Auctions: comic books December 1988

Advanced Dungeons and Dragons (1988 DC) 1D CGC 9.8

Paper: White

Label #3986080009

Direct Edition. Based on the TSR role playing game - "The Gathering!" Part 1 of 4. Story by Michael Fleisher and Jan Duursema. Art by Jan Duursema. An ancient evil rises and once again threatens the Realms. Only a motley band of adventurers can stop it now. A surly dwarf warrior and his benevolent centaur companion, a gladiator who survived the Manshaka Arena of Blood, a fallen paladin, and a timid half-elf must somehow find a way to work together if the Realms are going to survive the coming darkness. Includes character sheets and information (to be used for the TSR Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game) for the Guardsmen of Waterdeep, Character: Priam Agrivar, human paladin, and the Magic Item: Staff of Withering. Cover price $1.25.

Batman (1940) 426N FN 6.0

First printing. Newsstand Edition. Cover art by Mike Mignola. "A Death in the Family" part 1 of 4, script by Jim Starlin, pencils by Jim Aparo, inks by Mike DeCarlo; Jason discovers that his "real" mother was really his step-mother, and his birth mother is still alive; Joker escapes from Arkham and Batman chases him to the Middle East where he runs across Jason looking for one of the women he thinks is his mom. Infamous story where readers called an 800 number, and 'voted' to have Robin killed! Story continues in Batman #427. NOTE: Most issues from 397-432 were reprinted in 1989 and sold in multipacks. These 2nd and 3rd prints have back cover ads dated 1989. 52 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $1.50.

Batman (1940) 427N FN 6.0

First printing. Newsstand Edition. Cover art by Mike Mignola. "A Death in the Family" part 2 of 4, script by Jim Starlin, pencils by Jim Aparo, inks by Mike DeCarlo; Jason meets his real mother, Sheila Haywood, but she turns out to be working for the Joker and allows her son to fall into his deadly hands inside of a warehouse; Joker beats Robin with a crowbar and leaves him for dead as a badly beaten Robin attempts to save his mom and himself from the dynamite left behind by the Joker as he leaves them both to a horrible fate; Batman watches in horror as the warehouse containing Jason and Sheila blows up, too late to stop the Joker. Infamous Phone Poll on death or life for Robin (Jason Todd). The Direct Sales copies of this comic, released first, contained a 1-800 phone number to either vote "for" or "against" the death of Jason Todd on the inside back cover. The newsstand copies, released 3 weeks later did not contain the 1-800 number. NOTE: Most issues from 397-432 were reprinted in 1989 and sold in multipacks. These 2nd and 3rd prints have back cover ads dated 1989. 52 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $1.50.

Batman (1940) 428N FN+ 6.5

First printing. Newsstand Edition. Cover art by Mike Mignola. "A Death in the Family" part 3 of 4, script by Jim Starlin, pencils by Jim Aparo, inks by Mike DeCarlo; Death of Sheila Haywood; Burial of Sheila Haywood and Jason Todd; The Joker becomes the Iranian Ambassador to the U.N. Results of Phone Poll as to whether Robin dies this issue or not. NOTE: Most issues from 397-432 were reprinted in 1989 and sold in multipacks. These 2nd and 3rd prints have back cover ads dated 1989. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.75.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures (1988) 3 CGC 9.4

Paper: White

Label #4609509008

Direct Edition. Story and Art by Michael Dooney. Cover by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird. Cover price $1.00.

Uncanny X-Men (1963 1st Series) 239 CGC 9.8

Paper: White

Label #4609431012

Inferno: Prologue - "Vanities!" Story by Chris Claremont. Art and cover by Marc Silvestri and Dan Green. Strange occurrences are happening all over the city of Manhattan. Mr. Sinister plots and schemes from the shadows. The X-Men are betrayed by one of their own. And the Marvel Universe is about to engulfed by an all encompassing evil from which no one will escape. Welcome to the Inferno! 36 pgs. Cover price $1.00.