Auctions: comic books in 'Pre-Code Horror'

Adventures Into the Unknown (1948 ACG) 1 VG- 3.5

Cover oxidation. Water damage.

Cover art by Edvard Moritz. The Werewolf Strikes, script by Frank Belknap Long, art by Edvard Moritz; They captured a timber wolf, but it was instead a Werewolf! The Living Ghost, script by Frank Belknap Long, art by Fred Guardineer; Malveo, Satan's first lieutenant, lives and is looking for a Queen. The Painted Grave text story. It Walked By Night, art by Max Elkan. The Castle of Otranto--Tell Me A Ghost Story, script by Frank Belknap Long, art by Al Ulmer; adapted from novel by Horace Walpole. The Vengeful Specter of Lord Tyrone--True Ghosts of History, art by Edvard Moritz. Haunted House, art by King Ward. 52 pgs. Cover price $0.10.

Adventures Into the Unknown (1948 ACG) 1 GD 2.0

Cover detached at one staple and glued to first wrap. Water damage. Tape.

Cover art by Edvard Moritz. The Werewolf Strikes, script by Frank Belknap Long, art by Edvard Moritz; They captured a timber wolf, but it was instead a Werewolf! The Living Ghost, script by Frank Belknap Long, art by Fred Guardineer; Malveo, Satan's first lieutenant, lives and is looking for a Queen. The Painted Grave text story. It Walked By Night, art by Max Elkan. The Castle of Otranto--Tell Me A Ghost Story, script by Frank Belknap Long, art by Al Ulmer; adapted from novel by Horace Walpole. The Vengeful Specter of Lord Tyrone--True Ghosts of History, art by Edvard Moritz. Haunted House, art by King Ward. 52 pgs. Cover price $0.10.

Adventures Into the Unknown (1948 ACG) 44 CGC 7.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4363506011

"Red Moonlight," "The Creeper," "The Phantom Fiend," and "The Devil and the War Bride." Edited by Richard E. Hughes. Cover by Ken Bald. Stories by Jon Blummer, Ken Bald, Paul Gattuso, and Pete Riss. Spine-chilling tales of suspense, horror, and the supernatural—prepare yourself for Adventures into the Unknown! 36 pages, full color. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Amazing Adventures (1950 Ziff Davis) 3 VG 4.0

Residue. Includes CaptCan Comics certificate of authenticity.

Painted cover by Norman Saunders. Stories and art by Leonard Starr, Frank Giacoia, John Giunta and Paul Parker. Sci-fi and fantasy from Ziff-Davis, edited by the legendary co-creator of Superman, Jerry Siegel. Brad is jealous of Chet for stealing Nina, so he shrinks all three of them with his shrinking invention... but he didn't reckon on the housecat. WWII vet John gets the chance to trade places with his exact duplicate from the year 3951. Col Rulak leads a revolt against the totalitarian world government of "Europa" in the year 2200. A gigantic, floating Cosmic Brain menaces the city. Painted cover by Norman Saunders predates The Incredible Shrinking Man. The Evil Men Do; The Princess of the Future; Blood Stands for Freedom; The Cosmic Brain!; Escape on a Planetoid; The Steel Monster. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Baffling Mysteries (1952) 17 GD 2.0

Cover detached. Water damage.

Kill, My Minions of Death!, art by Lou Cameron; Thanks to "years of experiments plus a knowledge of black magic", Ivan Buloff controls an army of flying severed hands that kill on his command; He even blackmails the helpless German government. Duel of the Spectres, pencils by Dick Beck, inks by George Klein; Jeff Pearson and his wife travel to Scotland to inherit the family castle; Pearson is confronted by the ghosts of his dead brothers, including a vampire. Evil Cult of the Juggernaut, pencils by Dick Beck; Writing a book about native lore, Paul Reynolds discovers the cult of the juggernaut in India; The evil high priest Rashonu exploits his followers to amass riches. Master of the Undead, art by Al Hartley. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Baffling Mysteries (1952) 20 GD/VG 3.0

Cover oxidation.

