Auctions: comic books April 1975

Dead of Night (1973) 9 VG+ 4.5

Cover inks by John Romita. The Empty Bus!, art by Syd Shores; A mobster gets on a bus during a rainy night that has no other riders in order to track down one of his former boys who took it on the lam. Sazzik, the Sorcerer, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; A TV producer of violent sensationalist drama finds a book on a sorcerer that he thinks will bring in a big profit. They Melt at Night!, art by John Forte; A scientist, who is bitter at having his ideas rejected, succeeds in developing a corrosive that melts automobiles. The Sudden Storm, art by Kurt Schaffenberger; A couple are encouraged to flee an approaching hurricane, but they decline. It turns out that they are Noah and his wife. 36 pgs.$0.25. Cover price $0.20.

First Issue Special (1975) 1 CGC 9.6

Paper: Off white to white

Label #0606596010

"Atlas the Great!" While traveling far and wide, performing feats of strength for a living, Atlas finds the man who demolished his hometown. This series, similar to (but far less successful than) Showcase, was a spotlight for new and assorted characters. Script and pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by D. Bruce Berry. Cover by Kirby. Cover price $0.25.

Ghost Rider (1973 1st Series) 11 FN 6.0

"The Desolation Run!" Guest-starring Hulk. Story by Tony Isabella. Art by Sal Buscema and John Tartaglione. Cover by Gil Kane and Klaus Janson. Johnny Blaze participates in a cross-country race, but when the sinister Inferno tricks the Incredible Hulk into attacking Ghost Rider all hell breaks loose! NOTE: Marvel Value Stamp series A #66: General Ross. Cover price $0.25.

Giant Size Kid Colt (1975) 2 FN+ 6.5

New Kid Colt stories: "Showdown at Steer's Skull!" and "Battle at Blood Creek!" Script by Gary Friedrich, pencils by Dick Ayers, inks by Vince Colletta. Kid Colt reprints: "Six-Guns Can Talk" (from issue 75; art by Jack Keller), "The Menace of Bulldog Yates" (from issue 103; art by Keller), "KId Colt, Coward" (from issue 108; art by Keller), and an untitled story from issue 35. Also in this issue: "When a Man's Afraid" (from issue 99; script by Stan Lee, art by Don Heck?) and "Lawmen Never Die" (from issue 108; art by Sol Brodsky?). New Gil Kane cover. Cover price $0.50.

Giant Size Spider-Man (1974) 4 CGC 9.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4656867001

3rd appearance of the Punisher in "To Sow the Seeds of Death's Day!" Script by Gerry Conway. Pencils by Ross Andru. Inks by Mike Esposito. Cover by Gil Kane and Mike Esposito. The Punisher has discovered that an evil mastermind is testing biological weapons on kidnapped Americans somewhere in South America. After recruiting the web-slinger to help him, the Punisher and Spider-Man break into the offices of the shadowy Deterrence Research Corporation in New York City. However during the attack, the wall-crawler is captured and transported to the death camp of Moses Magnum! Can the Punisher rescue the Amazing Spider-Man and the captive civilians before they meet a horrible fate? First appearance of Moses Magnum. (Note: The Punisher appears next in Marvel Preview Magazine 2.) Back up story: "The Wondrous World of Doctor Strange!" Script by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko. Spider-Man and the Master of the Mystic Arts team up to battle Xandu! Reprinted from Doctor Strange 179. (Notes: The story originally appeared in Amazing Spiderman Annual 2, and was later reprinted in Doctor Strange 179. A reprint of the cover of Doctor Strange 179 is included in the issue.) 64 pages Cover price $0.50.

Giant Size Spider-Man (1974) 4 CGC 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4728754003

3rd appearance of the Punisher in "To Sow the Seeds of Death's Day!" Script by Gerry Conway. Pencils by Ross Andru. Inks by Mike Esposito. Cover by Gil Kane and Mike Esposito. The Punisher has discovered that an evil mastermind is testing biological weapons on kidnapped Americans somewhere in South America. After recruiting the web-slinger to help him, the Punisher and Spider-Man break into the offices of the shadowy Deterrence Research Corporation in New York City. However during the attack, the wall-crawler is captured and transported to the death camp of Moses Magnum! Can the Punisher rescue the Amazing Spider-Man and the captive civilians before they meet a horrible fate? First appearance of Moses Magnum. (Note: The Punisher appears next in Marvel Preview Magazine 2.) Back up story: "The Wondrous World of Doctor Strange!" Script by Stan Lee. Art by Steve Ditko. Spider-Man and the Master of the Mystic Arts team up to battle Xandu! Reprinted from Doctor Strange 179. (Notes: The story originally appeared in Amazing Spiderman Annual 2, and was later reprinted in Doctor Strange 179. A reprint of the cover of Doctor Strange 179 is included in the issue.) 64 pages Cover price $0.50.

Werewolf by Night (1972 1st Series) 28 CGC 4.0

Paper: White

Label #4030891004

Gil Kane cover. Cover pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Dan Adkins. The Darkness From Glitternight, script by Doug Moench, art by Don Perlin; the Werewolf battles Dr. Glitternight; Lissa Russell becomes a werewolf. 36 pgs. $0.25. Cover price $0.25.