Auctions: comic books December 1973, graded by CGC

Marvel Double Feature (1973 Marvel) 1 CGC 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4067230014

Captain America and Iron Man reprints from Tales of Suspense 84 and 77. Cover pencils by Jack Kirby and John Romita, inks by Dick Ayers and John Romita. "The Other Iron Man," script by Stan Lee, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Frank Giacoia; Mandarin is plotting against Iron Man. "If A Hostage Should Die," script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby (layouts) and John Romita (pencils), inks by Frank Giacoia [as Frank Ray]; In a flashback to World War II, we see how Cap spends a few weeks with Peggy Carter and her resistance fighters. 36 pgs., full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Special Marvel Edition (1971) 15 CGC 9.2

Paper: White

Label #2067567005

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.

Strange Sports Stories (1973) 2 CGC 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #1261895013

Cover by Nick Cardy. "Karate on the Moon!", script by Denny O'Neil, pencils by Irv Novick, inks by Dick Giordano; a Karate match starts on Earth and shifts to the moon. "Volley of Death," script by Frank Robbins, art by Dick Giordano; a man has to play tennis using a live grenade as the ball. Behind the Scenes at the DC Comic World. "Tall in the Saddle!", script by Frank Robbins, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Murphy Anderson; a dinosaur runs in a modern day horse race. Letter to the editor from comic editor Bob Rozakis. 36 pgs., full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.