Auctions: comic books April 1975

Batman (1940) 262 FN/VF 7.0

68-page giant. Always using fear to intimidate the criminal element, Batman must now face the Master of Fear, the sinister Scarecrow. "The Scarecrow's Trail of Fear!" Script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Ernie Chan as "Ernie Chua," inks by Dick Giordano. Reprint: "The Round-Robin Death Trap!" Script by Gardner Fox, pencils by Carmine Infantino, inks by Sid Greene. Last of the giants in this series. 68 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.50.

First Issue Special (1975) 1 CGC 9.6

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4389543017

"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.

Giant Size Spider-Man (1974) 4 CGC 8.5

Paper: Off white

Label #4435846002

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.