Auctions: comic books May 1974

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 132 CGC 9.2

Paper: White

Label #4742165016

"The Master Plan of the Molten Man!" Part 1 of 2. Script by Gerry Conway. Pencils by John Romita and Paul Reinman. Inks by Paul Reinman, Tony Mortellaro (backgrounds), and John Romita (alterations). Cover by Gil Kane and John Romita. On the Upper East Side, Peter Parker bumps into an old acquaintance: Liz Allan. Whoa, where has she been since high school (and Amazing Spider-Man #30)? A few hours later inside a run-down tenement, the web-slinger bumps into an old enemy: the Molten Man! Where has he been since Amazing Spider-Man #35? Is it possible that both their returns are somehow connected? Ned Leeds and Mary Jane Watson will work to answer that question, while the wall-crawler tries to stay cool against his fiery foe! Cameo appearances by Betty Brant and Joe Robertson. First 25¢ cover. (Notes: This issue includes an ad for Marvel's new Deadly Hands of Kung Fu (1974) magazine. The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp series A #6 Thor by John Buscema and Mike Esposito. The letters page also includes a statement of ownership: average print run 541,043; average paid circulation 273,204. This issue was reprinted in Marvel Tales 109.) 32 pages. Cover price $0.25.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 132 VF- 7.5

"The Master Plan of the Molten Man!" Part 1 of 2. Script by Gerry Conway. Pencils by John Romita and Paul Reinman. Inks by Paul Reinman, Tony Mortellaro (backgrounds), and John Romita (alterations). Cover by Gil Kane and John Romita. On the Upper East Side, Peter Parker bumps into an old acquaintance: Liz Allan. Whoa, where has she been since high school (and Amazing Spider-Man #30)? A few hours later inside a run-down tenement, the web-slinger bumps into an old enemy: the Molten Man! Where has he been since Amazing Spider-Man #35? Is it possible that both their returns are somehow connected? Ned Leeds and Mary Jane Watson will work to answer that question, while the wall-crawler tries to stay cool against his fiery foe! Cameo appearances by Betty Brant and Joe Robertson. First 25¢ cover. (Notes: This issue includes an ad for Marvel's new Deadly Hands of Kung Fu (1974) magazine. The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp series A #6 Thor by John Buscema and Mike Esposito. The letters page also includes a statement of ownership: average print run 541,043; average paid circulation 273,204. This issue was reprinted in Marvel Tales 109.) 32 pages. Cover price $0.25.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 132 CGC 7.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4180798024

"The Master Plan of the Molten Man!" Part 1 of 2. Script by Gerry Conway. Pencils by John Romita and Paul Reinman. Inks by Paul Reinman, Tony Mortellaro (backgrounds), and John Romita (alterations). Cover by Gil Kane and John Romita. On the Upper East Side, Peter Parker bumps into an old acquaintance: Liz Allan. Whoa, where has she been since high school (and Amazing Spider-Man #30)? A few hours later inside a run-down tenement, the web-slinger bumps into an old enemy: the Molten Man! Where has he been since Amazing Spider-Man #35? Is it possible that both their returns are somehow connected? Ned Leeds and Mary Jane Watson will work to answer that question, while the wall-crawler tries to stay cool against his fiery foe! Cameo appearances by Betty Brant and Joe Robertson. First 25¢ cover. (Notes: This issue includes an ad for Marvel's new Deadly Hands of Kung Fu (1974) magazine. The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp series A #6 Thor by John Buscema and Mike Esposito. The letters page also includes a statement of ownership: average print run 541,043; average paid circulation 273,204. This issue was reprinted in Marvel Tales 109.) 32 pages. Cover price $0.25.

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 123 CGC 9.4 SS Englehart

Paper: White

Signed by Steve Englehart on 6/15/24

Label #4444121024

"Vengeance in Vietnam!" Part 1 of 2. Script by Steve Englehart. Pencils by Bob Brown. Inks by Don Heck. Cover by Ron Wilson and John Romita. At the conclusion of last issue's blockbuster battle vs. the Zodiac, Libra made a surprise announcement: "I am the father of Mantis!" Wow, what a shock to the Avengers and Mantis too! Libra says he met Mantis' mother during the First Indochina War. And after a local crime lord, Monsieur Khruul, attacked his home, he gave his daughter to the Priests of Pama to be reared. Is this fact of fiction? Either way the Swordsman isn't waiting for answers! He jumps in a quinjet and makes a beeline for Saigon to confront his former boss! But that turns out to be a disastrous idea. By the time Earth's Mightiest Heroes arrive in Vietnam, the Swordsman has been defeated and forced to talk about Mantis' upbringing! The vindictive monsieur and his minions go to the Priests of Pama's' temple and the killing begins. The frustrated Avengers once again arrive too late, but as shown on the chilling two-page final panel, battle is coming to Earth's Mightiest Heroes next issue…and coming in spades! Origin of Libra. Partial origin of Mantis. Cameo appearances by the Zodiac and the Star-Stalker. First 25¢ issue. Avengers Lineup: Black Panther, Iron Man, Mantis, Scarlet Witch, Swordsman, Thor, and the Vision. (Notes: The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp series A #4 Thing (of the Fantastic Four) by John Buscema. The letters page also contains a statement of ownership: average print run 360,675; average paid circulation 185,039.) 36 pages Cover price $0.25.

