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Detective Comics #38 Allentown pedigree (DC, 1940) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white pages. The fourth most valuable issue in the illustrious title's long run is the one that introduced Robin the Boy Wonder as Batman's sidekick. Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson combined for the cover and associated on interior story art, while other well-known Golden Age artists Ken Ernst and Fred Guardineer also contributed interior art. This copy has so much going for it we may run out of space! Not only is it from the respected Allentown pedigree, this copy was also part of the Nicolas Cage Collection. Just four copies of #38 have earned grades higher than FN+ 6.5 from CGC to date, and our beauty is the only copy grading higher than 9.0. Truly one of the highlights of our sale! Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $60,000. CGC census 2/05: 1 in 9.4, none higher.
Auction 816 | Lot: 3590 | May 20, 2005

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Amazing Fantasy #15 White Mountain pedigree (Marvel, 1962) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. Here's a genuine milestone in the history of comics -- the origin and first appearance of mild-mannered Peter Parker and his alarming alter-ego, the spectacular Spider-Man. Having begun as Amazing Adventures #1 in 1961, the title changed to Amazing Adult Fantasy with issue #7, before a final name change for the series' swan song. The story goes that publisher Martin Goodman was so underwhelmed by Stan Lee's new arachnid creation that the only way the story could see print was as a throw-away feature in the final issue of a dying title. But Stan Lee's tale of a withdrawn high-school student suddenly endowed with strange powers hit a chord with readers, and the rest is history. Steve Ditko's moody art struck just the right tone for Lee's offbeat tale, and Jack Kirby's cover remains one of the most iconic images from the Silver Age of comics. The tragic death of Peter Parker's beloved Uncle Ben in this issue, at the hands of a felon Spidey could easily have arrested earlier, teaches the young hero the "with great power there must also come -- great responsibility." The high bidder on this fantastic comic will also have a great responsibility -- namely, caring for one the finest copies of this issue in existence. Excelsior! Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $42,500. CGC census 4/05: 5 in 9.4, 1 higher.
Auction 816 | Lot: 5272 | May 20, 2005

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Bill Everett - Marvel Comics #1 Sub-Mariner, page 12 Original Art (Timely, 1939). A show-stopping masterwork from the dawn of the Golden Age, this page must rank as the most historically significant and treasured piece of original comic book art known to survive -- it's the final page of the Sub-Mariner's origin story from Marvel Comics #1! William Blake Everett (1917-1973), broke into comics in 1938, working for one of the first companies to print original stories for comic books, Centaur Publishing. In 1939, Bill Everett joined Lloyd Jacquet's Funnies Incorporated shop as the art director when former editor Jacquet and a few other talents broke away from Centaur. Everett created the Sub-Mariner as an eight-page feature originally printed in a giveaway comic book titled Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1. The Overstreet Price Guide notes that this comic book was probably not distributed outside of advance copies, and estimates that only eight copies are known to exist. The Sub-Mariner character proved so marvelous that Jacquet repackaged Everett's origin story a few months later, with four additional pages added, for young pulp publisher Martin Goodman's title, Marvel Comics #1. So it was that Prince Namor became Marvel's first super-hero. This imaginative and beautifully rendered origin story is considered by Golden Age aficionados to be an unparalleled highlight of the early super-hero comics. The twelve-page thriller told the origin of the Sub-Mariner, "an ultra-man of the deep who lives on land and in the sea, flies in the air, has the strength of a thousand men, and is a youth of dynamic personality, with quick thought and fast action." In the slam-bang finale, the yarn ended with a splash, as the Sub-Mariner destroyed a lighthouse beacon light, flew aboard an enemy plane, disposed of the pilot with one terrific blow, and dove into the ocean with a solemn vow to continue his crusade against all surface men! Namor's cousin Dorma also star
Auction 816 | Lot: 2328 | May 20, 2005

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$2,000,000 or more
Charles Schulz - Peanuts Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 5-30-54 (United Feature Syndicate, 1954). World champion fussbudget Lucy Van Pelt, came on strong in the 1954 Peanuts Sundays. In one of Charles Schulz's first forays into a weekly continuity, Lucy was mentored by her golf coach Charlie Brown, and in this climatic scene, Miss Van Pelt was but one hole away from capturing the "Women's State Amateur Golf Championship!" This remarkable strip was one of the few times full-figured adults with their heads shown, were seen in Peanuts! If panel three were isolated, who among the legion of Peanuts aficionados would ever guess that it appeared in a Sunday? Astounding! As it turned out, Lucy gave up her shot at the title when she remembered it was time for her nap -- the little gal had her priorities set! This Sunday showcased Charlie Brown and Lucy in nearly every panel. The strip is reproduced on page 221 of Fantagraphics Books' The Complete Peanuts 1953 to 1954. The image area of the strip measures 22.5" x 15.25", and the art is in Excellent condition. This extraordinaryPeanuts Sunday is certain to pique the interest of every comic art collector!
Auction 816 | Lot: 2135 | May 20, 2005

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More Fun Comics #54 Larson pedigree (DC, 1940) CGC NM- 9.2 White pages. The earlier issues of this title were cool enough, but beginning with his cameo appearance in #51, the Spectre made More Fun Comics something special, and led the way to the intros of other classic Golden Age superhero characters in subsequent issues. Bernard Baily's cover is an Overstreet "classic", and the issue itself is rated "scarce" by The Photo-Journal Guide to Comic Books. Add the ingredients of a renowned pedigree, and the highest-graded copy to date as certified by CGC, and this becomes one of the premier offerings of the sale! Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $19,000. CGC census 1/05: 1 in 9.2, none higher. From the Northern Lights Collection.
Auction 816 | Lot: 1127 | May 20, 2005

