Auctions: comic books June 1969

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 73 CGC 9.4

Paper: White

Label #4646455005

First appearances of Silvermane and Man-Mountain Marko in "The Web Closes!" Plot by John Buscema and John Romita. Script by Stan Lee. Art by John Buscema (layouts) and Jim Mooney (finishes). Cover by John Romita. Spider-Man is in hot pursuit of the ancient clay tablet! And he receives atip from Captain Stacy -- that the Shocker's girlfriend may have it. The wall-crawler rushes to her apartment, but a new super-villain is already there: Man-Mountain Marko! The Maggia sent Marko to get the petrified tablet...and nobody is going to stop him! The web-slinger tries his best,but the raging bull grabs the tablet and takes it to his boss: Silvermane. Why does Silvermane want the tablet? And why does he need Dr. Curt Connors' help? Cameo appearances by Gwen Stacy, Caesar Cicero, Joe Robertson, Randy Robertson, and J. Jonah Jameson. (Notes: The letters page includes letters from comics historian Peter Sanderson and comics writer J.M. DeMatteis, respectively. This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales #54.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.12.

Captain America (1968 1st Series) 114 CGC 9.0

Paper: Off white

Label #0109907017

Cover by John Romita. The Avengers have a cameo in "The Man Behind the Mask!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita and Sal Buscema, inks by Sal Buscema; After convincing the American public that Steve Rogers was a fake identity, Captain American walks around in Manhattan, contemplating on what to do with his life; He realizes he is more Cap than Steve, and decides make a more normal life for himself instead of being an Avenger; Even so, Captain America and Rick Jones rescue Sharon Carter; The Red Skull shows Captain America that he has recovered the Cosmic Cube. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 87 CGC 8.5

Paper: White

Label #4697760006

"The Power and the Pride!" Part 4 of 4. Script by Stan Lee. Pencils by Jack Kirby. Inks by Joe Sinnott. Cover by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott. After narrowly escaping with their lives last issue, the Fantastic Four (actually five at the moment) storm Castle Doom to settle the score with their greatest foe! But the good doctor gladly welcomes the fantastic quintet inside his castle…and invites them to sit down for a lavish banquet in the royal dining room! What surprises are waiting on the menu? Oddly enough, the FF never really find out as Doom's assistant, Gustav Hauptmann, proves to be their most dangerous threat! It's a strange Latverian-style stalemate to close out the FF's European adventure! Death of Gustav Hauptmann. (Notes: Doctor Doom appears next in Sub-Mariner 20 and returns to the pages of the Fantastic Four title in FF 116. The events in this issue will lead Gert Hauptmann to seek revenge against Doctor Doom years later in the classic Iron Man 149. This four-part story was reprinted in Marvel's Greatest Comics 66-69.) 36 pages Cover price $0.12.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 165 FN- 5.5

Last 12-cent cover price. Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta. First full appearance of Adam Warlock in "Him!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta; Balder continues to resist the feminine wiles of Karnilla, and the Norn Queen calls in reinforcements; Meet Haag, a morally-dubious sorceress who has mastered the power of persuasion; Will Balder cave to the sinister love of Karnilla?; Plus, Thor encounters a strange earthling who goes only by the name of "Him." Appearances by Sif and the Watcher. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.