Auctions: comic books published by EC, graded by CGC

Crime Illustrated (1955) 1 CGC 6.5

Paper: Off white

Label #4378731002

Cover by Joe Orlando. Stories by Al Feldstein, Jack Oleck, John Larner, and Richard Smith. Art by Jack Kamen, Joe Orlando, Reed Crandall, and Johnny Craig. Part of EC's Picto-Fiction line, published in response to the Comics Code, featuring tales of law and outlaws in text stories copiously illustrated by EC's lineup of artists. A private eye investigating a woman's disappearance finds a vital clue in a mystery novel, but fails to notice the title, "Fall Guy For Murder," adapted from a story that originally appeared in Crime Suspenstories (1950-55 E.C. Comics) #18. In a noirish story, a chance encounter on the street gets Ben involved with the dangerous lives of Myra and her sister. Another historic moment occurs in Mother's Day (adapted from a story that originally appeared in Crime Suspenstories (1950-55 E.C. Comics) #21), when writer Al Feldstein uses the soon-to-be-famous moniker "Alfred E. Neuman." Vivid cover by Joe Orlando definitely would not have passed muster with the new Comics Code. Fall Guy For Murder; The Sisters; Fools Gold; Farewell To Arms; Mothers Day 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 60 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.25.

Crime Illustrated (1955) 2 CGC 3.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4378731003

Cover by Reed Crandall. Stories by Al Feldstein, Jack Oleck, John Larner, and Maxwell Williams. Art by Jack Davis, Joe Orlando, Reed Crandall, Graham Ingels and Johnny Craig. Part of EC's Picto-Fiction line, published in response to the Comics Code, featuring tales of law and outlaws in text stories copiously illustrated by EC's lineup of artists. A movie stand-in plots to permanently replace a famous movie star, in a story adapted from "Cut!" which originally appeared in Crime Suspenstories (1950-55 E.C. Comics) #9. Condemned man Arnold tells the priest who's come for last rites why and how he murdered his wife. Norman and Sally conspire to kill Norman's wife in Pieces of Hate (adapted from "In Each and Every Package" in Crime Suspenstories (1950-55 E.C. Comics) #22, written by Al Feldstein using the soon-to-be-famous moniker "Alfred E. Neuman." Ax-wielding maniac cover by Reed Crandall is actually kind of tame for EC. Motive; Fair Trade; Clean Sweep; Screenplay For Murder; Pieces Of Hate. Final issue of the series; a third issue was planned, but not printed until the modern era, in EC Picto-Fiction HC Set (2006 Gemstone) #1. 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 60 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.25.

Crime Suspenstories (1950-55 E.C. Comics) 19 CGC 4.0

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4386574004

Cover art by Al Feldstein. "The Killer," script and art by Reed Crandall; Jonathan worked hard at his work, never wanting to follow in the footsteps of his father. Then he met Elsie, whom he intended to marry after he had established himself; However, because Jonathan's father was not a member of a guild, Jonathan was denied his opportunity to make a living, and reluctantly accepted doing his father's line of work. "Wined-Up!", script by Bill Gaines (plot) and Albert B. Feldstein (plot, script), art by George Evans; Charles, in a wheelchair since an auto accident, learns that the accident was no accident at all, and that his wife Laura wanted to kill him because she was sick and tired of living with him; She now informs him that is going to try again by wheeling him out on a pier, attaching a wire to it so that she can pull the chair into the lake as she goes swimming. "Rendezvous!" text story, script by Albert B. Feldstein, art by Marie Severin. "Murder May Boomerang," script and art by Johnny Craig; Nearly inseparable, a father and son did everything in life together until that one day when a prisoner from a nearby penitentiary discovers the pair's cabin, where he steals clothing and nearly beats the father to death. "About Phase," script by Albert B. Feldstein, art by George Evans; 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.

Haunt of Fear (1950 E.C. Comics 2nd Series) 24 CGC 4.0

Paper: Off white

Label #4390315003

Cover art by Graham Ingels. Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes...--The Witch's Cauldron!, script by Otto Binder, art by Graham Ingels; A blob story that features a cuckolded moonshine-swilling mountain man as the vengeful blob creature that is created when his wife and her lover shove him into a still to drown and be dissolved with a bag of lye. ...Only Sin Deep--The Vault of Horror!, script by Otto Binder, art by Jack Kamen; A heartless young woman pawns her beauty for 1000.00 to a shopkeeper she assumes is a crank. The Secret--Haunt of Fear, script by Carl Wessler, art by George Evans. Head-Room!--The Crypt of Terror, script by Carl Wessler, art by Jack Davis. 36 pgs. $0.10. NOTE: Used in Senate Investigative Report, page 8. Cover price $0.10.