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Journey Into Mystery #83 (Marvel, 1962) CGC 9.4 Off-white to white pages. Marvel was on a roll in 1962, reinventing itself with the introduction of superheroes that would in short time revolutionize the comics world. The Fantastic Four, the Hulk, and Ant-Man had already been introduced by the peerless team of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby when the August 1962 issue of Journey Into Mystery hit the newsstands with yet another new superhero, the Mighty Thor. Kirby's cover for the issue is one of his most famous, and this comes oh-so-close to the finest copy you could hope to find. To date CGC has certified a higher grade to just one other copy. Early Marvel Age keys continue to be hot commodities, especially such high-grade gems as our offering. Bid thee well! Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $10,000. CGC census 2/05: 3 in 9.4, 1 higher.
Auction 816 | Lot: 5451 | May 20, 2005

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Jack Kirby and Syd Shores - Captain America #102 Cover with Letter from Jack Kirby Original Art (Marvel, 1968). Captain America had his hands full battling the original series of Sleepers during World War II. The Sleepers were robot-like, automated weapons of mass destruction. The menace of the Red Skull reared it's ugly head again in the sixties and Cap's arch-rival was now armed with an even more dangerous, state-of-the-art Sleeper. Sharon Carter, SHIELD's Agent 13, stands down in the background as the Sleeper hurls the Star-Spangled Avenger as though he were a mere rag doll. Two legends of Golden Age Marvel teamed to created this magnificent Marvel masterpiece. Jack 'King" Kirby's dynamic pencils were given the perfect Golden-Silver Age finish by Syd Shores. The image area of the art measures 13.5" x 20". The cover has been pieced together using numerous carefully done paste-ups. The main image of the Sleeper and Captain America was glued to a larger support paper, and the art extended slightly along the bottom and left edges. Captain America's right hand and left foot were corrected using original art paste-ons. The cover retains its original type and logo stats, and there is a minor crease in the logo between the words "Captain" and "America." The paper shows some signs of mild aging, with touches of white-out used to crisp up the inking. The paper was cut to the exact image area and then the art was glued to a matt board. Given all that, the cover still retains incredible eye-appeal, and overall the condition is Very Good. In addition to the cover, this lot also contains a two-page, signed letter from Jack Kirby to the fan who bought this cover. The letter was written on December 22, 1972 and Kirby answered this fan's questions about the comics industry in the 1940s, the topic of "gangs," other forms of entertainment competing with modern comics, and slumping comics sales. Apparently this fan was writing a term paper about comics and he was lucky enough to get his research right
Auction 816 | Lot: 2411 | May 20, 2005

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John Byrne and Bob Layton - X-Men #113 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1978). Face front True Believers, and feast your eyes on John Byrne's scintillating first-published X-Men cover, as inked by Bob Layton. What a premiere! -- the X-Men launched an all-out battle royal against Magneto in the thriller, "When Falls Magneto." The tableau showcased Cyclops, Colossus, Banshee, Storm, Wolverine, Phoenix, and Nightcrawler as the team launched their supreme offensive against Magneto. John Byrne remarked in Ron Goulart's The Great Comic Book Heroes, "When I started doing comics I realized that I didn't have the sense of power that say, Jack Kirby has, or the understanding of anatomy that Gil Kane has. So, I decided that I'd try to make my work a little different -- try to make it stand out because it was subtle, because an expression or pose or gesture had a certain degree of subtlety." It was on the X-Men title that John Byrne solidified this approach. He not only drew the feature, but also contributed to plot and characterization, and was a key factor in the growing popularity of Phoenix and Wolverine. The image area of the cover measures 9.75" x 15", and the art is in Excellent condition. Don't miss out on your chance to win this John Byrne milestone!
Auction 816 | Lot: 2236 | May 20, 2005

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All-American Comics #16 (DC, 1940) CGC FN- 5.5 Cream to off-white pages. One of the five most valuable comics of all, and the highest grade yet awarded for that book... do we have your attention? This is the origin and first appearance of the original Green Lantern, Alan Scott. According to Overstreet, the only comics more valuable than this one are the "big four" of Action Comics #1, Detective Comics #27, Marvel Comics #1, and Superman #1. The reason this book is valued higher than the first appearances of Wonder Woman, the Flash, etc. has to do with the scarcity; Overstreet calls the issue "rare," while Gerber gives it a 7, meaning "scarce." The interior art on this first Green Lantern story is by the character's creator Martin Nodell, who's credited as "Mart Dellon" inside the issue. Nodell and Bill Finger (who assisted on the scripting here) came up with an appealing hero who spends this first story finding out the extent of his new powers. His major vulnerability was not the color yellow, but rather anything made of wood! The cover art for this issue was the work of Sheldon Moldoff. Incidentally, the comic is far from an all-superhero affair -- the backup features include Mutt and Jeff as well as Sheldon Mayer's comic artist character Scribbly. Overstreet 2005 FN 6.0 value = $28,050. CGC census 3/05: 4 in 5.5, none higher.
Auction 816 | Lot: 3551 | May 20, 2005

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Jack Davis - Tales From the Crypt #39 Cover Original Art (EC, 1953). Jack Davis' spine-tingling cover for the blood-curdler, "Undertaking Parlor," ranks as one of the most memorable horror covers that EC ever dished up for its fan-addicts. Once seen, no EC reader would ever forget this pulse-pounding scene of little kids running for their lives from a knife-wielding lunatic, beneath a full moon in a graveyard! Jack Davis' unique blend of horror and humor was ideally suited for such over-the-top chiller-dillers! Jack Davis recalled his early days of looking for his niche at EC; he initially tried to land a spot as a romance artist! "Al Feldstein gave me my first horror story, probably because my romance work was such horrible stuff." This cover exemplifies the Jack Davis hallmarks: his loose and scratchy line work, and a knack for exaggerated expression, in both the faces and body language of his figures. As Davis himself put it, "I'm a cartoonist, not an illustrator." The end result was storytelling with an emotional impact that was visceral. Small wonder that Dr. Frederick Wertham cited a Jack Davis yarn in his infamous anti-comics screed, Seduction of the Innocent. The image area of the cover is 13.5" x 19.5", and the art is in Excellent condition. Tuck your drool cups under your quivering chins fan-addicts, and begin the bidding!
Auction 816 | Lot: 2283 | May 20, 2005