Crypt of Shadows (1973) 10 CGC 7.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4745258011

First 25-cent issue. Cover inks by Ernie Chan. All reprints: The Man in the Tank! (from Mystery Tales 15), art by Everett Raymond Kinstler; A killer hides in a water tank and when the train takes on engine water and drains the tank to halfway, the man can no longer latch on to the lid, eventually tires treading water and drowns. You Can't Touch Bottom (from Marvel Tales 129), pencils by Russ Andru, inks by Frank Giacoia; A mysterious jacket has a spell on it that compels any who wear to stuff objects into the bottomless right pocket. Devil's Island (from Uncanny Tales 12), art by Paul Reinman; A man takes his unfaithful lover in the dark to the largest pearl she has ever seen. It's still inside the giant clam which closes on her. 36 pgs. $0.25. Cover price $0.25.

Daredevil (1964 1st Series) 109 CGC 9.8

Paper: Off white to white

Label #1027848011

First 25-cent cover price. Cover pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Frank Giacoia. Dying for Dollar$!, script by Steve Gerber, pencils by Bob Brown, inks by Don Heck; While defacing American landmarks, the Black Spectre tries to (forcefully) recruit DD and the Black Widow; Shanna the She-Devil appearance. The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp series A # 52 (Quicksilver by John Buscema/Tom Palmer) and a statement of ownership--average print run 345,283; average paid circulation 170,669. 36 pgs. Cover price $0.25. Cover price $0.25.

Defenders (1972 1st Series) 13 CGC 9.4

Paper: White

Label #4526307022

First 25-cent cover price. Cover pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Frank Giacoia. For Sale: One Planet--Slightly Used!, script by Len Wein, pencils by Sal Buscema, inks by Klaus Janson; After deciding to go straight Nighthawk comes to the Defenders for assistance in helping stop the Squadron Sinister from destroying the planet for Nebulon. 36 pgs. $0.25. Cover price $0.25.

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 440 CGC 8.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4715513006

100 Page Super Spectacular. Cover art by Jim Aparo. "Ghost Mountain Midnight!", script by Archie Goodwin, pencils by Sal Amendola, inks by Dick Giordano; Bruce Wayne witness the abduction of a young woman from a night club in Gotham City and he tries to rescue her from the kidnappers as Batman. Reprints: "Cobras of the Deep!" starring Martin Manhunter, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Simon. "The Fear That Haunted Hawkman," script by Gardner Fox, art by Murphy Anderson; While out taking her dog Penny out for a walk, Shiera Carter witnesses a romantic couple suddenly split up when they girl becomes terribly frightened of the man and runs away; Hawkman battles the Sky-Raiders. "A Million-Dollar Corpse!" starring Doll Man, script by William Woolfolk, art by John Spranger. "Too Many Suspects!" starring Green Lantern (Alan Scott), script by Bob Kanigher, pencils by Alex Toth, inks by Frank Giacoia. "Inside Story of the Outsider!", script by Gardner Fox, pencils by Sheldon Moldoff (ghosting for Bob Kane), inks by Joe Giella; Batman and Robin are sent yet another message from the mysterious villain known as the Outsider, who this time sends coffins with Batman and Robin automatons to deliver the message to Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. "Chapter 4 Rebellion!", script by Archie Goodwin, art by Walter Simonson; Origin of the Manhunters (but, not the ones created by the Guardians of the Universe). 100 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.60.

Giant-Size Super-Stars (1974) 1 CGC 8.5 SS Ploog

Paper: Off white to white

Signed by Mike Ploog on 5/15/24. From the Collection of Mike Ploog.

Label #4464749011

48-page giant. "The Mind of the Monster!" Guest-starring the Fantastic Four, the Hulk, and Thundra. Story by Gerry Conway. Art by Rick Buckler and Joe Sinnott. Bruce Banner visits the Baxter Building and devises a plan to turn the Thing back in Ben Grimm and also rid himself of the Hulk forever. But something goes wrong...and a brand new Hulk vs. Thing battle erupts! Fantastic Four members: Mr. Fantastic, Human Torch, Medusa, and the Thing. This issue includes a 4-page write-up from Roy Thomas describing the format and next story planned for the Giant-Size series. This issue also contains a 7-page rogues' gallery of famous FF foes. (Note: The title of the series changes to Giant-Size Fantastic Four for the next issue.) Cover price $0.35.

