Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) comic books graded by CBCS

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 8 CBCS 2.0 Restored SS Jack Kirby

Slight amateur restoration

Paper: Off white

Verified Signature: Jack Kirby (on 1st page.) Amateur Restoration Includes: Moderate amount of color touch on cover. Bottom staple missing.

Label #22-1328FBE-001

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. First appearance of Puppet Master and Alicia Masters in "Prisoners of the Puppet Master!" (making this the fourth issue in a row that has either "prisoners" or "captives" in the title!), script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; The Puppet Master tests his radioactive clay that gives him the power to remotely control people that are modeled in the clay. The Human Torch character profile. "The Hands of the Puppet Maker" Part 2; The Puppet Master gets the Thing under his command and imprisons the Invisible Girl; He then sends the Thing and Alicia Masters to infiltrate the Baxter Building. "The Lady and the Monster!" Part 3; While acting under the Puppet Master's influence, the Thing is subjected to one of Mister Fantastic's potions that changes him back to Ben Grimm. "Face-to-face with the Puppet Master!" Part 4; The Puppet Master stages a jailbreak just to prove his might. Death of a Puppet! Part 5; The jail break is stopped by the Fantastic Four and the Puppet Master falls to what seems to be his death. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 40 CBCS 5.0

Paper: Cream to off white

Slab: Scuffing on front of case

Label #20-17DC33E-002

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Frank Giacoia. The Battle of the Baxter Building, script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta; Dr. Doom battles the FF and Daredevil; Reed restores the FF's powers. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 47 CBCS 6.5

Paper: Cream to off white

Slab: Scuffing on front of case

Label #20-17DC33E-003

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott. Beware the Hidden Land!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott; After subduing Dragon Man, the FF follow the Inhumans to their Great Refuge. House ad, with covers shown, for Amazing Spider-Man #33, X-Men #16, and Marvel Collectors' Item Classics #1. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 49 CBCS 4.0

Paper: Off white

Label #23-06D186D-012

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott. Second appearances of Galactus and the Silver Surfer (First cover appearance for both) in If This Be Doomsday!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott; The Fantastic Four try to slow Galactus while the Watcher takes the Human Torch to find a weapon to defeat Galactus; Alicia Masters convinces Silver Surfer to help humanity. Letter to the editor from comic artist Dave Cockrum. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 50 CBCS 5.0

Paper: Off white to white

Slab: Scuffing on front of case

Label #19-27C178C-054

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Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott. Galactus battles the Silver Surfer in the conclusion of the Galactus Trilogy, The Startling Saga of the Silver Surfer!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott; With the aid of the Silver Surfer, the Fantastic Four force Galactus to leave Earth; Johnny Storm begins to attend Metro College and meets Wyatt Wingfoot. Watcher and Inhumans appearances. First appearance of Wyatt Wingfoot. Letter to the editor from comics writer Gerry Conway. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 59 CBCS 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Slab: See item notes

Small imperfection in slab plastic.

Label #21-24C87C6-003

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Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott. Doctor Doom steals the Silver Surfer's cosmic powers (part 3 of 4) in Doomsday, script by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (co-plot), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott; Dr. Doom wreaks havoc across the globe with the Power Cosmic; Black Bolt destroys the barrier that was imprisoning the Inhumans. Brief Inhumans appearance. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 60 CBCS 6.0

Paper: White

Label #21-24C87C6-006

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Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott. Doctor Doom steals the Silver Surfer's cosmic powers (part 4 of 4) in The Peril and the Power!, script by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (co-plot), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott; The FF defeat Dr. Doom. Appearances by the Inhumans, the Watcher, and the Black Panther. 32 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 72 CBCS 6.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #22-066EAC8-012

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Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott. Where Soars the Silver Surfer!, script by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (co-plot), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott; The Fantastic Four battles the Silver Surfer. Watcher and Crystal (of the Inhumans) guest appearances. House ad for Thor #149 and Amazing Spider-Man #58. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 74 CBCS 6.5 Restored

Slight amateur restoration

Paper: Off white to white

Amateur Restoration includes: small amount of color touch on cover.