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More Fun Comics #58 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1940) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages. You can see from the grade and our scan how nice-looking this comic is, so let us take this opportunity to stress how early it is -- the fact that it has an ad for Batman #1 and All-Star Comics #1 speaks volumes here. This NM copy is a great showcase for the Bernard Baily cover -- when the Spectre isn't even the most ominous-looking guy in the picture, that's pretty spooky indeed. Baily and writer Jerry Siegel teamed up for the Spectre story. Also in this issue are some of the earliest appearances of Dr. Fate and Congo Bill. This is not only the highest-graded copy that CGC has certified to date, it's the only one graded above 9.0. CGC notes, "From the collection of Nicolas Cage." Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $5,300. CGC census 4/05: 1 in 9.4, none higher. From the Northern Lights Collection.
Auction 816 | Lot: 1131 | May 20, 2005

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$33,062 or more
More Fun Comics #62 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1940) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. The Spectre was a nearly omnipotent superhero, and Bernard Baily's cover for this issue showcases the character's overwhelming power. The other heroes in this issue are not too shabby in their own right; among them are Dr. Fate and Congo Bill. Even the Spectre with all his power wouldn't be able to find a better copy of the issue than this one -- ours is not just the highest-graded copy CGC has certified to date, it's the only one graded above 9.0. Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $4,100. CGC census 4/05: 1 in 9.6, none higher. From the Northern Lights Collection.
Auction 816 | Lot: 1135 | May 20, 2005

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Batman #6 Allentown pedigree (DC, 1941) CGC NM+ 9.6 Off-white to white pages. If you wonder why people make such a fuss about pedigree collections, a look at this stunning Allentown book will tell you how nice a comic can look if handled with the utmost care over many decades. It's a superb showcase for a Jerry Robinson cover that's a collector's favorite in any condition. If only the best will do, this qualifies on every level; one of the icons among superheroes, historical significance, eye-catching cover by one of the premier Golden Age artists, respected pedigree, and the highest-graded copy of the issue that CGC has reviewed to date. Truly one of the rare gems in this auction. Note that a small plastic stabilizing peg is loose inside the CGC holder, not affecting the comic or the integrity of the holder. Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $6,500. CGC census 2/05: 1 in 9.6, none higher.
Auction 816 | Lot: 3566 | May 20, 2005

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Richard Felton Outcault - Yellow Kid and Buster Brown Hand-Colored Sunday Comic Strip Art Original Art, dated 11-3-07 (American-Journal-Examiner, 1907). Here's a sensational piece for comic strip art collectors -- the original art for the November 3, 1907 Buster Brown Sunday, titled "Strange Things Do Happen To." This remarkable Sunday featured a rare crossover between two of R.F. Outcault's greatest creations; Outcault's promethean creation, the slum kid Mickey Dugan, who was dubbed the Yellow Kid, and the merry prankster, Buster Brown. The Yellow Kid appeared in the Buster Brown feature on only four occasions, twice in 1907, and twice again in 1910. This beautiful, hand-colored original features a double-portrait of two of the oldest and most irascible tykes in comic strip history. Yellow Kid originals are exceptionally rare. Only one Hogan's Alley original starring the Kid is known to exist, while only two of the Buster Brown strips co-starring the Kid have surfaced. Richard Felton Outcault was so celebrated for his creations of the Yellow Kid and Buster Brown, that upon his death, newspapers credited him as the creator of the comic strip itself. In 1894, Outcault began illustrating scenes that detailed humorous aspects of tenement life in New York City for Joseph Pulitzer's New York World. Mickey Dugan, the Yellow Kid, was a slum kid with a bald head and big ears, and he was the star of Hogan's Alley. When the strip made its transition into a Sunday color panel, the Kid wore a bright yellow nightshirt which was emblazoned with his biting slang. As the Kid's popularity soared, a bidding war over Outcault's creation broke out between Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst. The Kid had become the first comics merchandising super-star. By 1896, Outcault had relocated to Hearst's New York Journal. Pulitzer countered by continuing Hogan's Alley, with World staff artist George Luks as
Auction 816 | Lot: 2115 | May 20, 2005

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More Fun Comics #53 (DC, 1940) CGC VF 8.0 Off-white pages. This issue, the second appearance of the Spectre, is currently #23 in Overstreet's ranking of the most valuable comic books, and the high ranking has to do with the hero's presence as well as the scarcity of the book -- it's a Gerber "8." The Spectre appears in costume on the bondage cover and again at the end of the story, both of which were drawn by Bernard Baily. This book features the start of the Captain Desmo feature (the pilot's previous aerial heroics had been in the pages of Adventure Comics) and a host of other stories as well. Overstreet 2005 VF 8.0 value = $18,400. CGC census 4/05: 1 in 8.0, 2 higher. From the Northern Lights Collection.
Auction 816 | Lot: 1126 | May 20, 2005

