x 26", and the art is in Excellent condition. As Ma Green says, "Everybody's got their own idea o' what happiness is!" -- and being blessed with a spectacular Harold Gray original Sunday is ours!
George Herriman - Krazy Kat Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 1-22-32 (King Features Syndicate, 1932). Krazy and Ignatz conspire to find out Mr. Manks' secret, namely whether or not he has a tail, but the wiley Manx foils the duo by covering up with a blanket. This delightful Krazy Kat daily was titled "The Modest Mystery Man." It's a terrific example in Excellent condition, complete with hallmark Herriman landscapes. The paper measures an overall 6.5" x 23", with an image area of 5.5" x 22".
Burne Hogarth - Tarzan Sunday Original Art, dated 8-22-43 (United Features Syndicate, 1943). Burne Hogarth is one of the most influential artists in comic book history. After leaving the Tarzan strip in 1950, Hogarth concentrated his efforts on his School of Visual Arts, teaching other artists the working techniques and philosophies he had developed. Hogarth had two runs on Tarzan; the first, from 1937 to 1945, was marked by a directive to mimic the style of Hal Foster, from whom he had inherited the strip. On his second run, from 1947 to 1950 -- the period from which this piece comes -- Hogarth revealed a more personal artistic vision. Comfortable and confident in his own abilities. Hogarth gave these Tarzan Sundays a dynamism that is renowned in the field of comic storytelling. This piece is exceptional, representing a high period from Hogarth's run on the strip. Measuring 21.5" x 28" overall, with an image area of 19.5" x 26.5", this piece is in Excellent condition.
Walt Kelly - Pogo Daily Comic Strip Group Original Art (Hall Syndicate, 1966-72). Two dailies from one of the most respected of all 20th Century newspaper comic strips, Pogo by Walt Kelly. In the first strip, dated 3-28-66, Pogo and Churchy propose the Lunar calendar as a nice even way to note the passing of time -- if only they can work out the problems of a thirteen-month year! This piece measures approximately 20" x 6.5" with an image area of 18.5" x 5", and is in Excellent condition. In the second strip, Deacon Mushrat and his Hyena cohort (who bears more than a passing resemblance to former Vice-President Spiro Agnew) discuss their plans for a three-hour work day (with, of course, a 240-minute hour!) This piece measures approximately 17.75" x 6", with an image area of 17" x 5", and is in Excellent condition. Pass the time with these two great examples of Walt Kelly genius!
Walt Kelly - Pogo Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 3-24-57 (Hall Syndicate, 1957). Churchy and Howland are "down in the dumps," literally, as they scavenge about for goodies to spruce up the swamp. Somehow a bucket of glue gets involved, and -- well, you know, another sticky situation! Kelly's critters rarely looked better than in this beautifully brushed page, which measures approximately 24.5" x 17". A number of tack-holes, plus some minor smudging in panel one hardly detract from this page, which appears to be in overall Very Good condition. Spruce up your own corner of the swamp with this fine bit of Kelly craziness!
Walt Kelly - Pogo Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 6-25-67 (Hall Syndicate, 1967). Basher the kangaroo is cruisin' for a bruisin'. He's got the gall to take Miz Bear out dancing, while wearing ol' Bear's Sunday skimmer -- the cad! Walt Kelly is at the peak of his abilities on this Sunday, and a bit of his lively blue under-penciling shows from beneath the inks. The paper measures an overall 24.5" x 17.5", while the image area is approximately 23" x 16". There is some minor glue staining in the title logo; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. As ol' Bear himself would say, "Slab the liverwootz! This Sunday's a dazzler!"
Walt Kelly - Pogo Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 8-6-67 (Hall Syndicate, 1967). It's summertime in the swamp, leading Pogo and Porky to ponder the true value of just such a warm, lazy day. Getting to read these great strips on a laid-back summer Sunday was a real treat back in the 1960s; here's the chance for some lucky bidder to relish this delightful dose of swamp-critter logic all year 'round! The art measures approximately 25" x 17", and has been attractively double-matted to an overall size of 29.5" x 22.5". The title logo stat is original, and quite a bit of blue pencil remains on this Excellent-condition page. Don't be confused like Churchy in the final panel; add your resources up and bid!
Alex Raymond - Flash Gordon with Jungle Jim Topper Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 11-23-41 (King Features Syndicate, 1941). Jungle Jim and Captain Kenedy are on a rescue mission, sailing to the aid of two lovely damsels in distress, Lil and Kitty. This Jim topper measures an overall 7.25" x 17", while the image area is 7" x 15.75". The title stat is a replacement. The lower portion of this set is the matching Flash Gordon Sunday. Flash has returned to earth from Mongo, just in time to help the U.S.A. in its coming battle against the Axis. The Admiral Krogoff served as an allegory for the German threat; just two weeks after this Sunday appeared, Japan would attack Pearl Harbor, and there would be no need for such softened rhetoric. Alex Raymond's use of a "feathered" brush line is flawless on this strip. The overall size of the paper measures 16.25" x 13.25", and the condition of both pieces of art is Excellent. These strips show the all-out effort to win the looming World War II, everyone pitched in to serve their country, even the comic book and newspaper strip heroes.
Alex Raymond - Jungle Jim Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 11-30-41 (King Features Syndicate, 1941). Jungle Jim battles it out with a World War II submarine in this topper. Here he sails with Captain Kenedy -- could it be? -- No, wrong spelling. Alex Raymond inked this strip with a super fine line; he has total control over his brushwork. Two gorgeous gals, Lil and Kitty, cameo to add a bit of "good girl" beauty to the continuity. There is a glue stain in the upper border, well outside the image area; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. The paper size is 8" x 18", while the image area measures 6" x 16".
Charles Schulz - Peanuts Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 4-24-54 (United Feature Syndicate, 1954). Lucy spins her 45 single about Mary and her love of red fashion statements -- say, maybe this girl Mary knows those similarly obsessed Harvey tots, like Little Dot, Richie Rich, and Little Lotta. This daily from 1954 is ideal for that collector seeking a terrific example featuring the crabby, but lovable, fussbudget, Miss Van Pelt. The image area of the daily measures 5" x 27". The strip was folded between panels two and three; otherwise it is in Excellent condition. Lucy will leave you laughing each time you read this delightful daily, done in the early years of the strip.
Charles Schulz - Peanuts Daily Comic Strip Original Art dated 1-9-88 (United Feature Syndicate, 1988). When Sally Brown mopes, nothing, but nothing, can move her to do otherwise, not even her big brother Charlie, with his helpful hint of a little exercise. The image area of this daily measures 5" x 21". The zip-a-tone film has yellowed somewhat; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. If you've been searching for a terrific Peanuts example showcasing Charlie and Sally, look no further!
E. C. Segar - Popeye Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 9-13-35 (King Features Syndicate, 1935). "I yam what I yam, and tha's all I yam!" With these immortal words, Popeye puts forth his credo for all to hear, and no amount of stomping on the floor from Olive will make him change his ways! This unusual Sunday strip is unrestrained with adult content, and would be considered "cutting edge" in today's papers. Popeye's ability to be flexible is tested in this side-splitter from Segar. Tricked into a serious dalliance with Olive Oyl's friend, all is fine with our hero until Olive wants equal rights! Segar, who created Popeye, and drew the feature from 1919 until 1938, claimed that the spinach-eating champion represented his own emotions; it's clear he was involved in a romantic problem with this one! Popeye was generally good-natured and faithful to his one true love, Olive; here we see the frustrations this single love can bring. The page is in Excellent condition, and the size is approximately 21.5" x 18"; there is a small tear in the margin that does not reach the art. With a major character in every panel, this incredible page should stir up considerable interest among collectors.
E.C. Segar - Popeye Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 7-9-37 (King Features Syndicate, 1937). E.C. Segar's daily from the storyline, "A Sock for Susan" features Popeye, a jealous Olive Oyl, and Eugene the Jeep. The Jeep is showcased solo in a panel, exclaiming his hallmark cry, "Jeep! Jeep!, and also shooting electricity out of his tail. Wow! The mysterious poor girl Susan makes an appearance. The paper size measures 5.5" x 22", while the image area is 4.5" x 20.5". E.C. Segar is one of the undisputed giants of comic strip art and this is one honey of a daily!
E.C. Segar - Popeye Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 11-20-37 (King Features Syndicate, 1937). Popeye and Wimpy are shanghaied by Limbo, the goon, in this great daily from the "Valley of the Goons" story. This is an extremely scarce "black daily". Syndicate guidelines generally forbade the use of solid black areas as it was very troublesome to print evenly in the daily papers. This rule was obviously waived for this atmospheric nighttime scene.The overall paper size measures 5.5" x 22", while the image area is 4.5" x 20.5". The art is in Excellent condition. The "Valley of the Goons" is one of the greatest of all Popeye tales and here's a splendid opportunity to press-gang one into your collection!
Warren Tufts - Casey Ruggles Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, Group of 2 (United Feature Syndicate, 1950-53). Two gorgeous Warren Tufts Sundays are offered in this lot. Tufts, like so many cartoonists, was inspired by the art of Hal Foster and Alex Raymond, and his art was an amalgam of those influences. The Sunday dated 5-14-50 showcases the lovely Lilli Lafitte and the dashing and athletic Joaquin Murietta. A second Sunday, dated 2-1-53, features a the story of the Yagali, an ogre who lures a mountain man's wife away from their cabin. Detailed backgrounds and stylish figure work are the hallmarks of these Casey Ruggle Sundays. Each strip has been cut horizontally between each panel tier and later rejoined, using tape on the back; otherwise both are in Excellent condition. For Western action, told with real elan, Warren Tufts can't be topped!
Chic Young - Blondie Sunday Comic Strip Original Art dated 7-5-31 (King Features Syndicate, 1931). Dagwood isn't even in the picture in this early Blondie Sunday. This time, Captain Hasselman is the wolf chasing Blondie. The hapless Hiho Hennepin provides comic relief with a mock court martial and firing squad. The Sunday has been bisected into two pieces, neatly cut between tiers two and three, and the two halves join to form an image area that measures 16.5" x 13.5". The art is in Excellent condition. Blondie displays her glamorous gams in quite a "leg show" on this charming Sunday.
