Auctions: comic books July 1968

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 62 CGC 9.6

Paper: White

Label #4664067004

"Make Way for Medusa!" Guest-starring Medusa. Script by Stan Lee. Art by John Romita (layouts) and Don Heck (pencils). Inks by Mike Esposito (as Mickey Demeo). Cover by John Romita. The inhuman with the living red hair comes to New York City! Medusa is on a mission from Black Bolt to see how regular everyday people might relate to the Inhumans -- if they choose to rejoin society someday. Unfortunately, one of the first persons Madame Medusa meets...is the CEO of a hair spray company! The duplicitous executive tricks Spider-Man and Medusa into fighting one another (as shown on the fantastic cover) -- to support his advertising campaign! Eventually, the web-slinger and Medusa realize what's happening...and they turn the tables on the shady CEO. Cameo appearances by Captain Stacy, Gwen Stacy, Mary Jane Watson, J. Jonah Jameson, Norman Osborn, and Harry Osborn. (Notes: Spectacular Spider-Man (1968 Magazine) #1 was also published this month. The letters page includes a letter from Mark Lamberti -- long-time friend of Lone Star Comics. This issue was reprinted in Marvel Tales #45.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 76 CBCS 9.0

Paper: White

Label #23-18DBF8A-002

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Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott. The Silver Surfer, Galactus, and Crystal (of the Inhumans) guest star in Stranded in Sub-Atomica!, script by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (co-plot), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott; Reed, Ben, and Johnny journey to Subatomica to bring the Silver Surfer back to earth. Reprinted in Marvel's Greatest Comics # 58. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Ghost Manor (1968 Charlton) 1st Series 1 GD/VG 3.0

Cover oxidation. Staple rust. Water damage.

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Cover by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio. Stories and art by Mo Marcus, Sal Trapani, Joe Gill and Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio. A horror anthology from Charlton, with a stable of artists that included Steve Ditko. Convict Daniel has himself buried alive as part of a brilliant plan to escape prison...or is it so brilliant after all? Mr. Henshaws friend keeps getting out, no matter how deeply they bury him. A Matter of Grave Concern!; Death Defying; Mr. Henshaws Friend. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Marvel Super Heroes (1967 1st Series) 15 CGC 7.0

Paper: Off white

Label #4650383016

Giant-size issue. Medusa bazttles the Trapster, Sandman, and the Wizard (of the Frightful Four) in "Let the Silence Shatter!" Script by Archie Goodwin, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Vince Colletta. Guest starring Black Bolt. The remainder of the issue contains Golden Age reprints: the Black Knight by Joe Maneely, "The Dawn of the Sub-Mariner" by Bill Everett, the Black Marvel, and "Captain America Turns Traitor!" by John Romita Sr. Colan cover pencils. Cover price $0.25.

Nick Fury Agent of SHIELD (1968 1st Series) 2 CGC 9.4

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4564904002

Cover by Jim Steranko. "So Shall Ye Reap... Death!", script and pencils by Jim Steranko, inks by Frank Giacoia and Joe Giella (assist); (Page 5, panels 9 and 11 redrawn by John Romita Sr. to allow the issue to pass the Comics Code Authority); Jimmy Woo goes through a death-trap laden "fun house" as his initiation as a SHIELD agent; Later, in his apartment, Fury & Val get romantic; The next day, off the Pacific Coast, en route to the Heli-Carrier in a bizarre twin-bodied jet, Fury & Jimmy are knocked out of the sky and wind up on a volcanic island transformed into a "Garden of Eden" and biological laboratory by "Centurius" - formerly Dr. Noah Black, a scientist who disappeared in the 1930s when his theories were scoffed at; After creating both new & extinct forms of life and sending them into space, he plans to rain down fire on the entire Earth, for forty days and forty nights, cleansing it so his creations can start anew on a world "without the threat of mass murder, intimidation, fear"; With the help of a visiting movie company and their robot gorilla prop, Fury & Woo put the kibosh on his plans. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.