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Johnny Craig - Vault of Horror #14 Cover Original Art (EC, 1950). Here's a cover drawn to terrorize all you fan-addicts -- to make the blood freeze in your veins. For spine-tingling chills, few artists created a horror-mood to match the depth of Johnny Craig's EC works. Caleb Standish sweated bullets as he awaited the results of the "Voodoo Vengeance" against his cheating wife, Sally. Johnny Craig was a meticulous draftsman and a gifted writer-editor as well. He outlined his psychological approach to his chillers, "Fear is inside a person. Some people are afraid of some things, some are afraid of other things. But whatever they're afraid of is inside them." Craig's favorite horror themes included voodoo, zombies, personality transference, and above all, the psychological aspects of fear. This early cover, the third in the series, was a first-rate effort spotlighting many of Johnny Craig's noted themes. The image area of the cover measures 13.5" x 19.5". The cover has replacement stats of the title logo and caption box; otherwise the art is in Excellent condition. Don't be haunted by the killer horror cover that got away, bid today!
Auction 816 | Lot: 2271 | May 20, 2005

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Sensation Comics #1 (DC, 1942) CGC VF+ 8.5 Off-white pages. This key comic is listed among the 30 most valuable comics by Overstreet, and our copy is one of the best you'll find. It's the second appearance of the number one superheroine in comics, Wonder Woman, in an issue released just one month after she was first seen 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 2005 VF 8.0 value = $19,400; VF/NM 9.0 value = $31,700. CGC census 2/05: 2 in 8.5, 2 higher.
Auction 816 | Lot: 3659 | May 20, 2005

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Wally Wood - Weird Science #18 Cover Original Art (EC, 1953). Good Lord! -- a science fiction fan would be hard-pressed to find a more spectacular vision than this Wally Wood masterpiece. As a squadron of flying saucers dropped atomic bombs, the readers were treated to a detailed view into one of the saucers, with a close-up of its alien crew, as they did their fly-by. Scenes such as this were bliss for almost every fantasy-starved kid who went to the movies in the fifties. The theme of a horrific alien invasion reached its zenith with Topps' 1962 Mars Attacks trading cards, and Wally Wood had a hand in creating those too. Cold War fears helped make such inconceivable destruction seem almost inevitable. Choke! Added to this iconic image was a caption emblazoned with one of the most hallowed names in science fiction -- Ray Bradbury. William Gaines noted, "I should mention that Bradbury was wild about our adaptations. He was really very happy with them, every new one he saw he just kept raving about them." The image area measures 13.5" x 19.5", and the art is in Excellent condition. Comic fans marveled at the love and dedication Wally Wood poured into his EC science fiction work, and here's a chance to acquire one of his finest covers ever!
Auction 816 | Lot: 2579 | May 20, 2005

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Charles Schulz - Peanuts Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 11-3-53 (United Feature Syndicate, 1953). You take a little nap, and when you awaken, the world around you has changed in puzzling ways -- or so it seemed to Snoopy. Peanuts strips featuring Snoopy are always in high demand with art collectors. As comic historian Richard Marschall noted in his book America's Great Comic Strip Artists, "After Peanuts became a sensation, the sudden popularity of Snoopy -- energized in his fantasies as the Red Baron, the happy dancer, a friend of birds -- resulted in a quantum leap in Peanuts' visibility." This strip is printed on page 132 of Fantagraphic Books' The Complete Peanuts 1953 to 1954. The image area of the daily is 27" x 5". Aside from a fold between panels two and three, and a few minor stains in panels one and four, the art is in Excellent condition. Don't pass up this chance to win a terrific Snoopy daily!
Auction 816 | Lot: 2133 | May 20, 2005

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Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers - Fantastic Four #12, Splash Page 14 Original Art (Marvel, 1963). Jack Kirby's love for science and science fiction infused each of his yarns with mind-boggling concepts and machines, later dubbed "Kirbytech." The Fantastic Four often used their super-powers to tweak Reed Richards' inventions; the Thing served as a human hoist or nearly invulnerable test pilot, the Human Torch acted as a living welding torch, and Reed himself would stretch his fingers into nearly inaccessible places to wire together his gizmos. The Fantastic Four were at the forefront of America's technological advances in the sixties -- anything seemed possible! The Navy actually tested Transonic rocket sleds at China Lake,California. General "Thunderbolt" Ross, the Hulk's antagonist, co-starred in panel one. Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers set the pace for the early Marvel masterworks and this splash is a doozy. The image area of the page is 12.5" x 18.5", and the art is in Excellent condition.
Auction 816 | Lot: 2415 | May 20, 2005

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Jack Kirby and John Severin - Strange Tales #138 Cover (Marvel, 1965). Wah-hoo -- "Sometimes the Good Guys Lose", but not on the day when the indomitable Nick Fury battled the hordes of Hydra and squashed their plot to drop the Betatron bomb! Two comics legends, Jack Kirby and John Severin, teamed to detail this unforgettable Marvel masterpiece, and ol' Nick out-Bonded James Bond in this Cold War thriller! This was the only Nick Fury cover that the two titans, Kirby and Severin, collaborated on, and its power is undeniable! The cover was carefully pieced together using several art patches, but they do little to affect the overall eye-appeal of this cover. There are several small and faint stains in the center and at the lower left, and the issue number box is a replacement; otherwise the art is in Very Good condition. The image area of the cover is 13.25" x 20"; the paper has been trimmed right to the image area. Face Front, and don't yield-- back SHIELD!
Auction 816 | Lot: 2428 | May 20, 2005

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Jim Steranko - Eerie #25 Cover Painting Original Art (Warren, 1970). More than any other comics creator, the signature of Steranko conjures up the thought of cutting-edge "noir imagery," cinematic storytelling, and narrative experimentation. His most celebrated comic book work was for Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD for Marvel Comics, where he drew lasting acclaim for his innovations in sequential art in the Silver Age of comic books. Steranko infused surrealism into the medium. This enigmatic painting from 1970 is the one and only cover painted by Jim Steranko for Warren Publishing. Measuring 14" x 20," and in Excellent condition, its sombre tones and visual tension perfectly aligns the design with the emotion -- a Steranko hallmark! This cover should certainly appeal to any fan of Steranko, whose entrance into the world of comics heralded new ways of telling a story, dynamic new designs in illustration and layout, and paved the way for more ambitious formats.
Auction 816 | Lot: 2548 | May 20, 2005