Label #22-0DDC39E-021

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott. The Silver Surfer, Galactus, and Crystal (of the Inhumans) guest star in When Calls Galactus, script by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (co-plot), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott; Galactus dispatches his Punisher to retrieve the Surfer who is protected by the FF. Letters to the editor from comics writers Don McGregor and Tony Isabella. Kirby/Sinnott cover. Reprinted in Marvel's Greatest Comics # 56. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 75 CBCS 5.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #21-3246A82-002

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Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott. The Silver Surfer, Galactus, and Crystal (of the Inhumans) guest star in Worlds Within Worlds!, script by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (co-plot), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott; Reed, Ben, and Johnny battle their dopplegangers, created by Galactus, who is determined to learn the location of the Silver Surfer. Reprinted in Marvel's Greatest Comics # 57. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 76 CBCS 5.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #21-33AEC69-003

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Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott. The Silver Surfer, Galactus, and Crystal (of the Inhumans) guest star in Stranded in Sub-Atomica!, script by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (co-plot), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott; Reed, Ben, and Johnny journey to Subatomica to bring the Silver Surfer back to earth. Reprinted in Marvel's Greatest Comics # 58. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 91 CBCS 3.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #21-24C87C6-013

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"The Thing Enslaved!" Part 2 of 4. Script by Stan Lee. Pencils by Jack Kirby. Inks by Joe Sinnott. Cover by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott. Millions of miles from Earth, Ben Grimm is a prisoner of the Skrulls! What diabolical destiny do the Skrulls have planned for Aunt Petunia's nephew? How about turning the Thing into a modern day Roman gladiator! But before the Thing takes his turn in the ring, he's sold into slavery to a Roaring 20's gangster! What in the world, make that what in the galaxy is going on?! Is the strongest member of the Fantastic Four lost in both time and (outer) space? First appearance of Torgo. Cameo appearances by Alicia Masters, Crystal, and Franklin. (Note: The letters page includes a letter from comics writer Don McGregor.) 32 pages Cover price $0.15.

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.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 158 CBCS 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #21-27946BA-004

"Invasion from the 5th (Count It, 5th!) Dimension" Part 1 of 2. Guest-starring the Inhumans. Script by Roy Thomas. Art by Rich Buckler (breakdowns) and Joe Sinnott (finishes). Cover by Rich Buckler and Al Milgrom. A quiet Friday night at the Baxter Building is disrupted by Quicksilver! And after a brief skirmish with the Human Torch, the mutant speedster tells the FF that Attilan has been overrun by Xemu, the Master of the Fifth Dimension! Xemu plans to destroy the Earth with the Thunder Horn! Will Reed, Ben, Johnny, Medusa, and Pietro get back to the Hidden Land in time? Cameo appearance by the Invisible Girl. Flashback cameos by Iron Man and Thor to recap the events of Fantastic Four 150. (Notes: Xemu previously appeared in Strange Tales 103. The letters page contains a statement of ownership: average print run 428,583; average paid circulation 218,330.) 32 pages Cover price $0.25.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 163 CBCS 8.5

Paper: White

Label #21-04C89CD-006

"Finale!" Part 4 of 4. Script by Roy Thomas. Art by Rich Buckler (breakdowns) and Joe Sinnott (finishes). Cover by Rich Buckler and Joe Sinnott. It's the dramatic conclusion to the Fantastic Four's cross-dimensional saga! Ben Grimm battles Gaard one-on-one to destroy the universal nexus in hyperspace that could funnel energy to Arkon's world! While at the same time, the Human Torch and Alternate Earth Reed Richards slug it out on Polemachus with Arkon himself! Can the FF pull off two victories in two dimensions? Cameo appearance by Franklin. (Note: The Earth-721 Johnny Storm returns many years later as Vangaard in Fantastic Force 11 and 12.) 32 pages Cover price $0.25.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 172 CBCS 8.5

