Auctions: comic books 1968, graded by CBCS

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 56 CBCS 9.6

Paper: Off white to white

Label #0012200-AA-001

Doctor Octopus appearance and the first appearance of Capt. Stacy in "Disaster" script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita Sr., inks by Mike Esposito as "Mickey Demeo." Spidey has amnesia, and Doc Ock convinces him that they are partners! Will he fall for it? Or just go along until his memory comes back? Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 41. Cover price $0.12.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 66 CBCS 5.0

Paper: White

Exceptional White.

Label #20-03E17AC-006

Cover art by John Romita. "The Madness of Mysterio!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by John Romita (layouts) and Don Heck (pencils), inks by Mike Esposito (as Mick Demeo); Mysterio has broken out of prison and is using his special effects prowess to prepare another plot to get revenge against Spider-Man; Meanwhile, Spidey recovers his clothes and camera left in the debris following his fight with the Vulture; The next day he tries to sell the pictures to Jameson; Furious that Parker "abandoned" him when he was supposed to be taking pictures of Spider-Man's battle with the Vulture, he throws Parker out of the building, telling Peter that he doesn't need him to take pictures; Appearing on television, Mysterio issues a challenge to Spider-Man to meet him to a fight to the finish or he will start destroying city bridges. Guest appearance by the Green Goblin (a subplot continued in the Spectacular Spider-Man 2 magazine in 1968). Romita cover. Reprinted in Marvel Tales #49. Letter to the editor from comics writer Tony Isabella. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 52 CBCS 6.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #22-0F04F41-002

First appearance of the Grim Reaper in "Death Calls for the Arch-Heroes!" Script by Roy Thomas. Pencils by John Buscema. Inks by Vince Colletta. Cover by John Buscema. The Black Panther arrives at Avengers Mansion ready to join Earth's Mightiest Heroes! However when T'Challa reaches the main meeting room, he finds his three would-be teammates lying on the floor unconscious! The panther begins to render first aid, but Jasper Sitwell suddenly appears and arrests him for murder! While being transported to and questioned at the local police station, T'Challa puts the evening's strange pieces together! And the newest avenger rushes back to the mansion to face the true perpetrator! Wow, the Black Panther vs. the Grim Reaper! What a debut for the superhero and the super-villain! Cameo appearances by the Black Widow, Tony Stark, Captain America, and Thor. Flashback cameo by Wonder Man to recap the events of Avengers #9. Avengers Lineup: Black Panther, Goliath, Hawkeye, and the Wasp. (Notes: The Grim Reaper (aka Eric Williams) returns in Avengers #78 to continue his quest for revenge. The letters page includes a letter from comics writer Mike Uslan. This issue was reprinted in Marvel Triple Action #44.) 32 pages. 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.

Green Lantern (1960 2nd Series DC) 59 CBCS 2.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #23-34D3B71-001

1st appearance of Guy Gardner. Cover pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Murphy Anderson. Earth's Other Green Lantern!, script by John Broome, pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Sid Greene; The Guardians use their scientific knowledge to show Hal what would have happened if Guy Gardner had been the first man chosen by Abin Sur to wield the power ring. Supergirl ad. Statement of ownership--average print run 366,000; average paid circulation 199,000. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Incredible Hulk (1962 Marvel 1st Series) 107 CBCS 4.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #21-24C87C6-030

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Cover pencils by Marie Severin and John Romita (Mandarin figure), inks by Frank Giacoia and John Romita (Mandarin figure). Ten Rings Hath...the Mandarin!, script by Gary Friedrich, art by Herb Trimpe; Just as Yuri and his men are about to decimate the Hulk, Nick Fury shows up to take his Russian foe down; The Mandarin zaps the Hulk to his compound and puts him through his paces to see if the jade giant would make a worthy ally in his bid to take over the world. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Incredible Hulk (1962 Marvel 1st Series) 108 CBCS 8.5

Paper: White

Label #22-0F7594C-023

Cover pencils by Marie Severin, inks by Frank Giacoia. Monster Triumphant!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by Herb Trimpe, inks by John Severin; The Mandarin controls the Hulk and sends him to attack a Red Chinese target; Fury and his old foe Brevlov team up to take on the jade giant; Once the Hulk breaks Mandarin's conditioning, he returns and destroys the ringed one's base of operations. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Incredible Hulk (1962 Marvel 1st Series) 109 CBCS 7.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #22-0F7594C-024