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Charles Schulz - Peanuts Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 4-27-54 (United Feature Syndicate, 1954). When Snoopy hitched a free ride in Schroeder's toy dump truck, the bold beagle paid for his effrontery -- with a swift dumping! Charles Schulz was the dominant comic artist of his time, a front-runner in the comic strip for over forty years, nearly half of the field's lifespan. He once said, "I'm not interested in simply doing gags, I'm interested in doing a strip that says something and makes some comment on the important things of life." This daily is printed on page 207 of Fantagraphics Books The Complete Peanuts 1953 to 1954. The image area of this strip is 27" x 5". Aside from a fold between panels two and three, and a few small stains in panel three, the condition of the art is Excellent.
Auction 816 | Lot: 2134 | May 20, 2005

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Charles Schulz - Peanuts Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 2-25-62 (United Feature Syndicate, 1962). In this priceless Sunday, Lucy conquered Linus with "kindness." The little fussbudget put on an quite an act of passive-agressive helpfulness with all of her TV tips. When Linus finally relented and turned control of the TV over to Lucy, her true, crabby nature returned with a vengeance. Poor Linus could only "sigh." -- this superb Sunday showcased a truly classic performance by Lucy Van Pelt! The image area of the strip measures 22.5" x 15.25". The artwork was folded horizontally and vertically through the center of the strip, some paper aging is apparent, and panel six had a whited-out lettering correction; otherwise the art is in Very Good condition. Peanuts art from the sixties is highly treasured by a generation of Baby-Boomers -- don't let this terrific example starring Lucy and Linus slip by without a bid!
Auction 816 | Lot: 2137 | May 20, 2005

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John Buscema - Avengers #52 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1968). The Grim Reaper has claimed victory over Goliath, Wasp, and Hawkeye -- only the Black Panther stood in his way. This milestone in Marvel lore featured the origin and first appearance of the Grim Reaper. The Black Panther was made an Avenger by the end of the epic, titled "Death Calls for the Arch-Heroes." John Buscema's heroic figure work lifted the Avengers title to new heights of glory and firmly established Big John as one of the crucial mainstays of Marvel comics. John Buscema's art set the standard for the House of Ideas after Jack Kirby departed in 1970. This sensational, large-sized cover has an image area of 13.5" x 19.5". There are numerous pasted-up art corrections and logo stats, as well as areas of white-out; overall the cover is in Very Good condition and has tremendous eye-appeal. Don't let this Silver Age Marvel masterwork slip past you, without a bid!
Auction 816 | Lot: 2228 | May 20, 2005

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Startling Comics #49 (Better Publications, 1948) CGC NM 9.4 Cream to off-white pages. Only one issue in the 53-issue run is rated more valuable than this one by Overstreet, and the #10 issue featuring the first appearance of the Fighting Yank just barely edges out #49. One look at this stunning, classic cover by Alex Schomburg (as "Xela") tells you why. Beautiful girl in bondage, a bad robot, a hero with a ray gun, an alien landscape... it doesn't get better than this! Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $5,400. CGC census 3/05: 2 in 9.4, none higher.
Auction 816 | Lot: 3276 | May 20, 2005

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Special Edition Comics #1 Denver pedigree (Fawcett, 1940) CGC NM 9.4 Cream to off-white pages. This is the first comic book entirely devoted to Captain Marvel, pre-dating Captain Marvel Adventures #1 -- the hero had of course been the star of Whiz Comics, but he had to share that title with other characters. Captain Marvel's signature artist, C. C. Beck, drew this now-famous cover in addition to providing spectacular interior artwork.This fabulous copy is nigh-flawless with a tight spine and rich cover tones. One of the best copies in existence of one of the most important Fawcett issues. Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $13,000. CGC census 4/05: 1 in 9.4, 2 higher.
Auction 816 | Lot: 3265 | May 20, 2005

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John Byrne and Bob McLeod - Amazing Spider-Man #189 Cover Original Art (Marvel, 1979). Who was the mystery menace, all wrapped up like a mummy on the cover to Amazing Spider-Man #189? It turned out he was none other than J. Jonah Jameson's son, John, the tragic sometimes-villain known as Man-Wolf. John Byrne continued the legacy of artistic brilliance established for the web-spinner by Steve Ditko and John Romita Sr. right on into the Bronze Age. Ever respectful of his artistic forefathers' work, Byrne penned a production note along the right border that read: "Michelle: Ditko lighting on Spider-Man's back." Byrne's art featured a perfect blend of bravura draftmanship, complexity, and storytelling clarity, and he soon became a fan-favorite. Byrne's Spider-Man covers are extremely scarce. The Overstreet Price Guide credits Byrne with only four Amazing Spider-Man covers, and only two of those were drawn in the Bronze Age. After this thriller, Byrne would not pencil another Amazing Spider-Man cover until 1985, when the Bronze Age had passed. John Byrne's dramatic cover scene captured the wall-crawler poised for action as he rushed to the aid of his biggest critic, Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson. The image area of the cover measures 10" x 15" and the cover retains its original stats. Aside from some very minor printer's oil and glue residue stains that do little to affect the beauty of this cover, the art is in Excellent condition. If you've always craved a John Byrne Spider-Man masterwork for your art collection, look no further!
Auction 816 | Lot: 2234 | May 20, 2005

