Auctions: comic books 1956, graded by CGC

Batman (1940) 98 CGC 4.5

Paper: Off white to white

Slab: Significant scuff(s) front or back

Label #4014319024

Cover by Win Mortimer. "The Return of Mister Future," script by Arnold Drake (pages 1-7, first Drake story for DC) and Bill Finger (pages 7-8), pencils by Dick Sprang, inks by Charles Paris; Crooks steal a secret weapon created by author Jules Verne, so the Capred Crusaders travel back in time, bring Verne back to the present, and have him design a counter weapon that will nullify his deadly weapon. 2/3-page Casey the Cop story by Henry Boltinoff. Healthy Teeth for You and Your Pet! public service announcement with Buzzy, script by Jack Schiff, art by Win Mortimer. "The Desert Island Batman," script by Edmond Hamilton, pencils by Sheldon Moldoff, inks by Charles Paris; Bruce takes a cruise on a yacht populated by millionaires because he suspects something will happen, and it does when a gang hijacks the ship and holds the millionaires captive on an island. One-page Casey the Cop story by Henry Boltinoff. Patrolman with Six Legs article by Joe Mallory. "Secret of the Batmobile," script by Bill Finger, pencils by Sheldon Moldoff, inks by Charles Paris; Vicki Vale unwittingly discovers the true identity of the Batman without knowing it when she takes a photo of the Batmobile after it's engine was damaged. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Crime Illustrated (1955) 2 CGC 3.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4378731003

Cover by Reed Crandall. Stories by Al Feldstein, Jack Oleck, John Larner, and Maxwell Williams. Art by Jack Davis, Joe Orlando, Reed Crandall, Graham Ingels 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 movie stand-in plots to permanently replace a famous movie star, in a story adapted from "Cut!" which originally appeared in Crime Suspenstories (1950-55 E.C. Comics) #9. Condemned man Arnold tells the priest who's come for last rites why and how he murdered his wife. Norman and Sally conspire to kill Norman's wife in Pieces of Hate (adapted from "In Each and Every Package" in Crime Suspenstories (1950-55 E.C. Comics) #22, written by Al Feldstein using the soon-to-be-famous moniker "Alfred E. Neuman." Ax-wielding maniac cover by Reed Crandall is actually kind of tame for EC. Motive; Fair Trade; Clean Sweep; Screenplay For Murder; Pieces Of Hate. Final issue of the series; a third issue was planned, but not printed until the modern era, in EC Picto-Fiction HC Set (2006 Gemstone) #1. 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 60 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.25.

Four Color (1942-1962 Dell 2nd Series) 697 CGC 7.0

Paper: White

File Copy

Label #2090675007

Indicia title is "Walter Lantz OSWALD THE RABBIT, No. 697." Cover art by John Carey. Photo of trophy and citation "for his continuing efforts in behalf of the betterment of American youth" given by the Civil Air Patrol to Dell publisher George T. Delacorte, Jr. Picture Problems; Oswald and the boys go into the mountains to try to take photographs of the Badluk Indians, who have a violent hatred of cameras and photographers. The Bashful Buccaneer; While on an ocean cruise, Oswald and the boys are kidnapped by a pirate operating out of a submarine. Oswald the Rabbit and the Caddy Kids; the boys caddy for Oswald when he goes golfing; Reddy Fox tries to catch the boys when they go hunting Oswald's errant shots in the rough. Shooting Stars; Oswald and the boys go to Uncle Roscoe's house on top of Arrowhead Peak to watch a meteor shower. All interior art by Fred Abranz. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Four Color (1942-1962 Dell 2nd Series) 723A CGC 6.0 Ad Back Cover

Paper: White

Label #4363427003

Version with ad on back cover. Indicia title is "SANTIAGO, No. 723. Cover photo of " Cal "Cash" Adams (as played by Alan Ladd). Intro with photos of Cal "Cash" Adams (as played by Alan Ladd), Clay Pike (as played by Lloyd Nolan), and Doña Isabella (as played by Roassana Podesta). Santiago, art by Everett Raymond Kinstler; In 1898, a court-martialed Army captain turned gun-runner has to share an old riverboat with a blood-thirsty rival gang as they take guns from Florida to Cuba to supply the rebel army. Adapted from the 1956 movie "Santiago." 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Foxhole (1954) 7 CGC 5.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4388597007

Cover by Bill Molno. Stories and art by Al McWilliams and others. Gritty war comics "produced by veterans," (as the tagline proclaims) created and originally published by comics legends Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Marines Steve and Tony must postpone their fighting with each other when their sergeant sends them on a dangerous mission in Korea. Soldiers try to help their injured sergeant before the enemy arrives. Express to Extinction; Han River Trap; Challenge Under Fire; Armored Doom; Major Error. Final issue under this title; series continues as Never Again (1955) #8. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

