Auctions: comic books in 'Celestial Madonna'

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 129 VG+ 4.5

"Bid Tomorrow Goodbye!" Script by Steve Englehart. Art by Sal Buscema (breakdowns) and Joe Staton (finishes). Cover by Ron Wilson and Mike Esposito. A bright shining star appears over Avengers Mansion! What does the radiant beacon foretell? Kang the Conqueror thinks he knows! And thus begins the Celestial Madonna saga! The 41st century Master of Time and his macrobots attack the Avengers outside their mansion! After overwhelming the six avengers, Kang absconds with five of them plus Agatha Harkness! The Conqueror deems the Swordsman as unworthy and leaves him behind. Will Kang end up regretting that decision? The former sword-wielding super-villain certainly has his work cut out for him! However, the Swordsman catches a big break when Agatha Harkness telepathically reveals Kang's hideaway! The centuries-old pyramids of Egypt! After arriving in the Egyptian desert, the Swordsman desperately needs an ally! Could one of the ancient pharaohs still be lurking around to help? Story continues in Giant-Size Avengers 2. Cameo appearance by Rama-Tut. Avengers Lineup: Iron Man, Mantis, Scarlet Witch, Swordsman, Thor, and the Vision. (Notes: The classic Celestial Madonna storyline runs through Avengers 129-135 and Giant-Size Avengers 2-4. Kang previously battled Earth's Mightiest Heroes in Avengers (1st series) 71. The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp series A #88 The Leader.) 32 pages Cover price $0.25.

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 135 FN+ 6.5

"The Torch is Passed!" Script by Steve Englehart. Pencils by George Tuska. Inks by Frank Chiaramonte. Cover by Jim Starlin and John Romita Sr. (vignettes). In the Mad Thinker's deserted laboratory, the Vision witnesses how Ultron-5 transformed the original Human Torch's body into his own synthetic body. Sadly, the synthezoid avenger also observes the tragic death of his creator and his first valiant fight against Ultron. However, the past is in the past; and knowing the truth, the Vision is ready to move forward and reunite with Earth's Mightiest Heroes! Meanwhile in present day Vietnam, Moondragon joins Mantis, Hawkeye, Iron Man, Thor, Libra, and the Cotati to uncover the secrets of the Celestial Madonna. Origin of the Vision. Origin of Moondragon. Death of Dr. Phineas T. Horton. Story continues in Giant-Size Avengers 4. Cameo appearance by Immortus. Flashback cameos by the Wasp, Henry Pym, Dr. Phineas T. Horton, Quasimodo, Silver Surfer, Thanos, Mentor, and the Mad Thinker. (Notes: This issue fills in the details of what took place between Fantastic Four Annual 4 and the Vision's first appearance in Avengers 57. Elements of the story in Doctor Strange (2nd series) 7 continue in Giant-Size Avengers 4.) The letters page contains a statement of ownership: average print run 342,917; average paid circulation 188,084. Cover price $0.25.