Auctions: comic books 1953

3-D Circus (1953) 1 FN- 5.5

May or may not include 3-D glasses, see individual item notes. In order of appearance: "Circus Time"; "Zingo the Zooper Zebra"; "Pell and Mell the Elfin Twins"; "Bobby and Capt'n Patch" by Jerry Iger; and "Crossbones Charlie" by Frank Little. 36 pages. Full color cover, red and cyan interior. Cover price $0.25.

Astonishing (1951) Canadian Edition 27 CGC 5.0

Paper: Off white to white

Canadian Edition.

Label #4111025002

Batman (1940) 78 FR/GD 1.5

Cover oxidation. Water damage.

Cover by Win Mortimer. "The Manhunter From Mars!", script by Edmond Hamilton, pencils by Bob Kane (Batman and Robin figures only) and Lew Sayre Schwartz, inks by Charles Paris; The Batman learns that the new criminal called The Stranger is really a Martian, and, with the help of a lawman from Mars, tracks him down. Half-page Casey the Cop story by Henry Boltinoff. "The Sinister Stamps!", pencils by Dick Sprang, inks by Charles Paris; A philatelist has collection of stamps that depict past tragedies and accidents; When members of a Stamp Collectors Club begin dying in a similar way to the accidents from the stamps, investigates. I Confess! article by Jack Miller (as John Marston), art by Raymond Perry. One-page Jerry the Jitterbug story by Henry Boltinoff. How to Spend a Summer Week! public service announcement with Binky, script by Jack Schiff, art by Win Mortimer. "Batman of the Mounties!", script by David Vern, pencils by Bob Kane (Batman and Robin figures only) and Lew Sayre Schwartz, inks by Stan Kaye; Batman and Robin are the guests for National Law Enforcement Week in Canada, but soon become involved in a manhunt with a Royal Canadian Mountie. One-page Professor Eureka story by Henry Boltinoff. 44 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Chamber of Chills (1952-1954 Harvey 2nd Series) 19 FR 1.0

Full length spine split. Cover detached. Extra staples (manufacturing). Brittle cover.

Cover by Lee Elias. Stories and art by Bob Powell, Howard Nostrand, Joe Certa, and Jack Sparling. Harvey Comics joins the parade of pre-Code horror comics pioneered by EC in the 1950s. A woman celebrates a depraved anniversary. Aliens use a new 3-D television as a means to invade the Earth. A man murders his mistress, but she's not done with him yet. Famous horror cover by Lee Elias and possibly Warren Kremer. Happy Anniversary; Terrorvision; Garzan the Magnificent; Black Passion. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Confessions of Love (1953 Star Publications) 6 GD 2.0

Water damage. Oxidation. Chew.

Cover by L. B. Cole. Stories and art by Lee Loeb, Paul Parker and H. T. Elmo. Romance comics from L. B. Cole's Star Publications. A middle-class girl falls for wealthy banking heir Johnny, but he only has eyes for her rich friend Emily. How some of the stranger modern marriage customs originated. Lynn is wooed by Bill after losing her first husband, but when her mother falls ill, Lynn learns Bill's true nature, in a story originally printed with the more lurid title "My Two Wedding Rings." My Jealous Heart; Origin of Marriage Customs; Was I Bad??; Romanswers; I Suffered For Love. Actually the final issue under this title; issues #11-14 were printed before issue #4. Series continues as Confessions of Romance (1953) #7. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 194 GD/VG 3.0

Water damage. Staples added (not manufacturing). Cover oxidation.