Neal Adams - Strange Adventures #211 Cover Original Art (DC, 1968). This tense confrontation scene comes from the very heart of the original Deadman run in Strange Adventures. The art paper measures 16.5" x 11.5", with an image area of 10" x 15". The condition of the art is Excellent. The title logo and other type elements are replacements and have been carefully color-matched to the art paper, adding to the eye-appeal of the cover. The cover has a paste-on art correction that was done by Neal Adams to eliminate a foreground figure's hand that was originally drawn along the left border's edge. This correction area is original art, not a stat. It is applied with such craftsmanship that a very close inspection is needed to even detect it. A rogues' gallery of Deadman's nefarious circus peers is portrayed crouching behind him. While these figures were obscured by the coloring scheme used in the printed comic book cover, here they are seen in vivid detail. Neal Adams' fine-lined inking style was at its most masterful throughout this era.
Neal Adams and Dick Giordano - Green Lantern #80, page 7 Original Art (DC, 1970). As the Silver Age of Comics became the Bronze Age, few can argue that the landmark Green Lantern series co-starring a revitalized Green Arrow played a big part in changing the look, and the landscape, of the superhero genre. Denny O'Neil's socially-relevant scripts, combined with the taut, dynamic artwork of Neal Adams (not to mention the crisp inking of Dick Giordano) set the stage for a more-realistic comic book experience, one that wasn't afraid to tackle tough subjects like poverty, racism, and drug abuse head on. This magnificent page features both GL and GA along with the Guardians, and ends with the famous Green Lantern motto: "In brightest day in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight! Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power -- Green Lantern's light! The page measures approximately 11" x 15.75", and is in Excellent condition. Neal Adams has signed the page in marker below the last panel.
Neal Adams - Superman #235 Cover Original Art (DC, 1971). Superman races the devil and loses on this cover's compelling "story hook." Neal Adams redefined the Superman image for the Bronze Age, continuing the icon's evolution from the earlier versions established by Wayne Boring and Curt Swan. There is some mild discoloration on the title logo and the three of the captions are paste-ons; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition.The image area measures 10" x 15". Race to put your bid in on this super Neal Adams cover!
Neal Adams and Dick Giordano - Detective Comics #419 Cover Original Art (DC, 1972). Long before the gritty, ultra-realistic style that is currently status quo in comics became so popular, penciler Neal Adams and inker Dick Giordano introduced their own brand of realism, opening the door wide for all those who followed. And consequently they changed the way we looked at our heroes. Their work with Batman gave us a whole new perspective on the Dark Knight legend and their numerous covers together on the Detective Comics title were spectacular. Here is a great cover from the early '70s that is sure to thrill. "The Slaying Statues of Batman" features a man dropping off the end of a pier, weighted down by five Batman statues. The detail is terrific with a lot of texture and delicious inkwork. The overall paper size is 11.5" x 17", with an image area of 10" x 15". The art is in Excellent condition and also included in this lot is a copy of Detective Comics #419. This is your chance to get a fabulous cover by these two industry giants.
Neal Adams - Our Fighting Forces #147 Cover Original Art (DC, 1974). The Losers, Gunner, Captain Storm, Sarge, and Johnny Cloud, are under the gun in this dramatic cover by comic art legend, Neal Adams. The image area measures 10" x 15", and the art is in Excellent condition. Neal didn't do many DC war covers, so you War Comic fans would be well advised to take your best shot at this Bronze Age beauty.
Ross Andru - DC Comics Presents #25 Cover Original Art (DC, 1980). Ross Andru showcases Superman and the Phantom Stranger on this dynamic cover. Hourman also appears in a cameo. The image measures 10" x 15", and the art is in Excellent condition. From the far reaches of space to the metaphysical dimensions of Hell, this cover spans a wide breadth of all your favorite DC superhero action!
Ross Andru and Dick Giordano - Jonah Hex # 72 Cover Original Art (DC, 1983). Jonah Hex has his hands full climbing out of a tarantula pit with a girl hanging around his neck. Ross Andru's dizzying perspective is ideal for this "cover hook", and Dick Giordano's inks add a slick finish to Ross's pencils. The image area measures 10.25" x 15.5",. There are two pasted on strips along the top and left edges to extend the art area, and a few touches of white out; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. This is a terrific cover for the Jonah Hex fan!
Carl Barks - "Sexy Women" Illustration Original Art (Calgary Eye Opener, 1934). This is one of Carl Barks' most appealing Art Deco works. The two sexy ladies both have garments that don't quite cover "sensitive" areas! Note the Art Deco nude art hanging on the wall of the bedroom filled with furniture that would be considered antique today. Barks' inking is exquisite in this piece. Inked works by Barks are rare today; the majority of his Duck pages were burned by Western Publishing after photography (the common practice of the day), with fewer that 125 inked pages surviving. This piece, filled with beautiful cross-hatching lines, has an image area of approximately 9" x 13", and is in Excellent condition.
Carl Barks - Uncle Scrooge "X-Ray Scrooge" Pin Up Original Art (Another Rainbow, 1979). Everyone's favorite rich Duck Uncle is pictured here in crisp black and white by that master Good Duck artist, Carl Barks. This piece was drawn by Barks on 1-10-79, and was published in Volume 1 of the Carl Barks Library by Another Rainbow; it's become known as "X-Ray Scrooge" because the blacks in Scrooge's hat weren't filled in, revealing pencil lines that make it look like a wire frame. Notes on the back of the piece point out that Barks himself chose the attractive double matting used for this page. It's a lovely inked illustration, and a bit of a rarity; Barks did very little inking after his retirement from regular comic book work in the 1960s. The piece measures approximately 6.5" x 9", and is in Excellent condition.
Carl Barks - Donald Duck Bubble Cover Sketch Original Art (Undated). Any Carl Barks collector will recognize the name "Barks' Bubble Cover" as one of the Duck Man's best known cover illustrations for Walt Disney's Comics and Stories. This recreation was made during Barks' watercolor pencil period, done during his retirement from inked comic book work. This was his first meticulous use of watercolor pencils, done as test to see how well he could do, and he spent considerable time on it. Using the original printed piece as a guide, he redrew this cover in rich color, wetting the pencils to merge the colors together. Enthusiastic over the final result, he went on to create 72 smaller watercolor pencil sketches, which were published in the Disney Barks Treasury book. This piece, in Excellent condition, measures approximately 9.5" x 14". Included with this lot are three color snapshots of Barks in his studio with the drawing.
Carl Barks - "Duck Rogers" Painting and Sketches Original Art (1979). This painting, which had as a working title "This Nude Duck is a Dish", is featured on pages 121-122 of the Carl Barks' Animal Quackers full-color book. There are three pieces of art in this offering. Included with the painting is an initial idea sketch Barks created for this painting, plus his final idea drawing for the piece. "Duck Rogers" is a take-off on America's first popular newspaper comic strip spaceman, Buck Rogers. Barks was late to discover that a Warner Brothers cartoon had previously been issued under a similar name ("Duck Dodgers in the 24 1/2 Century", in 1953), and was concerned with copyright issues. For that reason, he would not sign his name to the painting; however, he was agreeable to sign the accompanying finished pencil drawing. "Duck Rogers" is the only futuristic character in Barks' series of 53 non-Disney Duck paintings. Buck is shown in the process of saving a curvaceous "dinner-to-be" -- a stripped-down maiden in distress. Barks has the three-headed "dragon-style" alien chef preparing dessert and the main course all at the same time. The "dessert" has a humorous perkiness that only Carl Barks could create. The painting is on a board measuring 11" x 14", with an image area of 8" x 10", and all three pieces are in Excellent condition.
Carl Barks - The Caliph of Bagdad Painting Original Art (1978). No one drew ducks quite as well, or as successfully, as Carl Barks. His series of comic-book stories featuring Walt Disney's Donald Duck and Uncle Scrooge delighted young and old alike from the 1943 until 1966, and they will be remembered (and reprinted) for many years to come. When finally freed from his Disney duties, Barks turned his talents, and his incredible imagination, over to a series of paintings referred to as "Famous figures of history as they might have looked had their genes gotten mixed with waterfowl." Whew! What a winner we have with this fabulous painting! It's been a fan favorite for years, reproduced as a limited-edition print, and was also featured in Barks' book of non-Disney duck paintings, Animal Quackers. This oil-on-masonite illustration measures 14" x 18", and is in Excellent condition. Finding an original piece of art by the late Carl Barks is a chore in itself; finding a piece of this high quality is getting close to impossible! Better bid high if you want this remarkable (and quite risque) rendering by the Good Duck Artist hanging in your home!
Simon Bisley - Doom Patrol #35 Cover Original Art (DC, 1990). That mad master of splatter from the British Isles, Simon Bisley, is at it again in this cool cover from the revived Doom Patrol series. Of special note: the Charles Atlas-inspired Flex Mentallo made his first appearance in this issue. Flex was, quite literally, the 90-lb weakling who became a superhero by responding to an ad similar to those that ran for many years in comic books; the character became the grounds for a lawsuit against DC by Atlas. At any rate, this cover, featuring a ferocious manbot, kicks off an important issue staring the bizarre Danny the Street and the Men from NOWHERE. The art appears to be in acrylics on a 11.25" x 17" art board, and is in Excellent condition. Get busy with those bids, all you followers of the Biz!
Simon Bisley - Bisley's Scrapbook #1 Complete Story, "Once Upon a Time in the West" Original Art (1990). Published in 1993, Atomeka's Bisley's Scrapbook contained a tale considered by some fans to be the best of the Mad Brit's work to date. That story is our offering in this lot, a six page wild Western saga (written with Alan Grant) of murder, mayhem, and mistaken identity, done in a style Sergio Leone would surely appreciate. The art is completely painted in that unusual intensive style that could only be by the Biz; all type elements are on an acetate overlay. The splattered colors extend beyond the panel borders to the page edges; the pages measure approximately 14.75" x 20.5" with image areas of 11.75" x 18". The last art board is actually two story pages, with an image area of 7.25" x 10.5". The art appears to be mixed media including acrylics, watercolor, and ink, with acetate overlays on bristol. All pages are in Excellent condition.
