Auctions: comic books 1963

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 2 CGC 4.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4469990005

Cover art by Steve Ditko. First appearance of the Vulture in Duel to the Death with the Vulture!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; The Vulture is so confident in his abilities that he announces his plans to steal a diamond shipment to the police; When Spider-Man hears this he decides to stop the Vulture. The Uncanny Threat of the Terrible Tinkerer!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; When Peter Parker discovers some alien modifications to a professor's radio he tracks down a group of aliens with plans to take over the Earth. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 139. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 2 PR 0.5

INCOMPLETE. Cover to cover punctures/tearing, interrupts art and story. Water damage. Tape on interior cover.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. First appearance of the Vulture in Duel to the Death with the Vulture!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; The Vulture is so confident in his abilities that he announces his plans to steal a diamond shipment to the police; When Spider-Man hears this he decides to stop the Vulture. The Uncanny Threat of the Terrible Tinkerer!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; When Peter Parker discovers some alien modifications to a professor's radio he tracks down a group of aliens with plans to take over the Earth. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 139. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 2 0.3

INCOMPLETE. Two pages missing, interrupts art and story. 3" Cumulative spine split. Residue on interior pages.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. First appearance of the Vulture in Duel to the Death with the Vulture!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; The Vulture is so confident in his abilities that he announces his plans to steal a diamond shipment to the police; When Spider-Man hears this he decides to stop the Vulture. The Uncanny Threat of the Terrible Tinkerer!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; When Peter Parker discovers some alien modifications to a professor's radio he tracks down a group of aliens with plans to take over the Earth. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 139. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 3 0.3

INCOMPLETE. Ad page missing, does not interrupt art or story.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. First appearance of Dr. Octopus in Spider-Man Versus Doctor Octopus, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; When an experiment goes wrong, Otto Octavius gains control of his robotic arms and decides to take over an atomic facility, but Spider-Man stops him. Spider-Man pin-up page by Ditko. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 140. First issue with a letters column (including a letter by MyComicShop president Buddy Saunders!). 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 5 PR 0.5

Interior is complete. Full length spine split with back cover missing.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. Marked for Destruction by Doctor Doom!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; Dr. Doom tries to trick Spider-Man into helping him defeat the Fantastic Four; When Spider-Man turns him down, he decides to capture Spider-Man; Flash Thompson dresses up as Spider-Man for a prank and Dr. Doom mistakes him for the real Spider-Man and captures him instead, and Flash has to be saved by the real Spider-Man. First Time Doctor Doom uses a robot to take his place. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 142. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 6 GD- 1.8

Cover and interior oxidation. Residue on interior pages. Water spotting.

Cover art by Steve Ditko. First appearance of the Lizard in Face-to-Face With...the Lizard!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; The Bugle challenges Spider-Man to put an end to the Lizard's rampage. Vulture cameo. Reprinted in Marvel Tales # 3 and 143. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Aquaman (1962 1st Series) 10 CGC 6.0

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #3953159025

Cover art by Nick Cardy. The War of the Water Sprites, art by Nick Cardy; Aquaman goes to Quisp's home world; Quirk removes Quisp's powers; giants plan to invade the surface world. Homer the Skin Diver humor page by Henry Boltinoff. City Under the Ice article. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 11 GD/VG 3.0

1" cumulative spine split. Cover detached at one staple. Cover oxidation.

Cover art by Jack Kirby. Origin and first appearance of the Impossible Man in "The Impossible Man!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; The police call the Fantastic four to help against a childish extra-terrestrial. A Visit with the Fantastic Four, script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; Willie Lumpkin (first appearance) brings to the Fantastic Four their huge mailbag; It makes them think about their youths and their origin. Cameos by Skrulls and Doctor Doom. Pin-up of Namor and his undersea headquarters, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 14 GD 2.0

2" cumulative spine split with splitting to first wrap. Cover detached at one staple. Cover oxidation.

