Auctions: comic books August 1966

Action Comics (1938 DC) 340 PR 0.5

INCOMPLETE. Centerfold missing, interrupts art and story.

Cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by George Klein. Origin and 1st appearance of Parasite in "Power of the Parasite!", script by Jim Shooter, art by Al Plastino; Exposed to radioactive waste, lab worker Jensen becomes the Parasite, who has the ability to absorb energy from all living beings, including Superman. Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen ad. "The Supergirl Identity Hunt!", art by Jim Mooney; The Fact Finder, a professional blackmailer, has deduced that Supergirl was once associated with the Midvale Orphanago, and he uses the opportunity of a reunion there to try and figure out her secret identity. Superman centerspread pin-up by Curt Swan. 36 Pages, Full Color. $0.12 Cover price $0.12.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 39 CGC 9.2

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4641197012

Cover art by John Romita. How Green Was My Goblin!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita (who begins as regular penciler), inks by Mike Esposito [as Mickey Demeo] and John Romita (touch-ups); Peter heads to the doctor with the sniffles and learns that Aunt May's health is very fragile; Spidey is roped into tangling with a bunch of goons who zap him with a mysterious gas; Not realizing that the gas has weakened his spider sense, he changes into Peter Parker under the watchful gaze of the Green Goblin; The Goblin confronts Spidey outside of his home and captures him as Peter is worried that Aunt May might be overcome by the commotion; Trussed up in the Goblin's lair, Peter is shocked when the Goblin takes off his mask and reveals himself to be Norman Osborn. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 178. According to Les Daniels in "Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics" (Abrams, 1991), artist Steve Ditko resigned because of a disagreement over the Goblin's identity. Ditko wanted it to be someone anonymous--a new, unknown guy; Lee wanted it to be a familiar character that would startle readers. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 39 VG- 3.5

Cover art by John Romita. How Green Was My Goblin!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita (who begins as regular penciler), inks by Mike Esposito [as Mickey Demeo] and John Romita (touch-ups); Peter heads to the doctor with the sniffles and learns that Aunt May's health is very fragile; Spidey is roped into tangling with a bunch of goons who zap him with a mysterious gas; Not realizing that the gas has weakened his spider sense, he changes into Peter Parker under the watchful gaze of the Green Goblin; The Goblin confronts Spidey outside of his home and captures him as Peter is worried that Aunt May might be overcome by the commotion; Trussed up in the Goblin's lair, Peter is shocked when the Goblin takes off his mask and reveals himself to be Norman Osborn. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 178. According to Les Daniels in "Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics" (Abrams, 1991), artist Steve Ditko resigned because of a disagreement over the Goblin's identity. Ditko wanted it to be someone anonymous--a new, unknown guy; Lee wanted it to be a familiar character that would startle readers. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 39 FR/GD 1.5

.5" Cumulative spine split. Corner margin piece torn out.

Cover art by John Romita. How Green Was My Goblin!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita (who begins as regular penciler), inks by Mike Esposito [as Mickey Demeo] and John Romita (touch-ups); Peter heads to the doctor with the sniffles and learns that Aunt May's health is very fragile; Spidey is roped into tangling with a bunch of goons who zap him with a mysterious gas; Not realizing that the gas has weakened his spider sense, he changes into Peter Parker under the watchful gaze of the Green Goblin; The Goblin confronts Spidey outside of his home and captures him as Peter is worried that Aunt May might be overcome by the commotion; Trussed up in the Goblin's lair, Peter is shocked when the Goblin takes off his mask and reveals himself to be Norman Osborn. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 178. According to Les Daniels in "Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics" (Abrams, 1991), artist Steve Ditko resigned because of a disagreement over the Goblin's identity. Ditko wanted it to be someone anonymous--a new, unknown guy; Lee wanted it to be a familiar character that would startle readers. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 31 CGC 8.5

