Comic books February 1953

Vol. 1, No. 1 - January/February, 1953. Short-lived men's adventure magazine that focused on war and combat articles. 8.5" x 11", 66 pages, B&W. Cover price $0.25.

Special Civil War issue. Cover by Harvey Kurtzman. Stories by Harvey Kurtzman. Art by John Severin, Bill Elder, Wally Wood, and Jack Davis. Harvey Kurtzman's legendary series enlisted top EC artists for gritty tales of war and adventure. A Civil War sergeant who brags that a bullet will never find him is proved a little too right, in a story with inks by MAD legend Will Elder. The military career of Union commander and future US president Ulysses Grant. The first battle between two "ironclads" signals the end of the wooden warship, with art by Wally Wood. Blockade!; Campaign!; Air-Minded Fitz John; Donelson!; Grant! 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Canadian Edition. Special Civil War issue. Cover by Harvey Kurtzman. Stories by Harvey Kurtzman. Art by John Severin, Bill Elder, Wally Wood, and Jack Davis. Harvey Kurtzman's legendary series enlisted top EC artists for gritty tales of war and adventure. A Civil War sergeant who brags that a bullet will never find him is proved a little too right, in a story with inks by MAD legend Will Elder. The military career of Union commander and future US president Ulysses Grant. The first battle between two "ironclads" signals the end of the wooden warship, with art by Wally Wood. Blockade!; Campaign!; Air-Minded Fitz John; Donelson!; Grant! 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Vol. 8, No. 8. February 1953. True Crime Magazine. 8.5" x 11". 66 pages. Black and white. Cover price $0.15.

Stories and art by Doug Wildey, Maurice Gutwirth and Stephen Kirkel. Classic pre-Code crime comics from Fawcett. Bo and Frankie start up a "floating crap game" using loaded dice, but when someone finds out, the guns start blazing. A mobster sees a profit in human trafficking on the Rio Grande, in a story with art by comics legend Doug Wildey. Crimelord Monk Gorman starts a deadly racket by poaching game in the forest preserve, but pushes his luck too far when he starts a forest fire. Dead Weight; Loaded Dice; Dopey Danny Dee; River of Blood; Tightwad Tad; The Game Butchers. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by Ernie Bushmiller. Stories and art by Ernie Bushmiller, Charles Schulz, Russell Patterson, and Raeburn van Buren. The comic-strip adventures of aspiring model Fritzi Ritz and her boyfriend, the bumbling Phil Fumble. Fritzi and Phil investigate the boat Phil's uncle bought, and think it may be haunted. One of the backup strips in the comic is Charles Schulz's Peanuts, then only in its third year; several daily strips are presented in full color. Abbie discovers that her special "Old Maid's Salad" somehow makes her irresistible to men, in an Abbie an' Slats strip with art by Raeburn van Buren. Fritzi Ritz; Peanuts; Mamie; Stamp Tips; Abbie an' Slats. Final issue under this title; series continues as Fritzi Ritz (1948) #27. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart CGC 4.5 $440.00 View scans Paper: Cream to off white Label #2029049015

Add to cart CGC 5.0 $385.00 View scans Paper: Off white to white Label #1990041003 Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout.

Add to cart GD 2.0 $349.95 or Best Offer View scans 1" spine split. Cover detached. Water damage. Interior residue. Oxidation. Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor. Other items consigned by humble cow

Add to cart PR 0.5 $179.95 or Best Offer View scan Interior is complete. Full length spine split (taped). Cover detached, heavy cover oxidation/chipping. Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor. Other items consigned by humble cow

Cover by Johnny Craig. Ad for MAD magazine. "The Mausoleum!", script and art by Johnny Craig; Howard was admitted to the castle by its owner, Mr. Weatherby, to make an offer on the castle: to dismantle it and re-assemble it back in the states. "Let's Play Poison!", script by Ray Bradbury and Al Feldstein (adaptation), art by Jack Davis; Mr. Howard returned to his classroom in time to see some of his students corner a young boy, who then fell out of a window to his death. "Last Assignment" text story. "A Sock for Christmas," script by Al Feldstein and William M. Gaines, art by Jack Kamen; Long ago in a huge castle lived a King, his Queen and their only son, who was a real brat; The King decides to go into the village and forcibly take another young lad to be the Prince's companion. "Pickled Pints!", script by Bill Gaines (co-plot) and Albert B. Feldstein (co-plot, script), art by Graham Ingels; Cal and Warren offer bowery derelicts $10 a pop if they would be willing to donate a pint of blood, then then the two sell it to a legitimate blood bank for $30. 36 pgs., full color. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart VG+ 4.5 $26.00

Add to cart VG 4.0 $23.00 View scan Water damage.

