Auctions: comic books April 1968

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 59 VG 4.0

Water spotting.

First cover appearance of Mary Jane Watson in "The Brand of the Brainwasher!" Part 1 of 3. Script by Stan Lee. Art by John Romita (layouts) and Don Heck (pencils). Inks by Mike Esposito (as Mickey Demeo). Classic cover by John Romita. Mary Jane has a new job as a go-go dancer at the Gloom Room nightclub! And for MJ's opening night many of her friendsand city officials -- including Captain George Stacy -- attend the show. Interestingly, Mary Jane has a second task for the evening: take pictures of the club's guests with a special camera. After MJ snaps a photo of Gwen's father, he begins acting strangely and then disappears! Who is the owner of this nightclub by the way? Peter suspects that something is amiss, so he quickly changes clothes and swings into action! The night began with Peter Parker on a date with Gwen Stacy...and ends with the Amazing Spider-Manrescuing Mary Jane Watson! A fun issue! Cameo appearances by Aunt May, Harry Osborn, and the Kingpin. (Notes: This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales #42. This issue includes a statement of ownership: average print run: 587,213; average paid circulation 361,663.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.12.

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 59 GD/VG 3.0

Water spotting.

First cover appearance of Mary Jane Watson in "The Brand of the Brainwasher!" Part 1 of 3. Script by Stan Lee. Art by John Romita (layouts) and Don Heck (pencils). Inks by Mike Esposito (as Mickey Demeo). Classic cover by John Romita. Mary Jane has a new job as a go-go dancer at the Gloom Room nightclub! And for MJ's opening night many of her friendsand city officials -- including Captain George Stacy -- attend the show. Interestingly, Mary Jane has a second task for the evening: take pictures of the club's guests with a special camera. After MJ snaps a photo of Gwen's father, he begins acting strangely and then disappears! Who is the owner of this nightclub by the way? Peter suspects that something is amiss, so he quickly changes clothes and swings into action! The night began with Peter Parker on a date with Gwen Stacy...and ends with the Amazing Spider-Manrescuing Mary Jane Watson! A fun issue! Cameo appearances by Aunt May, Harry Osborn, and the Kingpin. (Notes: This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales #42. This issue includes a statement of ownership: average print run: 587,213; average paid circulation 361,663.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.12.

Daredevil (1964 1st Series) 39 FN+ 6.5

Cover pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Frank Giacoia. Introducing The Exterminator and the Super-Powered Unholy Three (Ape Man, Bird Man, and Cat Man, previously in DD 10 and 11), script by Stan Lee, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by George Tuska; Daredevil tangles with the Unholy Three, little realizing that their new boss, the Exterminator, has developed a time displacement gun; Crashing a Nelson and Murdock double-date, the Three zap Debbie into oblivion for betraying their former boss, the Organizer; first appearance of the Exterminator; he later becomes the Death-Stalker in DD 158 (the first Frank Miller issue). 36 pgs. Cover price $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Incredible Hulk (1962 Marvel 1st Series) 102 GD/VG 3.0

Water damage.

Formerly Tales to Astonish. Cover pencils by Marie Severin, inks by Frank Giacoia. This World Not His Own!, script by Gary Friedrich, pencils by Marie Severin, inks by George Tuska and Syd Shores; Bruce Banner is falling down a bottomless pit back to Midgard when the Enchantress plucks him back to Asgard out of curiosity; The Warriors Three consult Oldar the Oracle and find out the origins of the Hulk; Captured by Enchantress and Executioner, Banner transforms into the Hulk which enrages the Executioner who has fought the jade giant before (back in TTA #77); Leaving the Hulk behind, the evil duo lead an army of trolls against Asgard and the Hulk arrives on the scene just in time to lend a hand in the victory of Odin's forces. House ad for Not Brand Echh #7 and Daredevil #38. 36 pgs. This issue picks up after the events of Tales to Astonish (1959-1968 1st Series) #101. Cover price $0.12.

Iron Man and Sub-Mariner (1968) 1 VG- 3.5

Moisture damage.