The Maze Master, art by Lou Cameron; Victor Rarlo is a sadist who loves puzzles and lets people perish in his fiendish mazes; Being challenged by a strange mystic, Rarlo travels into psychedelic mind-mazes and gets irreversibly caught in the maze of his own mind. Tune of the Zombie Queen, art by Louis Zansky; Washed-up dancers Ferdie and Doris take over a stage act from a genuine voodoo queen in New Orleans; They have to pay a price though--and turn into zombies. Hostage of the Unearthly, art by Ken Rice; Demons from the "half-world" invade our "earth-plane" through a pathway opened by radiation experiments. When Voodoo Drums Rumble, art by Jim McLaughlin. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Beware (1953 Trojan/Merit) 11 GD- 1.8

4" cumulative spine split. Cover detached at one staple, coming loose at second. Cover oxidation.

Cover by Myron Fass. Stories and art by Art Gates, Leo Morey, Edvard Moritz and Jay Disbrow. Pre-Code horror comic from Trojan Magazines. Archaeologists exploring the lost Mayan "Temple of Eternal Life" accidentally awaken the dead, who want to pick up where they left off with the human sacrifices. A scientist receives a TV message from outer space that turns out to be commands to begin an alien invasion. A writer reveals the supernatural truth behind his latest story. Plus an article about real-life burial practices and death rituals around the world. Ghostly Sacrifice; Cry: Danger; His Own Funeral; Dead and Gone; Dwellers in Darkness. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Beware Terror Tales (1952 Fawcett) 5 GD- 1.8

Centerfold detached. Water damage. Cover oxidation.

Cover by Bernard Bailey. Stories and art by Sheldon Moldoff, Bill Woolfolk, Maurice Gutwirth and Bob McCarthy. Classic pre-Code horror from St. John. A police detective encounters a magical clock that sends people to Hell when it strikes thirteen. Traveling the polar wastes, two explorers are trapped in an igloo for months, and one of them is slowly going insane... or is it both? Gangsters force a Romani witch to use her powers to bring a ganglord back from the dead. The Horrors of the 13th Stroke; The Lonely One!; The Ghoul at Eldritch Manor!; Gray Matter; Return of the Dead! 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Beware Terror Tales (1952 Fawcett) 7 GD/VG 3.0

Cover oxidation. Miswrap.

Stories and art by Sheldon Moldoff, Bill Woolfolk, Maurice Gutwirth and Bob McCarthy. Classic pre-Code horror from St. John. Chess master Roger engages Death in a chess game during a near-death experience, but after he's revived, Death wants to continue the game. A train engineer gets a job offer to conduct the train to Hell, a one-way trip for most. Scientist Hiram creates a machine that can transport the souls of the elderly into the bodies of the freshly dead, and it just gets worse from there. The Man Who Defeated Death!; Dripping Terror; Last Express!; Tempest in a Teapot; The Walking Cadaver. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Beyond (1950 Ace) 7 CGC 3.0

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4219560014

The Doorway to Yesterday, pencils by Mike Sekowsky, inks by Vince Alascia; While staying in Rome, american newspaperman Wilson follows a beautiful stranger through the ruins and enters the "doorway to yesterday;" He finds himself in ancient Rome and (at the command of Nerissa) has to battle a gladiator. The Dead Guard the Gold, pencils by Jim McLaughlin; Treasure hunter Kramer gets pulled into an underwater world where ghost pirates dwell; The pirate's girl shows him a way out and Kramer can escape. Gallows in the Sky. Creatures of Fantasy, pencils by Richard Case. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Beyond (1950 Ace) 21 GD/VG 3.0

Red Shadow of Abaddon, art by Sy Grudko; Under the alias of "Mr. Abaddon", Satan lures a young ballerina into his pact; She gets twenty years of fame, he gets her soul and has her dance for the hordes of the dead. Werewolf Blood on my Hands, pencils by Dick Beck; London file clerk Gregory Cooper wants to be a Scotland Yard detective; He helps the police stalking a rampant South African werewolf by transforming himself into one. Graveyard of Ghost Ships, art by Lou Cameron. If Flesh Could Crawl..., art by Jim McLaughlin. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Beyond (1950 Ace) 22 GD+ 2.5

Only one staple (manufacturing). Oxidation.