Paper: White

Label #21-2794F13-012

"Cry, The Bedeviled Plant!" Part 2 of 5. Plot by Roy Thomas. Script by Bill Mantlo. Pencils by George Perez. Inks by Joe Sinnott. Cover by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott. After being tricked into boarding Gorr's spaceship, the Fantastic Four reluctantly agree to protect Counter-Earth from the Ravager of Worlds! But the FF may be too late since Galactus' herald, the Destroyer, has already engaged the High Evolutionary on his command asteroid. Nevertheless, the Thing springs into action against the armored herald! Can Ben beat the Destroyer before Galactus becomes aware of Counter-Earth? Flashback cameos by Adam Warlock and the Hulk to recap the events of Incredible Hulk 178. (Notes: Both Galactus and the Destroyer previously appeared in Thor 228. A 30-cent cover price variant exists for this issue.) 32 pages Cover price $0.25.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 174 CBCS 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #21-2794F13-017

"Starquest!" Part 4 of 5. Script by Roy Thomas. Art by John Buscema (breakdowns) and Joe Sinnott (finishes). Cover by Jack Kirby and Frank Giacoia. The situation is becoming desperate on Counter-Earth as both Reed & Ben and Johnny & Gorr have run into major problems on their potential substitute planets with Torgo and the Skrulls, respectively. The Invisible Girl tries to help her teammates, but accidentally transports herself to yet a third planet, which is totally devoid of life! Meanwhile, the countdown to Galactus' destruction of Counter-Earth continues, and the High Evolutionary has only one option left...fight the Ravager of Worlds one-on-one! 32 pages Cover price $0.30.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 180 CBCS 8.5

Paper: White

Newsstand Edition.

Label #21-2795CFD-003

"Bedlam in the Baxter Building" from issue 101 Written by Stan Lee. Pencils by Jack Kirby, Inks by Joe Sinnott. New cover by Kirby/Sinnott was done for the story intended for this issue but bumped to next issue, so it does not match the story inside. This issue contains a statement of ownership--average print run, 431,962; average paid circulation, 199,734. Cover price $0.30.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 183 CBCS 9.0

Paper: White

Newsstand Edition.

Label #21-2795CFD-006

"Battleground: The Baxter Building!" Written by Bill Mantlo. Pencils by Sal Buscema. Inks by Joe Sinnott. Cover by George Perez and Joe Sinnott. Guest-starring Tigra and Thundra. It's the cataclysmic conclusion to the Brute (aka Reed Richards of Counter-Earth) storyline! After rescuing the free-falling Invisible Girl; the Impossible Man, Tigra, and Thundra (along with a revived Sue) charge into the Baxter Building to stop the Brute! While at the same time; Reed, Ben, Johnny, and Annihilus fly towards the Negative Zone portal to catch the Mad Thinker's monster android! No less than four villains and seven heroes will fight to the finish inside the Baxter Building! Who will win, and perhaps more importantly, who will lose? Notes: Annihilus appears next in Marvel Two-in-One 75. The letters page contains a short essay describing the development of this six-issue storyline. Note: A 35-cent cover price variant exists for this issue. Cover price $0.30.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 184 CBCS 9.0

Paper: White

Newsstand Edition.

Label #21-2795CFD-007

"Aftermath: The Eliminator!" Written by Len Wein. Pencils by George Perez. Inks by Joe Sinnott. Cover by George Perez and Joe Sinnott. The Impossible Man, Thundra, Tigra, and the Fantastic Four battle the Eliminator. The battle against the Brute is finally over, but since Agatha Harkness and Franklin are still missing, the FF have little time for rest. So Reed (without his stretching powers), Sue, and Ben head to Whisper Hill. First, they find a semi-conscious Human Torch and then...the Eliminator! Cameo appearances by the Impossible Man, Thundra, and Tigra. Note: A 35-cent cover price variant exists for this issue. Cover price $0.30.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 187 CBCS 9.0

Paper: White

Newsstand Edition.