Add to cart VG- 3.5 $18.00 View scan Water spotting. Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.

Cover by Carl Barks. Stories and art by Carl Barks, Merrill De Maris, Bill Wright, Bob Karp, Don Christensen, Frank McSavage, Gil Turner, Lee Hooper, and Al Taliaferro. Sometimes listed as Vol. 13 #5. The long-running vehicle for Disney character comics featured art by Carl Barks, the legendary Good Duck Artist. The genie takes Mickey to an Arabian country. In a story by Barks, Donald becomes a believer in "flipism," the philosophy of solving all life's problems by flipping a coin. This story, and the flipism concept, have since been studied in academic philosophy courses and treatises. It is also the first-ever appearance of Daisy Duck's nieces, April, May, and June. Donald Duck; Li'l Bad Wolf; Pluto; Little Hiawatha; Plutos Prize; Grandma Duck; Mickey Mouse: The Miracle Master. 48 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by John Buscema. Stories and art by John Buscema, Mort Leav, Harry Anderson, Rafael Astarita, and Bill Woolfolk. Bloody pre-Code crime comics, in imitation of Crime Does Not Pay - including a top-hatted, otherworldly narrator. The twist is that the publisher offers wanted posters (and rewards) for real-life criminals. A temple cult has a strange connection to a band of masked killers, in a story with some atmospheric (and violent) art by Harry Anderson. Gangsters hijack trucks carrying valuable silk shipments. The Great Unsolved Mysteries contest invites readers to ponder an elderly woman poisoned before she could change her will, in an early story (and cover) by future Marvel and Conan legend John Buscema. Payment In Blood; Cult of the Killers; Great Unsolved Mysteries: Murder for Aunt Martha; Wanted: Ralph Jackson; Hot Silk. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD 2.0 $27.00 View scan Water damage. Tape.

Add to cart FR 1.0 $18.95 or Best Offer View scan Last two pages partially stuck together, affects readability. Heavy cover oxidation, 2" cumulative spine split. Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor. Other items consigned by humble cow

"The Kaiser" (art by Russ Heath), "Grandstand Play" (art by John Romita Sr.), "An Army Is Born" (art by Paul Reinman), "Moment of Glory," and a two-page text story, "The Squid in Korea." Heath cover. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD/VG 3.0 $30.00 View scan Staple rust.

Add to cart GD- 1.8 $27.00 2" cumulative spine split. Cover loose at one staple. Water damage.

Cover by Joe Certa. Stories and art by Howard Nostrand, Mo Marcus, and Bob Powell. Tales of war from Harvey, published as the Cold War was heating up. Fighter pilots target the Yalu power plants in Korea. Johnny steels his nerve for a reconnaissance patrol on the Korean front. A soldier nicknamed "Bazooka" can't see the civilians for the war, until it's too late. Plus true facts about the National Guard. The Yalu Story!; Contact Patrol!; Famous Heroes of the U.S. Marine Corps: Major James P.S. Devereux; The Innocents; On Your Guard; Art Wermuth; Red Traitor! 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

"Name From the Nether World," "From the Graves of the Unholy," "Blood Potion of the Black Cult," and "The Castle Sinister." Edited by M. J. Phillips. Cover by Lou Cameron. Stories by Sy Grudko, Lou Cameron, and Charles Nicholas. Suspense-filled horror tales that weave a Web of Mystery for the reader! 36 pages, full color. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Cover by William Ekgren. Stories and art by Bob Forgione, Edd Ashe, and Jim McLaughlin. Classic pre-Code horror from St. John. Soldiers investigating a crashed UFO find themselves trapped inside the craft. An ex-convict has a plan of revenge against those who sent him to prison, but they have plans of their own. An artist can't believe the great deal he got on a supposedly cursed house. Unusual cover art by William Ekgren. From Outer Space; The Phantom Guillotine; Vengeance Trail; Out of the Unknown; Gag Bag; The Place on the Hill. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart FR/GD 1.5 $499.95 or Best Offer View scans 2" spine split to cover and all wraps, interior edge tears, minor mold spots. Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor. Other items consigned by humble cow

