Auctions: comic books April 1954

Batman (1940) 83 FR 1.0

6.5" Cumulative spine split. Cover detached.

Cover pencils by Dick Sprang, inks by Charles Paris. "The Duplicate Batman!", script by David Vern, art by Sheldon Moldoff; When Batman crashes in the Batplane in a remote mountainous area, crooks learn of it and hire an ex-con and Bruce Wayne look-alike to pose as Batman while they loot Gotham City. Two-page Jerry the Jitterbug story by Henry Boltinoff. Special Brotherhood Week (2/21-28) Quiz public service announcement by Buzzy, script by Jack Schiff, art by Ruben Moreira. "The Deep-Sea Diver Mystery!", script by Alvin Schwartz, art by Dick Sprang; Batman has to solve the mystery of a man in diving gear who is murdered outside Commissioner Gordon's home, and who leaves the Caped Crusader just two whispered clues to his death. One-page Casey the Cop story by Henry Boltinoff. "Bedloe Street Beat" text story. "The Testing of Batman!", script by Edmond Hamilton, pencils by Dick Sprang, inks by Charles Paris; Batman agrees to help a psychologist with some of his experiments, but a crime boss learns of this and replaces the psychologist with a phony, captures the Dynamic Duo and puts them through a series of horrific tests while the gang seeks to rob the Gotham Mint. Quarter-page Wildroot Cream-Oil ad by Al Capp featuring Fearless Fosdick. 44 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Black Cat Mystery (1951-1963 Harvey) 49 GD/VG 3.0

Cover oxidation. Water spotting.

Cover by Lee Elias. Stories and art by Bob Powell, Howard Nostrand, John Giunta and Joe Certa. Former superhero comic Black Cat becomes a showcase for Harvey's unique brand of pre-Code horror. Henpecked Abner contends with his domineering wife over their shared bathroom, until one day Abner just snaps. A dark spoof of The Three Musketeers finds the sinister Milady with a secret advantage against the heroes. A harried businessman is tormented by letters from Death, promising an impending meeting. Clean As a Whistle; The Three Musketeers; Paranoia; A Promise Kept. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Voodoo (1952 Ajax/Farrell) 14 FR 1.0

Full length spine split (taped). Centerfold detached. Tape on interior cover and under staples. Cover oxidation.

Ajax-Farrell's horror series Voodoo managed to stand out in the crowded field of pre-Code horror comics by dint of its sheer weirdness. Jerry learns the horrifying truth about Jessica's many husbands. In another classic story, a cheating wife and her lover have their heads shrunk while they're still alive. When undertakers go on strike, zombies rise to take over. Another strange cover by an unknown artist features a beauty contest with Death as the judge. Witch or Widow; Heads of Horror; Morgue Bait; Assignment Terror!; Corpses…Coast to Coast. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.