Cover pencils by Herb Trimpe, inks by John Severin. The Monster and the Man-Beast!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by Frank Giacoia (layouts) and Herb Trimpe, inks by John Severin; The Hulk stops a deadly Chinese missile from being launched but the huge detonation drops him into the Savage Land where he transforms back into Bruce Banner; Being rescued by Ka-Zar from the Swamp Men, the jungle lord asks for Banner's help in deactivating a mysterious machine that is making weather all over the world to go wild and will eventually lead to the destruction of earth; The Swamp Men renew their attack and Banner becomes the Hulk to face the threat, totally forgetting about the deadly machine he was supposed to deactivate. Letter to the editor from future pro Tony Isabella. Cover price $0.12.

Iron Man (1968 1st Series) 1 CBCS 5.0

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #22-104DFEE-003

Cover pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Mike Esposito. "Alone Against AIM," script by Archie Goodwin, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Johnny Craig; Iron Man is captured by A.I.M using a suction beam and trapped in a submarine by orders of Mordius; Meanwhile A.I.M. soldiers are gloating about how they have sunk The Maggias gambling ship and destroyed their leadership; The Golden Avenger is knocked out by gas while back on the sinking Maggia ship Jasper Sitwell is evacuating the passengers; Sitwell stumbles upon Whitney Frost whom he recognises from Stark Industries as one of Tonys admirers; Sitwell rescues Frost and they are taken aboard a S.H.I.E.L.D. helicopter where Nick Fury awaits; When alone Frost reveals herself to be The Big M, leader of The Maggia, and her plan to use Sitwell to learn the secrets of Stark Industries. Continued between Iron Man and Sub-Mariner #1 and Avengers #51. "The Origin of Iron Man," script by Archie Goodwin, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Johnny Craig; An abridged retelling of Iron Man's origin from Tales of Suspense #39. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Little Dot (1953 1st Series) 116 CBCS 9.2

Paper: Off white to white

File Copy.

Label #23-150e668-012

"The Inventor's Apprentice"; Two spies are determined to kidnap Uncle Branes so that he can create weapons for their evil leader. Untitled story; Dot gets a face full of water when she opens a ship's porthole. Untitled story; Dot presents an essay about dots to her class, but has forgotten to dot an "i" in the title of her paper. "Some Weapons!"; The evil Goldgut and his henchmen hold Uncle Branes and Dot at gunpoint, demanding that they invent weapons that Goldgut can use to rule the world. "The Drop-Out"; Lotta tries to convince her friend Dora not to drop out of school. "A Sweet Story" text story. "Richie Rich and the Time Block"; Reggie has a machine that stops time from moving forward, and he refuses to turn it off. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Marvel Super Heroes (1967 1st Series) 13 CBCS 2.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #21-24C87C6-018

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Giant-size issue. Captain Marvel stars in "Where Stalks the Sentry!" Script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Paul Reinman. The story continues in Captain Marvel 1 (1968). The remainder of the issue consists of Golden Age reprints: the Black Knight by Joe Maneely (1955), the Human Torch by Dick Ayers ("Fugitive at Large!"; 1954); the Vision (1941); Captain America by John Romita Sr. ("Top Secret!"; 1953); and the Sub-Mariner by Bill Everett ("Invasion!"; 1955). Letter to the editor from comic artist Dave Cockrum. Colan cover pencils. 1st Carol Danvers (pre Ms. Marvel). Cover price $0.25.

Silver Surfer (1968 1st Series) 1 CBCS 8.5

Paper: White

Label #24-0E3FD1B-001

"The Origin of the Silver Surfer!" Cameos by the Incredible Hulk, Doctor Doom, and the Fantastic Four. Written by Stan Lee. Art and cover by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott. Many years ago, in order to prevent the total annihilation of his civilization and homeworld, Norrin Radd bargained with the Devourer of Worlds. Imbued with the Power Cosmic, he became the Silver Surfer and Herald of Galactus. However, on the fateful day he arrived on Earth, for love of humanity, he betrayed his master, and thus was cursed to never traverse the space-ways again. This is his story. Includes the Watcher back-up "The Wonder of the Watcher!" Story by Stan Lee. Art by Gene Colan and Syd Shores. 68-page giant. Cover price $0.25.