Frank Brunner - "Whiskers" Pin Up Original Art (1974). For animal lovers of all types, here's a pretty portfolio piece from artist Frank Brunner, best known for his Bronze Age depictions of Dr. Strange and Howard the Duck. This stunning pin up hails from the Flesh and Fantasy portfolio, with a limited edition of 1000, and printed by Middle Earth in 1974. Apparently ducks weren't all Frank was interested in back then! We're going to ignore the obvious innuendoes which this piece immediately brings to mind, and stick with "just the facts, ma'am" -- the fact is, this is a lovely sketch, with a nice "Art Deco"-style background, a beautiful nude model, and a tame-yet-terrifying leopard up front. Brunner himself has thought highly enough of this drawing to include it in the "Nudes" section of his website. The art is in Excellent condition, and is on a 12" x 17" piece of bristol board. The Brunner scroll logo at the top is an original paste-up stat.
Rich Buckler and Frank Giacoia - The Inhumans #2 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1975). The Inhumans, Black Bolt, Gorgon, Gorgon, Karnak, and Medusa, battle the menace of the Kaptroids. The title stat is a replacement; otherwise the art is in Very Good condition. This bombastic Buckler cover will make a spectacular wall piece for any Inhumans fan!
John Buscema and Vince Colletta - Thor #198, Splash Page 1 Original Art (Marvel, 1972). From the second story arc featuring Mangog, Thor is held at bay, as Odin is grasped like a rag doll in the great horned beast's hand. John Buscema's mastery at figure drawing shines on this splash, as the power and nobility of the Mighty Thor are tested by this harrowing challenge. Vince Colletta's inks were ideally suited for the "old world" and mythic qualities of the Thor saga. There are some minor printer's oil stains along the edges of the paper, and in the lower border, a few lettering corrections, and white-out touch ups, but these do little to detract from the magnificence of this Bronze Age beauty; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. Mangog, Odin, and Thor on a swingin' seventies splash, what a treat for a Thor art collector!
Howard Connolly - Painting Original Art (undated). Noted pin up artist and illustrator, Howard Connolly, has painted quite a perilous predicament for this damsel in distress. Not only is she bound and gagged, but the terrarium next to her head has been broken by her fiendish captors, and now a vicious viper is threatening to strike at her face. The acrylic on board painting measures 14" x 18". Howard Connolly has signed the piece at the lower right, and the art is in Excellent condition. Pulp fiction fans will love this image!
Richard Corben - "Monsters Rule" Part 4 One-page Story Original Art (1968). Here's a rare example of art from a master of Horror and Underground comics, Richard Corben. Corben's very first published storyline was a continuing saga called "Monsters Rule", which first saw print in Rudy Franke's Voice of Comicdom fanzine. This, the fourth installment, appeared in VOC #14, from December, 1968. While there would be considerable refinements made to his later, highly polished work, a lot of classic Corben touches were evident at this early point of his career. A great, moody piece, this really sets the stage for great things to come! The page measures approximately 15" x 22" , with an image area of 12" x 16". The zip-a-tone used throughout looks fresh, with no yellowing; overall, an Excellent-condition page.
Richard Corben - A Feast Unknown Illustration Original Art (Fokker, 1975). The publisher's synopsis read, "Lord Grandrith armed with the belief that he is the son of Jack the Ripper tells the story of his remarkable and unbridled life, beginning with his discovery of the secret of immortality." Jose Philip Farmer's A Feast Unknown speculates on what the famous Lord of the Jungle might have really been like if he had possessed the moral sensibilities of an animal and the physique of a superman. This Richard Corben painting appeared on page 176, with the caption "My feet went from under me." Who better to illustrate such a savage and iconoclastic premise than Richard Corben? This vivid acrylic painting has an image area that measures an overall 12" x 19.75", and is in Excellent condition. This work illustrates a classic of blood and lust, and thus, is suitable for mature audiences only! Kreegah! Bundolo!
Reed Crandall - Piracy #2 "Sea Food" Splash Page Original Art (EC, 1954). Reed Crandall's detailed pen work was ideally suited for the short-lived Pirate genre. Reed's control over the cross hatching used to create lighting effects and textures ranks him among the masters of the pen, alongside the giants of illustration, J.C. Coll, Franklin Booth, and Howard Pyle. The title and lettering on this page have a few carefully crafted pasted-on elements; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. In the "Scuttlebutt" page of Piracy EC proclaimed, "Across these pages then will sail the plunderers and pillagers, the pirates and privateers, the whalers, the smugglers, the money-hungry pearl-divers and treasure hunters, the shanghaiers and the shanghaied, the mutineers, and all of the other adventurers so often glamorized in romantic fiction. Here, you will see them as they really were." Reed Crandall delivered that mission with gusto!
Jack Davis - Jayne Mansfield Pin Up Original Art (undated). We're not sure where this detailed montage of Jayne Mansfield's wedding day saw print. Be that as it may, there is no uncertainty regarding the brilliance of Jack Davis' pen work in this pin up. Inspired to bodybuild after viewing a magazine cover of Steve Reeves, Mickey Hargitay won the "Mr. Universe" competition in 1955 and eventually appeared as Hercules in an Italian film, "The Loves of Hercules." The two met while Mickey was posing in Mae West's popular revue at New York's Latin Quarter. Jayne happened to catch the show, and when her dinner companion asked her what she wanted that evening, she quipped, "I'll have a steak and the man on the left." Mickey and Jayne married two years later in what would become the most publicized marriage in Hollywood history. The two were married on January 13, 1958, in Palo Verde, California. Jack Davis gives the media event his send up in this drawing. The overall paper size measures approximately 17" x 23". The paper shows mild signs of aging and has a few minor stains outside the image area; otherwise it is in Very Good condition. This is a wonderful piece of 1950s American pop culture as rendered by the legendary Mad magazine artist!
Dick Dillin and Murphy Anderson - Flash #202 Complete 7-page Story "The Accusation" Original Art (DC, 1970). Dick Dillin and Murphy Anderson team to illustrate Steve Skeates' Kid Flash yarn involving dreams, crime, guilt, and fate. Murphy's inks add a beautiful finish to Dick Dillin's dynamic pencils; it's a shame the two weren't paired more often. The image area of each page measures 10" x 15", and the condition of the art is Excellent. Race in your bid today, on this dreamy Bronze Age thriller!
Steve Ditko - Amazing Spider-Man #37 Page 19 Original Art (Marvel. 1966). Meanwhile, back at the ranch... there's trouble plenty! From Sturdy Steve Ditko's next-to-last issue of ol' Web-head comes this great action-filled page of art. Taken from the "Once Upon a Time... There was a Robot!" story written by Stan Lee, this page features the evil Professor Stromm, his gang and one of his robot creations. The page measures approximately 13.5" x 20.5", with an image area of 12.5" x 18.5". The page is in Excellent condition; consider this an excellent chance to add a Ditko Spider-Man page to your collection!
Steve Ditko and Paul Reinman - Tales of Suspense #49, page 16 Original Art (Marvel, 1964). Fans often forget that it was Steve Ditko who redesigned Iron Man's bulky armor into the more streamlined red and gold version. Iron Man's armor remains one of Steve's best costume designs. The Angel has bested Iron Man in aerial combat, but now the X-Man cannot bear to allow the armored Avenger to plummet to his death and so he makes a power dive to rescue him. The overall paper size measures 13.5" x 20.25, while the image area is 12.5" x 18.5". There are a few minor white-out art touch-ups; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. This page is another triumph for Sturdy Steve Ditko and the House of Ideas and features both Iron Man and the Angel!
Steve Ditko - Amazing Spider-Man #13, page 12 Original Art (Marvel, 1964). Hold on to your web-spinners, Spidey fans! This page hails from "The Menace of Mysterio" and Spider-Man and Mysterio are battling in every panel, as the wall-crawler tries to land a blow on his crafty nemesis. Steve Ditko's work on the Amazing Spider-Man assured him of a spot in the comic book Hall of Fame in 1990. His peer and fellow Marvel titan Jack Kirby once remarked, "You can point to any picture that Steve Ditko makes and say, 'Ditko did that.' He's got a definite style that you recognize anywhere. He's a wonderful conceptualist." Many fans consider Ditko's work on Spider-Man to be the high point of a brilliant career. Mike Benton explained why when he wrote in his indispensable book Masters of Imagination, "Ditko was immersed in the Spider-Man universe and he covered the walls of his Manhattan studio with maps and drawings of Aunt May's house, the Daily Bugle offices, and the campus of Empire State University." In short, Steve Ditko showed a dedication to his craft that went far beyond that of a simple wage earner. The image size of this terrific page measures 12.5" x 18.5", and the art is in Excellent condition. Face front true believer -- if you crave a Sturdy Steve Ditko Spider-Man action page, here it is!
Steve Ditko and Mike Pepe - Beware the Creeper #5, page 19 Original Art (DC, 1969). The Creeper and Proteus slug it out, mano a mano, before Proteus makes his escape into a sewer. Steve Ditko excelled at choreographing hand to hand combat in wet and wild settings. Who will ever forget his dramatic tableau in Amazing Spider-Man #33? Steve Ditko does it again with this page -- you can practically hear the water dripping! There are signs of mild paper aging, and a 2" tear in panel two has been closed with tape on the reverse side; otherwise the art is in Very Good condition. The image area of the art is 10" x 15". A terrific and tense battle from "The Color of Rain is Death!"
Enrich - Vampirella #52 and 87 Cover Original Art (Warren, 1976 and 1980). A truly unique piece of art, this image was actually used for two issues of the vampiric vixen's magazine. Originally painted with a simple background for the cover of issue #52, Jim Warren must have really liked this piece, as he ordered the background painted out to white and used again for the cover to issue #87 a mere four years later. It is in this second state that the art is offered here. Beautifully and classically rendered, this is one of the most enduring images of the Darling of Drakulon ever published. With an image area of approximately 8.5" x 9.5", this piece is in immaculate condition and is signed by the artist in the lower right.
