Auctions: comic books in 'Celestial Madonna'

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 129 CGC 9.0

Paper: White

Label #4666015009

"Bid Tomorrow Goodbye!" Script by Steve Englehart. Art by Sal Buscema (breakdowns) and Joe Staton (finishes). Cover by Ron Wilson and Mike Esposito. A bright shining star appears over Avengers Mansion! What does the radiant beacon foretell? Kang the Conqueror thinks he knows! And thus begins the Celestial Madonna saga! The 41st century Master of Time and his macrobots attack the Avengers outside their mansion! After overwhelming the six avengers, Kang absconds with five of them plus Agatha Harkness! The Conqueror deems the Swordsman as unworthy and leaves him behind. Will Kang end up regretting that decision? The former sword-wielding super-villain certainly has his work cut out for him! However, the Swordsman catches a big break when Agatha Harkness telepathically reveals Kang's hideaway! The centuries-old pyramids of Egypt! After arriving in the Egyptian desert, the Swordsman desperately needs an ally! Could one of the ancient pharaohs still be lurking around to help? Story continues in Giant-Size Avengers 2. Cameo appearance by Rama-Tut. Avengers Lineup: Iron Man, Mantis, Scarlet Witch, Swordsman, Thor, and the Vision. (Notes: The classic Celestial Madonna storyline runs through Avengers 129-135 and Giant-Size Avengers 2-4. Kang previously battled Earth's Mightiest Heroes in Avengers (1st series) 71. The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp Series A #88 The Leader.) 36 pages Cover price $0.25.

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 132 CGC 9.4

Paper: White

Label #4656959023

"Kang War II" Plot by Steve Englehart. Script by Roy Thomas. Art by Sal Buscema (layouts) and Joe Staton (finishes). Cover by Ron Wilson and Frank Giacoia. In a malevolent manner, Kang the Conqueror has teleported Earth's Mightiest Heroes to the labyrinths of limbo! And now the Legion of the Unliving stalks the Avengers one by one through the endless maze of stone corridors! Frankenstein's Monster begins the action by ambushing the thunder god! Then Midnight blindsides Mantis! However, Hawkeye and Shell-Head accidentally bump into one another and a glimmer of hope emerges for the heroes! But seconds later Baron Zemo, Wonder Man, and the original Human Torch attack! The golden avenger is the first to fall to the unliving legion. And nearby in the maddening maze, the Vision goes down next. Two avengers mortally wounded. Three others wandering around completely lost and alone. In their glorious history, the Avengers have battled through 132 issues, but at this moment the chances of there even being an issue 133…do not look good. Story continues in Giant-Size Avengers 3. Cameo appearances by Immortus, Rama-Tut, Libra, and the Cotati. Avengers Lineup: Iron Man, Hawkeye, Mantis, Thor, and the Vision. (Notes: Giant-Size Avengers 3 is simply a must-read. The letters page includes a letter from comics writer Mary Jo Duffy. The letters page also contains Marvel Value Stamp Series A #78 The Owl by Gene Colan.) 36 pgs. Cover price $0.25.

Giant Size Avengers (1974) 3 CGC 9.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4657040001

"What Time Hath Put Asunder!" Script by Steve Englehart. Art by Dave Cockrum and Joe Giella. Cover by Gil Kane and Frank Giacoia. The story continues from Avengers 132 and finds the Avengers in the midst of a desperate battle in Immortus' Labyrinth of Limbo! The golden avenger has perished and the Vision appears mortally wounded! Only Hawkeye, Mantis, and Thor remain to fight Kang's Legion of the Unliving! However, the battle begins to turn, when two members of Kang's legion, Frankenstein's Monster and the original Human Torch, have second thoughts about fighting the Avengers! If Hawkeye can defeat Baron Zemo and then free Rama-Tut and Immortus, the good guys might just win! Story continues in Avengers 133. Backup story: Reprint of Avengers 2 (1st series) featuring the Space Phantom. (Notes: This issue features a fierce battle between the Vision and Wonder Man (one of the Legion of the Unliving). Wonder Man returns in Avengers 151. The original Human Torch appears next in Avengers West Coast 50. The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp series A #41 the Gladiator.) 68 pages Cover price $0.50.