Auctions: comic books published by Charlton Comics Group

Blue Beetle (1964 Charlton) 1 CGC 6.5

Paper: White

Label #4649155006

Cover by Bill Fraccio and Frank McLaughlin. Stories and art by Joe Gill, Bill Fraccio and Tony Tallarico. The second Charlton series to feature Dan Garrett, the Golden Age Blue Beetle, is also the first to contain original material. This issue is also notable as Charlton's first entry into the superhero genre in the Silver Age. Dan Garrett, the Golden Age Blue Beetle, battles an ancient mummy. An injured police officer needs an artificial heart to survive, in a story that predates the actual artificial heart by a decade or two. Plus fun facts about the duckbill platypus, a "fun" animal if there ever was one. The Giant Mummy Who Was Not Dead; Jungle Waters; Freaks of Nature; Have a Heart; Record of the Rocks. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Blue Beetle (1964 Charlton) 3 CGC 8.5

Paper: White

Label #4649155007

Cover by Dick Giordano. Stories and art by Joe Gill, Bill Fraccio and Tony Tallarico. The second Charlton series to feature Dan Garrett, the Golden Age Blue Beetle. Blue Beetle faces the evil Mr. Thunderbolt (no relation to Peter Cannon), a sinister mastermind with a plot to destroy the Earth. A hunter in Africa realizes that he loves wild animals, and what he really likes hunting is poachers. Letters page includes a letter from future Game of Thrones and Wild Cards fantasy author George RR Martin. Mr. Thunderbolt and the Superstar; What Killed Them?; The Smartest Apes; No Killer Instinct. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Brides in Love (1956) 1 VG 4.0

Cover by Dick Giordano. Stories and art by Dick Giordano, Charles Nicholas, Sal Trapani, Vince Alascia and Jon D'Agostino. Newly married romance, and all the complications that go with it. Dave wants to marry beautiful redheaded Joan, but she's having second thoughts. Sheila lets Mike marry Jane rather than deal with his gambling problem, but Sheila still loves him. Lois wants the best for Phil on their honeymoon, but he's wondering if they'll have any money left after it's over. Should I Say Yes?; Apartment for Rent; I Gave the Groom Away; Happy Home; Which One, Jeannie?; The Lovely Snob; The End of the Honeymoon. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Captain Atom (1965 Charlton) 78 VG 4.0

Water damage.

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Cover art by Steve Ditko. The Gremlins From Planet Blue, script by Joe Gill, pencils by Steve Ditko, inks by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio; Captain Atom must rescue Professor Jupe and his daughter from aliens who have brainwashed him into working for them on killer missiles. The Sun God text story. The Vast Unknown-n-n-n, art by Ernie Bache. Previously titled Strange Suspense Stories. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Captain Atom (1965 Charlton) 88 CGC 9.6

Paper: White

Slab: Significant side/edge cracks 1" or more

Label #4098545015

Nightshade Back-Up Story Steve Ditko art Cover price $0.12.

Eh! (1953) 4 CGC 7.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #1274890013

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Stories and art by Dick Ayers, Fred Ottenheimer, and Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio. Eh! was Charlton's attempt at a one-word-title humor and satire comic, inspired by the success of EC's Mad. A boxing manager needing a new fighter looks for the toughest guy he can find, but they all have some hidden weakness. Hoiman the cab driver faces the strange and dangerous challenges of picking up a day's fares in the city. Eh! does a version of Longfellow's "Paul Revere's Ride," just as Mad did a year later. Spoofs of 1950s advertising, including cigarettes, deodorant ("He smells like a gymnasium!"), and "Cellophane Diapers" - as Alfred E. Neuman would say, "Yecch!" The cover features an unprintable visual pun. Be Hacky - Go Nutz; A Million Dollar Gate!; Taxi, Lady?; Eh-!?!; Herman's Hazard; The Ride of Paul Revere!; Histerical News!; Don't Be Aloof...; Clearview Cellophane Diapers. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Fantastic Giants (1966) 24 VG- 3.5