Cover by Bernard Baily. Stories and art by Charles Stern, Tony Mortellaro and Ross Andru. Pre-Code tales of horror from Stanley Morse Publications. A surgeon's lifelong rival beats him to a prestigious position, so he cuts off his hand, in a story by future Marvel artist Ross Andru (and possibly his longtime inker Mike Esposito). Paul inherits his uncle's castle, and also his family legacy of monster-making. A subway worker discovers giant ants beneath the city. While the Iron Was Hot; Hand of Fate; Your Name on It; The Disbeliever; The Castle of Fear. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart CGC 3.5 $439.00 View scans Paper: Off white to white Tape on cover and interior cover. Label #2009404008 Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout.

Add to cart CGC 3.5 $450.00 View scans Paper: Cream to off white Label #4035473023 Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Other items consigned by Poka

Add to cart PR 0.5 $229.95 or Best Offer View scans Interior is complete. Full length spine split. Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor. Other items consigned by humble cow

Add to cart Coverless $139.95 or Best Offer View scan Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor. Other items consigned by humble cow

Cover by Bernard Baily. Stories and art by Petrizza, Sal Trapani and Gerald Altman. Pre-Code tales of horror from Stanley Morse Publications. A man is captured and tormented by a bizarre cult. Ghosts rise to reveal their living secrets in epitaphs, giving Edgar an unpleasant surprise about his late wife. A struggling author discovers that a mysterious doppelganger is writing the same book he's writing. Dream; The Garcon; The Plan!; Out of Focus; Epitaph; Destiny's Double Deal. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Cover art by Howard Sherman. The Death Dancer starring the Wyoming Kid, script by Gardner Fox, art by Howard Sherman. The Sawdust Sawbones starring Rodeo Rick, script by Gardner Fox, art by Tom Cooke. The Rainmakers of Aurora Valley starring Nighthawk, script by Don Cameron, art by Ruben Moreira. Bandits of the Badge starring Cowboy Marshal, art by Ed Smalle Jr. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Outlaws, gunfighters, and tales of the Old West - some true, and others merely legends. An ex-con sets out for revenge on the men who framed him for murder, but first he wants to prove their guilt to the law. An outlaw on the run builds cabinets for his daughter and gives them to her for her wedding, without revealing his identity as her father. The Gila Kid matches wits with an Indian yogi who has beguiled Yucca Flats with his enigmatic sayings and Eastern mysticism. Return of the Dark Rider; Bucking the Rivers; Black Jacks Wooden Dream; Miguel the Squint; The Yogi of Yucca Flat; Thataway Stranger; Dakota Drum Trap. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD/VG 3.0 $18.00 View scans Paper: Cream to off white

Volume 13, Issue 5 - February, 1953. 6.75" x 9", 134 pages, B&W. Cover price $0.25.

Volume 9, Issue 2 - February, 1953. 6.75" x 9.75", 134 pages, B&W. Cover price $0.25.

Add to cart GD/VG 3.0 $46.00 View scans Paper: Off white

Vol. 1, No. 3 - February 1953. 6.75" x 9.25", 114 pages, B&W. Cover price $0.25.

Add to cart GD/VG 3.0 $17.00 View scans Front cover detached 10%.

Issue 656 - February, 1953. The true adventure magazine for men. A collection of true stories from all over the world. 6.5" x 9.5", B&W.

Add to cart CGC 7.0 $130.00 View scans Paper: Off white to white Label #4467464022 Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout.

Katy Keene by Bill Woggon. Cover price $0.10.

Kid Colt Outlaw stars in "The Outlaw and the Dude" and "Code of Honor" (both with art by Jack Keller). The Ringo Kid stars in an untitled story (script by Stan Lee, art by Jay Scott Pike). Also "Ambush" (art by Dave Berg) and "Greased Lightnin'." Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart Very Good $23.00 View scans Spine stress. Creasing. Denting. Scuffing. Soiling.