Enrich - Vampirella Painting Original Art (undated). This piece has a very interesting history. A classic image originally published as the cover to Vampirella #52 in 1976, Jim Warren liked it so much he had the background painted out so that the image could be reused as the cover to issue #87 four years later. The enticing image, with background, was so popular that original artist Enrich was commissioned to recreate the piece for a recent Harris Publications Vampirella calendar. The painting that graced the magazine covers is being offered separately in this auction, but we are also proud to present this spectacular, published recreation. With an image area of approximately 9" x 12.5" and in Excellent condition, this piece is signed by the artist in the lower right.
Bill Everett - Strange Tales #149, Splash Page 1 Original Art (Marvel, 1966). The evil Kaluu, freed from five hundred years of exile in the nameless dimension, has returned to exact vengeance upon his former companion, the wise, venerated Ancient One. This splash page, from the story, "If Kaluu Should Triumph...," written by Denny O'Neil, was penciled and inked by one of the Golden Age masters of comic book art, Bill Everett. Set against a paranormal panorama, the Ancient One and Dr. Strange are seized by unseen forces, all courtesy of one of the industry's legendary artists. The art measures approximately 13.5" x 21.5", with a 12.5" x 19" image area, and includes the original title type, and hand-drawn credit art. There is some slight aging apparent, a slight stain along the top edge, and some minimal white-out usage, but otherwise, this work is in Excellent condition.
Bill Everett - Tales to Astonish #87 Splash Page 13 Original Art (Marvel, 1967). This is an spectacular, "twice-up" page with a towering figure of the Sub-Mariner, done by the best artist to ever draw him, his creator, Bill Everett. The image of Sub-Mariner stands an impressive 18" tall, lording his victory over his fallen foe, Krang. The image area is 12.5" x 18.5", and the art is in Excellent condition. This lot also includes a copy of Tales to Astonish #87. Imperious Rex!
Al Feldstein - The Crypt of Terror #18 Splash Page Original Art (EC, 1950). If you have a hankerin' for a piece from the dawn of EC, look no further. Crypt of Terror was the first of the EC New Trend horror titles to hit the stands, and this splash page comes from the second issue featuring the new approach. While touted for his previous penchant for curvy ladies, Al Feldstein could also churn out horror work like nobody's business, and this early portrayal of the Crypt Keeper is sensational. This is a beautiful piece of early EC history. The artwork comes to you matted, is in Excellent condition, and the image area measures 17.5" x 12.5"
Al Feldstein - Weird Science #7 Cover Original Art (EC, 1951). This masterpiece has all of the hallmarks that an EC SF fan-addict craves: spacemen, rocket ships in outer space, and a voluptuous space girl striking a proud pose, spotlighting her space age "headlights." Hoo-HAH! This spectacular cover must number among Al Feldstein's finest SF images. The title logo and caption box at the bottom are replacements; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. The image area measures 13.5" x 19.5". Al Feldstein's SF art has a razor sharp clarity and precision that ranks it among the tableaux by such visionaries as Chesley Bonestell and Hannes Bok.
Virgil Finlay - Fantasy Illustration Original Art (undated). Virgil Finlay, renowned to pulp readers and SF aficionados for his detailed fantasy drawings and paintings, has created a stunning image using his meticulous technique on a textured coquille board. A grieving girl takes small solace against the bosom of a Medusa-like figure on an alien world. The image area measures 6.25" x 9.5", and the art is in Excellent condition. Here's a terrific opportunity to acquire a gem from quite possibly the most important and beloved interior illustrator in the history of the SF magazines!
Virgil Finlay - Famous Fantastic Mysteries Cover Original Art, dated 10-42 (Frank A. Munsey, 1942). A scientist ponders the images of a man and a woman held in his two test tubes. Virgil Finlay's cover is rendered with the same attention to detail that he lavished on his renowned ink illustrations. Quite a bit of his painting was cropped out by type elements when it appeared on the printed cover. The image area of the art measures 10" x 14". There are a few light wrinkles on the surface of the board that do very little to detract from the enormous eye-appeal of this sensational cover; otherwise it is in Very Good condition. A Very Good copy of the pulp magazine is included in this lot. Don't miss your opportunity to bid on a true scarcity, a painted Virgil Finlay cover!
Gill Fox - Torchy #3 Cover Original Art (Quality, 1950). Gill Fox did five Torchy covers, and every single one of them is a gem, so it is with great pride that we offer the extremely alluring cover artwork to issue #3, as Torchy inadvertently sends a couple down the road to divorce even as they depart for their honeymoon. Who could blame the hapless bridegroom for being dumbstruck by one of the sexiest women ever to grace a comic book cover? Not us! Beyond the amusing gag portrayed here, the actual rendering is absolutely stunning, with the intricate details of Torchy's dress, and the sultry pout of her mouth expertly fashioned by Fox, one of the top "good girl" artists ever to put pen to paper. Needless to say, Torchy covers are extremely rare; only one other is definitely known to exist, and to our knowledge, none have ever been offered at public auction, making this a rare opportunity to acquire a classic and sexy piece of original art. This cover is in Excellent condition, retaining all the original stats, with the only white-out being in the "Just Married" sign on the trunk of the car. The piece measures 15" x 19" on thick illustration board.
Frank Frazetta - Kubla Khan Preliminary Sketch Original Art (circa 1977). Frank Frazetta drew this expressive pencil and ink preliminary in preparation for a plate that saw print in Frazetta Prints' 1977 limited edition portfolio of Kubla Khan. Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote Kubla Khan in 1797. Awakening from an opium dream, Coleridge managed to write down the first 54 lines of a poem when he was interrupted by a visitor on business. When he returned to his work, he found that he had forgotten the rest of the dream. To augment the richness of Coleridge's verse, Frank Frazetta, the singular master of fantasy art, created his own vision. The art measures an overall 6.75" x 7.25". There are touches of tape glue residue in the upper left, lower left, and lower right edges, a small piece of paper is out of the upper right corner; otherwise the art is in Very Good condition. "In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree: Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man..." Hang this fabulous drawing in your pleasure dome.
Frank Frazetta - "Tarzan at the Earth's Core" Illustration Original Art (Canaveral Press, 1962). This detailed ink illustration appeared on the back endpapers of Canaveral Press's Tarzan at the Earth's Core. This gem quality fantasy vignette has an overall size of 6" x 7.5", and the art is in Excellent condition. At the Earth's core, "David Innes was a captive in Pellucidar, the strange world within a world that lay under Earth's crust. To rescue him, Tarzan came into that savage, prehistoric land at the head of an expedition equipped with every modern device. But Pellucidar was not like the jungles the ape-man knew. Here were sabre-toothed tigers and every savage creature from the beginning of the time. Here the horizon curved back on itself and the sun was always in the middle of the sky. And now, for the first time, Tarzan was hopelessly lost in a land teeming with unknown, gigantic killers... where even time had no meaning!" Frank Frazetta's endpaper drawing will make a spectacular showpiece for any Burroughs fan-addict!
Frank Frazetta - Tarzan Illustration Original Art (1964). Frank Frazetta's magnificent ink drawing of Tarzan felling Numa, the lion, was intended for publication in Canaveral Press's Tarzan and the Castaways, but the drawing was misplaced and never saw print in the book. Years later, it ultimately saw print in Opar Press's urroughs Artist Portfolio in 1973. Die-hard fans may also recall that it was used as the image on a three inch color button issued in 1973. This gorgeous drawing is a quintessential example of Frank Frazetta's uncanny ability to depict explosive action as a thing of beauty. The image area measures 8.5" x 11.25", and the art is in Excellent condition. Collector's will be very hard-pressed to find a more dynamic Frank Frazetta Tarzan drawing!
Frank Frazetta - Tarzan and Bolgani Illustration Original Art (1962). In 1962, Frank Frazetta and his family were invited to travel to Kansas City to vist Vern Coriell, head of the Burroughs Bibliophiles. To repay Vern for the trip, Frazetta sat down at Vern's kitchen table and drew this incredible drawing in pencil, signing it "For Vern". It is easily Frazetta's greatest pencil drawing, a masterpiece with superb detail - look at the faces of Tarzan and Bolgani, the ape, at the log, and the texture of Bolgani's hair. This fully finished and polished 8" x 10.5" drawing, in Excellent condition, was done at Frazetta's creative peak; it saw print briefly in Burroughs Bulletin #4, and also as a very limited edition print. The original has never been on the market before. It remains one of his most magnificent works.
Frank Frazetta - Demon Color Preliminaries Original Art (undated). This sensational color preliminary sketch shows a tormented demon reaching out from the stygian depths of hell. The iconic composition is given enormous weight and power by Frazetta's mastery of musculature and color. Skulls lurk in the mists surrounding the central figure. A small pencil study of the demon's face is found at the lower left of the paper. A real prize, the paper measures 5.5" x 7", and is in Excellent condition.
Frank Frazetta - Popcorn Man Sketch Original Art (undated). This whimsical ink drawing of a Giant, wolfing down popcorn, totally oblivious to two sky-diving, naked, little women, is solidly in the tradition of the humorous and satirical fantasy of Francisco Goya and Heinrich Kley. Like those great artists, Frank Frazetta is a master draftsman and pen man. The overall matted size of the piece is 7.75" x 10.5", with an image area of 4.5" x 7.5". The art is in Excellent condition.
Dick Giordano - Wonder Woman Poster Illustration Original Art (DC, 1980). The Amazing Amazon strikes a pose with her lariat twirling in this large illustration. We aren't sure what the Roman gladiators are doing in Washington, D. C., except that the sight of charging chariots with the Capitol dome in the background makes for one cool scenario! Dick Giordano has been one of the top names in DC comics for many years, with a number of great Wonder Woman covers among his credits. This oversized piece measures approximately 18.5" x 24.25", with an image area of 17" x 17". There's a bit of white-out used to change the logo on Wonder Woman's breast plate, and there are tape stains from the registration marks along the borders, and the image of the Capitol is partially a stat. Otherwise, this piece remains in Very Good condition.
