Auctions: comic books January 1973

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 116 CGC 6.5

Paper: White

Label #4735129005

"Suddenly...the Smasher!" Part 1 of 3. Script by Stan Lee (original) and Gerry Conway (updates). Pencils by John Romita. Inks by Jim Mooney and Tony Mortellaro (backgrounds). Cover by John Romita. The gang war is over, and the Spectacular Spider-Man wants to get back to his normal life. But while web-swinging to the Daily Bugle, he's ambushed in mid-air by the Smasher! Who? The web-spinner doesn't recognize his large opponent, but he battles him to a standstill and saves the lives of two high-rise painters. In the meantime, a new candidate -- named Richard Raleigh -- is running for mayor. And he's holding a big indoor rally that Peter, Gwen Stacy, and Mary Jane attend! However, when the ceiling plaster starts falling, the wall-crawler leaps into action to keep the rally-goers safe! Is someone trying to ruin Raleigh's campaign? Cameo appearances by J. Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson, Betty Brant, and Harry Osborn. (Notes: ASM issues 116-118 are a revised, re-edited, and colorized version of Spectacular Spider-Man Magazine #1 -- published in black and white in 1968. The script and art contain many updates (including new pages) in order to fit into Spider-Man's current continuity. ASM 116 was reprinted in Marvel Tales #95.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.20.

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 107 CGC 6.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4736272021

"The Master Plan of the Space Phantom!" Part 2 of 3. Script by Steve Englehart. Pencils by Jim Starlin (pages 1-3, 13-20) and George Tuska (pages 4-13) Inks by Dave Cockrum. Cover by Rich Buckler. The Space Phantom is back! And the Grim Reaper is right by his side! Four avengers have already fallen to the deadly duo and now only Captain America and the Vision remain free! The star-spangled avenger visits an old Hydra hideout to solve the mystery of his sudden flashbacks, while the synthezoid avenger wanders through Central Park. When the Grim Reaper catches up to the Vision, he makes him a final, yet different offer: Forget the body of Simon Williams, take the body of Captain America instead! Wow, would the Vision agree to that? Stay tuned! Flashback cameos by the original Avengers, Loki, Jane Foster, Rick Jones, and Madame Hydra to recap the events of Avengers (1st series) 2, Thor 108, and Captain America 113, respectively. Avengers Lineup: Black Panther, Captain America, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, and the Vision. (Note: The letters page includes a letter from Elfquest creator Wendy Pini.) 36 pages Cover price $0.20.

Captain America (1968 1st Series) 157 CGC 9.8

Paper: White

Label #4723170016

"Veni, Vidi, Vici: Viper!" Part 1 of 3. Script by Steve Englehart and Steve Gerber. Pencils by Sal Buscema. Inks by John Verpoorten. Cover by Sal Buscema and John Verpoorten. The Sentinel of Liberty returns to New York City. And while he's been away, a mysterious villain -- called the Cowled Commander -- has surfaced. Apparently, this super-criminal is tied to the New York Police Department in some fashion, and he wants Captain America dead! The Cowled Commander orders the Viper (aka Jordon Dixon) to kill the Living Legend. So the novice Viper lures the Falcon first and the shield-slinger second to a Hell's Kitchen rooftop...to execute them both! Watch out for the poison darts! First appearance of Jordon Dixon. Cameo appearances by Leila Taylor, Commissioner Feingold, Sharon Carter and Redwing. (Note: The letters page includes a letter from comics letterer Tom Orzechowski.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.20.

Cat (1972 Marvel) 2 VG+ 4.5

The Owl and the Pussycat!! - Written by Linda Fite. Art by Marie Severin and Jim Mooney. Cover by John Romita, Sr. The Cat takes on The Owl! Characters in this issue: The Cat [Greer Grant Nelson]; The Owl; Broussard [also as Arthur Tumolo] (introduction); Dr. Joanne Tumolo; Mal Donalbain (flashback); Bill Nelson (flashback); The Cat [Shirlee Bryant] (flashback); Zabo (flashback); Ben Richards. 32 pages, full color. Cover price $0.20.

Daredevil (1964 1st Series) 95 CGC 6.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4314520020

Cover pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Tom Palmer. Bullfight On the Bay!, script by Gerry Conway, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Tom Palmer; Man-Bull escapes from prison in New York and heads to San Francisco to have his revenge on Daredevil; Black Widow guest-stars. 36 pgs. Cover price $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Frankenstein (1973 Marvel) 1 CGC 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4714757012

Marvel begins its own unique take on the Frankenstein mythos by, in essence, continuing the Mary Shelley story--beginning with the discovery of the monster frozen in ice and bringing it back to life! "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein!" Script by Gary Friedrich, early classic art and cover by Mike Ploog. Cover price $0.20.

Incredible Hulk (1962 Marvel 1st Series) 159 CGC 5.5

Paper: White

Label #4714739001

Cover art by Herb Trimpe. Two Years Before the Abomination!, script by Steve Englehart, pencils by Herb Trimpe, inks by Sal Trapani; Bruce returns home from Counter-Earth only to have his shuttle blasted to atoms by Thunderbolt Ross; Ross sends the Hulkbusters out to capture the Hulk but they come home with the Abomination instead; In order to ensure that Betty continues to think the Hulk is dead, Ross makes a deal with Abomination, ensuring him a cure for his gamma irradiated condition and his freedom if he captures the jade giant; Abomination battles the Hulk but, realizing that Ross has deceived him, tells Hulk that Betty has married Glenn and they are honeymooning in Niagara Falls. 36 pgs. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Marvel Premiere (1972) 6 CGC 9.0

Paper: Off white

Label #4736273021

Cover art by Mike Ploog and Frank Giacoia (alterations). The Shambler from the Sea, script by Gardner F. Fox, pencils by Frank Brunner, inks by Sal Buscema; Strange kills Sligguth, which wakens Shambler from the Sea, N'Gabthoth; Clea and Wong are overcome by Starksboro cult; Strange frees them from sacrifice to N'Gabthoth, and discovers map of Stonehenge. Featuring concepts created by Robert E. Howard. Comics ad for the NBC Saturday morning kid shows: Kids [Adam; Evy]; the Barkleys; the Houndcats; the Jetsons; the Pink Panther; the Roman Holidays; and Underdog. 36 pgs. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Power Man and Iron Fist (1972 Hero for Hire) 5 VG/FN 5.0

"Don't Mess with Black Mariah!" Script by Steve Englehart, pencils by George Tuska, inks by Billy Graham. Martin Lawrence's "Big Momma" has got nothing on the newest crime boss Black Mariah. Luke Cage has his hands full with 800 lbs. of fighting mad woman. Graham cover. Cover price $0.20.

War Is Hell (1973 Marvel) 1 FN+ 6.5

Al Williamson, Bob Powell, George Woodbridge reprints Cover price $0.20.

Werewolf by Night (1972 1st Series) 3 CGC 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4733071018

Cover art by Mike Ploog. The Mystery Of The Mad Monk!, script by Gerry Conway, pencils by Mike Ploog, inks by Frank Chiaramonte; sFather Ramon Joquez, who was studying the Darkhold for Jack, is possessed by Aelfric who was trapped in the Darkhold. 36 pgs. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.