Silver Surfer (1968 1st Series) 2 CBCS 5.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #22-066EAC8-030

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"When Lands the Saucer!" Written by Stan Lee. Art and cover by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott. Exiled to planet Earth by his former master, Galactus, the Silver Surfer, a being empowered with the Power Cosmic itself, finds he cannot penetrate the invisible barrier which the Devourer of Worlds has encompassed the planet with. However, this barrier does not prevent others from beyond the stars from coming to Earth and wrecking havoc. Thus, when a malevolent race of aliens descend upon the unsuspecting citizens of Earth, only the Silver Surfer possesses the power to stop them. Includes the Watcher back-up "The Coming of the Krills!" Story by Stan Lee. Art by Gene Colan and Paul Reinman. 68 pages Cover price $0.25.

Sub-Mariner (1968 1st Series) 1 CBCS 3.5 SS Roy Thomas

Paper: Off white to white

Slab: Other - see grading notes

Verified Signature: Roy Thomas. Top right corner is cracked.

Label #20-30D57EF-005

"Years of Glory, Day of Doom!" Guest-starring the Fantastic Four. Written by Roy Thomas. Art by John Buscema and Frank Giacoia. Imperius Rex! Witness the startling origin of Prince Namor. Plus, how can the scion of Atlantis defeat a foe who can read his thoughts and knows his every move before he does? 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.12.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 150 CBCS 6.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #22-0FD2B27-046

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta. Loki, Karnilla, the Wrecker, and the Destroyer gang up on Thor in "Even in Death," script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta; The Wrecker leaves Thor for dead; Thor, rebuffing Hela, returns to his body to face the enemy; Sif and Baldur face Karnilla and Loki; Sif is tricked into entering the Destroyer which takes out the Wrecker but now faces the weakened Thor. "Origins of the Inhumans" back-up: "Triton," script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Joe Sinnott; Triton allows himself to be captured by humans to learn more about the outside world; Origin of Triton. This issue also contains a statement of ownership: average print run 497,708; average paid circulation 298,219. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 154 CBCS 8.0

Paper: White

Label #22-0704FB3-015

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta. First appearance of the Mangog in "To Wake the Mangog!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta; While Sif recovers, Hela shows Thor the glory of eternal battle he can enter if he surrenders to her; Loki takes the throne of Asgard while Odin undergoes the Odinsleep; Ulik frees Mangog from captivity. Appearances by Balder, Sif, and Karnilla. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Uncanny X-Men (1963 1st Series) 45 CBCS 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Slab: Scuffing on front of case

Label #19-29DA8BD-088

"When Mutants Clash!" Script by Gary Friedrich. Art by Don Heck (layouts), Werner Roth (pencils), and John Tartaglione (inks). Cover by John Buscema and George Tuska. Deep inside Magneto's island fortress, Cyclops realizes that he cannot wait any longer for the Angel to return! He has to break out of his cell now! And by narrowly focusing his powerful optic blasts he achieves his goal! However while Scott searches for Iceman and the Beast, a certain mutant speedster tracks his movements! When Pietro confronts the X-Men's leader, he gives him an opportunity to join Magneto's cause! But Scott refuses! And that means it's time for battle: Cyclops vs. Quicksilver! And the winner gets the Avengers next! Story concludes in Avengers #53. Appearances by the Scarlet Witch, Toad, and Marvel Girl. Avengers Lineup: Black Panther, Goliath (aka Hank Pym), Hawkeye, and the Wasp. Flashback cameo by Red Raven. Second story: "And the Mob Cried... Vengeance" Script by Gary Friedrich. Pencils by Werner Roth. Inks by John Verpoorten. This five-page story continues the origin of Iceman including his first meeting with Cyclops. (Note: This issue was reprinted in Uncanny X-Men #93 and also in Marvel Triple Action #45.) 32 pages. Cover price $0.12.

Uncanny X-Men (1963 1st Series) 50 CBCS 8.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #22-1C76C4C-014

Cover art by Jim Steranko. City of Mutants, script by Arnold Drake, pencils by Jim Steranko, inks by John Tartaglione; Mesmero captures Lorna Dane and Iceman; Mesmero tells everyone that Lorna Dane is Magneto's daughter. This Boy--This Bombshell!--The Origins of the Uncanny X-Men, script by Arnold Drake, pencils by Werner Roth, inks by John Verpoorten; the story of young Hank McCoy. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.