Cover by Win Mortimer. Stories by Bill Woolfolk, Carmine Infantino, Jack Miller and unknown. Art by Bob Kane, Charles Paris, Sid Check, Moe Worthman, Leonard Starr, Howard Sherman and unknown. Don't miss Batman and Robin in "The Stolen Bank" by Bill Woolfolk, Bob Kane and Charles Paris. Plus: Pow-Wow Smith, Indian Lawman in "Return of the Killers!" with art by Leonard Starr; Robotman in "The Crime Collector" by Carmine Infantino, Jack Miller, Sid Check and Moe Worthman; and Impossible -- But True! tale "The Man in Ice!" (featuring Roy Raymond) with inks by Howard Sherman. Also: Quick Quiz activity half-pager by H.T. Elmo; Casey the Cop 1-pager by Henry Boltinoff; Jerry the Jitterbug 2-pager by Boltinoff; and 2-page text piece "Extinguishing the Firebugs" by Jack Miller (as John Marlowe). And: Superman says "People Are People!" in a 1-page public service announcement by Jack Schiff and Win Mortimer. 44 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Fantastic Story Magazine (1950-1955 Best Books) Pulp Vol. 5 #2 GD/VG 3.0

Cover oxidation.

Volume 5, Issue 2 - March, 1953. Alex Schomburg cover. Stories: "Shadow Over Mars" by Leigh Brackett, "The Best Laid Scheme" by L. Sprague de Camp, "Baby Face" by Henry Kuttner, "Hero" by Horace L. Gold, "The War of the Weeds" by Carl Jacobi, "Death Ship" by Richard Matheson, and "Too Bad You Died" by Joseph Slotkin. Softcover Pulp, 6.75" x 9", 148 pages, B&W. Cover price $0.25.

Frontline Combat (1951 EC) 13 GD/VG 3.0

2 1/2" cumulative spine split. Cover oxidation.

Cover by Wally Wood. Stories by Harvey Kurtzman and Jerry DeFuccio. Art by George Evans, John Severin, Harvey Kurtzman, Jack Davis, and Wally Wood. The companion title to Kurtzman's groundbreaking war comic Two-Fisted Tales, showcasing the brutal realities of war. Navy pilots take Panther Jets into combat. A medieval shepherd uses his trained hawk as a weapon when his father's castle is attacked. Air ace Frank Luke plays by his own rules once too often. Plus The EC "Artist of the Issue," focusing on George Evans. Pantherjet!; War Dance!; Symbols; Wolf!; Frank Luke! 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

House of Terror (1953 3-D) 1W VG 4.0 With 3D Glasses

Glasses included. Miscut.

Copy includes original 3-D glasses. Cover by Joe Kubert. Stories and art by Joe Kubert, Les Zakarin and Enrico Bagnoli. Pre-Code horror from St. John featuring nice art by comics legend Joe Kubert and Enrico Bagnoli. St. John was a pioneer in 3-D comics during the original 3-D craze of the 1950s. Aspiring painter Henry makes a deal with the devil after he purchases a cursed painting, in a story with early art by comics legend Joe Kubert. In another Kubert story, robbers commit murder while fleeing police, then are pursued by the murdered man's spirit. A violinist falls under the spell of a cursed Stradivarius. Picture of Evil; The Violin of Death; The Curse of Khar; The Devil's Chair. 32 pages, B/W with 3-D effects. Cover price $0.25.

Journey into Unknown Worlds (1951 2nd Series) 14 CGC 7.5

Paper: Off white

THE BOBBY BLUE COLLECTION.

Label #4393108007

Cover by Bill Everett. Stories by Stan Lee, Dan Keyes and unknown. Art by George Tuska, Basil Wolverton, Bill Everett, Louis Zansky, George Roussos and unknown. In this issue: "The Lighthouse Ghost" by Stan Lee and George Tuska; 2-page text story "The Ultimate Weapon" with illo by George Roussos; "One of Our Graveyards Is Missing!" by Dan Keyes and Basil Wolverton; "One Little Mistake"; "The Scarecrow" with art by Bill Everett - A destitute couple, out of money and nearly out of hope, wish for a miracle to happen to ease them out of their plight...when their fields are plowed and corn planted overnight, and a mysterious scarecrow appears on their property, their wish seems to have come true...in more ways than one; and "The Spy" with art by Louis Zansky. 32 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Mad (1952 EC) Magazine 3 GD- 1.8

3.5" Cumulative spine split. Water damage.

