Auctions: comic books July 1972

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 110 GD/VG 3.0 (R)

Restored (see item notes)

RESTORATION. Color touch.

First appearance of the Gibbon in "The Birth of the Gibbon!" Part 1 of 2. Script by Stan Lee. Pencils by John Romita. Inks by John Romita and Tony Mortellaro (backgrounds). Cover by John Romita and Frank Giacoia. On a Manhattan rooftop, the wall-crawler has a chance meeting with a man named Martin Blank. And after he talks with Spider-Man; the tall, lanky, and athletic Martin decides to become a superhero! But when Martin (in his ape costume) meets the web-slinger again, Spider-Man laughs at his offer to become partners, and Martin is hurt. And now the Gibbon is vulnerable to becoming partners...with someone else! Origin of the Gibbon. Cameo appearances by Aunt May, Gwen Stacy, Harry Osborn, Flash Thompson, and Kraven the Hunter. (Notes: This story completes Stan Lee's extraordinary scripting run on the Amazing Spider-Man title -- which began with issue #1 in 1963. The letters page includes a letter from comics writer David Michelinie. This issue was reprinted in Marvel Tales #89.) 32 pages. Cover price $0.20.

Daredevil (1964 1st Series) 89 FN+ 6.5

Cover pencils by Sal Buscema, inks by John Verpoortan. Crisis!, script by Gerry Conway, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Tom Palmer; The Purple Man convinces Electro to take on Daredevil once again; guest starring the Black Widow and Killgrave. 36 pgs. Cover price $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Iron Man (1968 1st Series) 48 VG/FN 5.0

"The Fury and the Inferno!" Story by Mike Friedrich. Art by George Tuska and Vince Colletta. Cover by Gil Kane. The battle is still raging between Tony Stark and Simon Gilbert for control of Stark Industries! Tony fires the entire board of directors, but the chairman of the board, Simon Gilbert, is not going quietly. He arranges for an old enemy of Iron Man to attack the munitions plant. It's another great showdown: Iron Man vs. Firebrand! 32 pages, full color. Cover price $0.20.

Marvel Feature (1971 1st Series) 4 FN- 5.5

Cover oxidation.

Re-introduction of Ant-Man (1st appearance since 1960s) in "The Incredible Shrinking Doom!" Guest-starring Ant-Man and Peter Parker. Script by Mike Friedrich. Art by Herb Trimpe. Cover by Herb Trimpe. The Ant-Man is back! And working on a new experimental drug with a university research assistant…Peter Parker! But the duo's science project is put on hold when low-life thugs kidnap Billy Connors! The son of fellow researcher, Dr. Curt Connors (aka the Lizard)! Hank and Peter are outraged and vow to save Billy! So Ant-Man, Aunt May's nephew, and Hank's dog, Orkie, embark on a rescue mission to Eagleneck Point! However, these kidnappers are tough and push Hank Pym to the brink! Ant-Man needs help! And fortunately, there's a web-slinger close by! Retelling of Hank Pym's origin. Cameo appearances by Spider-Man and Martha Connors. Flashback cameos by Hawkeye and the Wasp. (Notes: This issue begins a seven-issue run in the Marvel Feature title featuring the Astonishing Ant-Man. These stories took place during Hank Pym's time away from the Avengers in the early 1970's. Ant-Man previously appeared in Incredible Hulk 154.) 32 page Cover price $0.20.