Swirling Mist of Doom, pencils by Dick Beck; John Courtney steals a "demon in a bottle" from a sideshow; He knows how to open the magic flask and let out the genie. Prey For the Vampire Horde, art by Lou Cameron; Eric Barnes, an audio engineer, is captured by sinister count Pramevi (anagram for 'vampire'); He is to build a recording machine to preserve the count's voice for all eternity. Arise, O Undead Druids!, art by Lin Streeter. Sorcerer's Flaming Ring, art by Jim McLaughlin. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Black Magic (1950-1961 Prize/Crestwood) Vol. 3 #3 CGC 6.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4363506004

Cover by Jack Kirby. Art by John Prentice, Alden McWilliams, Manny Stallman, George Roussos, Bob McCarty, Bill Draut, Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. Captain America creators Joe Simon and Jack Kirby present their own contribution to the horror comics trend of the 1950s, featuring tales of ghosts and the paranormal. Issue # 21 on cover; listed as Vol. 3, issue #3 in indicia. A feathered snake god appears to a tourist at an ancient ruin. A scientist sends a volunteer 500 years into the past. A visitor to Germany's Black Forest encounters a Brigadoon-like enchanted village, but only for one night. The Feathered Serpent; Warning Voice!; The Practical Joker; Vigil; Valley of Phantoms!; The Mind Reader; The Magic Million; A Ghost Story! 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Black Magic (1950-1961 Prize/Crestwood) Vol. 4 #1 CGC 8.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4363506010

# 25 on cover. Vol 4 No 1 inside. Cover art by Jack Kirby. Strange Old Bird!, art by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby; Did Miss Stewart find a Phoenix bird that allowed her to start her life over? The Human Cork, art by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby. The Light text story. The Romantic Souls!, art by Al Eadeh. The Crash text story. Human Bloodhound!, art by Harry Lazarus. A Beast Is in the Streets!, pencils by Jack Kirby. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Chamber of Chills (1951 Harvey 1st Series) 21 CGC 7.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4405340003

Cover by Al Avison. Stories and art by Bob Powell, Vic Donohue and Rudy Palais. Numbering continues from Blondie (1947 McKay/Harvey/King/Charlton) #20. Sometimes listed as Chamber of Chills (1951 Harvey) #1. Harvey Comics joins the parade of pre-Code horror comics pioneered by EC in the 1950s. The descendant of famous witch-hunters is called to Ireland by a witch's spell. A man returns to Paris and remembers his childhood encounter with a ghost. A glimpse at what future space prisons might look like. The Old Hag of the Hills; The Avenging Spectre!; Darker Than Death; Gorilla!; Strange Customs; Gray Death; Tricks to Mystify Your Friends; The Chieftain of the Dead; Terror in the Heavens!; The Ghost of the Rue de Morte; How Death Valley Got Its Name; Weird Worlds. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Chamber of Chills (1951 Harvey 1st Series) 22 CGC 5.5

Paper: Off white

Label #3827781007

Cover by Al Avison. Stories and art by John Giunta, Manny Stallman, Vic Donohue and Rudy Palais. Sometimes listed as Chamber of Chills (1951 Harvey) #2. Harvey Comics joins the parade of pre-Code horror comics pioneered by EC in the 1950s. A ferry captain provides corpses to a mad doctor in an island castle for his evil experiments. An unhinged artist creates a portal to a horrific world, bringing a hapless art student along with him. Profiles of infamous monsters: Frankenstein's Monster; Dracula; The Mummy; The Werewolf; Jack the Ripper. The Vault of Living Death; Portrait of Fear; Creatures of the Swamp; Men from Mars; Strange Customs; Caught!; House of Horror; Ferry of the Dead; The Snake Man; Chambers of Chills; Weird Worlds. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Chamber of Chills (1951 Harvey 1st Series) 22 CGC 3.0 Restored

Restored: C1

Paper: Off white to white

Restoration Includes: Small Amount of Color Touch on Cover.