Marvel Premiere (1972) 15 CGC 9.6

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4401929006

First 25-cent cover price. Origin and first appearance of Iron Fist in The Fury of Iron Fist!, script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Dick Giordano; Iron Fist passes the final tests in his K'un-Lun training and is granted the privilege of immortality if he so chooses; During his final battle with the robot Shu-Hu, Danny remembers how his father was killed by Meachum and his mother gave her life to save his as the Rand family searched for the fabled city of K'un-Lun. The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp series A # 94 (Electro by Steve Ditko). Text article explaining price hike to 25 cents for Marvel's 36-page comics, followed by short editorial by Roy Thomas detailing genesis of Iron Fist. 36 pgs. $0.25. Cover price $0.25.

Marvel Premiere (1972) 15 CGC 8.5

Paper: White

Label #4742165013

First 25-cent cover price. Origin and first appearance of Iron Fist in The Fury of Iron Fist!, script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Dick Giordano; Iron Fist passes the final tests in his K'un-Lun training and is granted the privilege of immortality if he so chooses; During his final battle with the robot Shu-Hu, Danny remembers how his father was killed by Meachum and his mother gave her life to save his as the Rand family searched for the fabled city of K'un-Lun. The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp series A # 94 (Electro by Steve Ditko). Text article explaining price hike to 25 cents for Marvel's 36-page comics, followed by short editorial by Roy Thomas detailing genesis of Iron Fist. 36 pgs. $0.25. Cover price $0.25.

Marvel Team-Up (1972 1st Series) 21 CGC 5.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4105435002

Spider-Man and Doctor Strange battle Xandu in "The Spider and the Sorcerer!" Script by Len Wein. Pencils by Sal Buscema. Inks by Frank Giacoia and Dave Hunt. Cover by Gil Kane and Frank Giacoia. (Xandu returns in Marvel Fanfare (1st series) 6. This issue was reprinted in Marvel Treasury Edition 22. The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp Series A #33 Sue Richards, the Invisible Girl.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.25.

Monsters Unleashed (1973) 6 FN- 5.5

Edited by Roy Thomas. Cover by Boris Vallejo. Always a Monster!, script by Doug Moench, art by Val Mayerik; The original brain of the Frankenstein Monster is returned to his body, while the brain of James is placed inside the animated corpse of Derek McDowell. The Strange Children!, art by Sam Kweskin. Darkflame!, script by Gerry Conway, art by Carlo Freixas. Panic By Moonlight starring Werewolf by Night, script by Gerry Conway, art by Mike Ploog. The Waters of Werewolves, script by Tony Isabella, art by Win Mortimer. 68 pgs., color. $0.75. Cover price $0.75.

Wonder Woman (1942 1st Series DC) 211 GD/VG 3.0

Water damage.

100-page giant. Cover by Nick Cardy. New stories: "The Maniacs of Mercury," script by Robert Kanigher, pencils by Ric Estrada, inks by Vince Colletta; When a space mission in Wonder Womans robot plane goes awry, the heroine saves herself and two sister Amazons from falling into the sun by diverting their course to land them on Mercury; There they become prisoners of the giant Mercurian males, led by King Celerito, who have enslaved all their women; Rehash of Wonder Woman #26, "Speed Maniacs from Mercury." Reprints: "The Origin of the Amazon Plane!", script by Robert Kanigher, art by Harry G. Peter; Wonder Woman discovers a miniature sun in the crater of an atomic bomb test and recovers it for study in Paradise Island; The Amazons discover that an atom of uranium from the sun is really a miniature planet, controlled by female "protons" led by Queen Atomia. "Wonder Woman Amazon Teen-Ager!", script by Robert Kanigher, pencils by Ross Andru, inks by Mike Esposito; Origin of Wonder Girl's costume. "The Winning of Wonder Woman's Tiara!", script by Robert Kanigher, art by Harry G. Peter. "Wonder Tot and Mister Genie!", script by Robert Kanigher, pencils by Ross Andru, inks by Mike Esposito. "The Secret of Wonder Woman's Sandals!", script by Robert Kanigher, art by Harry G. Peter. "The Mirage Mirrors!", script by Robert Kanigher, pencils by Ross Andru, inks by Mike Esposito. Statement of ownership - average print run 313,000; average paid circulation 145,054. 100 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.60.