Jose Gonzalez - Vampirella #43 Complete 12-page Story Original Art (Warren, 1975). Vampi and Pendragon are shot by a sniper! Will our favorite extra-terrestrial blood-drinker survive? Will Van Helsing and son track down whoever pulled the trigger, or wind up as victims themselves? The answer to these questions and more will be answered in this entertaining tale from Vampirella's classic period, complete with beautiful line and wash illustrations courtesy of Jose Gonzalez. The pages measure approximately 14.5" x 20", with an image area of 10.5" x 14.5". Most pages used white tape as a mask between panels and around borders; this really doesn't affect the overall Excellent condition of the art. Complete stories are always sought after, and from a popular title like this, so expect interest to run high.
Jose Gonzalez - Vampirella Poster Recreation Painting Original Art (2002). Jose Gonzalez, considered by many fans to be the preeminent Vampirella artist, has recreated his famous 1972 poster image of the Darklon darling, standing full-figure, with her hand outstretched, to provide a perch for a vampire bat. This watercolor and pastel mixed-media painting measures an approximate 24" x 36", and is signed and dated by the artist. Its condition is Excellent. Be careful Vampi fans, the draftsmanship on this stunning work will make your blood hot with passion, and capture your heart!
Paul Gulacy and Terry Austin - Batman vs. Predator II: Bloodmatch #2 Original Art Cover (DC, 1995). The Predator claims victory, and Batman's cowl, as the Caped Crusader lies supine on the ground. Terry Austin's inks are the perfect complement to Paul Gulacy's detailed pencils. The tonal effects were created using Craft Tint board. This cover will make a superb wall trophy, art hunters!
Paul Gulacy - Crossfire and Rainbow #2 Cover Original Art (Eclipse, 1986). The Marx Brothers take center stage on this off-beat cover featuring Mark Evanier's superhero characters, Crossfire and Rainbow. The image area measures 10" x 15", and the art is in Excellent condition. As Grouch might ad-lib, "Remember, men, we're fighting for this woman's honor; which is probably more than she ever did."
Russ Heath - The Brave and the Bold #1 Golden Gladiator Splash Page Original Art (DC, 1955). Using only his shield, the Golden Gladiator fends off a hammering sword attack, during a thundering horse-drawn chariot race -- shades of "Ben-Hur" -- only this splash predates that great film by five years! The title logo stat is a replacement. The sword is a pasted-over art correction, rare for Heath; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. The overall matted art paper measures 17" x 22", with an image area of 13" x 18.5". Russ Heath's talent for realistic illustration brings this sword and sandal character to life! Superb!
Rick Hoberg - Classic Star Wars The Early Adventures #4 Cover Original Art (Dark Horse, 1994). In a galaxy a long time ago, and far, far away, Luke Skywalker and C-3PO rocket away from a titanic explosion, just in the nick of time. Rick Hoberg captures all the thrills and drama with his spectacular cover design. The image area measures 11" x 16.5", and the art is in Excellent condition. May the force be with you in your bidding!
Rick Hoberg - Classic Star Wars The Early Adventures #9 Unpublished Cover Original Art (Dark Horse, 1995). Look out rebels, Boba Fett has drawn a bead on his target and is cutting lose with this blaster. Rick Hoberg's cover was created for an all Boba Fett issue. The crisp, clean ink work is a fitting tribute to Rick's mentor, Russ Manning, whom he assisted on the early Star Wars newspaper strips. The image area measures 11" x 17", and the art is in Excellent condition. Hey Boba, don't forget your own line, "He's no use to me dead!"
Jeff Jones - "Bias" Original Art (1972). Does life have any consequence? It all depends on your bias. A fast-moving space explorer is groped by a slow-moving herbaceous lifeform, and by the time the plant creature finishes its probing, the girl's flesh is long gone. Jeff Jones' ironic tale is told with his graceful ink drawings. The art has been hand-colored, and the image size measures 16" x 21". It's in Excellent condition, and Jeff Jones has signed the piece at the lower right. This beautiful work of draftsmanship will make a stunning wall piece for the winning bidder!
Jeff Jones - "Idyl" series - Original Art (National Lampoon 1972). Jeff Jones explores the fickle sentiments of ever-lasting love, as a young lad sweet-talks two young ladies. From the "Idyl" series in the October 1972 issue of National Lampoon. The image area of the art measures 18" x 23", and the art is in Excellent condition.
Joe Jusko - 21 Down #12 Cover Original Art (Wildstorm, 2003). A truly explosive cover, this dynamic image from the talented brush of world-renowned painter Joe Jusko fairly leaps off the page with dramatic intensity. You can almost feel the heat from the flames as this vivid painting grabs your eye and won't let go. Measuring approximately 18" x 22" overall and in Excellent condition, this piece is signed by the artist in the lower right.
Joe Jusko - Inquest Magazine Cover Original Art (Wizard, 2000). This stunning portrait of a regal warrior-woman was originally published as the cover of an unidentified issue of Inquest Magazine. Vibrantly alive with the warm and expressive colors for which Jusko is justly famous, this is an amazing painting by one of the world's foremost fantasy illustrators. Measuring a large 20.5" x 30" overall, this piece is in Excellent condition and is signed by the artist in the lower left.
Joe Jusko - Marvel Double Shot #4 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 2003). Iron Man puts his foe firmly in the hot seat -- he's ignited his repulsor rays to melt through a solid steel wall! Joe Jusko captures all the heat of the moment with this glowing portrait of the golden gladiator, the invincible Iron Man. This spectacular painting measures an overall 17" x 25", and is in Excellent condition. Joe Jusko has signed and dated the piece at the lower right. You'll be hot stuff with this cover in your portfolio, so fire off a bid today!
Joe Jusko - Inferno: Hellbound #1 Cover Original Art (Top Cow, 2002). Even a high-tech, multi-purpose, belt-fed machine gun might not be enough to drop a slobbering beast, released from the Gates of Hell! Joe Jusko's hyper-realistic painting captures all the tension and drama presented by such an unholy skirmish. Hell has broken loose on Earth and all of humanity's fate lies in the hands of an elite squad of soldiers who must enter the gates of hell in search of answers. Unfortunately, not just anyone can enter Hell alive. You need to be someone who was headed there anyway. The painting measures an overall 16" x 24". The art is in Excellent condition and Joe Jusko has signed and dated the art at the lower left.
Joe Jusko - Vladimira: Blood Relations #3 Cover Original Art (Peregrine Entertainment, 2000). Dracula, the one true vampire, has found a way to produce a pure and loyal heir -- with Vladimira's help! But she allies with the father who betrayed her, the Ancient One's other offspring will stop at nothing to destroy her. Vladimira is often portrayed by actress/model Avery Misuraca, who studied acting at Stella Adler in New York City. The character Vladimira was influenced by her adoration for horror and characters such as Morticia Addams, Lily Munster and Vampira. And much inspiration came from the horror-classics with legendary stars Boris Karloff and Vincent Price. Joe Jusko has captured the essence of the character with this detailed and macabre cover image. The overall size of this painting measures 17.5" x 26", and Joe Jusko has signed and dated the work.
Michael W. Kaluta - The Shadow #6, page 20 Original Art (DC, 1974). Even a Ninja proves no match for the mysterious Shadow, when it comes to stealth combat. This final page from "Night of the Ninja" is filled with the detail, mood, and dynamic storytelling that have made Michael Kaluta a renowned fan-favorite. The image area measures 10" x 15". Michael has autographed the page below the first panel. The art is in Excellent condition. The Shadow never fails!
Jack Kamen - Underwater Girl Pin Up Original Art (No Publisher, 1995). EC great Jack Kamen displays his considerable talent for drawing lovely ladies with this black and white illustration. If this is what's waiting on the ocean floor, then let's go diving! Nicely rendered in ink, graphite and china marker on textured board measuring approximately 10" x 11", this piece is in Excellent condition. A great bit of "good girl" art from the man who brought you Phantom Lady, Rulah, Brenda Starr, and many more!
Gil Kane and Murphy Anderson - Showcase #36 the Atom Splash Page Original Art (DC, 1961). Gil Kane and Murphy Anderson, both formidable artists on their own, often teamed to make an unbeatable comics art tandem. Not many pages shout "Silver Age" louder than a Kane and Anderson splash, especially if the duo are working on one of editor Julius Schwartz's SF-infused superhero yarns! The Atom makes an ideal counter-spy as he tackles two Cold War kidnappers. This large art has been cropped very close to the panel borders, and there are some minor stains at the lower left, and some signs of mild paper aging, but they do little to detract from the enormous eye-appeal of this spectacular splash from an early Atom appearance. The tile logo, and a caption box at the lower left have slipped off. The art measures an overall 13.25" x 19.25." Gil Kane has autographed the page at the upper left, and Murphy Anderson has signed the page at the lower right, and also dated his autograph 7-7-64. The art is in Very Good condition. Add some punch to your portfolio with this DC Silver Age masterpiece.
Gil Kane - Giant-Sized Conan #1 Preliminary pages Group Original Art (Marvel, 1974). Gil Kane conducts a virtual seminar in how to compose a comics page and stage a story with this lot of twenty-three preliminary drawings for "The Hour of the Dragon". This is drawing at its most direct and expressive. The energy inherent in Gil Kane's creative process is exhilarating. The pages are drawn on newsprint with pencil and marker. Each page has an image area that measures 10" x 15". The overall condition of the art is Very Good. Gil Kane loved the balletic grace of figures in action, and this lot shows Gil's complete mastery of figure drawing. Outstanding!
Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers - Tales of Suspense #83, page 1 Splash Page Original Art (Marvel, 1966). Enter the Tumbler, in true legendary Jack "King" Kirby fashion -- all-out, explosive action. Captain America imposter, the Adaptoid, has replicated the Star Spangled Avenger's image to a tee, but will he be able match the living legend of World War II's fighting spirit? Jack Kirby's plot notes are written in pencil at the top and bottom margins of the page. Jack has signed the page on the lamp shade at the lower left. The Marvel Super-Hero caption at the bottom was affixed with clear tape; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. The "King", on a sixties Captain America splash; that's a winner in any portfolio!
Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers - Rawhide Kid #25 Splash Page 1 Original Art (Marvel, 1961). The Rawhide Kid rides into town and the townsfolk scatter in terror. Check out the dramatic poses they all strike -- only the "King" could stage a scene like this! Dick Ayers' inks were wonderfully suited for the Western genre. The page spotlights a large portrait of the Rawhide Kid atop his mighty steed, Nightwind. The overall paper size measures 13.5" x 21", while the image area is 12.5" x 18.5". The Rawhide Kid logo at the top is the original stat, taped to the paper; otherwise art is in Excellent condition. Stan Lee's name is prominently displayed in a signature box under the title. The tension is palpable in this terrific Jack Kirby splash!
Jack Kirby and Joe Simon - Bulls Eye #4 Cover Original Art (Mainline, 1955). Jack Kirby and Joe Simon present this thrilling, leather-slapping cover from 1955, featuring their Western scout, Bulls Eye. A beautiful piece of Simon and Kirby art, complete with the original title type paste-ups, this art measures 15" x 20", with a 12.5" x 18" image area. The art has been professionally restored, which is most evident in the upper logo area. The logo is not a stat, but is actually drawn on the board. There is also some aging apparent, especially along the top half of the art, but overall this dynamic illustration is in apparent Excellent condition. Simon and Kirby fans will be especially happy to own this original work of the duo from the peak of their collaborative career. Take aim for Bulls Eye, and you can come out the winner on this one!
Jack Kirby - Speed Comics #23 Original Cover Art (Harvey, 1942). This World War II era Jack Kirby cover shows Harvey's response to the other star-spangled superheroes bursting onto the scene, flag-wavers such as Captain America, the Shield, and Captain Flag. Patriotic fervor was all the newsstand rage, and Kirby was a master of this genre. This is as fine a Golden Age cover example as is likely to be offered. Work of this caliber and era does not come to market often. The logo, "film strip" hero portraits, and caption box are photocopied replacements; otherwise, this piece is in Very Good condition. There are moderate white-out touch-ups on the cover that do little to detract from the impact of the image. The image size is 10.5" x 14.25", and this cover has been matted to a size of 16" x 19.5".
Jack Kirby and Chic Stone - Journey into Mystery #109, page 3 Original Art (Marvel, 1964). Magneto keeps his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants in line by ruling them with an iron fist. Toad, Mastermind, Scarlet Witch, and Quicksilver -- the gang's all here. The backgrounds are detailed with Kirbytech and trappings. Jack Kirby has signed the page in the fifth panel. The paper measures an overall 13.5" x 21", while the image area is 12.5" x 18.5". Another triumph for the House of Ideas and "King" Kirby!
Jack Kirby and Chic Stone - Journey into Mystery #109, page 8 Original Art (Marvel, 1964). Magneto, impressed with the power of the Mighty Thor, attempts to recruit him into the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Naturally, the noble Thunder God rejects his preposterous invitation -- in spades. Jack Kirby's tableau bristles with power and machismo. Panel five has a glue stain where an art correction stat has slipped off. The art in that panel was "flopped", or reversed, for the printed comic page, so that the word balloon tails would be pointing at the correct characters; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. Two of Marvel's most powerful characters get ready to rumble!
Jack Kirby and Chic Stone - Journey into Mystery #109, page 14 Original Art (Marvel, 1964). Cyclops and the X-Men launch a counter-attack against the Brotherhood in panels one and two. A panicky Mastermind calls Magneto for a back-up, while Don Blake recovers his walking cane and transforms himself into Thor. It's all out action, Jack Kirby style. Chic Stone's inks add a bold finish to the "King's" pencils. The overall paper size is 13.5" x 21.5", while the image area measures 12.5" x 18.5", and the art is in Excellent condition. To quote the Thing, "It's clobberin' time!"
Jack Kirby and Chic Stone - Journey into Mystery #109, page 17 Original Art (Marvel, 1964). The X-Men keep their presence covert and Thor has only the vaguest inkling of why Magneto has fled. But beware! The evil mutant has left behind a rigged booby trap bomb in his underwater lair. Thor appears in every panel of this Jack Kirby masterwork. The paper measures an overall 13.5" x 21", while the image area is 12.5" x 18.5", and the art is in Excellent condition. Make yours Marvel, effendi, with this sensational Kirby page!
Jack Kirby and Chic Stone - Journey into Mystery #109, page 15 Original Art (Marvel, 1964). It's a clash of the titans, Marvel style, as Magneto wards off a blow from Thor's Uru hammer, Mjolnir. The paper measures an overall 13.5" x 21.25", while the image area is 12.5" x 18.5", and the condition of the art is Excellent. Jack Kirby has signed the art in the final panel. This is a classic Silver Age Marvel slug-fest by the "King", so bid accordingly!
Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers - Avengers #16, page 14 Original Art (Marvel, 1965). Working from Jack Kirby's layouts, Dick Ayers penciled and inked this story in the dynamic fashion that soon became the Marvel Comics hallmark. Captain America appears in every panel, and Rick Jones fills in at the kid sidekick role. Panel five has an art correction that was removed and remounted on an acetate overlay, so that Dick Ayers' original uncorrected drawing is now visible. The art replacement is much more Kirby-esque. There are touches of white-out correction; otherwise the art is in Very Good condition. Avengers fans assemble for this early masterpiece!
Roy G. Krenkel - Tarzan and Jad-bal-Ja Painting Original Art (undated). Roy G. Krenkel extended the tradition of a romantic portrayal of Tarzan that was established by J. Allen St. John. Tarzan peers over a cliff, as his companion Jad-bal-Ja, the Golden Lion, waits. Roy's art was informed by the paintings and pen illustrations of Fortunio Matania, Daniel Vierge, and Joseph Clement Coll. Roy also counted Franklin Booth, William Walcot, and Norman Lindsay as inspirations. The design of this composition, and Roy's distinctive calligraphy add to the charm of this vignette. The image area measures 12" x 18", and the art is in Excellent condition.
Joe Kubert - Brave and Bold #34, page 25 First Silver Age Hawkman Original Art (DC, 1961) The first Silver Age Hawkman story was featured in The Brave and the Bold #34. To launch the series, editor Julius Schwartz brought in two comics giants, writer Gardner Fox and artist Joe Kubert. Joe was in his mid-thirties at that time, and yet he had already been drawing comics, as a professional, for twenty years! This handsome "two-thirds" page is the final page of "Creature of a Thousand Shapes." All of the Hawkman characters are portrayed: Commissioner George Emmet, Hawkgirl and Hawkman in costume, the duo in their secret identities of museum staffers Carter and Shiera Hall, as well as their flirtatious co-worker, Mavis Trent. Even one of the Hawks' bird friends makes a cameo in the final panel. The title lettering in the last panel is hand-drawn art, not a type stat or paste-up. The bottom of the page was left blank, as a house ad was to appear in that space on the printed page. A touch of Joe Kubert's blue underpenciling shows from beneath the inks. The paper measures 14.5" x 21" , while the image area is 13" x 12". This is a terrific page, in fantastic condition, from that first Siver Age appearance, as drawn by a comics legend, so get your bid in today!
Joe Kubert - Black Cat #2 Splash Page 1 Original Art (Harvey, 1946). A truly uncanny piece of art, this is pre-Code horror at its best. Rendered by a young, but supremely talented Joe Kubert, this piece measures approximately 14.5" x 20" overall, with a 12.5" x 18" image area. The title at the bottom of the page is a paste-on; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. The piece was originally signed by Kubert in the lower right, and has been signed again on November 5, 1989 by the artist. A scarce and sensational piece for any pre-Code horror fan-addict.
Estaban Maroto - John Carter of Mars Illustration Original Art (2002). Fantasy art master Esteban Maroto presents a panoramic vista in lavish detail for his breathtaking montage based on the realm of E. R. Burrough's John Carter Warlord of Mars. Spacecraft, alien terrain, a bug-eyed monster, spicy costumes, futuristic architecture, a damsel in distress, and John Carter in action -- this pencil and ink illustration has all the SF hallmarks! The image area measures 10.5" x 29", and the art is in Excellent condition. Welcome to Barsoom!
Esteban Maroto - Conan Illustration Original Art (1995). The spirit of Robert E. Howard's Hyborian Age is distilled into an extraordinary illustration by Esteban Maroto. Conan pits his stout heart, strong arm, and forged steel against this apocalyptic onslaught waged by a stygian sorcerer. Esteban's drawing has an image area of 16" x 22.5", and is in Excellent condition. The pen and ink drawing is rendered on Craft-tint duo tone paper. Crom! This sword and sorcery masterpiece is sensational!
Frank Miller and Joe Rubinstein - Wolverine #4, page 6 Original Art (Marvel, 1982). Wolverine sends Shingen Harada a message with a box of ninja hoods, and a note -- setting the mood for their final battle. Frank Miller stages the mounting dramatic tension like no other comic artist could for this tale of love, honor, and duty. Joe Rubinstein's inks add a crisp finish to the art. The page is an overall 11" x 16", with an image area of 10" x 15". Three of the pages' corners have been clipped outside the art area; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. Looking for some hard-boiled Frank Miller art for your portfolio? Well, here's your chance, bub!
Sheldon Moldoff and Joe Giella - Detective Comics #352, page 1 Original Art (DC, 1966). A roundhouse right from the Masked Manhunter of Gotham City sends another baddy into a well-deserved dreamland! From the height of Batmania, this was a hipper, swingier Batman than either the grim vigilante of the 1940s or the SF crimefighter of the 1950s. Gone were the dinosaurs, aliens and giant props that had been a mainstay of the character for the last decade. The "new-look" Batman was designed for a far more sophisticated audience. Although this page is signed by Bat-creator Bob Kane, the art is actually by Shelly Moldoff, one of the mainstays of the Golden and Silver Ages, and inker Joe Giella. In Excellent condition, this page measures approximately 13.25" x 20.75", with an image area of approximately 12" x 16". The logo is a stat, but all else is original art, with only minor evidence of whiteout. A thrilling piece of art, from the swingin' Silver Age, this is a splash page no true Batfan will want to miss out on!
