Auctions: comic books in 'Hercules'

Tales to Astonish (1959-1968 1st Series) 79 CGC 4.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4169094009

Cover by Jack Kirby and Bill Everett. When Rises the Behemoth, script by Stan Lee, art by Gene Colan (as Adam Austin) and Bill Everett; Little realizing that he is under the control of the Puppet Master, the Army tries to capture Namor for robbing a bank; After being shot in the arm, Namor seeks the healing power of water and winds up in the Hudson River; There he encounters Lady Dorma who has come to the surface world to retrieve him as the Behemoth has awakened and is menacing Atlantis. The Titan and the Torment, script by Stan Lee, art by Jack Kirby and Bill Everett; Zaxon tries to sap the power of the Hulk for his own nefarious ends but ends up getting himself killed in the process; Free once again, the Hulk rips up some train tracks to throw at pesky fighter jets and wouldn't you know that Hercules just happens to be riding in the oncoming locomotive; Hulk and Herc battle to a standstill before the jade giant leaps off to fight another day. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 229 CGC 9.4

Paper: White

Label #4183207010

Cover pencils by Ron Wilson, inks by Mike Esposito. "Where Darkness Dwells, Dwell I!", script by Gerry Conway, pencils by Rich Buckler, inks by Chic Stone; Both Thor and Hercules have returned to Earth, but while Thor flies overhead, Hercules hears a cry for help; He rushes to it, only to see an old man attacked by a robber; Hercules chases him down, only to return just in time to see the old man kill himself; A police detective tells Thor and Hercules about how several people have gone insane lately and killed themselves; Hercules storms off by himself, but is captured by a mysterious shadowy figure; He later manages to barely return to Thor, only to collapse in front of him. The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp #80 (Ghost Rider), and also an ad for Wolverine's debut in Incredible Hulk #181. 36 pgs., full color. $0.25. Cover price $0.25.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 231 CGC 8.5

Paper: White

Label #4495174016

Cover by Gil Kane and John Romita (alterations). "A Spectre From the Past!", script by Gerry Conway, pencils by John Buscema (layouts/breakdowns), Dick Giordano, and Terry Austin (finished art), inks by Dick Giordano (figures) and Terry Austin (backgrounds, uncredited); Thor and Hercules return to the surface and fix the hole in the ground they created; After they are done, Blumkenn tells Thor that one of the people stopped from killing themselves has been asking for him - Jane Foster; Elsewhere, during a séance, the spirit of Armak is channeled into Arnold Nicolson. Back in a Midtown Hospital, Sif sees Thor with Jane Foster and realizes just how much he still loves her; The doctor tells Sif that there's not much hope, and that Jane has a week or two at the most; Sif returns to Asgard seeking Odin, only to find him gone; Thor flies off to fight Armak. The story pages were printed out of order; they should be 1-13, 15, 16, 14, 17, 18. The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp series A #83 (Dragon Man). 36 pgs., full color. $0.25. Cover price $0.25.