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Steve Ditko. The Merciless Puppet Master, script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; The Puppet Master is declared healed and plans his revenge againt the Fantastic Four; This time, he'll use the Sub-Mariner. Cameos by Doctor Doom, the Mole Man, and a Skrull. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 16 GD+ 2.5 (R)

Restored (see item notes)

RESTORATION. Tear seal.

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. The Micro-World of Doctor Doom!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; The Fantastic Four answers a cry for help from someone too small to be seen. They arrive in a micro-world whose leader is Doctor Doom. Page explaining Reed Richards powers. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 17 VG+ 4.5

Cover oxidation. Water spotting.

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. Defeated by Doctor Doom!, script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; Back from the Micro-world, Doctor Doom attacks the Fantastic Four once more by kidnapping Alicia. Ant-Man guest appearance. 36 pgs. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 20 VG+ 4.5

Water damage.

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by George Roussos. Origin and first appearance of the Molecule Man in "The Mysterious Molecule Man!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; The Watcher asks the Fantastic Four to stop a new menace who could destroy the whole universe: the Molecule Man. House ad for Tales To Astonish #49, art by Don Heck. The letters page contains a letter to the editor from George R. R. Martin, best known for the series 'A Song of Ice and Fire,' which HBO's 'A Game of Thrones' is based on (his first time published in print!), as well as a letter from then 10-year-old Mark Gruenwald, who identifies himself as the secretary of the Fantastic Four Fan Club (the Oshkosh contingent, anyway). Cover price $0.12.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 20 PR 0.5

INCOMPLETE. Pieces missing from interior page and back cover, interrupts art or story.

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by George Roussos. Origin and first appearance of the Molecule Man in "The Mysterious Molecule Man!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; The Watcher asks the Fantastic Four to stop a new menace who could destroy the whole universe: the Molecule Man. House ad for Tales To Astonish #49, art by Don Heck. The letters page contains a letter to the editor from George R. R. Martin, best known for the series 'A Song of Ice and Fire,' which HBO's 'A Game of Thrones' is based on (his first time published in print!), as well as a letter from then 10-year-old Mark Gruenwald, who identifies himself as the secretary of the Fantastic Four Fan Club (the Oshkosh contingent, anyway). Cover price $0.12.

Spectrum (1962 Lin Carter) Fanzine 2 FN 6.0

January - February, 1963. Sci-Fi and Fantasy review fanzine Created by Lin Carter. Reviews of a variety of books from the time. 8-1/2" x 11", 28 pages, B&W.

Spectrum (1962 Lin Carter) Fanzine 2 GD 2.0

Last page detached.

January - February, 1963. Sci-Fi and Fantasy review fanzine Created by Lin Carter. Reviews of a variety of books from the time. 8-1/2" x 11", 28 pages, B&W.

Spectrum (1962 Lin Carter) Fanzine 4 GD/VG 3.0

Staples added.

Summer, 1963. Sci-Fi and Fantasy review fanzine Created by Lin Carter. Reviews of a variety of books from the time. 8-1/2" x 11", 30 pages, B&W.

