Auctions: comic books February 1973

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 117 CBCS 7.5

Paper: Off white

Label #19-333D6E6-003

"The Deadly Designs of the Disruptor" continues reprinting pages from "Lo, This Monster" in Spectacular Spider-Man #1 (1968)--see comments on Amazing Spider-Man 116 for details. However, there is quite a bit of new material here by scripter Gerry Conway, penciller John Romita Sr., and inkers Romita, Jim Mooney, and Tony Mortellaro. New cover by Romita. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 117. Cover price $0.20.

Conan the Barbarian (1970 Marvel) 23 VG- 3.5

Water damage.

Cover art by Gil Kane. First appearance of Red Sonja in The Shadow of the Vulture, script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Barry Windsor-Wmith, inks by Sal Buscema, Dan Adkins, and Chic Stone; setting: Pah-Dishah, Makkalet; Conan delivers message from Makkalet to Pah-Disha; Red Sonja saves Conan's life twice; Conan kills Mikhal Oglu (vulture) and sends his head to Yezdigerd; adapted from the non-Conan story by Robert E. Howard featuring a female warrior, Red Sonya. 32 pgs. Cover price $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Daredevil (1964 1st Series) 96 FN 6.0

Cover pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Tom Palmer. The Widow Will Make You Pay!, script by Gerry Conway, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Ernie Chan [as Ernie Chua]; With DD in the hospital suffering from a bullet wound administered by Man-Bull's flunky, the Widow takes on the villain on her own; When folks start arriving at the hospital transformed into man-bulls by a tainted water supply, DD pulls himself together and takes down Man-Bull. 36 pgs. Cover price $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Iron Man (1968 1st Series) 55 CGC 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4384438002

"Beware the Blood Brothers!" First appearance of Thanos. Story by Jim Starlin. Art by Jim Starlin and Mike Esposito. Cover by Jim Starlin and Joe Sinnott. One of the landmark Marvel issues of the Bronze Age. Drax the Destroyer is a prisoner of Thanos at the evil Titan's Earth-fortress. In an effort to escape, Drax telepathically reaches out to Tony Stark for assistance; but before Iron Man can come to the rescue, Shell-Head is ambushed by the Blood Brothers! Can Drax and the golden avenger defeat the Blood Brothers and Thanos? Also first appearances of Drax the Destroyer, Starfox (in a flashback), and Mentor. (Note: Iron Man 55 was reprinted as a Marvel Milestone Edition in 1992.) 36 pages Cover price $0.20.

Iron Man (1968 1st Series) 55 FN 6.0

"Beware the Blood Brothers!" First appearance of Thanos. Story by Jim Starlin. Art by Jim Starlin and Mike Esposito. Cover by Jim Starlin and Joe Sinnott. One of the landmark Marvel issues of the Bronze Age. Drax the Destroyer is a prisoner of Thanos at the evil Titan's Earth-fortress. In an effort to escape, Drax telepathically reaches out to Tony Stark for assistance; but before Iron Man can come to the rescue, Shell-Head is ambushed by the Blood Brothers! Can Drax and the golden avenger defeat the Blood Brothers and Thanos? Also first appearances of Drax the Destroyer, Starfox (in a flashback), and Mentor. (Note: Iron Man 55 was reprinted as a Marvel Milestone Edition in 1992.) 36 pages Cover price $0.20.

Shazam (1973) 1 FN+ 6.5

Cover by C. C. Beck, Nick Cardy, and Murphy Anderson. ...In the Beginning ..., script by Denny O'Neil, art by C. C. Beck; After missing for 20 years, Captain Marvel returns to Earth; Origin retold. The World's Wickedest Plan, script by Denny O'Neil, art by C. C. Beck; Captain Marvel escapes the trap that Dr. Sivana had created that caused the Marvel Family to be placed in suspended animation for the last 20 years. Reprint back-up: "The Endless String" (from Captain Marvel Adventures 55 in 1946), written by Otto Binder, art by Pete Costanza. One-page text feature by E. Nelson Bridwell--a history of Captain Marvel. 36 pgs., full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Shazam (1973) 1 FN+ 6.5