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Detective Comics #58 (DC, 1941) CGC NM 9.4 Cream to off-white pages. This is the first appearance of one of the best-known comic book villains of all, the Penguin! He's one of the few comic baddies who has truly become a household name, and that's thanks to his decades of comic book appearances as well as battling Batman both on TV and in the movies. And while the Penguin became more of a "comedy villain" in years to come, he was quite cold-blooded at the start -- a murderer, in fact! Artist Bob Kane reportedly got the idea for the character's visuals from the penguin used in the Kool cigarette ads, with writer Bill Finger contributing the gadget umbrellas that became the character's trademark. This issue's cover is by Fred Ray and Jerry Robinson; the interior art on the Batman story is by Kane, Robinson, and George Roussos. As this issue was from the early days when Detective Comics wasn't yet an all-Batman title, there's a host of backup features, including superhero the Crimson Avenger, gumshoe Slam Bradley, and also the last installment of the Speed Saunders feature which had been appearing in this title since issue #1. No copy of this key issue has been certified with a higher grade by CGC to date. Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $6,200. CGC census 3/05: 3 in 9.4, none higher.
Auction 816 | Lot: 3595 | May 20, 2005

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Charles Schulz - Peanuts Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 4-25-55 (United Features Syndicate, 1955). Lucy Van Pelt, the brassy fussbudget, has big dreams on how she'd spend a million bucks -- and the little gal has quite the sweet tooth. In the earlier Peanuts strips, the gang still thought and talked like kids; over the years the cast began speaking almost as adults, touching on such grand topics as theology, psychology, and philosophy. Here, Lucy is only thinking of mass quantities of marshmallows and ice cream! Charlie Brown tried to talk sense to Lucy, but you know how that goes. The image area of the daily is approximately 27" x 5". The strip was folded between panel tiers two and three and the paper shows moderate signs of aging; otherwise it is in Very Good condition. Be sure to put your bid in on this wonderful gag featuring first-rate, fifties portraits of Charlie Brown and Lucy Van Pelt!
Auction 816 | Lot: 2136 | May 20, 2005

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More Fun Comics #101 (DC, 1945) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Cream to off-white pages. The first appearance of Superboy makes this a DC key by any measure! Especially because most of the story revealed new details of Superboy's origin (and therefore Superman's as well). Making his final appearance in this title was the Spectre, after being the star of the book for nearly 50 issues. He's drawn by Bernard Baily as ever. Green Arrow, Johnny Quick (with Mort Meskin art), and Aquaman also appear. It's interesting to note that Superboy didn't get a cover mention, while the comic relief duo Dover and Clover are billed on the cover but don't appear inside! That leads us to speculate that the Superboy feature was a last-minute addition here, most likely originally planned for another title. One mystery about this key issue is who drew the all-important Superboy story, which has never been conclusively attributed. The cover, featuring Green Arrow, is by Cliff Young. Overstreet 2005 VF/NM 9.0 value = $9,437; NM- value = $13,000. CGC census 4/05: 2 in 9.0, none higher. From the Northern Lights Collection.
Auction 816 | Lot: 1163 | May 20, 2005

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Superboy #1 (DC, 1949) CGC VF/NM 9.0 Cream to off-white pages. Here's the issue that started off a thirty-year run for this title, a run that endured even through those difficult pre-Silver Age days when superheroes were largely out of fashion. Maybe DC's formula for the book had something to do with it -- in the early days of this title, there were no super-powered villains (young Lex Luthor, etc.) and Superboy wasn't whisked off to the future to join the Legion of Super-Heroes every three hours. Instead, less flashy (but well-written) tales were the order of the day, usually with a subtle moral for young readers. The Boy of Steel's debut issue features a Wayne Boring cover and John Sikela art. Overstreet 2005 VF/NM 9.0 value = $8,709; NM- 9.2 value = $12,000. CGC census 4/05: 1 in 9.0, 1 higher.From the Northern Lights Collection.
Auction 816 | Lot: 1203 | May 20, 2005

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The Amazing Spider-Man #4 (Marvel, 1963) CGC NM 9.4 Cream to off-white pages. The Sandman made his first appearance in this issue, which also tells the character's origin (this being a Stan Lee story, radiation was involved, natch). But the grainy villain isn't the only focus of the issue -- it's also time for love letters in the sand, as not one but two of Peter Parker's romantic interests make their debuts. One is Betty Brant, J. Jonah Jameson's put-upon secretary, the other is Midtown High cutie Liz Allen, and both are impeccably characterized by artist Steve Ditko. This NM copy has none of the "Marvel chipping" that can be such a thorn in the collector's side on these Silver Age books. Get this: unlike some of the other early Amazing issues, no grade higher than 9.4 has been assigned for #4 by CGC to date. Overstreet 2004 NM- 9.2 value = $3,800. CGC census 4/05: 8 in 9.4, none higher. From the Northern Lights Collection.
Auction 816 | Lot: 1055 | May 20, 2005

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Charles Schulz - Peanuts Daily Comic Strip Original Art, dated 10-10-62 (United Feature Syndicate, 1962). Linus gets a letter from home that brings a tear to his eye during a school lunch break, and Charlie Brown utters his famous: "Good Grief!" in response. This sensational daily from October 10, 1962 features two prime Peanuts characters, beautifully drawn by Charles Schulz during a prime period of the strip. The page measures approximately 28.5" x 7", with an image area of 27" x 5.5". The art was folded between the second and third panels; otherwise it is in Very Good condition.
Auction 816 | Lot: 2138 | May 20, 2005

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Jack Kirby and Wally Wood - Challengers of the Unknown #7, page 1 Original Art (DC, 1959). The scarcely-seen but always fascinating combination of Jack Kirby and Wally Wood bring to vivid life this "Dr. Cyclops"-esque scenario in which the Challengers have been shrunken down to the size of action figures. "The Isle of No Return" was an science-fiction fan-geek's paradise, with freeze-rays, x-ray beams, and miniaturization. A stunning title splash from two of the geniuses of the field. The image area measures 13" x 18" and the art is in Excellent condition.
Auction 816 | Lot: 2430 | May 20, 2005