Add to cart PR 0.5 $19.50 View scan INCOMPLETE. Page missing, interrupts art and story.

Vol. 8, No. 4. - February, 1953. Cover by Peter Driben. One photo of Bettie Page. 8 1/2-in. x 11 1/2-in., 52 pages, B&W. MATURE. Cover price $0.25.

Cover by Lee Elias. Stories and art by Moe Marcus, Howard Nostrand, Manny Stallman and Rudy Palais. A showcase for Harvey's distinctive brand of pre-Code horror. A young couple on the beach encounters a hungry dinosaur. Bridge-building partners attack each other out of jealousy. A mannequin designer creates new dummies by paralyzing people with snake venom. Bridge of Death; Dimension IV; Creatures of the Bomb; Mannequin of Murder. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart Fair $6.00 View scans Front cover detached 70%. Back cover detached 90%. Back Cover Detached.

Fiction, poetry, tips, recipes, decorating, fashion and more. 10.75" x 13.75", 140 pages, B&W Cover price $0.25.

Add to cart Very Good $6.40

Add to cart PR 0.5 $2.65 INCOMPLETE. Multiple pages missing, interrupts art and story.

Walter Lantz' Woody Woodpecker. Stories by unknown. Art by unknown. Featuring the tales "The Mystery of the Gold Doubloons," "You Scuff 'Em, I'll Stuff 'Em!" and an untitled story, plus untitled 1-page stories on the inside front cover, inside back cover and back cover! 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Art by Bill Draut, Morris Waldinger, John Prentice, Mort Meskin and Jack Kirby. Part of Prize's influential romance comics line, produced by the studio of Captain America creators Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Issue #42 on cover; Vol. 4, issue #12 in indicia. A hitchhiking waitress and the trucker who picks her up find themselves in a tight spot. Dale is afraid her own reputation will be tainted after her sister is involved in a scandal. Jerry becomes intrigued with the frumpy woman working in his sweatshop. At this point in the series, the stories become pretty offbeat for romance comics. Girl Hitchhiker!; Sincerely, Sue; Scarlet Sister; Your Wardrobe; Horoscope Marriage!; The Outsider; The Creep!; Nancy Hale's Problem Clinic. 40 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart GD+ 2.5 $40.00 View scans Water spotting.

Cover by Carl Burgos. Written by Paul Newman and unknown. Art by Hy Rosen, Werner Roth, Bill Everett and Gil Evans. Battlefield adventures! In this issue: "Human Decoy" by Paul Newman and Hy Rosen; "Marines Strike" with art by Werner Roth; "The Crunchie Bunchie Marine" text story; "Revolution" with art by Bill Everett; and "Water!" with art by Gil Evans. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

#54 on cover; Vol. 6 No. 6 in indicia. Photo Cover. Stories by Jack Kirby and unknown. Art by Jack Kirby, John Prentice, Bill Draut, Mort Meskin and Joe Simon? Featuring: "Double Wedding!"; "Snowed In!"; "Come Into My Parlor!"; and an untitled story! Plus: 1-page Nancy Hale text piece "On the Trouble"! Also: 1-page Charmaigne text piece "Taking a Bath"! 44 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Add to cart PR 0.5 $159.95 or Best Offer View scans Interior is complete. Spine is sewn, near full length spine split. Heavy cover oxidation. Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor. Other items consigned by humble cow

Cover by Ruben Moreira. Stories and art by Ruben Moreira, Al Plastino and Art Pinajian. 1940s Chesler heroes Rocketman and Rocketgirl return in new guises as Zip-Jet and Pat. "Tech" Carson and his "girl Friday" Pat use their "jet powers" against the goblin-like Dr. Keats, who is performing mind-control experiments on the patients in his asylum. Zip-Jet invents the helicopter a few years early, but gangster Killer Craci wants the invention for himself. Zip-Jet and Pat face a vengeful killer who rigs the jury and beats a murder rap. Fantastic Brain Destroyers; Death Stalks The Show; Sinister Seizure; Have You Heard?; Gag Bag; The Cryptic Cache. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.