Cover by Harvey Kurtzman. "Dragged Net!", art by Bill Elder (as Sergeant Elder); Joe and Ed travel around the world NOT solving a crime; A parody of Dragnet TV show. "Sheik of Araby!", art by John Severin; Melvin has joined the Foreign Legion to escape his wife and kids, but she decimates the entire regiment at Fort Wadi El Aycare. E.C. comics ad. "Rookie Gladiator" text story. "The Dandelion Caper" text story. "V-Vampires!", art by Wally Wood; A vampire goes on a date with a werewolf. "Lone Stranger!", art by Jack Davis; The Lone Stranger bumbles his way through foiling a stage coach robbery; A parody of the Lone Ranger. First letters page. 36 pgs., full color. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Mad (1952 EC) Magazine 4 VG- 3.5

1.5" Cumulative spine split.

Cover by Harvey Kurtzman. "Superduperman!", art by Wally Wood; Superduperman defeats Captain Marbles by causing Marbles to punch himself out, but Superduperman still can't make it with Lois; The classic Superman parody. "Flob Was A Slob!", art by Jack Davis; Ramona is engaged to slobby, boring Flob but is smitten by the newcomer Rackstraw and follows Rackstraw into a life of crime. E.C. comics ad. "The Parole" text story by Jerry DeFuccio. "Let's Deplore Your Mind" text story; A fake letters column with Cosmo answering the letters. "Robin Hood!", art by John Severin; After robbing a sheriff's posse, Robin Hood and his gang rob Big John and Sparkie of their last two cents. "Shadow!", art by Bill Elder; Lamont kills Margo to preserve the secret of his identity; Shadow parody. 36 pgs., full color. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Out of the Shadows (1952) 8 VG 4.0

Cover oxidation.

Cover art by Jack Katz. The Drums of Cajou, art by George Roussos; Haitian voodoo witch doctor Cajou turns the lovely Lora into a zombie to do his bidding and settle an old score with his adversary Neal; But Cajou is hunted down and killed; and Lora's mission can be thwarted. The Mask Of Death, art by Jerry Grandenetti; A window cleaner discovers the office of a vampire doctor. No one believes his fantastic accusations - until a fatal showdown ensues. Plunge into Doom text story by Margaret Isbell. The Man in the Mirror, inks by Rocco Mastroserio; The meek Mr. Blane comes into possession of a powerful druid mirror; Releasing the mirror's genie, Blane is drawn into a spiral of violence and death--until he destroys the evil mirror. Masque for a Monster, art by Charles Sultan; When trapped in a mining cave-in, Frank Wayne develops a trauma. He's afraid of the dark and sees monsters everywhere. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Popular Teen-Agers (1950 Star Publications) 16 CGC 7.0

Paper: Off white

Label #4498503001

View items consigned by Estate 2101: all items, auctions only

Cover by L. B. Cole. Stories and art by Jay Disbrow and others. Romance comics with teen angst from L.B. Cole's Star Publications. A woman tries to cope with her fiance's jealous, controlling ways. Love-starved Ethel gives in to Frank's romantic overtures maybe sooner than she should. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Prince Valiant HC (1951-1960 Hastings Edition) 3-1ST FN 6.0

Names written on interior.

Hastings Edition - Volume 3 - 1st printing. "Prince Valiant on the Inland Sea!" Story and art by Hal Foster. Adapted by Max Trell. Across a decaying Roman Empire, on the isles of Greece, and upon the waves of the Mediterranean Sea, Prince Valiant repels the attacks of pirates and Arab raiders as he searches for the ever elusive, and bewitching, Aleta, Queen of the Misty Isles. Hardcover, 128 pages, B&W. NOTE: Prose story with B&W illustrations on every page. Cover price $3.95.