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George Herriman - Krazy Kat Sunday Comic Strip Original Art, dated 5-9 (King Features Syndicate). Considered by many aficionados to be the greatest cartoonist of the twentieth century, George Herriman is among an elite group of comic strip artists whose work, for many, has crossed over into the realm of fine art. Admired in his day by such literary luminaries as E.E. Cummings, William Randolph Hearst, and Gilbert Seldes, Krazy Kat went beyond a mere gag-a-day amusement. Seldes referred to Herriman as, "the counterpart of Chaplin in the comic film." Herriman filled his work with an abstract surrealism. His playful reinvention of the title logo treatment, and his use of panel backgrounds as "stage sets" influenced many cartoonists, especially Will Eisner on his Spirit feature; such delightful Krazy Kat examples are in high demand among collectors. This superb Sunday featured many of the major Krazy characters: Ignatz, Offisa Bull Pup, Mrs. Kwak Wak, and Krazy herself, singing a whimsical song! Measuring approximately 14.25" x 22.5" overall, the piece is in Excellent condition, and was signed by Herriman in the final panel. Celebrate the joie de vivre with a George Herriman Krazy Kat original!
Auction 816 | Lot: 2077 | May 20, 2005

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Detective Comics #118 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1946) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages. It's Joker time once again, and the Mile High copy of a Joker appearance, no less. In this issue, the Fiendish Funster has a "royal flush"- themed crime spree for the Dynamic Duo to try to foil. Dick Sprang drew the Jeering Jackanapes on the cover, while Howard Sherman supplied interior art for the Batman story. Other features include the Boy Commandos (with Curt Swan art), Slam Bradley, and Air Wave. The pristine, unsmudged yellow on this copy is a beauty to behold -- it's the highest-graded copy, and the only one graded above 9.2, that CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $1,300. CGC census 2/05: 1 in 9.6, none higher.
Auction 816 | Lot: 3612 | May 20, 2005

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New Fun Comics #1 (DC, 1935) Condition: GD. One of the most historically important comic books ever published, New Fun #1 is the genesis of DC. Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, DC's creator, hit upon the novel idea of filling his first book with all new material, as opposed to the strip reprints other publishers were using for their comics. This idea would take years to catch on with everyone else, resulting in a pool of talent, including Bob Kane, Jerry Siegel, and Joe Shuster, drifting toward DC's doors. The concept paid off in spades. An incredibly interesting book by itself, New Fun #1 is oversized, measuring 10" x 15", and is very rare. Almost all copies are either restored, or beat up with low page quality. This particular one is something to behold, exhibiting no restoration, and off-white to white pages. The spine is cleanly split, but the cover has no missing pieces, and exhibits average wear usually found on VG to FN copies. A three-inch tear extending from the middle spine on the back cover, and a small stain on the back and front, are the only other defects worth noting. The interior is in remarkable shape, with little wear and superb page quality. Despite the defects, it's safe to say this book ranks among the best existing unrestored copies. Overstreet 2005 GD 2.0 value = $6,650. From the Northern Lights Collection.
Auction 816 | Lot: 1199 | May 20, 2005

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All-American Comics #17 (DC, 1940) CGC VF+ 8.5 Off-white to white pages. DC icon Green Lantern made his second-ever appearance in this issue! And the book is just as scarce as the character's first appearance in #16 according to Gerber, who gave both books his "7" rating. Overstreet ranks this issue among the 100 most valuable Golden Age books. GL is drawn by Sheldon Moldoff on the cover; inside the comic the character is rendered by his creator, Martin Nodell. The backup features include Mutt and Jeff, Red, White and Blue, and Sheldon Mayer's Scribbly. This is the highest-graded copy of the issue, and the only one graded above FN/VF, that CGC has certified to date. Overstreet 2005 VF 8.0 value = $9,705; VF/NM 9.0 value = $15,853. CGC census 2/05: 1 in 8.5, none higher.
Auction 816 | Lot: 3552 | May 20, 2005

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Superman #1-7 Plus Early Action Comics Bound Volume (DC, 1939). This bound volume not only includes Superman #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 (each of which had four Superman stories), but also the Superman stories from Action Comics #14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 24, 26, 28, 29, 30, and 31 (without the backup features starring other characters) -- that's 40 Superman stories in all from 1939 and 1940! The only covers included are the front and back covers of Superman #1, which are in GD/VG condition. Tan edges, some one-inch tears in a handful of pages, and minor (1/4-inch) tears here and there, sometimes repaired with an unobtrusive piece of tape, are the only indications of the ravages of time and many re-readings, so there's nothing to deter your reading pleasure some 66 years later! This amazing bound volume would be well worth having for Superman #1 alone, which is the fourth most valuable comic book of all according to Overstreet! Finding and acquiring all of the individual comics would be quite a chore, and an extremely expensive one at that. Being able to page through the original stories like kids in 1939 did is quite a thrill that reprints can't come close to matching.
Auction 816 | Lot: 3684 | May 20, 2005

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The Amazing Spider-Man #129 (Marvel, 1974) CGC NM/MT 9.8 White pages. Here's the nicest copy you're going to find of one of the most important Marvel comics of the 1970s, the first appearance of the Punisher. Since the character is still as popular as ever, demand for this book can only increase with the passage of time. Of course, we'd be remiss if we didn't note that this is the first appearance of the villainous Jackal as well. The story's by the creative team of writer Gerry Conway and artist Ross Andru. The cover is a typically eye-catching number by Gil Kane. Overstreet 2005 NM- 9.2 value = $495. CGC census 1/05: 3 in 9.8, none higher. From the collection of Chris Bell.
Auction 816 | Lot: 5331 | May 20, 2005

