Auctions: comic books 1973, graded by CBCS

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 131 CBCS 9.0

Paper: White

Label #22-0F7594C-015

"Revolt in Paradise!" Part 1 of 2. Guest-starring Quicksilver and the Inhumans. Script by Roy Thomas. Pencils by Ross Andru. Inks by Joe Sinnott. Cover by Jim Steranko and Joe Sinnott. A fighting mad Human Torch busts into the Great Refuge's barricaded tower looking for Crystal! Johnny Storm finds her all right...and then finds the biggest shock of his life: Quicksilver! What is the mutant speedster doing in Attilan? And in the company of Crystal? Cooler heads don't prevail, and suddenly it's the Human Torch vs. Quicksilver! But a powerful earthquake rocks Attilan and halts the heroes fight! The Inhumans proceed to round up the usual suspect, Maximus, and press him for answers. But Black Bolt's brother doesn't seem to be the enemy this time...it's the Alpha Primitives and Omega! Flashback cameos by Larry Trask and the Sentinels. (Notes: Roy Thomas' bringing together of Crystal and Pietro was a very significant event in the Marvel Universe. Their relationship would spawn many future storylines among the Avengers, Inhumans, and Fantastic Four. Quicksilver previously appeared in Avengers 104. The letters page contains letters from both comics writer Mike Barr and Charles Dixon.) 32 pages Cover price $0.20.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 132 CBCS 9.2

Paper: White

Slab: Significant scuff(s) front or back

Label #22-0F7594C-016

"Omega! The Ultimate Enemy!" Part 2 of 2. Guest-starring Quicksilver and the Inhumans. Script by Roy Thomas. Art by John Buscema (breakdowns) and Joe Sinnott (finishes). Cover by Jim Steranko and Frank Giacoia. In the underground lair of the Alpha Primitives, the awesome Omega has seized Crystal! And now the Human Torch and Quicksilver must join forces to set her free! However, the massive android is powerful indeed! It's going to take all of the Inhumans plus Mr. Fantastic and the Thing to stop the invasion of the Alpha Primitives! Can the FF and the royal family defeat the Alphas and Omega? But even if the heroes win, Johnny Storm is still going to lose. (Notes: The Human Torch changes his costume from blue to red in this issue, and Medusa joins the Fantastic Four (through issue 159). The letters page contains a statement of ownership: average print run 457,990; average paid circulation 245,695.) 32 pages Cover price $0.20.

From Beyond the Unknown (1969) 22 CBCS 9.2

Paper: Off white

1st cover 8.5, interior cover 9.2. Double Cover.

Label #21-31C4038-011

Ghost Rider (1973 1st Series) 2 CBCS 8.0

Paper: White

Label #22-069BD64-015

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"Shake Hands with Satan!" Guest-starring Daimon Hellstrom (Son of Satan). Story by Gary Friedrich. Art by Jim Mooney and Syd Shores. Cover by Gil Kane. The Spirit of Vengeance will travel to Hell itself and come face-to-face with Satan (Mephisto) in the ultimate showdown of the macabre. Story continued in Marvel Spotlight (1971-1977 1st Series) #12. 32 pages, FC. NOTE: 2nd appearance of Daimon Hellstrom (Son of Satan). Cover price $0.20.

Justice League of America (1960 1st Series) 107 CBCS 3.0

Paper: Off white

Label #19-1D88571-041

Cover art by Nick Cardy. Crisis on Earth-X!, script by Len Wein, pencils by Dick Dillin, inks by Dick Giordano; During an annual meeting between the JLA and JSA, six members and the Red Tornado (accidentally interfering with the transmatter machine that transports the two groups between Earths 1 and 2) are accidentally transported to another Earth, one in which the Nazis won World War Two; At first, the seven heroes are able to defeat a small group of Nazi soldiers, but are almost defeated by sonic machines when the Freedom Fighters, led by Uncle Sam, take the heroes away and explain what's going on in their secret headquarters; The three groups learn of machines around the world controlling everyone's minds, and set about to destroy them all. A letter from comics writer Mike W. Barr. 36 pgs. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Marvel Spotlight (1971 1st Series) 9 CBCS 8.0

Paper: White

Label #22-0FD3AC2-023

Cover art by Mike Ploog. The Snakes Crawl At Night, script by Gary Friedrich, pencils by Tom Sutton, inks by Chic Stone; everyone believes Johnny Blaze is dead when he falls down Copperhead Canyon; Sam Silvercloud kidnaps Roxanne. 36 pgs. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Special Marvel Edition (1971) 15 CBCS 6.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #19-3BB47DB-013

Written by Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin. Art and cover by Jim Starlin and Al Milgrom. Shang Chi, making his first appearance, is a master of martial arts and the son of Fu Manchu, a Chinese mandarin and scientist. Fu Manchu sends Shang Chi to England in order to assassinate the evil Dr. Petrie for the common good. Shang Chi reluctantly agrees, but after the deed is done he is confronted by Sir Denis Nayland Smith, a former British intelligence officer who tells him the truth about Fu Manchu; that he is a nearly immortal evil mastermind. Shang Chi travels back to his father's secret lair in New York and renounces him. Text articles by Roy Thomas and Englehart about the creation of Shang-Chi. Ad for Astonishing Tales #21. A brief obituary for Syd Shores. Ad for the Marvel fan club FOOM (Friends of Ol' Marvel). 36 pages, full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Superboy (1949-1979 1st Series DC) 194 CBCS 9.2

Paper: Off white to white

Label #19-26F2CFD-033

Cover art by Nick Cardy. The Super-Merman of the Sea!, script by Leo Dorfman, pencils by Bob Brown, inks by Murphy Anderson; Harkon, a renegade Atlantean scientist, transforms Superboy into a water-breathing merman, which also removes his super-powers. Part 2 Prey of the Sea Wolves!, script by Dorfman, pencils by Brown, inks by Anderson; Superboy discovers that he has new mental powers of telepathy and telekinesis; Unable to leave the sea, he contacts his parents telepathically to tell them he is safe. Part 3 Super-Merman's Final Ordeal! Letter to the editor from comics writer Bob Rozakis. Statement of ownership--average print run 556,000; average paid circulation 265,877. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.20.

Superboy (1949-1979 1st Series DC) 198 CBCS 8.0

Paper: White

Label #19-26F2CFD-035

Cover art by Nick Cardy. The Fatal Five Who Twisted Time!--Superboy Starring the Legion of Super-Heroes, script by Cary Bates, art by Dave Cockrum; At a carnival in his own time period, Superboy faces the Fatal Five. Behind the Scenes at the DC Comic World, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Murphy Anderson. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.20.