Strange Tales (1951-1976 1st Series) 22 GD/VG 3.0

Cover art by Sol Brodsky. The Untouchable!, art by Bernie Krigstein; When a starving white man, who considers himself one of the highborn caste, takes food from an untouchable the natives now consider him to be a part of that caste. The Easter Eggs text story. What Happened On the Moon?, pencils by Bill Benulis, inks by Jack Abel; A scientist builds a robot that can survive the voyage to the moon. The Voice of Death, art by Bob McCarty. Too Good To Be True!, pencils by John Forte, inks by Matt Fox; The Devil makes a gambler have good luck so he wins all his bets. The Corpse That Wasn't, art by John Buscema. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Teen-Age Temptations (1952) 2 FR 1.0

8" Cumulative spine split. Cover detached.

View items consigned by TheGoodOlDays: all items, auctions only

Cover by Matt Baker. Love and scandal from St. John, with plentiful art by good-girl art legend Matt Baker. Two-fisted Herb and fast-talking Tom keep Nina safe in her rough neighborhood, but what happens when she must choose between them? Pretty Madge flirts to get what she wants, until she meets Brad, and learns her reputation has preceded her. Ginny falls for carnival huckster Thorne, and he leads her happily into the "carny" lifestyle. Secretary Jane secretly loves co-worker Larry, but he's engaged to the boss's spoiled, domineering daughter. Cover by Baker. Fighting for My Love; My Forbidden Kisses; I Was a Carnival Come-On Girl; Comedy Column; Gag-Bag; My Dance with Danger; I Was Only Guilty of Love. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Weird Fantasy (1951 E.C. Comics 2nd Series) 20 CGC 5.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4409593007

Cover art by Al Feldstein. "For Us the Living," script by Bill Gaines (co-plot) and Albert B. Feldstein (co-plot, script), pencils by John Severin, inks by Bill Elder; Dr. Cromwell tells the F.B.I. that he came from an alternate timeline. "I, Rocket," script by Ray Bradbury and Albert B. Feldstein (adaptation), pencils by Al Williamson and Frank Frazetta, inks by Al Williamson, Frank Frazetta, and Roy Krenkel; A very expensive new rocketship, once built for war and now rusting away, relates the story of her glory with Captain Lamb in charge, but also of treachery aboard ship, which the rocket secretly dealt with. "Discovery" text story. "Conquers All!", script by Bill Gaines (co-plot) and Al Feldstein (co-plot and script), art by Jack Kamen; As a prelude to an invasion of the Earth, an infiltration rocket from a far distant world is sent to the Earth to examine, estimate, judge and report back to their leaders. "The Automaton," script by Al Feldstein, art by Joe Orlando. "The Automaton," script by Al Feldstein, art by Joe Orlando. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.

Weird Terror (1952) 5 GD- 1.8

3" cumulative spine split. Cover detached. Water damage. Oxidation.

Edited by Allen Hardy. Cover by Don Heck. Horror, suspense, and Weird Terror tales patterned after the classic EC comics. "Full Moon," art by Don Heck; Young chemistry student Alex Nome discovers a formula which changes him into a werewolf; After a killing spree he is determined to put a stop to his insanity. "Big Screen," art by Rudy Palais; Hugh Carson, inventor, develops a radio machine and gets tuned in to alien signals; He learns of an invasion to earth; Frantically Carson tries to find someone who will believe him. "Ghouls, Inc." text article; Historical account of the business of "body-snatching", providing anatomy students with corpses. "Devil's Hex," art by Pete Morisi; Sandra and Louise are fighting over the same man; Sandra disposes of Louise by destroying a voodoo-sculpture likeness of her; But Louise finds a way to haunt the murderous Sandra. "Taboos of Death" text article; Account of funeral rites all over the world. "Cadaver," art by Mannie Banks; The mortician Carl Moreno supplies old spinster Anna Mord with human body parts to humor her cannibalism; And to make him her sole heir to her riches; To speed up things Carl poisons Anna. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.