Miracleman (1985) 1A CGC 9.8

Paper: White

Label #4060893022

Written by Alan Moore, with art by Gary Leach. Mickey Moran was just a regular bloke with a wife and a job, until one day he *remembered*...that he was Miracleman, a glistening new god with powers far beyond those of mortal ken. He also remembered that, years ago, he and his sidekicks -- Young Miracleman and Kid Miracleman -- were in a horrible accident that left Young Miracleman dead. When Moran goes to see Kid Miracleman to help him piece together his past, our hero finds that his youthful protege has changed...for the worse. Much worse. If you've never read this series, be assured it ranks right up there with Alan Moore's other classic, Watchmen. Cover price $0.75.

Shock Illustrated (1955) 1 CGC 5.5

Paper: Off white

Label #4378731006

Painted cover by Jack Kamen. Stories by Daniel Keyes and Robert Bernstein. Art by Jack Kamen, Joe Orlando, Wally Wood, and Johnny Craig. Part of EC's Picto-Fiction line, published in response to the Comics Code, featuring slice-of-life tales in text stories copiously illustrated by EC's lineup of artists. This first issue focused on psychology-themed stories, similar to EC's 1955 comic Psychoanalysis. A key-swapping party for bored suburbanites results in a temporary split in Beth and Jim's marriage, and a trip to the psychiatrist. Teenage dope addict Peggy sees a psychiatrist after her life falls apart and she's jailed on multiple charges. A teen becomes a leather-jacked juvenile delinquent and murders a stranger with a switchblade, encompassing many of the fears of middle-class America of the 1950s. Featuring some stories by Daniel Keyes, later the author of the science fiction classic Flowers for Algernon. The Needle; Switch Party; The Jacket. 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 60 pages, B&W with single-color accents. Cover price $0.25.

Shock Illustrated (1955) 2 CGC 6.5

Paper: Off white

Label #4378731001

Painted cover by Rudy Nappi. Stories by Daniel Keyes, Jack Oleck, and Al Feldstein. Art by Reed Crandall, George Evans, Al Williamson, and Graham Ingels. Part of EC's Picto-Fiction line, published in response to the Comics Code, featuring crime tales in text stories copiously illustrated by EC's lineup of artists. Cops capture "The Lipstick Killer" after a murder spree, and psychoanalysis reveals his accidental first murder when he was a toddler. A macabre bet between two med-school students leads to a man being buried alive, but the truth is worse still. A sheriff seeks the truth about a woman's death. Featuring some stories by Daniel Keyes, later the author of the science fiction classic Flowers for Algernon. The Lipstick Killer; My Brothers Keeper; A Question of Time; Dead Right. 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 60 pages, B&W with single-color accents. Cover price $0.25.

Terror Illustrated (1955) 1 CGC 7.0

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4378731004

Cover by Reed Crandall. Stories by John Larner, Jack Oleck, and Al Feldstein (credited as Alfred E. Neuman). Art by Reed Crandall, Joe Orlando, George Evans, Graham Ingels, and Johnny Craig. Part of EC's Picto-Fiction line, published in response to the Comics Code, featuring horror tales in text stories copiously illustrated by EC's lineup of artists. A carnival barker plots to get away with murder by faking his own death, but he fakes it a little too well. Villagers learn the horrifying secret of the basket that Vincent always carries on his shoulder. A gorilla's paw purchased in a strange little shop grants wishes, but at a terrible price. Some stories are credited to Alfred E. Neuman, a name soon to be irrevocably connected to MAD Magazine. Lush cover by Reed Crandall. The Sucker; Sure-Fire Scheme; Rest In Peace; The Basket; The Gorillas Paw. 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 60 pages, B&W with single-color accents. Cover price $0.25.

Terror Illustrated (1955) 2 CGC 5.5

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4378731005

Cover by Reed Crandall. Stories by John Larner, Jack Oleck, and Al Feldstein (credited as Alfred E. Neuman). Art by Graham Ingels, Charles Sultan, Jack Davis, George Evans, Johnny Craig, and Joe Orlando. Part of EC's Picto-Fiction line, published in response to the Comics Code, featuring horror tales in text stories copiously illustrated by EC's lineup of artists. Members of a carnival freak show get ironic revenge on the cruel owner after he blinds the knife-thrower. A man who survived an auto accident doesn't understand why everyone flees in terror at the sight of him. A town turns against the local constable after a series of decapitation murders, but the truth is more horrifying still. Some stories are credited to Alfred E. Neuman, a name soon to be irrevocably connected to MAD Magazine. Classic cover by Reed Crandall. Horror in the Freak Tent; Requiem; Mother Love; Head Man; Reflection of Death. Final issue of the series. 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., 60 pages, B&W with single-color accents. Cover price $0.25.