Label #21-2795CFD-010

"Trouble Times Two!" Part 1 of 2. Script by Len Wein. Art by George Perez (breakdowns) and Joe Sinnott (finishes). Cover by George Perez and Dave Cockrum. The Fantastic Four return from Colorado and discover the Impossible Man knocked out cold. The Thing begins a room-by-room search of the Baxter Building and discovers the FF's long-time foe...Klaw! But the murderous master of sound is not alone! He has a new partner...the all-powerful Molecule Man! In Reed's electro-lab, the FF and the deadly duo battle for control of the psi-amplifier! Will the FF grasp victory? Or will it be just out of reach? Flashback cameo by the Man-Thing to recap the Molecule Man's previous appearance in Iron Man Annual 3. Last 30¢ issue. (Note: The letters page includes a letter from comics writer Kurt Busiek. A 35-cent cover price variant exists for this issue.) 32 pages Cover price $0.30.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 236 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Direct Edition

Label #19-27C178C-055

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"Terror in a Tiny Town" Giant-sized 20th Anniversary issue. Script and Art by John Byrne. Cover by John Byrne and Terry Austin. It's a quiet autumn day in Liddleville, where Reed Richards, Susan Richards, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm are going about their daily routines as a university professor, housewife, auto mechanic, and tavern owner, respectively. They seem to be leading idyllic lives, but what has happened to their super powers? There happens to be another person in Liddleville that the foursome knows very well...Phillip Masters (aka the Puppet Master)! Does the Puppet Master have the scientific genius to strip the FF of their powers and memories? Or could the deposed monarch of Latveria be lurking in the background? It's another classic Fantastic Four vs. Doctor Doom battle! Back up story: "The Challenge of Dr. Doom!" Script by Stan Lee. Breakdowns by Jack Kirby. Inks by Dick Ayers, George Bell (aka George Roussos), Sal Brodsky, John Byrne, Vince Colletta, Frank Giacoia, Pablo Marcos, Al Milgrom, Chic Stone, and Joe Sinnott. The story is a simplified version of the FF's first encounter with Doctor Doom in Fantastic Four (1st series) 5. The Fantastic Four are featured as they were in their Saturday morning cartoon show with Herbie the robot replacing the Human Torch. (Notes: This issue includes a one-page essay that details the history of the FF, the development of this issue's back up story, and a listing of all the characters on the cover. The cover portrays the Avengers, Defenders, X-Men, Daredevil, Impossible Man, Silver Surfer, Spider-Man, Sub-Mariner, Franklin, Agatha Harkenss, Willie Lumpkin, Stan Lee, and others.) 64 pages Cover price $1.00.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 286 CBCS 9.9

Paper: White

Direct Edition

Label #21-2491A44-017

Last 65-cent issue. Return of Jean Grey: Part 2 of 3 - X-Factor tie-in. "Like a Phoenix!" Guest-starring the Uncanny X-Men and Avengers. Story by John Byrne. Art by John Byrne and Terry Austin. Cover by John Byrne. Story continued from Avengers (Vol. 1) #263. Don't miss the startling return of Jean Grey! How did she survive, and where has she been? The answers will shock and surprise you. Plus, this issue sets the stage for the return of the of the original X-Men! Story continues in X-Factor (1986-1998 1st Series) #1. Cover price $0.65.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 286 CBCS 9.8

Paper: White

Label #0000473-AA-016

Last 65-cent issue. Return of Jean Grey: Part 2 of 3 - X-Factor tie-in. "Like a Phoenix!" Guest-starring the Uncanny X-Men and Avengers. Story by John Byrne. Art by John Byrne and Terry Austin. Cover by John Byrne. Story continued from Avengers (Vol. 1) #263. Don't miss the startling return of Jean Grey! How did she survive, and where has she been? The answers will shock and surprise you. Plus, this issue sets the stage for the return of the of the original X-Men! Story continues in X-Factor (1986-1998 1st Series) #1. Cover price $0.65.