Auctions: comic books 1955

Crime Illustrated (1955) 1 CGC 6.5

Paper: Off white

Label #4378731002

Cover by Joe Orlando. Stories by Al Feldstein, Jack Oleck, John Larner, and Richard Smith. Art by Jack Kamen, Joe Orlando, Reed Crandall, and Johnny Craig. Part of EC's Picto-Fiction line, published in response to the Comics Code, featuring tales of law and outlaws in text stories copiously illustrated by EC's lineup of artists. A private eye investigating a woman's disappearance finds a vital clue in a mystery novel, but fails to notice the title, "Fall Guy For Murder," adapted from a story that originally appeared in Crime Suspenstories (1950-55 E.C. Comics) #18. In a noirish story, a chance encounter on the street gets Ben involved with the dangerous lives of Myra and her sister. Another historic moment occurs in Mother's Day (adapted from a story that originally appeared in Crime Suspenstories (1950-55 E.C. Comics) #21), when writer Al Feldstein uses the soon-to-be-famous moniker "Alfred E. Neuman." Vivid cover by Joe Orlando definitely would not have passed muster with the new Comics Code. Fall Guy For Murder; The Sisters; Fools Gold; Farewell To Arms; Mothers Day 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 60 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.25.

Cutie Pie (1955) 1 CGC 3.5

Paper: Off white

Label #0170675005

Cover by Gene Fawcette. Stories and art by Gene Fawcette and Charlotte Kay. Adorable 5-year-old girl Cutie Pie knows nothing but mischief, in a series inspired by the success of Dennis the Menace. Cutie's dad suffers greatly when Cutie and her mother go to the store for a sale. Cutie's mom accidentally bakes her wedding ring into a cake for the bake sale, and comedy hijinks ensue. Under protest, Cutie's dad takes her to the golf course, and quickly regrets it. A La Mode; As Is; She Takes the Cake; Florence Nightingale: Angel of Mercy; Sitter's Sitter; A Slight Handicap; Round Trip; Disk Jockey; Yours Truly, Cutie Pie and Copy. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Danger and Adventure (1955) 26 CGC 2.0

Paper: Brittle

Label #2107550001

Mike Danger in "Versailles Incident." Johnny Adventure in "The Burning Eye." Together they stars in "Allies of Hate!" Lance O'Casey stars in "The Pan American Bull Session!" Cover price $0.10.

Fantastic Story Magazine (1950-1955 Best Books) Pulp Vol. 8 #1 VG 4.0

1" Cumulative spine split.

Winter 1955. Alex Schomburg cover. Stories by Murray Leinster, Jack Vance, Kelvin Kent, Bryce Walton, and Winston Marks. Virgil Finlay (2) and Alex Schomburg illustrations. 7-in. x 9.75-in.; black and white; 112 pages. Cover price $0.25.

Fantastic Story Magazine (1950-1955 Best Books) Pulp Vol. 8 #1 VG 4.0

Moisture damage.

Winter 1955. Alex Schomburg cover. Stories by Murray Leinster, Jack Vance, Kelvin Kent, Bryce Walton, and Winston Marks. Virgil Finlay (2) and Alex Schomburg illustrations. 7-in. x 9.75-in.; black and white; 112 pages. Cover price $0.25.

Piracy (1954 E.C. Comics) 5 GD/VG 3.0

Cover and centerfold loose at one staple.

Cover by Bernie Krigstein. Stories by Carl Wessler and Jack Oleck. Art by Graham Ingels, Bernie Krigstein, George Evans, and Reed Crandall. One of EC Comics' late New Direction titles, a response to the new Comics Code, featuring piracy on the high seas. The life of pirate and war hero Jean LaFitte, who fought alongside Americans in the War of 1812 and the crucial Battle of New Orleans, with art by Reed Crandall. An evil captain withholds a keg of water from his crew, in a survivor story with a twist ending and art by George Evans. Graham Ingels illustrates the tale of a man who finds courage in a most unusual place. First issue with the Comics Code seal on the cover. Jean Lafitte; Rag Doll; Salvage; Breakers on the Shore; The Keg. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Shock Illustrated (1955) 1 CGC 5.5

Paper: Off white

Label #4378731006

Painted cover by Jack Kamen. Stories by Daniel Keyes and Robert Bernstein. Art by Jack Kamen, Joe Orlando, Wally Wood, and Johnny Craig. Part of EC's Picto-Fiction line, published in response to the Comics Code, featuring slice-of-life tales in text stories copiously illustrated by EC's lineup of artists. This first issue focused on psychology-themed stories, similar to EC's 1955 comic Psychoanalysis. A key-swapping party for bored suburbanites results in a temporary split in Beth and Jim's marriage, and a trip to the psychiatrist. Teenage dope addict Peggy sees a psychiatrist after her life falls apart and she's jailed on multiple charges. A teen becomes a leather-jacked juvenile delinquent and murders a stranger with a switchblade, encompassing many of the fears of middle-class America of the 1950s. Featuring some stories by Daniel Keyes, later the author of the science fiction classic Flowers for Algernon. The Needle; Switch Party; The Jacket. 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 60 pages, B&W with single-color accents. Cover price $0.25.