Star-Studded Comics (1963 Texas Trio) 1 GD/VG 3.0

Star-Studded Comics 1 - September 1963 (Following content information for this issue, see a "Brief History of Star-Studded Comics" written by Rick Kelsey) Format: Four-color photo offset for cover and ditto interior Staple bound on side of pages. Original price was 35 cents Color cover by Howard Keltner features the Changling, the Defender, Doctor Weird, and the Astral Man. This was the first color cover EVER for a fandom-produced publication. "Let's Talk It Over!" column with notes and discussion by the Texas Trio. Stories:"The Defender in Slaves of the Brain Ray" A text story by Larry Herndon and illustrations by Richard "Grass" Green "Introducing Dr. Weird" Comic story with script and art by Howard Keltner "The Astral Man" A text story by Tommy Fisher "The Changling In Fearfull [sic] Weapon!" Comic story with script and art by Buddy Saunders A BRIEF HISTORY OF STAR-STUDDED COMICS by Rick Kelsey THE BEGINNING: On February 15, 1963, three young men who loved comic books met at a Carrollton, Texas home to talk about the hobby and the possibility of starting their own comic book. They did just that. The comic was called Star-Studded Comics and those three young men, Larry Herndon, Howard Keltner, and Buddy Saunders, became the "Texas Trio." When the "Texas Trio" started Star-Studded Comics in the early 1960s, it was an exciting time in comic books. New heroes and new teams were premiering like Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, Magnus Robot Fighter, the Justice League of America. And old heroes were being revived like the Flash, Green Lantern, and Captain America. This was a time before VCRs, DVDs, CD-Roms, personal computers, and cellular phones and when checking your mail meant looking in the mailbox in front of your home not turning on the computer and logging onto the internet. Even comic books stores didn't exist. You got the latest issues of Batman, Superman, the Hulk, or Donald Duck from wire racks in convenience stores, drug stores, grocery stores, and the "five-and-10" shops such as Winn's, Ben Franklin's, and TG&Y. And comic book conventions weren't happening yet. All of that helped to make the entertainment value of comic books all the greater and all the more precious. Fans wanted to meet one another and one way to do that was to publish your own comic book or magazine. Many tried but few succeeded as well as "Star-Studded Comics." The problem? A fan-published comic or magazine didn't usually last or appear with the regularity and dependability of a professional comic. Many fan publications ended or went AWOL after one issue. If you think self-publishing today is a tough job, imagine doing that in the 1960s without computers, desktop publishing software, word processing programs, Fax machines, photo-copiers, a home printer, the internet, or even an electric typewriter. Then toss in the fact that there was little, if any, profit to be made publishing your own comic or magazine. So you couldn't make a living from that. Most of these fan publications were done out of the love of the hobby. And when all of your spare time from your job or school is spent working on a comic or mag, your enthusiasm and dedication can quickly fade. Yet, the "Texas Trio" published 18 issues of Star-Studded Comics and in its time became well-known among fans and professionals alike, gave many future comic writers and artists a start in the industry, and entertained many, many people. And today the comic is a collectors' item and a reminder of a wonderful time when comic books were one of the best entertainment sources and a great escape for youngsters. If you want to know more about the history of Star-Studded Comics and the super-heroes, villains, stories, and artwork that appeared in this publication, check out the book "The Best of Star-Studded Comics" by Bill Schelly which is available at the author's website www.billschelly.com Cover price $0.35.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 89 FR 1.0

Cover coming loose at one staple. Oxidation.

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. Thor's origin is retold in "The Thunder God and the Thug!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; A gangster, wounded in an escape, has his men kidnap Dr. Blake to operate on his gunshot wound; Blake transforms himself into Thor and brings the gang to justice and rescues Jane as well; Jane Foster guest appearance ("Foster" as last name finally used). "From Outer Space" text story. "Barker's Body Shop!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), art by Sol Brodsky; A crooked mechanic hires a drifter to customize a car, promising enough money for him to get home; When he refuses to pay the man the drifter takes the car instead, which he converted to be able to fly him home to the stars. "When the Switch Is Pulled," script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; A time machine seems not to work, but actually travelled in a complete loop through time back to its point of origin. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 94 VG- 3.5

Cover oxidation. Water damage.

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. "Thor and Loki Attack the Human Race!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Robert Bernstein (script), art by Joe Sinnott; Loki uses his magic to cause Thor's hammer to hit his head, turning him evil; Odin and Heimdall appearances. "Bird Talk" two-page text story. "Dinner Time on Deimos!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), art by Larry Lieber; In the future, Earth is overpopulated, and even the very rich must work an hour on a farm each week to produce enough food. "The Gentle Old Man!", script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; A greedy landlord is captured by a time traveler who maintains a collection of 'dolls' consisting of miniaturized heartless people from different eras. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 95 CGC 6.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #2103838023