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New Comics #1 (DC, 1935) CGC FN/VF 7.0 Off-white pages. Here's a piece of DC history -- the first issue of only the second series DC ever published, appearing more than a year earlier than Detective Comics #1! This title ran 11 issues before turning into New Adventure Comics. Thereafter it became Adventure Comics, and this series that began in the Platinum Age made it all the way to the Modern Age, with a lifespan of 48 years and 503 issues. This key first issue is ranked among the 100 most valuable comic books by Overstreet. You may be surprised to learn that the book has Walt Kelly art, DC not being a publisher he's usually associated with. There's also art by Sheldon Mayer and Whitney Ellsworth. The cover is by Vin Sullivan. Overstreet doesn't list values for grades above VF for the book, and according to CGC's census, only one copy of the issue has been graded higher than our offering. Overstreet 2005 FN 6.0 value = $8,700; VF 8.0 value = $20,000. CGC census 1/05: 2 in 7.0, 1 higher. From the Northern Lights Collection.
Auction 816 | Lot: 1192 | May 20, 2005

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Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers - Fantastic Four #9, page 1 Original Art (Marvel, 1962).
Auction 816 | Lot: 2412 | May 20, 2005

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More Fun Comics #52 (DC, 1940) CGC GD/VG 3.0 Cream to off-white pages. This issue, the origin and first appearance of the Spectre, is on Overstreet's list of the ten most valuable comic books, and it was quite a special day when we laid eyes on this unrestored copy. The eerie superhero had a bluish-gray cape in his very first appearance; he would have a green cowl in the next issue and forever after. The character, writer Jerry Siegel's follow-up to Superman, has been an enduring figure throughout the history of DC, with every generation of comic fans getting to know him, both as a member of the Justice Society and as star of his own title several times in decades to come. The book's cover and interior art are by the artist most associated with the character, Bernard Baily. Gerber's Photo-Journal gives this comic a scarcity rating of "8," and CGC's census bears out everything we've heard about the scarcity of the book. Only two unrestored copies have been certified with higher grades by CGC to date. Overstreet 2005 GD 2.0 value = $5,350; VG 4.0 value = $10,700. CGC census 4/05: 1 in 3.0, 2 higher.From the Northern Lights Collection.
Auction 816 | Lot: 1125 | May 20, 2005

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Bill Everett - Daredevil #1, page 13 Original Art (Marvel, 1964). Events moved fast in the fabulous first issue of Daredevil. In the thriller, "The Origin of Daredevil," Golden Age legend Bill Everett proved up to the demanding task, as can be seen in this action-packed page. Battling Murdock is murdered in panel tier one, setting the stage for Matt Murdock's motivation to become Daredevil. Foggy Nelson and Matt Murdock graduate from law school in panel tier two and the boys open their law office and hire the beautiful Karen Page in panel tier three -- Face front, true believers, Marvel history was made in every panel! Bill Everett's lush inking was showcased at its finest, especially in his stunning portrait of Karen. The image area of the page is 12" x 18". The first two panels of the page were drawn directly on the paper, while the final six panels of original art were pasted onto the page and the art extended slightly out to the panel borders. There are a few touches of white-out; otherwise the art is very clean, and in Very Good condition. This page is sure to be a treasured showpiece for any Silver Age Marvel fan!
Auction 816 | Lot: 2329 | May 20, 2005

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Carmine Infantino and Bernard Sachs - Green Lantern #88, 13-page Golden Age Green Lantern Story "The Menace of the Marching Toys" Original Art (DC, 1949/1972). A caption in Green Lantern #88 explained: "This Golden Age Green Lantern story was originally scheduled for the July-August, 1949 issue of (the old) Green Lantern -- but the magazine ceased publication with the previous issue. At long last we are happy to present this nugget from the golden past." Unlike other "written off" DC art from this era, the splash page of this yarn has remained intact and was uncut. Each of the other pages from the tale was cut into thirds, with a cut between each panel tier. The top tier of page eight is missing, otherwise the story is complete. Nearly as impressive as the story itself, are the many detailed pencil sketches on the back of these pages. The influence of Jack Kirby can be seen on the young Carmine Infantino in these sketches. The image area of the conjoined art is 13" x 18". Other than most of the pages being cut into three pieces, some edge wear, and some paper aging, the art is in Very Good condition. A copy of the comic book is included in this lot. (Total: 14 items)
Auction 816 | Lot: 2386 | May 20, 2005

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Four Color #9 Donald Duck Finds Pirate Gold (Dell, 1942) CGC VF+ 8.5 Cream to off-white pages. The word "genius" is bandied about a lot, but few comic enthusiasts would dispute Carl Barks' inclusion in that category. This milestone issue boasts Barks' very first Donald Duck story, "Donald Duck Finds Pirate Gold." This is by far the most highly prized comic of this series' 1,300-plus issue run! Barks drew the cover as well as the interior art. Huey, Dewey, and Louie also appear. Overstreet 2005 VF 8.0 value = $5,800; VF/NM 9.0 value = $9,813. CGC census 12/04: 2 in 8.5, 3 higher.
Auction 816 | Lot: 3113 | May 20, 2005

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Detective Comics #26 Mile High pedigree (DC, 1939) CGC VF 8.0 White pages. This is one of the few Detective issues that had eluded us up until now, but since we're believers in going straight to the top, we're offering the Mile High copy here. Evidently a smudge on the back cover kept this one from the usual tip-top grade, but other than that it's the kind of well-preserved Edgar Church book we know, love, and wish we owned. This was of course the last issue of this title before you-know-who's first appearance. Highlights here are a Fred Guardineer cover, Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's Spy, some Bob Kane gag features, and a Fu Manchu story. Overstreet 2005 VF 8.0 value = $1,875. CGC census 3/05: 1 in 8.0, 1 higher.
Auction 816 | Lot: 3586 | May 20, 2005

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