Cover by Steve Ditko. Stories and art by Steve Ditko and Dave Kaler. Numbering continues from Konga (1961) #23. Charlton reprints the debut adventures of its Ditko-drawn cult-classic monster comics after Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko becomes a Marvel legend. In an adaptation of the B-movie classic Konga, scientist Dr. Decker creates a super-growth formula and tests it on a young monkey. The serum works too well, transforming Konga into a gigantic gorilla who runs on a rampage across London. In an adaptation of the early kaiju film Gorgo, sailor capture a sea monster and put it on display. Only they didn't realize the monster was a baby - and its much larger mother will destroy London looking for it. Konga; With the Help of Hogar; Gorgo; The Mountain Monster. This is the only issue with this title; Ditko and Robin Snyder resumed the numbering almost 50 years later for one more issue of Konga (2018) #25. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.25.

Fightin' Marines (1951 St. John/Charlton) 6 GD- 1.8

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Cover by Matt Baker. Stories and art by Gene L. Coon, Matt Baker and Gene Colan. Charlton's long-running series focused on the miliary exploits of the US Marines throughout the 20th century. Canteen Kate tries to put Al in the General's good graces when she finds out the General loves gardening, in a story with art by good-girl art legend Matt Baker. In Tokyo on leave, Leatherneck Jack sets out to track down a missing buddy last seen with a Russian dancer named Olga, in a story with early art by future Marvel legend Gene Colan. A Marine sergeant in Korea stumbles on trouble when he sees a sampan ship carrying contraband. Plus an early prose story by future Star Trek screenwriter Gene L. Coon, a veteran of Korea and WWII. Cover by Baker. Tankers Test; Tripoli Shores: Operation Rescue; Canteen Kate: Ready…Aim…Fire!; Express to Extinction; Major Error; Leatherneck Jack: Strategy for Suicide. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

From Here to Insanity Vol. 3 (1956) 1 GD+ 2.5

1" Spine split from top. Cover detached. Water damage.

Cover by Bob McCartney. Stories and art by Steve Ditko, Basil Wolverton, Bob McCartney, Joe Pena and Bob Weber. Charlton's Mad imitator continues its hit-or-miss parodies of 1950s pop culture. Noteworthy is a rare early piece with art by Steve Ditko, in which his inimitable, nascent style is so cartoony, it resembles Don Martin's early work in Mad. Plus a few pages by Mad contributor and comics legend Basil Wolverton, including some Rube Goldberg-type inventions. A parody of Al Capp's Li'l Abner. Spoofs of 1950s advertising, including corsets, stereo systems, and home cleaners. Insanity Comes to a Pompeii Party; I Was a Schizoid Psychotic; Schizograms; Inspector Fink; Party Games; Inside Mr. America; Modern Jazz Pianist; The Misfit; The Century's Most Practical Inventions; Insanity's All-Time All-American Team; Starlight Starbright; The Plain, Unadulterated, Really Varnished TRUTH About Lil Grabner EXPOSED!; Switch to Waterfront; Hypnotism for Husbands; Hollywood's Exciting Moonglowsuits; Do You Take What It Gets? Final issue under this title; series continues as This Magazine is Crazy (1957) #2. 8.5-in. x 11-in., 64 pages, PC/PB&W. Cover price $0.10.

Ghost Manor (1971 Charlton) 2nd Series 3 VF- 7.5

Cover by Steve Ditko. Stories and art by Steve Ditko, Joe Staton, Charles Nicholas, and Pete Morisi. Weird butler Mr. Bones presents tales of spirits and the supernatural. Wealthy Cyrus returns to the town he exploited, now a ghost town, and finds a ghostly posse waiting for him, in a story with art (and cover) by Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko. The Curse of the Hanging Man is revealed in another noose-related story, with art by E-Man co-creator Joe Staton. A young artist and his new bride move into a lighthouse on a deserted island... but they're not alone. Homeward Bound; The Curse of the Hanging Man; The Waiting Noose; The Spirit of Speekie Speaks. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.20.