House of Secrets (1956 1st Series) 1 CGC 3.0

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4022345001

Cover art by Ruben Moreira. "The Phantom Duel," art by Bill Ely; Pierre Monsard's ghost returns from the dead to finish his duel with Raoul. "The Unlucky Beauties, art by Bernard Baily. Special Election Exhibit public service announcement with Binky, script by Jack Schiff, art by Bob Oksner. "The Sorcerer's Handcuffs," art by Mort Drucker; A set of magical handcuffs binds any two people together until good triumphs over evil. "The Strange Mind of Mother Shipton" text story by George Kashdan. "The Hand of Doom," art by Jim Mooney; Two giant hands appear in the sky and break off parts of famous landmarks. Also, gag tales by Henry Boltinoff. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Shock Illustrated (1955) 2 CGC 6.5

Paper: Off white

Label #4378731001

Painted cover by Rudy Nappi. Stories by Daniel Keyes, Jack Oleck, and Al Feldstein. Art by Reed Crandall, George Evans, Al Williamson, and Graham Ingels. Part of EC's Picto-Fiction line, published in response to the Comics Code, featuring crime tales in text stories copiously illustrated by EC's lineup of artists. Cops capture "The Lipstick Killer" after a murder spree, and psychoanalysis reveals his accidental first murder when he was a toddler. A macabre bet between two med-school students leads to a man being buried alive, but the truth is worse still. A sheriff seeks the truth about a woman's death. Featuring some stories by Daniel Keyes, later the author of the science fiction classic Flowers for Algernon. The Lipstick Killer; My Brothers Keeper; A Question of Time; Dead Right. 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 60 pages, B&W with single-color accents. Cover price $0.25.

Superman (1939 1st Series) 102 CGC 3.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4385447002

Cover pencils by Wayne Boring, inks by Stan Kaye. Superman For Sale starring Superman, Henry Drebbin, Edward Jorgens, and Paul Quillan, script by Bill Finger, pencils by Wayne Boring, inks by Stan Kaye. The Midget Menace starring Superman and The Thurans, script by Edmond Hamilton, pencils by Wayne Boring, inks by Stan Kaye; Superman is tied down like Gulliver. The Best Present Of All! public service announcement starring Binky, script by Jack Schiff, art by Win Mortimer. Rocket To The Sky text story. The Million Dollar Mistake starring Superman and Soapy Martin, art by Al Plastino. CinemaAntics humor half-page by Harry Lampert. A two-page ad features Superman products available for Christmas. Fearless Fosdick stars in a quarter-page ad for Wildroot Cream-Oil with art by Al Capp. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Superman (1939 1st Series) 105 CGC 3.0

Paper: Light tan to off white

Label #4376221006

Cover art by Al Plastino. Superman's Three Mistakes starring Superman and Jonathan and Martha Kent, script by Edmond Hamilton, pencils by Wayne Boring, inks by Stan Kaye. Mr. Mxyztplk's Secret Identity, art by Al Plastino. Superman, Slave, art by Al Plastino; Eldric forces Superman to do his bidding. Superman stars in a one-page public service announcement, Get Your Ticket to the Treasury of Books! 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Superman (1939 1st Series) 108 CGC 5.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4331930008

Cover art by Al Plastino. The Brain From the Future starring Superman and Prof. Martin, pencils by Wayne Boring, inks by Stan Kaye. Perry White, Jr., Demon Reporter starring Superman, script by Alvin Schwartz, pencils by Wayne Boring, inks by Stan Kaye. The Girl Cops of Metropolis starring Superman, art by Al Plastino; the girls suspect that Clark is Superman. Full-page full-color interior ad for Kellog's Corn Flakes Superman Space Satellite Launcher set, 25c plus one Kellogg's Corn Flakes box top. (Wonder what that cereal box goes for today on the collector's market!) 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Terror Illustrated (1955) 2 CGC 5.5

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4378731005

Cover by Reed Crandall. Stories by John Larner, Jack Oleck, and Al Feldstein (credited as Alfred E. Neuman). Art by Graham Ingels, Charles Sultan, Jack Davis, George Evans, Johnny Craig, and Joe Orlando. 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. Members of a carnival freak show get ironic revenge on the cruel owner after he blinds the knife-thrower. A man who survived an auto accident doesn't understand why everyone flees in terror at the sight of him. A town turns against the local constable after a series of decapitation murders, but the truth is more horrifying still. Some stories are credited to Alfred E. Neuman, a name soon to be irrevocably connected to MAD Magazine. Classic cover by Reed Crandall. Horror in the Freak Tent; Requiem; Mother Love; Head Man; Reflection of Death. Final issue of the series. 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 60 pages, B&W with single-color accents. Cover price $0.25.