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. "The Demon Duplicators!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Robert Bernstein (script), art by Joe Sinnot; An evil scientist forces Dr. Blake to help him with a duplicating machine by kidnapping Jane; The device duplicates Thor, but cannot duplicate his magic hammer. Odin guest appearance; Jane Foster and Heimdall cameos. "Time Machine" two-page text story. "The Tomb of Tut-Amm-Tut!", script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; An evil pharaoh has himself placed in stasis for centuries to escape his rival, only to find that his rival went into stasis in order to meet him when he awakes. "Save Me From the Lizard Men!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), art by Larry Lieber; A human crashlands on an alien planet, and the inhabitants believe that he is a spy from the shape-shifting people of a nearby world. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 97 CGC 5.5

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4428777006

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by George Roussos. First appearance of the Lava Man in "The Mighty Thor Battles the Lava Man!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Don Heck; Thor battles the Lava Man, a monster brought to the surface by Loki, who claims all the dry surface of Earth for his people; Odin forbids Thor to love Jane Foster, leading to her leaving her job as Dr. Blake's nurse. "The Traveler" text story. "The Perfect Defense!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), pencils by Larry Lieber, inks by George Roussos (as George Bell); In the future, Earth has conquered all planets except one, which no expedition returns from; The military thinks they have some horrific defense, but in fact they are simply so kind to the humans that arrive to conquer that they don't want to leave. "Tales of... ...Asgard! Home of the Mighty Norse Gods," script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by George Roussos (as G. Bell); Beneath Asgard lies the Well of Life. From it came Ymir, greatest of the Frost Giants and Buri, the first Norse God who gave life to Borr. Borr had three sons. Odin was one of them. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 97 CGC 5.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4431551006

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by George Roussos. First appearance of the Lava Man in "The Mighty Thor Battles the Lava Man!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Don Heck; Thor battles the Lava Man, a monster brought to the surface by Loki, who claims all the dry surface of Earth for his people; Odin forbids Thor to love Jane Foster, leading to her leaving her job as Dr. Blake's nurse. "The Traveler" text story. "The Perfect Defense!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), pencils by Larry Lieber, inks by George Roussos (as George Bell); In the future, Earth has conquered all planets except one, which no expedition returns from; The military thinks they have some horrific defense, but in fact they are simply so kind to the humans that arrive to conquer that they don't want to leave. "Tales of... ...Asgard! Home of the Mighty Norse Gods," script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by George Roussos (as G. Bell); Beneath Asgard lies the Well of Life. From it came Ymir, greatest of the Frost Giants and Buri, the first Norse God who gave life to Borr. Borr had three sons. Odin was one of them. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 98 CGC 5.5

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4461653015

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Sol Brodsky. First appearance of the Cobra in "Challenged by the Human Cobra!", script by Stan Lee, art by Don Heck; While visiting India, Don Blake finds that one of his old teachers has been murdered by a villain who gained the power of a snake; Odin and Jane Foster appearances. "Snowstorm" two-page text story. "The Purple Planet," script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), pencils by Larry Lieber, inks by Matt Fox; A criminal in the future travels to a rich but primitive world, hoping to exploit the simple people. Second "Tales of Asgard" installment, "Odin Battles Ymir, King of the Ice Giants," script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Don Heck; The ice giants, led by Ymir, attack Asgard but Odin defends it and traps Ymir inside a ring of fire. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 98 CGC 4.5

Paper: Off white

Label #4461653013

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Sol Brodsky. First appearance of the Cobra in "Challenged by the Human Cobra!", script by Stan Lee, art by Don Heck; While visiting India, Don Blake finds that one of his old teachers has been murdered by a villain who gained the power of a snake; Odin and Jane Foster appearances. "Snowstorm" two-page text story. "The Purple Planet," script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), pencils by Larry Lieber, inks by Matt Fox; A criminal in the future travels to a rich but primitive world, hoping to exploit the simple people. Second "Tales of Asgard" installment, "Odin Battles Ymir, King of the Ice Giants," script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Don Heck; The ice giants, led by Ymir, attack Asgard but Odin defends it and traps Ymir inside a ring of fire. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.