Auctions: comic books May 1988, graded by CGC

Aliens (1988 Dark Horse) 1 CGC 9.0

Paper: White

Label #4350856002

1st printing - Written by Mark Verheiden. Art and cover by Mark A. Nelson. In deep space, a salvage crew is attacked by seemingly unstoppable monsters. The marines are called in, but they need someone with experience. Soon Hicks (the horribly scarred survivor from Aliens) and Newt (now almost eighteen) find themselves on a mission to locate and destroy the Aliens' homeworld! 32 pages, B&W. Cover price $1.95.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 300D CGC 9.8 Direct Variant

Paper: White

Label #4350117003

Direct Edition. Giant-sized 25th anniversary issue. First full appearance of Venom in "Venom!", script by David Michelinie, art by Todd McFarlane; Spidey's old alien costume has merged with reporter Eddie Brock who thinks his career was ruined by Spider-Man and the symbiote of the two, Venom, takes on the web slinger; At MJ's request, Spidey returns to the blue and red costume as she now finds his black duds way too creepy; This is the last issue in which Spider-Man appears in his black costume; Thing (of the Fantastic Four) cameo.. Stan's Soapbox Special in place of letters page: Full page editorial by Stan on the occasion of Spider-Man's 300th issue. 52 pgs., full color. Cover price $1.50.

Spectre (1987 2nd Series) 14 CGC 9.8 SS

Paper: White

Signed by Charles Vess on 8/20/11

Label #1063435005

Cover by Charles Vess. "Major Arcana part 3: Seeing smoke." Part 3 of 4. Story by Doug Moench. Art by Gray Morrow. A mystic censer restores a blind womans sight and shows her visions of her future. As long as it is burning. Trouble is, it doesnt show her all of the story, and that leads her down a dangerous path. 32 pages. Full color. Cover price $1.25.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 391 CGC 9.2

Paper: White

Label #4418459025

1st appearance of Eric Masterson - Cover pencils by Ron Frenz, inks by Brett Breeding. "The Madness of Mongoose," script by Tom DeFalco, pencils by Ron Frenz, inks by Brett Breeding; In New York, Sigurd Jarlson looks up his old boss Jerry to see about work; Onsite, he is attacked by the Mongoose, who is sent by an unknown master; With Spider-Mans help, they drive him off, but during the battle, Eric Masterson is hurt badly; Before escaping, the Mongoose knocks out the support pillars, but Thor manages to support the entire building while Spider-Man braces it so it wont collapse; In Asgard, the Grand Vizier sends Hogun across the dimensional rift to Earth to learn the fate of Thor. First appearance of Eric Masterson. Brief appearances by Balder, Hogun, Fandral, and Volstagg. 36 pgs., full color. $0.75. Cover price $0.75.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 391 CGC 7.0

Paper: White

Label #4162936007

1st appearance of Eric Masterson - Cover pencils by Ron Frenz, inks by Brett Breeding. "The Madness of Mongoose," script by Tom DeFalco, pencils by Ron Frenz, inks by Brett Breeding; In New York, Sigurd Jarlson looks up his old boss Jerry to see about work; Onsite, he is attacked by the Mongoose, who is sent by an unknown master; With Spider-Mans help, they drive him off, but during the battle, Eric Masterson is hurt badly; Before escaping, the Mongoose knocks out the support pillars, but Thor manages to support the entire building while Spider-Man braces it so it wont collapse; In Asgard, the Grand Vizier sends Hogun across the dimensional rift to Earth to learn the fate of Thor. First appearance of Eric Masterson. Brief appearances by Balder, Hogun, Fandral, and Volstagg. 36 pgs., full color. $0.75. Cover price $0.75.