Steve Muffatti - Little Dot #1, Complete 5-page Story, "Rough and Tumbled" Original Art (Harvey, 1953). Little Dot goes rodeo-in' with her Uncle Hoot, and the dotted darling proves to be a natural born cowgirl -- ahh haawww! This art comes from the historic first issue of Little Dot, and little Miss Polka led the parade of successful Harvey kid characters, such as Richie Rich, Little Lotta, and the rest of the gang. The image area measures 12" x 18", and the art is in Excellent condition. Y'all saddle up and throw down a bid on this rootin'-tootin' yarn!
John Romita Sr. - The Avengers #119 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1974). He collects superheroes the way other men collect, well... comic books! He's the Collector, and he's back with a vengeance! John Romita Sr. is the man behind this unforgettable cover image from 1974, and it's a perfect example of Bronze Age Marvel superheroics at its best. The art measures 12.25" x 18.25" and has a 10.75" x 16" image area. The original illustration, drawn on a sheet of vellum, was affixed to another board. The logo and indicia are replacements, and the art is in Excellent condition. Signed twice by John Romita Sr.
John Romita Sr. and Harry Rosenbaum - The Spectacular Spider-Man #1 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1968). For the premiere issue of their new black and white magazine featuring Spider-Man, Marvel brought in "men's magazine" artist Harry Rosenbaum to paint the finished cover. Working from John Romita's tight cover design, Rosenbaum rendered the image in acrylic paint on illustration board, striving to create a striking three dimensional image of the webbed wall-crawler in action. The magazine hit the stands in April of 1968, at the very zenith of the Silver Age. "Lo, this Monster" featured plot elements that made it contemporaneous with the sub-plots in Amazing Spider-Man #59. Harry Rosenbaum also painted the cover for Skywald's Nightmare #4, but it is comic book legend John Romita's terrific composition that captures the excitement and essence of the Spider-Man we all know and love. The image area measures approximately 11.5" x 15", and the lettering "placement indication" is painted on an acetate overlay. The art is in Excellent condition. The cover art for Spectacular Spider-Man #2 commanded a sensational price in Heritage Comics' 2002 Signature auction, and this piece will certainly be a welcome addition to even the most distinguished collection.
Alex Schomburg - Green Hornet #21 Cover Original Art (Harvey, 1944). America's favorite World War II cover artist does it again with this magnificent action-packed illustration. The Green Hornet and his sidekick Kato stop the Japanese saboteurs, against the backdrop of a busy naval port with more going on in this one cover than many titles could produce in a year's time! Schomburg's use of white-out is particularly impressive here, creating highlights as the guns blast away, and speed lines as one gunman topples down the hatch. This large Golden Age art board measures 15" x 20", with an image area of 12.5" x 18". The outer borders show some wear, with minor soiling and some damage to the lower corners, but the art area remains in Very Good condition, clean and problem free. The original masthead, including the Green Hornet logo and all type blurbs, is missing and has been replaced by a carefully-created replica on matching paper. WWII-era cover art like this doesn't come along too often, so stockpile those funds -- you're going to want this one!
John Severin - Western Gunfighters #9 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1971). John Severin spent a lot of time during his days at EC Comics drawing Western comics. His Western-themed stories for Two Fisted Tales were great, loaded with the kind of detail editor Harvey Kurtzman demanded, and this high quality carried over to Severin's work done for Marvel two decades later. This cover, spotlighting the Black Rider, is moody and grim, with the Rider towering over the dead bodies of five gunslingers who were a little slow on the draw, as thunderclouds darken the sky. Delicately drawn on duotone Craftint board, the original art image area measures approximately 8.25" x 8.5"; the total cover measures 10" x 14". All the original type and stat elements are present on this Very Good condition cover, with a few stains evident on the mast and statted figures along the left side of the art. The piece has been professionally and attractively double mounted, and is ready for framing.
Jim Starlin - Warlock #13, page 16 Original Art (Marvel, 1976). In the tradition of Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, Jim Starlin was a master of the Cosmic comic book story; take for example this wonderful Warlock page. Our hero flies in and around a sky so crowded with planets that there barely seems room for stars to show through! Starlin must have gone through bottles of ink by the case when completing these mind-expanding epics! If you have been looking for a perfect example of this popular series to add to your collection, seek no further, effendi! We have what you need! This 10.5" x 16" page is in Very Good condition; it has been trimmed a bit close to the borders, and there is some light paper discoloration, as well as a few minor tape stains. The action in space is no-holds-barred here, so spare not with the bids!
Curt Swan and Sheldon Moldoff - Action Comics #287 Cover Original Art (DC, 1962). Q Superman is a fugitive from an armed manhunt. To make matters worse, Clark Kent's boss, Perry White, is the one hunting the Man of Steel down with his own super pooch, Krypto. This swinging sixties cover boasts a favored Mort Weisinger approved cover hook, namely Iwhy have Superman's closest friends turned against him? The entire image on the printed comic book was reversed, or "flopped, so that the figure of Superman appeared on the right rather than the left. Some of the logo and type elements are carefully color-matched replacements, and the word balloons have been removed; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. The paper measures an overall 14.25" x 20", while the image area is 12.5" x 18.75". It won't be easy to track down a nicer Silver Age Superman cover than this gem, so bid accordingly, Super fans!
Dave Tendlar - Harvey Comic Hits #60 "Paramount Animated Comics" Cover Original Art (Harvey, 1953). This early cover marks the first comic book appearance of Herman and Katnip, stars of the popular Paramount cartoon series. It's business as usual for the duo, as they go about their daily schedule of cat and mouse. Dave Tendlar is the artist responsible for this delightful demonstration of take and retake, a very animated rendering of these two lovable characters. This issue helped usher in the Harvey Age of children's humor comics. Included within its pages were the first Buzzy the Crow, the second Harvey Casper appearance, and the third Baby Huey. The art measures 13.5" x 20", with an image area of 11.75" x 18". There's some general aging apparent overall, and some minor white-out usage; otherwise, the artwork is in Excellent condition. The logo and indicia at the top are recent photocopy replacements.
Charles Vess - Lord of the Rings Illustration Original Art (1977). Gandalf the Grey and Bilbo Baggins converse with Beorn the giant in this whimsical pen and watercolor illustration by Charles Vess. Charles worked on Rankin and Bass's animated film "The Hobbit", and his illustrations also appeared in the 1977 Ballantine book The Hobbit or There and Back Again. This illustration was printed on page 96 of the 1989 Galahad Books reprint of that book. The overall size of the art measures 7" x 10.5". There are small areas of tape glue residue in three of the corners, and the paper has been mounted to a larger board; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. This is an enchanting portrait of the beloved J.R.R. Tolkien characters.
Wally Wood - Mad #49 Illustration Original Art (EC, 1959). Against the Grain: Mad Artist Wallace Wood, the comprehensive biography of the EC master, has enthused, " 'The Mad Horror Primer' from Mad #49 (written by Larry Siegel) is prime Wood. Working in a combination of ink and wash, Wood achieves a dark, deep tone that is perfect for depicting the various Universal monsters that appear in the piece." As the quote indicates, Wally Wood rendered the gray tones of this art in mixed-media on illustration board, and inked the linear outlines on an acetate overlay. Thus the two elements could be shot on separate printing plates for maximum clarity. The type is also rendered on acetate overlays. The board measures an overall 12.75" x 20", while the image area is approximately 16" x 10". The art is in Excellent condition. Frankenstein and Igor get a Wally Wood send-up years before "Young Frankenstein" lumbered along!
Wally Wood - Mad #49 Illustration Original Art (EC, 1959). Wally Wood and writer Larry Siegel team up to instruct Mad readers with their hilarious feature, "The Mad Horror Primer." Never has the mighty King Kong looked more manic or gleeful, as he ransacks Manhattan. Kong looks like he's found true love as he holds Ann Darrow aloft in one hand and grips his huge... ahem.. tower in the the other. Hoo-HAH! The gray tones are rendered in mixed-media on illustration board, while the line art is inked onto an acetate overlay. The type is also printed onto acetate overlays. The board measures an overall 13" x 19", while the image area is approximately 16" x 10". The art is in Excellent condition. Hooray for Wally Wood!
Wally Wood - Weird Science #13 Cover Original Art (EC, 1952). One of the finest artists to illustrate the pages of EC Comics, Wally Wood had a style that was instantly recognizable to his legion of fans. Perfectly at home with virtually all of the genre comic books published, for many, Wood's genius shone through most brightly in his science-fiction work. A classic SF theme is delineated on this spectacular cover: a technologically superior alien race is worshipped by native "primitives" as a god-like messiah from on high come to visit, in "He Walked Among Us." Wally Wood has combined design elements of the quasi-medieval with the prehistoric and the futuristic in this alien tableau overflowing with detail. The cover's image area measures approximately 13.5" x 19". The title logo and lower caption banner are replacements; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. This cover is nothing short of a Wally Wood SF masterwork!
Wally Wood - All-Star Comics #65 Cover Original Art (DC, 1977). Wally Wood drew very few pages showcasing Superman, and he only drew two covers spotlighting the Man of Steel, All-Star Comics #64 and 65. Vandal Savage crosses the centuries just in time to belt Superman with a vicious right cross. Also showcased in this drama are the Star Spangled Kid (say, is he wearing Dynamo's thunder belt?), the buxom Power Girl, and the Golden Age Hawkman. Wally has kept a touch of the Joe Shuster look to the Golden Age Superman's portrait. The SF cityscape background is the rendered in the fabled Wally Wood tradition. The image area measures 10" x 15", and the art is in Excellent condition. There no type stats or glue stains, and only a few small touches of white-out. It cannot be stressed enough how scarce a Wally Wood cover featuring Superman is. This may be your best opportunity to acquire one, so bid accordingly!
