Auctions: comic books April 1965

Daredevil (1964 1st Series) 7 GD+ 2.5

"In Mortal Combat with Sub-Mariner!" Written by Stan Lee. Art and cover by Wally Wood. Namor hires Franklin and Murdock to sue the human race on his behalf. When this doesn't work, he gets himself arrested so he can have his day in court. Realizing humanity won't listen, the Sub-Mariner goes on a rampage which brings Daredevil into the (hopeless) fray. Namor returns to the sea out of respect for DD and to stop Krang from taking over Atlantis. Sub-Mariner/Daredevil pin-up by Wood. Note: First appearance of Daredevil's red costume. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.12.

Showcase (1956-1978) 55 VG/FN 5.0

Cover by Murphy Anderson. 1st solo Golden Age Green Lantern in Silver Age (pre-dates Green Lantern 40), Doctor Fate, and Hourman star in "Solomon Grundy Goes on a Rampage!", script by Gardner Fox, art by Murphy Anderson; When Solomon Grundy last fought Green Lantern Alan Scott, Green Lantern encased Solomon Grundy in an emerald sphere prison floating above Earth; Years later, the sphere has now crash landed back on Earth, and Solomon Grundy has emerged to get his revenge on Green Lantern; Solomon Grundy instinctually heads back to his home of Slaughter Swamp, which at this point is bordering the Tyler Chemical Company plant; At the Tower of Fate, Kent Nelson is warned that there is trouble by his crystal ball; Seeing the source of the trouble to be Slaughter Swamp, Nelson becomes Dr. Fate; Hourman comes across Solomon Grundy in Slaughter Swamp; Hourman pops his Miraclo pill, then attacks Solomon Grundy. One-page text feature tells the origins of Dr. Fate and Hourman. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951-1976 1st Series) 131 VG- 3.5 (R)

Restored (see item notes)

RESTORATION. Color touch. 1/2" cumulative spine split. Water spotting.

Cover pencils by Bob Powell, Steve Ditko (Dr. Strange figure), inks by Mike Esposito and Steve Ditko (Dr. Strange figure). The Human Torch and the Thing star in "The Bouncing Ball of Doom!", script by Stan Lee and Bob Powell (co-plot), pencils by Bob Powell, inks by Dick Ayers; The Mad Thinker's latest plot involves a flying, electronics-laden metal ball, which nearly manages to destroy a dam; Cameos by Reed Richards and Sue Storm. "The Hunter and the Hunted!", script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Stan Lee (dialogue), art by Steve Ditko; In the far East, Strange is on the run from Mordo and his minions, unaware that Mordo's increased power comes from Dormammu; As Mordo forcibly recruits more followers to search for Strange the mage makes plans to hop a plane to New York City. Statement of ownership--average print run 315,500; average paid circulation 214,800. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Tales of Suspense (1959) 64 FN 6.0

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Chic Stone. Third appearance of Hawkeye, and the first appearance of Black Widow's costume in "Hawkeye and the New Black Widow Strike Again!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Don Heck, inks by Chic Stone; Iron Man tackles Hawkeye and the new Black Widow, who is now a costumed villainess. "Among Us, Wreckers Dwell!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Frank Giacoia (as Frank Ray); Sando, a Nazi agent posing as a stage act with the innocent Omar, lures Captain America and Bucky into a trap involving "mental projections" of sabotage against Allied forces; This is a re-telling of "Case No. 2" from Captain America Comics #1, March 1941. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.12.

Tales to Astonish (1959-1968 1st Series) 66 VG/FN 5.0 (R)

Restored (see item notes)

RESTORATION. Color touch.

Cover by Jack Kirby, Bob Powell, and Frank Giacoia. The Menace of Madam Macabre, script by Stan Lee, art by Bob Powell and Frank Giacoia (as Frankie Ray); Giant-Man is pitted against a disciple of the Mandarin who also has the power to grow and shrink things at will. The Power of Dr. Banner!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko and Vince Colletta; The Hulk escapes from his Russian captors with a fellow fugitive who gives his life to save the jade giant from a blast from the powerful proton gun; Angry at the death of his friend, Hulk decides to take his fight to the commies. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.