Paper: White

Label #4649142015

Cover by Don Heck. "Never Bug a Giant!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Don Heck, inks by Frank Giacoia; Captain America, The Wasp and Hawkeye leave for South America to help Goliath; Meanwhile, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch realise how badly they like being Avengers and hope their powers return soon; Goliath and Prince Rey escape to Prince Rey's rebel hideout; He explains how the Keeper controls a powerful cobalt flame, capable of destroying the world; Goliath realizes Prince Rey only wants the flame for his own desires and leaves him; Goliath attacks the Keeper and gets captured; The other Avengers attack and also get captured with the exception of the Wasp; Prince Rey's forces attack the Keeper's, while at the same time, the Wasp frees all the Avengers; Hawkeye smothers the flame with explosive arrows, destroying it. Avengers roll call: Captain America, Hawkeye, Goliath, the Wasp, and, briefly, Quicksilver,and the Scarlet Witch. Reprinted in Giant-Size Marvel Triple Action #1. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 31 FN- 5.5

Water spotting.

Cover by Don Heck. "Never Bug a Giant!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Don Heck, inks by Frank Giacoia; Captain America, The Wasp and Hawkeye leave for South America to help Goliath; Meanwhile, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch realise how badly they like being Avengers and hope their powers return soon; Goliath and Prince Rey escape to Prince Rey's rebel hideout; He explains how the Keeper controls a powerful cobalt flame, capable of destroying the world; Goliath realizes Prince Rey only wants the flame for his own desires and leaves him; Goliath attacks the Keeper and gets captured; The other Avengers attack and also get captured with the exception of the Wasp; Prince Rey's forces attack the Keeper's, while at the same time, the Wasp frees all the Avengers; Hawkeye smothers the flame with explosive arrows, destroying it. Avengers roll call: Captain America, Hawkeye, Goliath, the Wasp, and, briefly, Quicksilver,and the Scarlet Witch. Reprinted in Giant-Size Marvel Triple Action #1. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Batman (1940) 183 FR/GD 1.5

Water damage. Tape at spine.

Cover pencils by Carmine Infantino, inks by Joe Giella. "A Touch of Poison Ivy!", script by Robert Kanigher, pencils by Sheldon Moldoff (as Bob Kane), inks by Joe Giella; Missing the imprisoned Poison Ivy, the Caped Crusader receives a gift from her and she promises to repent; Batman visits her, but he is placed under her spell, and she uses him to make good her escape. Cap's Hobby Hints activity half-page by Henry Boltinoff. The Policeman Is Your Friend! public service announcement, script by Jack Schiff, art by Sheldon Moldoff. Letter from future comics writer Mike Friedrich. "Batman's Baffling Turnabout!", script by Gardner Fox, pencils by Sheldon Moldoff (as Bob Kane), inks by Joe Giella; While chasing crooks into a warehouse, Batman falls through a trapdoor and is captured while one of the crooks impersonates the Caped Crusader; A tell-tale clue alerts Robin that this is an imposter and he deals appropriately with the situation to find the real crime fighter. Letters to the editor from Biljo White, Irene Vartanoff, and comics writer Mike Friedrich. Statement of ownership--average print run 694,000; average paid circulation 453,745. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 53 CGC 6.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4641361001

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott. Second appearance of the Black Panther in The Way It Began..!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott; The Black Panther tells the story of Klaw's first attack on Wakanda; Klaw attacks the Black Panther and the FF. First appearance of Klaw, T'Chaka, and vibranium. Letter to the editor from comics writer Dennis O'Neil. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Uncanny X-Men (1963 1st Series) 23 CGC 9.0

Paper: White

Label #4646452019

Cover pencils by Werner Roth, inks by Dick Ayers. To Save a City, script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Werner Roth, inks by Dick Ayers; Count Nefaria, the Plantman, the Scarecrow, the Porcupine, the Eel, and the Unicorn continue their attack; Professor X walks with the aid of metal braces. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Uncanny X-Men (1963 1st Series) 23 CGC 8.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4664126008

Cover pencils by Werner Roth, inks by Dick Ayers. To Save a City, script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Werner Roth, inks by Dick Ayers; Count Nefaria, the Plantman, the Scarecrow, the Porcupine, the Eel, and the Unicorn continue their attack; Professor X walks with the aid of metal braces. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.