Wally Wood - Frontline Combat #9 Complete 6-page Story "Choose Sides" Original Art (EC, 1952). The EC war stories were some of the finest American comics ever done. Harvey Kurtzman poured all his energy into the war tales, striving for verisimilitude and realism, to the point of running down his health with a case of jaundice, before moving on to Mad. Frontline Combat #9 was a special Civil War issue. Wally Wood lavished incredible detail into his art for the tale. The splash panel with its focal point of a military drum sets the stage for this shocking conflict amongst America's people. Bill Mason has noted in his commentary for The Complete EC Library, ""The strongest story in the issue, however, is "Choose Sides" with its drumbeat refrain, its documentary references to mounting violence on the last panel of every page and its frightening portrayal of the effects of civil war on a civilian population." Also commenting on the profound influence of the EC comics on the Underground Comix scene, Mason added, "Spain (Rodriguez) was obviously thinking about the German-American troops, the villainous bystander who plies the old farmer with whiskey and Sherman, still in civilian life, staring in hatred at the Southern mob when he wrote and drew his excellent Road Vultures yarn, 'An Evening at the Country Club' for Zap #6." The image area of each page measures 13" x 18" and the art is in Excellent condition. This is a hallmark EC war story and would be a treasured showpiece in any collector's portfolio.
Wally Wood - All-Star Comics #65 Complete 17-page Story "The Master Plan of Vandal Savage" Original Art (DC, 1977). Wally Wood plotted and drew this spectacular story. As a result, he threw the entire catalogue of "Woodworks" into the story: SF architecture and gadgets, lavish double lighting schemes, "op art" special effects, heroic Wood poses, robots, time travel, beautiful women, and so on; no detail was spared, Wood went all out for All-Star Comics! Many aficionados consider this to be the best Wally Wood version of the traditional DC superheroes ever done. The epic thriller stars Superman, Power Girl, the Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, and the Star Spangled Kid, as they battle the deadly Vandal Savage. The last page features cameos by Wildcat, Hourman, and the villainous Icicle. Merlin even cameos! The image area of each page measures 10" x 15". There are signs of some slight paper aging on some of the pasted-on "op art" patterns, as well as some minor art corrections; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. Hooray for Wally Wood, and the Golden Age DC super-heroes; this Bronze Age masterpiece is the story for you.
Wally Wood - Weird Science #5 Splash Page 1 Original Art (EC, 1951). A cautionary tale about the evils of war and conflict, this detailed splash page shows Wally Wood at his best. Measuring approximately 15" x 22" overall, with an approximate image area of 13" x 18", this dark, moody piece demonstrates Wood's uncanny understanding of the power of light and shadow. A paste-up art correction of a figure's face has slipped of in panel three; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. This page is signed "Wood" in the lower left corner of the first panel. As a bonus, there is some preliminary sketchwork on the reverse. Wally Wood returned to the Weird Science title with this story and his art appeared in every issue thereafter, establishing his legacy as a SF master. This splash is a sure winner for any Wood fan.
Bernie Wrightson - Cask of Amontillado Illustration Original Art (undated). "The thousand injuries of Fortunato I had borne as I best could, but when he ventured upon insult, I vowed revenge. You, who so well know the nature of my soul, will not suppose, however, that I gave utterance to a threat." So begins Edgar Allen Poe's tale of calculated revenge. Bernie Wrightson sets the stage for this chilling vendetta with his large charcoal drawing of the wine cellar. The image area measures 22" x 28", and Bernie has signed the work at the lower left. There is some minor edgewear to the illustration board; otherwise the art is in Very Good condition. This drawing may have been a study done for the Edgar Allen Poe Portfolio published in 1976. And so, art mavens, to conclude Poe's classic chiller, "I forced the last stone into its position; I plastered it up. Against the new masonry I reerected the old rampart of bones. For the half of a century no mortal has disturbed them."
Robert Crumb - "Arcade #32 April 1963" Illustration Original Art (unpublished, 1963). The story of R. Crumb and his early years as an artist has been told a number of times now, but it's worth mentioning again how important was influence of older brother Charles upon the young Robert. Charles would cajole and bully his younger siblings into making home-made comic books, as a way to entertain themselves. Charles had a lot of talent himself, and he would try to push the others to keep up. Eventually, only Robert kept up the pace, with a growing talent that soon surpassed Charles'. "Arcade" was the name they gave to their personal comics drawn in lined notebooks, with special covers mocked up and pasted onto the books. This particular cover is absolutely gorgeous. It appears to be entirely by Robert -- by this time, Charles had lost his drive and retreated into his room, where he would stay for the rest of his life. This piece is unusual, in that it has been drawn in ink on acetate in the manner of an animation cel; the color was then applied with colored pencils to the back. The girl looks a bit like Mabel (from the brother's earlier "Treasure Island"-inspired strips), while the frog running off with the ponytail is Oggie, star of The Yum Yum Book. This fantastic illustration has never been published, as far as we can tell. It measures approximately 7" x 9"; outside of some minor scuffing on the front of the acetate, it is in Excellent condition. This piece marks the end of Crumb's juvenile efforts, and the beginning of his professional career.
Robert Crumb - Devil Girl Choco Bar Box Illustration Original Art (Kitchen Sink, 1993). Robert Crumb's fiendish creation Devil Girl actually had her own line of candy bars in the 1990s. Can you imagine a candy product with a slogan like "It's Bad For You" selling in stores today? They were churned out in droves, and snatched up by eager fans of Crumb, kids wanting to be "bad," and nearsighted patrons with a sweet tooth. The candy bars were displayed in a "cigar" box covered with cool Crumb illustrations of our favorite demoness, including this piece, which originally graced the inside front cover. Drawn in thick black lines, it's a tight rendering done in Crumb's most professional style. The art is drawn on a 8.25" x 6.25" piece of bristol board; with an image area approximately 6" x 5"; it's signed and dated at the bottom. White-out use is pretty extensive, but overall, the piece is in Excellent condition.
Robert Crumb, Gilbert Shelton, Denis Kitchen, Spain Rodriguez, D. Tosh - "Oh No! Comics" Jam Page Original Art (Self-published, 1984). This unique jam page, featuring four top Underground cartoonists, has its origins at a 1984 Dallas Fantasy Fair comics convention. Underground comix fan and small press publisher Dave Tosh met and convinced these guest UG legends to contribute to this Zap-style jam. Tosh came up with a title, and drew the borders and the first bit of art before handing it off to Spain. Kitchen was next, then Crumb (who seized the opportunity to poke a little fun at convention attendees like Tosh, aspiring artists lugging around portfolios), and finally, Shelton. The piece has been published only in Small Press books with tiny print runs; titles like Nowhere to Flip But Out (a xeroxed magazine-sized comic with only 20 copies published), and The Best of Dallas Fantasy Comics (a digest-sized compilation of convention sketches and minis, which had a print run of about 200). As such, this is a rare page indeed, seen by very few. It didn't make the Complete Crumb Comics, that's for sure! The art is drawn in black ink (with some blue ink added by Spain to the "skyline" panel) on an 8.5" x 11" sheet of heavy sketchbook paper, and is in Excellent condition. And what ever happened to Tosh? He's currently writing descriptions for Heritage Comics catalogs!
Robert Crumb - New Yorker Magazine Two Page Story "Street Musicians" Original Art (New Yorker, 1996). For such a huge fan of music, Robert Crumb is known for being picky, even downright cranky about what he will, and won't, listen to. Abhorring modern pop music as crass and noisy, Crumb instead champions the kind of old-fashioned entertainment still occasionally found in America. This finely-crafted two-page strip, which first saw print in New Yorker magazine, examines the "busking" scene as it has existed through the years on the streets. It's an unusually tender tale, told with genuine feeling for the subjects Crumb has observed plying their trade upon a mostly uncaring public. The pages measure 11" x 14"; there's the usual amount of white-out used, but the boards are clean and in Excellent condition. This is quite a lovely little "slice of life" story from a true American master cartoonist.
Robert Williams - Zap Comix #12 Complete 2-page story "My Filthy Mouth is Killing Me" Original Art (Last Gasp, 1989). Coochy Cooty learns a valuable lesson in social discourse from his creator, Robert Williams, as the four basic categories of profanity are explored in "Coochy Cooty's Scholarly Guide to Foul Language." Each page measures an overall 10.5" x 13.75", with an image area of 8.5" x 12", and the art is in Excellent condition. An Underground Comix fan would be f-----g crazy to let this terrific piece slip by without bidding on it!
Skip Williamson - Neon Vincent's Massage Parlor Original Art (Playboy, undated). Skip Williamson rendered this Neon Vincent strip as a lush, full color mixed media painting for its publication in Playboy. Neon Vincent explains the ins and outs of the massage business and makes a -- ahem -- "contribution" to his local law enforcement officer. Skip Williamson got his start in Harvey Kurtzman's Help! magazine, and he co-founded Bijou Funnies with fellow Underground comix titan, Jay Lynch. Skip has also worked as an art director at Playboy and contributed Neon Vincent to the "Playboy Funnies" section. The overall paper size measures 20" x 15", while the image area is 18" x 11.5", and the art is in Excellent condition. Put your hands on this Neon Vincent art and relax! .
Skip Williamson - Harlan Ellison's Dream Corridor #3 Complete 10-page Story, "Rough Boys" Original Art (Dark Horse, 1995). Skip Williamson abandons his usual light, cartoonish style for something with a bit more grit in this intense treatment of a classic short story by Harlan Ellison. Williamson's use of color and texture adds plenty to this bloody description of crime vs. crime, adapted to the comics by Jan Strnad. The pages measure approximately 11" x 15", with image areas measuring 8.5" x 13". Rendered in watercolor, ink, and opaque white on bristol board; all pages are in Excellent condition.
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Mailing Address:
PO Box 619999
Dallas, TX 75261-6199
Street Address:
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, Texas 75261-4127
(Northwest corner of W. Airport Freeway & Valley View Lane)
All Rights Reserved
1-800-872-6467 / (214) 528-3500 / Fax: (214) 443-842