Haunted (1971 Charlton) 11 VF 8.0

Cover art by Steve Ditko. "The Hunt for Clovis Dobbs" starring Impy, art by Pete Morisi (as PAM); Ten years later, men hunt for an escaped killer. Punsters illustration by Phil Mendez. "Bride in Darkness," art by Steve Ditko; Sir Ian marries Lady Catherine for her money. "Death at Dawnsa" text story; Animals take revenge on poachers. "A Handsome Devil," script by Nicola Cuti, art by Joe Staton; If Dr. Edwin Sturges refused Satan's offer, his life would become a living hell — so he operates on Lucifer. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.20.

Haunted (1971 Charlton) 13 VF 8.0

Cover by Steve Ditko. Stories and art by Steve Ditko, Joe Gill, Pat Boyette, and Pete Morisi. Charlton's long-running horror series eventually became the home of horror host Baron Weirwulf. Ben and his new bride make a wrong turn on the way to their honeymoon in Florida, and it's going to take a lot to get them back on track. The beautiful Alicia leads a man to the vampire who's been stalking the nearby area. A man tries to elude death, in a story (and cover) with art by Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko. Wrong Turn; The Vampire Lives!; Call From Beyond; Everybodys Gotta Die Someplace!. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.20.

Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves (1967) 36 CGC 5.0

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #3853340004

Cover by Sanho Kim. Stories and art by Al Milgrom, Joe Staton, Jim Janes, Joe Gill, Sanho Kim and Pat Boyette. Ghost hunter Dr. Graves presents, and sometimes participates in, tales of ghosts, monsters and the supernatural. Lewis and Nancy must spend a night in a haunted mansion to win an inheritance. Two men try to use voodoo for a vendetta, in a story with art by future Marvel legend Al Milgrom. A man murders his wife, but her cats have the last laugh, in a story with art by E-Man co-creator Joe Staton. He Made His Bed; The Cat Lover; A Ghosts Advice; Hell House. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.20.

Marine War Heroes (1964) 2 VG+ 4.5

Cover by Dick Giordano. Stories and art by Bill Molno, Bill Fraccio, Charles Nicholas, Vince Alascia, and Jack Keller. Marine War Heroes features grim tales of life and death on the front, sometimes giving a character's death-date on the opening page of the story. Pfc. Randall takes on a battalion of tanks with a rocket launcher during the Korean War. Cpl. Hauge leads a machine-gun squad during the Battle of Okinawa. Cpl. Hardart can seemingly not be stopped by bullets as he wages a one-man war in Korea. The Tank Destroyer; Strength of a Nation; One Man Assault Wave; Spy Recruiter; Symbol of Freedom; All Men Are Enemies. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

My Secret Life (1957 Charlton) 28 VG+ 4.5

Cover coming loose at one staple.

Cover by Vince Colletta. Stories and art by Charles Nicholas and Vince Colletta. A whiff of scandal adds spice to tales of heartbreak and romance. Neil's girlfriend Doris starts hanging out with Neil's friend Roy while Neil is overseas, and one thing leads to another. A dime-store ring helps Donna choose between her modeling career and a life with Johnny. Hedi loves Hank, who lives a carefree life on a houseboat, but she wishes he'd get a real job. Plus a vintage PSA about dating, "Janice Has a Date and 'Fun with Pop'." Beloved Failure; Love Almost Lost; Shipboard Romance; The Dime Store Ring; Stand-In. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Outer Space (1958 Charlton) 17 FR/GD 1.5

Side edge tear through book.

