Auctions: comic books published by Charlton Comics Group

Blue Beetle (1964 Charlton) 1 VG- 3.5

1" tear on back cover. Store stamp on back cover.

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) 1 GD/VG 3.0

1" tear on back cover.

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.

Captain Atom (1965 Charlton) 79 VG- 3.5

Cover coming loose at one staple.

Cover pencils by Steve Ditko, inks by Rocke "Rocke" Mastroserio. Captain Atom Faces Doctor Spectro, script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Joe Gill (script), pencils by Steve Ditko, inks by Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio; When an Air Force truck is hijacked Captain Atom begins to track down the criminals; Along the way he meets Doctor Spectro, who uses colors and light as weapons. Moon-Run!, art by Steve Ditko. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fightin' Five (1964) 40 GD- 1.8

3.5" Cumulative spine split. Cover detached at one staple and loose at other.

Cover by Bill Montes and Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio. Stories and art by Pat Boyette, Bill Montes, Ernie Bache, and Joe Gill. Five tough guys form a specialized combat unit for specialized missions. A sinister female agent of the terrorist organization called D.E.A.T.H. manages to gain control of F5 member Hank Hennessey. But the real draw for this particular issue is the backup story. Diplomat Chris Smith is so dedicated to the cause of peace that he decides he will fight for it. So he becomes the Peacemaker, the first version of the character later revived by DC Comics (and the inspiration for the Comedian from Watchmen). The Agents of D.E.A.T.H.; Introducing: The Peacemaker. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Ghostly Haunts (1971) 49 VG 4.0

Cover by Tom Sutton. Stories and art by Enrique Nieto, Joe Gill, Fernando and Recreo Studio. A horror anthology from Charlton, with a stable of artists that included Steve Ditko. A farmer discovers that the abandoned ICBM silo on his property leads to the gates of Hell. A man makes a bargain with a witch for eternal life, but he's in deep trouble when she feels cheated. Cover by horror legend Tom Sutton. Doorway to Hell; The Price of Eternal Life; Death Flew into Darkness; The Edge of Fear. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.25.

Jetsons (1970 Charlton) 1 CGC 6.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4727468010

Stories and art by Joe Gill, Fred Himes, Bill Montes and Ray Dirgo. A glimpse at the future through the lens of the 1960s, The Jetsons revealed that the basic frustrations of life never change. When Rosie the robot maid starts malfunctioning, George wants to replace her with another robot, but the family is too attached. Elroy's new Martian pal Sum Toi has seemingly magical powers, but George thinks Sum Toi is an imaginary friend. George accidentally trips up future-criminals. No Rust on Rosey; Sum Toi; The Never Ending Story; Happy Birthday, Moon!; Touché Turtle: Who's That Knocking Down My Door?; The Mustang. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.15.

Many Ghosts of Doctor Graves (1967) 52 CGC 7.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4715726003

Cover by Tom Sutton. Stories and art by Steve Ditko, Sanho Kim, Joe Gill, and Pat Boyette. Ghost hunter Dr. Graves presents, and sometimes participates in, tales of ghosts, monsters and the supernatural. A genteel mugger learns he's not the only thing stalking the London night. Cruel Captain Cobb forces the African Zuligi tribe into servitude - but luckily, they have voodoo on their side. Thomas is cruel to his redheaded wife and the servants, but the servants ALSO have voodoo on their side, in a story with art by Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko. Terrific werewolf cover by Tom Sutton. Evil Prowls the Night; Satan Is Free; A Little of This - A Little of That! 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.25.

Partridge Family (1971) 6 CGC 7.5

Paper: White

Label #4727467009

Cover by Don Sherwood. Stories and art by Don Sherwood and Ruth Simpson. Inspired by the 1970s TV series, the Partridge Family comic included large panels to showcase pinup-style images of the show's stars, teen heartthrobs David Cassidy and Susan Dey, plus film legend Shirley Jones. The group goes to Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and encounters foreign intrigue. The family dog rescues a cat stuck in a snowbank. Plus pinups by Don Sherwood and classic vintage ads for the Partridge Family Fan Club and other items for the true Partridge Family fan. Ambassadors Abroad; The Adventures of Alice Alisen: Balancing a Budget; Dog-Gone. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.20.

