Auctions: comic books August 1973

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 123 CGC 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4641328003

"...Just A Man Called Cage!" Guest-starring Luke Cage. Script by Gerry Conway. Pencils by Gil Kane and John Romita. Inks by John Romita and Tony Mortellaro (backgrounds). Cover by John Romita and Tony Mortellaro. While Peter Parker and his friends attend Gwen Stacy's funeral, J. Jonah Jameson plots revenge against the web-slinger for the death of Norman Osborn. The Daily Bugle publisher wants the wall-crawler captured dead or alive -- and he hires the powerful Luke Cage to do it! On a Manhattan rooftop, the Hero for Hire ambushes Spider-Man! And the super slugfest begins! The two heroes trade punches, body blows, and haymakers one after another! How will they break the stalemate -- before they break each other in half? Cameo appearances by Mary Jane Watson, Harry Osborn, Betty Brant, Joe Robertson, Flash Thompson, Anna Watson, Aunt May, and Norman Osborn (deceased). (Notes: This issue features the first meeting between Spider-Man and Luke Cage. The plot crosses over briefly with Power Man and Iron Fist (1972 Hero for Hire) #12. This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales 100.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.20.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 123 FN 6.0

"...Just A Man Called Cage!" Guest-starring Luke Cage. Script by Gerry Conway. Pencils by Gil Kane and John Romita. Inks by John Romita and Tony Mortellaro (backgrounds). Cover by John Romita and Tony Mortellaro. While Peter Parker and his friends attend Gwen Stacy's funeral, J. Jonah Jameson plots revenge against the web-slinger for the death of Norman Osborn. The Daily Bugle publisher wants the wall-crawler captured dead or alive -- and he hires the powerful Luke Cage to do it! On a Manhattan rooftop, the Hero for Hire ambushes Spider-Man! And the super slugfest begins! The two heroes trade punches, body blows, and haymakers one after another! How will they break the stalemate -- before they break each other in half? Cameo appearances by Mary Jane Watson, Harry Osborn, Betty Brant, Joe Robertson, Flash Thompson, Anna Watson, Aunt May, and Norman Osborn (deceased). (Notes: This issue features the first meeting between Spider-Man and Luke Cage. The plot crosses over briefly with Power Man and Iron Fist (1972 Hero for Hire) #12. This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales 100.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.20.

Ghost Rider (1973 1st Series) 1 CGC 4.5

Paper: White

Label #4423588003

"A Woman Possessed!" Guest-starring Daimon Hellstrom (Son of Satan). Story by Gary Friedrich. Art by Tom Sutton and Syd Shores. Cover by Gil Kane. This issue picks up after the events in Marvel Spotlight (1971-1977 1st Series) #11. Johnny Blaze races against the clock to save a woman from a fate worse than death. Featuring the evil of Mephisto (as Satan). 32 pages, FC. NOTE: 1st appearance of Daimon Hellstrom (Son of Satan). Cover price $0.20.

Marvel Team-Up (1972 1st Series) 12 FN- 5.5

"Wolf at Bay" Guest-starring Spider-Man and Werewolf by Night. Plot by Gerry Conway. Script by Len Wein. Pencils by Ross Andru. Inks by Don Perlin. Cover by Gil Kane and John Romita. The Amazing Spider-Man is web-swinging across the Golden Gate Bridge...when he's suddenly attacked by a werewolf! And it's not just any werewolf -- it's Jack Russell aka Werewolf by Night! A strange magician -- named Moondark -- has seized control of the Werewolf...and sent him to kill the web-slinger! Can Spidey break Moondark's control of Jack...before they both wind up at the bottom of the bay? First appearance of Moondark. Cameo appearances by Buck Cowan and Lissa Russell. Flashback cameos by J. Jonah Jameson and Joe Robertson to explain why Peter Parker is in San Francisco. (Notes: Peter's assignment for the Daily Bugle continues in Daredevil 103. Moondark returns in Marvel Team-Up #91. This story takes place after Amazing Spider-Man 123.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.20.