Label #4386574001

Cover by Al Avison. Stories and art by John Giunta, Manny Stallman, Vic Donohue and Rudy Palais. Sometimes listed as Chamber of Chills (1951 Harvey) #2. Harvey Comics joins the parade of pre-Code horror comics pioneered by EC in the 1950s. A ferry captain provides corpses to a mad doctor in an island castle for his evil experiments. An unhinged artist creates a portal to a horrific world, bringing a hapless art student along with him. Profiles of infamous monsters: Frankenstein's Monster; Dracula; The Mummy; The Werewolf; Jack the Ripper. The Vault of Living Death; Portrait of Fear; Creatures of the Swamp; Men from Mars; Strange Customs; Caught!; House of Horror; Ferry of the Dead; The Snake Man; Chambers of Chills; Weird Worlds. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Chamber of Chills (1951 Harvey 1st Series) 23 CGC 3.5

Paper: Off white

Label #4386574002

Cover by Al Avison. Stories and art by Bob Powell, Lee Elias, Pierce Rice, Vic Donohue and Rudy Palais. Sometimes listed as Chamber of Chills (1951 Harvey) #3. Harvey Comics joins the parade of pre-Code horror comics pioneered by EC in the 1950s. The recipient of an eye transplant is haunted by horrifying visions. A meek accountant pushed too far turns to murder, in a story with possible inks by comics legend Leonard Starr. Scientists discover the legendary lair of the Minotaur, but soon regret it. Arctic explorers accidentally unfreeze an evil temple and its inhabitants. Walking Dead; Hall Of Horror!; Trip To Terror; Brain Operation!; Strange Customs; Death In The Desert!; Monster's Maze; Scientific Oddities; The Doom of Living Ice; Weird Worlds. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Chamber of Chills (1952-1954 Harvey 2nd Series) 9 CGC 5.0

Paper: Light tan to off white

Label #4405340002

Cover by Al Avison. Stories and art by Bob Powell, Howard Nostrand, Tom Hickey, Rudy Palais, Al Avison, Manny Stallman, John Giunta and Vic Donahue. Harvey Comics joins the parade of pre-Code horror comics pioneered by EC in the 1950s. Antarctic explorers discover a long-frozen caveman. A man arranges a fiendish revenge on the thieves who murdered his wife, setting the eight-armed Ranu against them. Figures from nursery rhymes are brought to life as murderous minions. Bondage cover by Al Avison. The Eight Hands of Ranu; Strange Legends: Maushope - The Dying Smoker; The Captain's Return; The Annals of Horror: The Black Death; The Rotting Death; Birth of a Monster; The Ice Horror; Demons of the Night. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Chamber of Chills (1952-1954 Harvey 2nd Series) 14 PR 0.5

INCOMPLETE. Three pages missing (affects art and story).

Cover by Lee Elias. Stories and art by Vic Donahue, Pete Morisi, Moe Marcus, Abe Simon and Rudy Palais. Harvey Comics joins the parade of pre-Code horror comics pioneered by EC in the 1950s. The owner of a mansion by a graveyard sees ghostly figures building a tower. A professor's new web-fluid has horrific effects, in a story called "The Spider Man" a full decade before the debut of the famous superhero. A prospector discovers the alien survivor of a flying-saucer crash in an ancient cave. It!; Strange Superstitions; Down to Earth; The Spider Man!; The Devil's Necklace; Flight into the Past; Murder of a Monster. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.

Chamber of Chills (1952-1954 Harvey 2nd Series) 22 CGC 6.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4405340004

Cover by Lee Elias. Stories and art by Jack Sparling, Howard Nostrand, Joe Certa, John Giunta and Manny Stallman. Harvey Comics joins the parade of pre-Code horror comics pioneered by EC in the 1950s. A disfigured man knows he must eventually show his face to the woman he loves. A fugitive criminal forces a scientist to use his reincarnation machine on him. Scientists discover a subterranean society and its sinister lottery. The Ugly Duckling; A Model Girl; Reincarnation; Lottery; Chilly Chamber Music: Songs from the Spook Box; The Satchel; The Skeptic! 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.10.