Cover by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio. Stories and art by Al Williamson, Pat Masulli, Charles Nicholas and Sal Trapani. Numbering continues from This Magazine is Haunted (1957 Charlton) #16. Science fiction comics with a space-exploration theme from Charlton, perfect for the age of Sputnik. The first astronaut to the moon comes back a changed man, literally, in a story with great art by EC legend Al Williamson. In a three-part story, scientists contend with the challenges in building the first moon vessel, a vehicle that looks more like the space shuttle. Plus an essay from editor Pat Masulli about the importance of science fiction in the Space Age. The New Frontier; The Dream; Step Into Outer Space; Space Platform; The Man From Outer Space; Moon Madness; Destination Outer Space. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Sarge Steel (1964) 3 CGC 5.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4646436005

Cover art by Dick Giordano. "File 103 The Case of the Heritage of Hate," script by Joe Gill, art by Dick Giordano; Steel's luger turns out to be an exact duplicate of a silver luger used by the Smiling Skull; Steel is kidnapped in an attempt to implicate him in murders committed with the luger, but he manages to turn the tables on his captor with the aid of a beautiful accomplice. "C.I." text article by Major John William Henry; Duties and requirements of a criminal investigator in the United States Army. "Doomsday" one-page story, art by Bill Molno. "Sport of Judo," script and art by Frank McLaughlin; Steel demonstrates martial arts moves. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Secrets of Love and Marriage (1956) 2 VG 4.0

Cover by Dick Giordano and Vince Alascia. Stories and art by Charles Nicholas, Vince Alascia, Bill Molno, Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio and Jon D'Agostino. Newlyweds find that while love solves some problems, others require negotiation. Anise stumbles on ailing hermit Les, nurses him back to health, and falls in love. Actress Peggy is torn between director Jack and her fiancé back home. Jim and Lily take a six-month break to see if they're really serious about each other. Explanation Not Necessary; Say When!; The Old Love; Trousseau for a Wife; Too Shy; The Sudden Kiss; Trial Ending; Faint Heart; Song of Sorrow. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Soap Opera Love (1983) 1 CGC 8.5

Paper: White

Label #4665985005

Cover pencils by A. Martinez, inks by J. Zuniga. I Know the Man I Want to Love...; Elaine takes a job at a South American oil refinery where she hopes to land a wealthy executive, but in spite of her plans she falls in love with Gus, a bush pilot. Days to Remember, pencils by Charles Nicholas, inks by Vince Alascia. Find-a-Word activity page. David and Eileen Part 1, pencils by A. Martinez, inks by J. Zuniga; Eileen O'Brien meets David Goldman and they quickly fall in love and plan to marry, to the horror of both sets of parents. 36 pgs. $0.60. Cover price $0.60.

Soldier and Marine Comics Vol. 1 (1954) 12 FN- 5.5

Stories and art by Mel Keefer, Sid Check and Jack Sparling. War comics from Charlton focusing on the US Marine Corps. War buddies Spike and Bat are inseparable on the battlefield, but when female dancers show up for a USO show, the real fightin' begins. Kelly is proud to be driving a bulldozer for the 11th Squadron, and when they're pinned down by the enemy, the 'dozer saves the day. Marine hero Monty Hall flies a reconnaissance mission with Josh, a devil-may-care pilot. Plus a historic look at US Marine uniforms from the American Revolution to the Korean War. Operation Petticoat; Killer Cat; Search for Dr. Senn!; U.S. Marines Behind Enemy Lines!; What the Well-Dressed Marine Has Worn - 1775-1955. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Space Adventures (1952 1st series) 13 CGC 9.2

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4639938002

Cover by Al Fago. Stories and art by Carl Memling, Vince Alascia, Joe Shuster, John Belfi, Seymour Moskowitz and Dick Giordano. Ahead of the Comics Code, Space Adventures switches from horrific tales of sci-fi to super-heroics, reviving 1940s hero Blue Beetle, in what proved to be a long and influential series for both Charlton and the Blue Beetle himself. In the far-off future year of 1988, Blast Baker and Astra Adams of the Planet Police battle a tentacled monster from outer space. Someone tries to frame reporter Joan Mason by planting a bag of cocaine in her purse. Blue Beetle: Murder in the Ring; The Thing in Outer Space; From Planet Rathe to Planet Earth; The Beauty Parlor Murders; Minit Mystery; Heritage. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Teen Confessions (1959) 1 CGC 6.0 Restored

Restored: C1

Paper: Off white to white

Restoration includes: small piece re-attached to cover with glue.