Cover by C. C. Beck, Nick Cardy, and Murphy Anderson. ...In the Beginning ..., script by Denny O'Neil, art by C. C. Beck; After missing for 20 years, Captain Marvel returns to Earth; Origin retold. The World's Wickedest Plan, script by Denny O'Neil, art by C. C. Beck; Captain Marvel escapes the trap that Dr. Sivana had created that caused the Marvel Family to be placed in suspended animation for the last 20 years. Reprint back-up: "The Endless String" (from Captain Marvel Adventures 55 in 1946), written by Otto Binder, art by Pete Costanza. One-page text feature by E. Nelson Bridwell--a history of Captain Marvel. 36 pgs., full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Shazam (1973) 1 FN+ 6.5

Cover by C. C. Beck, Nick Cardy, and Murphy Anderson. ...In the Beginning ..., script by Denny O'Neil, art by C. C. Beck; After missing for 20 years, Captain Marvel returns to Earth; Origin retold. The World's Wickedest Plan, script by Denny O'Neil, art by C. C. Beck; Captain Marvel escapes the trap that Dr. Sivana had created that caused the Marvel Family to be placed in suspended animation for the last 20 years. Reprint back-up: "The Endless String" (from Captain Marvel Adventures 55 in 1946), written by Otto Binder, art by Pete Costanza. One-page text feature by E. Nelson Bridwell--a history of Captain Marvel. 36 pgs., full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Uncanny X-Men (1963 1st Series) National Diamond 80NDS CGC 6.0

Paper: Off white to white

"National Diamond Sales" insert.

Label #3895639015

National Diamond Sales Advertisement Insert Variant.
Cover pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Frank Giacoia. Beware the Juggernaut, My Son, script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Werner Roth, inks by John Tartaglione; the X-Men attend Iceman's 18th birthday party; Xavier works on Juggernaut, who is unconscious in the basement of the mansion; reprinted from issue 32. 36 pgs. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Vault of Evil (1973-1975 Marvel) 1 VG- 3.5

Cover detached at one staple. Cover oxidation.

Cover by Gil Kane and Tom Palmer. The Thing that Grew!; Professor Borglum creates a new life when his blood is accidently mixed with an experiment; When it continues to grow and kill people for their blood he tries to find a way to kill it. The Withered Hand, art by Paul Reinman; While in Tibet John Clay steals a priceless ruby that a monk tells him contains a sinner's soul. House ad for Fear (Marvel, 1970 series) #12 (February 1973), featuring Man-Thing art. The Man in the Box!, script, pencils by Bill Benulis, inks by Jack Abel; The story of a little (roughly inch tall) man who lives in a little green box and comes out every night to do a good deed. Poor Mister Watkins, script by Stan Lee, art by Werner Roth; Henry Higgins is an obnoxious man who enjoys being mean to others and harrasses a young lady at the library. 36 pgs., full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Vault of Evil (1973-1975 Marvel) 1 GD/VG 3.0

Water damage.

Cover by Gil Kane and Tom Palmer. The Thing that Grew!; Professor Borglum creates a new life when his blood is accidently mixed with an experiment; When it continues to grow and kill people for their blood he tries to find a way to kill it. The Withered Hand, art by Paul Reinman; While in Tibet John Clay steals a priceless ruby that a monk tells him contains a sinner's soul. House ad for Fear (Marvel, 1970 series) #12 (February 1973), featuring Man-Thing art. The Man in the Box!, script, pencils by Bill Benulis, inks by Jack Abel; The story of a little (roughly inch tall) man who lives in a little green box and comes out every night to do a good deed. Poor Mister Watkins, script by Stan Lee, art by Werner Roth; Henry Higgins is an obnoxious man who enjoys being mean to others and harrasses a young lady at the library. 36 pgs., full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.