Auctions: comic books February 1969

Action Comics (1938 DC) 372 CGC 8.0

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4679275001

Cover by Neal Adams. "The Grappler of Steel!", script by Otto Binder, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Jack Abel; Still suffering from amnesia, Superman believes that he might be a wrestler called the Masked Superman and assumes his identity. Zeroids toy ad. Phantom Stranger ad. "Linda Danvers - Movie Star!", script by Leo Dorfman, art by Kurt Schaffenberger; Supergirl travels to a remote movie location as Linda Danvers as a guest of the producer and gets a bit part in a movie. Sgt. Rock's Prize Battle Tales ad. 36 Pages, Full Color. $0.12 Cover price $0.12.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 69 CGC 6.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4308592012

"Mission: Crush the Kingpin!" Part 2 of 3. Plot by John Romita. Script by Stan Lee. Art by John Romita (layouts) and Jim Mooney (finishes). Cover by John Romita. The Spectacular Spider-Man is on the hunt for the Kingpin-- after the crime boss stole the ancient clay tablet from the ESU exhibit hall. However the Kingpin actually wants the web-slinger to find him, so he can polish off the wall-crawler permanently! When the amazing one locates Wilson Fisk's hideaway...another great battle between Spider-Man and the Kingpin erupts! Who will win this time? And where is the clay tablet? Cameo appearances by Captain Stacy, Gwen Stacy, J. Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson, and Randy Robertson. (Notes: The first mention of the Kingpin's wife occurs in this issue. The letters page includes a letter from comics artist Kerry Gammill. This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales #52.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.12.

Anthro (1968) 4 CGC 5.5

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4715514012

Written by Howie Post. Art and cover by Howie Post. Anthro's family arrives in the City of Flame, where the people recognize Lart as the fulfillment of a prophecy. The boy is crowned king, and the deposed queen tries to manipulate Anthro in order to influence his brother. Ad for DC Special #2, art by Bob Oksner. Ad for Superboy #153, art by Neal Adams. Ad for the Super City Skyport Building Set from Ideal Toys, art by Kurt Schaffenberger. Ad for Batman #208, art by Nick Cardy. 36 pages, full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 384 CGC 9.4

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4688223002

Cover by Irv Novick. "Whatever Will Happen to Heiress Heloise?," script by Gardner Fox, pencils by Bob Brown, inks by Joe Giella; When two look-alike women, both claiming to be a wealthy heiress, are targeted by hoods, Batman steps in to protect them and solve the mystery. "Tall, Dark, Handsome - and Missing!," script by Mike Friedrich, pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Murphy Anderson; When Barbara Gordon becomes infatuated with library patron Mark Hanner, she decides to try and impress him with a new hair style; When he doesn't show up the following week, she decides to pay him a visit; Upon arriving she bumps into a woman, but pays it no mind; When she notices that Mark is not home and somebody recently has been in his apartment and stole his medication, she begins to track the woman she ran into in the hall as Batgirl. Letter to the editor from colorist Carl Gafford. Statement of ownership - average print run 570,000; average paid circulation 309,850. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Doctor Strange (1968 1st Series) 177 CGC 9.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4007755004

Dr. Strange gets a new costume that fans didn't care for in 1969--but it looks pretty cool to us! Cover pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Tom Palmer. The Cult and the Curse, script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Tom Palmer; Asmodeus assumes form of Dr. Strange, to fool Ancient One; Strange takes on new masked costume. Asmodeus recites the Spell of Fire and Ice with dying breath, releasing Ymir the frost giant and Surtur the fire demon. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Iron Man (1968 1st Series) 10 VG+ 4.5

The Mandarin guests in "Once More...the Mandarin!" Part 2 of 3. Script by Archie Goodwin. Pencils by George Tuska. Inks by Johnny Craig. Cover by George Tuska. The Mandarin has discovered that Tony Stark is Iron Man! And now Shell-head's old foe is planning to ruin Stark Industries by linking Tony to communist activity, and thus forcing the U.S. government to cancel Stark Industries' military contracts. How is the golden avenger going to clear his name and then defeat the villain with the ten rings? Cameo appearance by Nick Fury. (Note: The letters page includes a letter from comics writer and artist Walt Simonson.) 32 pages Cover price $0.12.

Silver Surfer (1968 1st Series) 4 CGC 6.5

Paper: Off white

Label #2058802001

"The Good, the Bad, and the Uncanny!" Guest-starring Thor. Written by Stan Lee. Art by John Buscema and Sal Buscema. Cover by John Buscema. When the Silver Surfer ventures to fabled Asgard, home of the Norse Gods, a misunderstanding sets the Sentinel of the Spaceways against the mighty God of Thunder. It's the Power Cosmic vs. godly might. It's Thor vs. the Silver Surfer in a battle that will truly shake the heavens! Includes the Watcher back-up "The Terror of Tim Boo Ba." Story by Stan Lee. Art by Howard Purcell and Paul Reinman. Low distribution. 68-page giant. Cover price $0.25.

Uncanny X-Men (1963 1st Series) 53 CGC 9.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4742157021

Cover pencils by Barry Windsor-Smith [as Barry Smith], inks by Mike Esposito. The Rage of Blastaar!, script by Arnold Drake, pencils by Barry Windsor-Smith [as Barry Smith], inks by Mike Esposito [as Michael Dee]; Blaastar is accidentally brought back from the Negative Zone by Jean; Blaastar attacks the X-Men, who send him back to the Negative Zone. Welcome To the Club, Beast!--The Origins of the Uncanny X-Men, script by Arnold Drake, pencils by Werner Roth, inks by John Tartaglione; conclusion of Beast's origin. Letters to the editor from comics professionals Mark Gruenwald and Roy Thomas. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.