Label #4641414002

Cover by Vince Colletta. Stories by unknown. Art by Vince Colletta, Charles Nicholas and Sal Trapani. In this issue: "Falsely Accused" with art by Vince Colletta; "30 Days of Happiness" with art by Colletta; "My Heart Whispered" with art by Charles Nicholas and Sal Trapani; "A Maturer Love" with art by Colletta; and 2-page text story "Age of Romance"! 32 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Thing (1952 Charlton) 17 GD 2.0

1" Cumulative spine split. Centerfold detached. Cover glued to first wrap.

Cover by Steve Ditko. "Through the Looking Glass," art by Steve Kirkel; Alice is a mean and sadistic girl who runs amok and kills Wonderland's hostile and wondrous inhabitants. "Bad Blood!", script by Carl Memling, pencils by Dick Ayers, inks by Ernie Bache; Gabriel Robb murders his rich uncle in a rage. "Wishful Thinking!", art by Steve Kirkel; Emil Barto is a vampire aboard a ship and gets stranded on an island. "Horror on the Hill" text story. "Weird Legend of Trelawney," pencils by Bob Powell; John Marshand visits the English town of Trelawney; Two former land owners, the squires Tilton and Ghastney, haunt the region with their ghostly attack dogs. 36 pgs., full color. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

This Magazine Is Haunted (1957 Charlton) 13 GD/VG 3.0

Cover by Steve Ditko. Stories by Joe Gill? Art by Steve Ditko, Bill Molno and Rocke Mastroserio. Dr. Haunt hosts four tales: Dave seeks revenge for Phil's death, but he doesn't know who the true killer is in "He Shall Have Vengeance"; a thief is pursued by tribal drums that are closer than he realizes in "The Drums"; a scientist cannot perceive his enemy, but his best friend can in "Menace of the Invisibles"; and a man switches bodies with another, but the results are quite different from what he expected in "The Man Who Changed Bodies"! Plus: A psychiatrist tells a man dreaming of an otherworldly woman that his dream has no bearing on reality, but the man fights to reunite with his otherworldly wife in "What the Dream Meant"! Also: 2-page story "The End"! And: Illyvitch's plan to build a landbridge across the Bering Strait backfires on the Soviets in the 2-page text story "Peter Illyvitch's Landbridge"! 32 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Unusual Tales (1955 Charlton) 15 CGC 6.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4645615008

Cover by Steve Ditko. Stories and art by Steve Ditko, John Severin, Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio, and Bill Molno. Strange stories of science fiction, fantasy and horror that fit within the guidelines of the new Comics Code. In one of three stories this issue with art by Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko, a scientist gets to prove his theory that aliens look like human beings. In another Ditko story, Neptune launches an attack on the peaceful people of Jupiter - but Jupiter is ready for them. A lost vessel is led to shore by a ghost ship, in a story with art by EC and Marvel legend John Severin (credited as "LePoer"). If This Be Earth; Worthless World; They Must Be Like Us; The Mirror; The Mystery Ship; The Juggernauts of Jupiter. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Zoo Funnies (1945 1st Series Charlton/Childrens) 7 0.3

Comic is complete other than being coverless. Centerfold detached at one staple.

Stories and art by Gus Jud, Sid Lazarus, Ellis Chambers, A. W. Nugent, Herman Browner, and Harry Lazarus. An early comics anthology featuring humor and funny-animal stories from Charlton, published under the imprint Children Comics Publishing. Rabbit-son Crusoe and Friday the turtle, stranded on a desert island, encounter a ghost ship. A duck who can't swim faces a tough future. In a retelling of an Aesop's fable, a wolf and a dog compare lifestyle choices. Plus puzzle and activity pages, and fun facts about the porpoise and the bald eagle. Willie; Bulgy Bear; Elmer Elf; Smarty; Aesop's Fables: The Wolf and the Dog; Magic Tricks; Beloved Vagabond; Unusual Animals; Rabbit-Son Crusoe; A Visit to the Zoo; Mr. Crow; Dicky Duck; Bojo and Tony. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.