Auctions: comic books May 1984, graded by CGC

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 252D CGC 7.5 Direct Variant

Paper: White

Label #4356813001

Direct Edition. First appearance of Spider-Man's new black (alien symbiote) costume in "Homecoming!" Plot by Roger Stern. Script by Tom DeFalco. Pencils by Ron Frenz (breakdowns) and Brett Breeding (finishes). Cover by Ron Frenz and Klaus Janson. One of the landmark issues of the Amazing Spider-Man! With a brilliant flash of light in Central Park, the wondrous wall-crawler is back! And he looks a whole lot different! Wow, a new costume! What happened during the Secret Wars on the Beyonder's world? The ominous truth will be revealed to both the readers and the web-slinger in the days and weeks ahead! Cameo appearances by the Black Cat, Dr. Curt Connors, J. Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson , Aunt May, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Thor, and the Wasp. (Notes: Marvel Age 12 contained sketches of the new costume two months prior to the publication of this issue. Spidey's new costume was also unveiled in Marvel Team-Up 141 and Spectacular Spider-Man 90. The first issue of the (1984) Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars Limited Series was published the same month as Amazing Spider-Man 252. The web-slinger discovers his new costume in issue 8 of the limited series. The Frenz-Janson cover is a tribute to the iconic cover of Amazing Fantasy 15. This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales 266. The letters page contains a statement of ownership: average print run 470,527; average paid circulation: 241,762. Cover price $0.60.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 252N CGC 9.8 Newsstand Variant

Paper: White

Label #1618494015

Newsstand Edition. First appearance of Spider-Man's new black (alien symbiote) costume in "Homecoming!" Plot by Roger Stern. Script by Tom DeFalco. Pencils by Ron Frenz (breakdowns) and Brett Breeding (finishes). Cover by Ron Frenz and Klaus Janson. One of the landmark issues of the Amazing Spider-Man! With a brilliant flash of light in Central Park, the wondrous wall-crawler is back! And he looks a whole lot different! Wow, a new costume! What happened during the Secret Wars on the Beyonder's world? The ominous truth will be revealed to both the readers and the web-slinger in the days and weeks ahead! Cameo appearances by the Black Cat, Dr. Curt Connors, J. Jonah Jameson, Joe Robertson , Aunt May, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Thor, and the Wasp. (Notes: Marvel Age 12 contained sketches of the new costume two months prior to the publication of this issue. Spidey's new costume was also unveiled in Marvel Team-Up 141 and Spectacular Spider-Man 90. The first issue of the (1984) Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars Limited Series was published the same month as Amazing Spider-Man 252. The web-slinger discovers his new costume in issue 8 of the limited series. The Frenz-Janson cover is a tribute to the iconic cover of Amazing Fantasy 15. This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales 266. The letters page contains a statement of ownership: average print run 470,527; average paid circulation: 241,762. Cover price $0.60.

Mage The Hero Discovered (1985) 1 CGC 9.6

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4037849020

1st appearance of Kevin Matchstick. Outrageous Slings and Arrows - Story, Art and Cover by Matt Wagner. In the eternal struggle, it is the fact that men need heroes more than heroes need men. Kevin Matchstick is needed. He doesn't know it. Thrust into a battle that he doesn't understand, and experiencing a power that he can't control, Kevin is the hero reborn. Alone in the world and lost in the confusion spawned by the dark power of the minions of the Umbra Sprite, Kevin discovers that there IS a comrade for him...Mirth, the enigmatic and evasive world-mage. Note: Part 1 of 15 of the Hero Discovered story. 32 pages, full color. Cover price $1.50.

Mage The Hero Discovered (1985) 1 CGC 9.6

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4037849017

1st appearance of Kevin Matchstick. Outrageous Slings and Arrows - Story, Art and Cover by Matt Wagner. In the eternal struggle, it is the fact that men need heroes more than heroes need men. Kevin Matchstick is needed. He doesn't know it. Thrust into a battle that he doesn't understand, and experiencing a power that he can't control, Kevin is the hero reborn. Alone in the world and lost in the confusion spawned by the dark power of the minions of the Umbra Sprite, Kevin discovers that there IS a comrade for him...Mirth, the enigmatic and evasive world-mage. Note: Part 1 of 15 of the Hero Discovered story. 32 pages, full color. Cover price $1.50.

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (1984) 1D CGC 9.8

Paper: White

Label #4136452024

Direct Edition. "The War Begins!" Part 1 of 12. Story by Jim Shooter. Art by Mike Zeck and John Beatty. This is it, the granddaddy of all epic events. Before Identity Crisis, Infinite Crisis, House of M, Civil War, and Infinity Gauntlet there was Secret Wars. A nigh omnipotent being from beyond has, for lack of a better word, kidnapped the greatest heroes and deadliest villains in the Marvel Universe and whisked them to the far side of the universe to battle for the ultimate prize. One thing is for certain, the lives of these heroes and villains will never be the same again. - This is the first printing. Any 2nd printing will have the words "Second Printing" at the bottom of the first page. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.75.

Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (1984) 1D CGC 4.5

Paper: White

Label #4286222002

Direct Edition. "The War Begins!" Part 1 of 12. Story by Jim Shooter. Art by Mike Zeck and John Beatty. This is it, the granddaddy of all epic events. Before Identity Crisis, Infinite Crisis, House of M, Civil War, and Infinity Gauntlet there was Secret Wars. A nigh omnipotent being from beyond has, for lack of a better word, kidnapped the greatest heroes and deadliest villains in the Marvel Universe and whisked them to the far side of the universe to battle for the ultimate prize. One thing is for certain, the lives of these heroes and villains will never be the same again. - This is the first printing. Any 2nd printing will have the words "Second Printing" at the bottom of the first page. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.75.

Uncanny X-Men (1963 1st Series) 181N CGC 4.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4030760015

Newsstand Edition. "Tokyo Story!" Story by Chris Claremont. Art by John Romita, Jr. and Dan Green. Story continued from Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars (1984) #12. The X-Men have returned from the Beyonder's Battleworld. The materialize above the streets of Tokyo, Japan. However, Lockheed's friend seems to have undergone a severe transformation. Wolverine saves the life of a child that will become very important to him in years to come. Plus, congress passes a Federal Bill - The Mutant Affairs Control Act, and nothing will ever be the same again. NOTE: 1st appearance of Amiko. Cover price $0.60.