Space War (1959) 8 GD+ 2.5

3/4" Cumulative spine split. Centerfold detached.

Cover by Steve Ditko. Stories and art by Steve Ditko, Bill Molno, Vince Alascia, and Rocco "Rocke" Mastroserio. Science-fiction tales with twist endings from the dawn of the Space Age. Quarantined after exposure to radiation, an astronaut encounters alien outcasts, in a story (and cover) with art by Spider-Man co-creator Steve Ditko. Investigating when the stars start going out, Space Brigadier Garner discovers an alien race that is using them as a power source. A Space Ranger investigates a distress call on Titan and discovers holdouts from an intergalactic war. The Man Who Relighted the Stars; The Terrible Plant Earth; The Sixth Moon of Saturn; Doubles, Inc.; The Contaminated Space Man. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Special War Series (1965) 4 CGC 5.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4629410001

Cover by Frank McLaughlin. Stories and art by Frank McLaughlin and Vince Alascia. Special War Series takes a hard left turn from war comics into superhero adventure. Sgt. Rip Jagger, escaping Axis forces during World War II, is taken in by Pacific Islanders of a strange judo cult. They teach Jagger everything they know, so he can fight for justice as the masked hero Judomaster. Plus, Sarge Steel demonstrates judo, aikido, and karate for readers. Introducing Rip Jagger…Judomaster; Fight for Freedom; The Dojo!; Judomaster is Born; Sarge Steel: Sport of Judo. Final issue of the series; Judomaster's adventures continue in Judo Master (1966 Charlton) #89. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Sweethearts (1954-1973 Charlton) 88 VG 4.0

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Edited by Pat Masulli. Cover inks by Dick Giordano. Stories by unknown. Art by Charles Nicholas, Dick Giordano? and unknown. According to the coroner, he was killed instantly...and although her name wasn't mentioned in the report, she knew she was directly responsible for Jerry Carew's death! A lifetime for tragedy...a lifetime for regret...a "Lifetime for Tears"! Also featuring: "No Nice Girl" and "This Must Be Love"! Plus: 1-page text story "The Fumbler"! 32 pages, full color. Cover price $0.12.

Teen Confessions (1959) 82 GD/VG 3.0

Stories by unknown. Art by Charles Nicholas, Vince Alascia and unknown. Everyone says sixteen is too young for love, but why should she wait? Don't miss..."Tomorrow Is Now"! Also in this issue: "I Wanted His Kisses" with art by Charles Nicholas and Vince Alascia; "Let Me Go!"; beauty tips in "Looks Count Six Ways to Sparkle Up" 1-page text article; and Find-a-Word puzzle page. 32 pages, full color. Cover price $0.20.

True Life Secrets (1951 Capitol Publications Inc.) 23 VG+ 4.5

The fantastic (and unfortunately uncredited) Good Girl cover art for this issue was repurposed from My Desire #34 (sometimes listed as My Desire #4) with altered dialogue, making the scene a bit more salacious. Stories and art by Leon Winik and Ray Osrin. Early romance comics that include noirish tales of melodrama, scandal and deceit. Lola is contemptuous of her friends' make-do marriage plans, and sets out to find a wealthy husband. Nurse Ginny falls for Carl, the handsome doctor she works for, but hypochondriac Sandra wants Carl's attention for herself. Helen enjoys walking in the rain and brooding over her loneliness, but that's how she meets handsome Tod, who comes to her aid when she twists her ankle. Plus a romantic poem by Robert Louis Stevenson in comics form. Fast Track for Love; A Savage in Love; Romance; The Price I Paid; None But the Lonely. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.