Superboy (1949-1979 1st Series DC) 38 VG- 3.5

1.25" Spine split from top.

Cover pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Ray Burnley. "The Impossible Illusions!" starring Superboy and Zazar, art by John Sikela; A magician's reputation is endangered when a crook uses one of his tricks to pull an escape, but Superboy finds a way to help the magician and catch the crook at the same time. "Through the Eyes of Superboy!" starring Superboy, Jonathan Kent, and Martha Kent, script by Otto Binder, pencils by John Sikela; A crook deceives Superboy into wearing a badge fixed with a camera that relays a picture of his current location, threatening to expose his secret identity. Jerry Jitterbug humor two-pager by Henry Boltinoff. Willy humor page by Phil Berube. Block Buster puzzle half-page by Martin Naydel. Movie Mirth humor half-page by Harry Lampert. "The Ghost Ship of Kwajalein" article by Howard Dewey. Steam Boat - Superboy's Workshop. "Public Chimp Number One!" starring Superboy, Bongo, Jonathan Kent, and Martha Kent, pencils by Curt Swan; A trained chimpanzee TV star runs away, and Superboy tries to find him. Unfortunately, a gangster is also interested. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Superman (1939 1st Series) 94 CGC 4.5

Paper: Off white

Label #4358958010

Cover art by Win Mortimer. Three Dooms For Metropolis starring Superman and The Hermit, script by Bill Woolfolk, pencils by Wayne Boring, inks by Stan Kaye. Little Pete humor two-pager by Henry Boltinoff. The Men Without a World starring Superman and three Blanthians (aliens from Blanth), script by Jerry Coleman, art by Al Plastino. The Night Climbers text story. Clark Kent's Hillbilly Bride, script by Bill Woolfolk, pencils by Wayne Boring, inks by Stan Kaye; Clark is set to marry a mountain girl named Marybelle. 44 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Superman (1939 1st Series) 98 CGC 2.5

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4376221004

Cover art by Al Plastino. Superman's Secret Life starring Superman, Rags Stephens, and Harry Chadwick, script by France Herron, art by Al Plastino. Clark Kent, Outlaw, script by Bill Finger, pencils by Wayne Boring, inks by Stan Kaye; Superman battles The Big Guy. Club For Adventurers text story by Joe Mallon. The Amazing Superman Newsreel, art by Al Plastino. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Superman (1939 1st Series) 100 PR 0.5

Interior is complete. Near complete spine split (partially taped) with splitting to first wrap. Centerfold detached.

Win Mortimer cover shows covers to issues 1, 25, 50, and 75. The Toy Superman Contest starring Superman and Red Anson, script by Bill Woolfolk, pencils by Wayne Boring, inks by Stan Kaye. Little Pete humor page by Henry Boltinoff. Superman--Substitute Teacher, art by Al Plastino; Superman accidentally gets called upon to be a substitute teacher in order to protect his secret identity. Shorty humor page by Henry Boltinoff. The Clue From Krypton starring Superman, Jor-El, Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent, Floyd Fowler, and Lois Lane, script by Bill Finger, pencils by Wayne Boring, inks by Stan Kaye. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Superman (1939 1st Series) 101 CGC 5.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4376221005

Cover art by Al Plastino. Luthor's Amazing Rebus starring Superman and Lex Luthor, pencils by Wayne Boring, inks by Stan Kaye. The Meek Man's Club starring Superman, art by Al Plastino. The Rainbow Doom, art by Al Plastino; Superman accidentally turns Lois Lane into glass. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Terror Illustrated (1955) 1 CGC 7.0

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4378731004

Cover by Reed Crandall. Stories by John Larner, Jack Oleck, and Al Feldstein (credited as Alfred E. Neuman). Art by Reed Crandall, Joe Orlando, George Evans, Graham Ingels, and Johnny Craig. Part of EC's Picto-Fiction line, published in response to the Comics Code, featuring horror tales in text stories copiously illustrated by EC's lineup of artists. A carnival barker plots to get away with murder by faking his own death, but he fakes it a little too well. Villagers learn the horrifying secret of the basket that Vincent always carries on his shoulder. A gorilla's paw purchased in a strange little shop grants wishes, but at a terrible price. Some stories are credited to Alfred E. Neuman, a name soon to be irrevocably connected to MAD Magazine. Lush cover by Reed Crandall. The Sucker; Sure-Fire Scheme; Rest In Peace; The Basket; The Gorillas Paw. 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 60 pages, B&W with single-color accents. Cover price $0.25.