Cover pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Bill Everett. "The Torrent Without - The Tumult Within!," script by Archie Goodwin, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Johnny Craig; Iron Man escapes from the trap set up by Whiplash and the Big M when a cadre of AIM agents attacks the Maggia's gambling ship. "Call Him Destiny... or Call Him Death!," script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Frank Giacoia; As Namor battles Destiny, the villain recounts his past connection to Namor's father. Pre-dates both Iron Man #1 and Sub-Mariner #1; Iron Man story continues in Iron Man #1, while the Sub-Mariner story continues in Sub-Mariner #1. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Uncanny X-Men (1963 1st Series) 43 VG+ 4.5

"The Torch Is Passed...!" Script by Roy Thomas. Pencils by George Tuska. Inks by John Tartaglione. Cover by John Buscema. Following the tragic events of last issue, the downtrodden X-Men attend Professor X's funeral. The graveside service is briefly interrupted when the young mutants spot Quicksilver paying his respects from a distance. After the service the X-Men return to their Westchester mansion and listen to a posthumous message from their beloved mentor in which he, Charles Xavier, officially passes the torch to his students. In the meantime Quicksilver returns to Magneto'sAtlantic Island lair! But the erstwhile avenger is plagued with doubts about his decision to ally himself and his sister with the Master of Magnetism again! However Pietro doesn't have time to brood once Cyclops and his teammates discover Magneto's Atlantic hideaway! And the familiar battle is quickly joined: the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants vs. the Uncanny X-Men! Cameo appearances by the Scarlet Witch and Toad. Second story: "Call Him... Cyclops" Script by Roy Thomas. Pencils by Werner Roth. Inks by JohnVerpoorten. This five-page feature explains Cyclops' powers. (Notes: Elements of the story continue from Avengers (1963-1996 1st series) #49 in which Pietro and Wanda were duped into rejoining the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. This story was reprinted in Uncanny X-Men #91.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.12.

Uncanny X-Men (1963 1st Series) 43 GD- 1.8

Cover and one inner wrap detached at one staple. Centerfold detached. Water damage.

"The Torch Is Passed...!" Script by Roy Thomas. Pencils by George Tuska. Inks by John Tartaglione. Cover by John Buscema. Following the tragic events of last issue, the downtrodden X-Men attend Professor X's funeral. The graveside service is briefly interrupted when the young mutants spot Quicksilver paying his respects from a distance. After the service the X-Men return to their Westchester mansion and listen to a posthumous message from their beloved mentor in which he, Charles Xavier, officially passes the torch to his students. In the meantime Quicksilver returns to Magneto'sAtlantic Island lair! But the erstwhile avenger is plagued with doubts about his decision to ally himself and his sister with the Master of Magnetism again! However Pietro doesn't have time to brood once Cyclops and his teammates discover Magneto's Atlantic hideaway! And the familiar battle is quickly joined: the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants vs. the Uncanny X-Men! Cameo appearances by the Scarlet Witch and Toad. Second story: "Call Him... Cyclops" Script by Roy Thomas. Pencils by Werner Roth. Inks by JohnVerpoorten. This five-page feature explains Cyclops' powers. (Notes: Elements of the story continue from Avengers (1963-1996 1st series) #49 in which Pietro and Wanda were duped into rejoining the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. This story was reprinted in Uncanny X-Men #91.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.12.

Wonder Woman (1942 1st Series DC) 175 VG+ 4.5

Cover oxidation. Water spotting.

Cover by Irv Novick. "Wonder Woman's Evil Twin!", script by Robert Kanigher, pencils by Irv Novick, inks by Mike Esposito; Mr. Gargoyle, a villain whose face has been disfigured in an explosion, forcing him to wear a gargoyle-like mask, tries to force Wonder Woman to love him by capturing both her and Steve Trevor and placing Trevor in a deathtrap; Gargoyle says that he will release Trevor if she will fall in love with him. Supergirl ad. Tomahawk ad. Love Charms! filler page, script by Julius Schwartz, pencils by Morris Waldinger, inks by Tommy Nicolosi. Statement of ownership - average print run 333,000; average paid circulation 175,000. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Wonder Woman (1942 1st Series DC) 175 VG- 3.5

Cover detached at one staple. Staple rust.

Cover by Irv Novick. "Wonder Woman's Evil Twin!", script by Robert Kanigher, pencils by Irv Novick, inks by Mike Esposito; Mr. Gargoyle, a villain whose face has been disfigured in an explosion, forcing him to wear a gargoyle-like mask, tries to force Wonder Woman to love him by capturing both her and Steve Trevor and placing Trevor in a deathtrap; Gargoyle says that he will release Trevor if she will fall in love with him. Supergirl ad. Tomahawk ad. Love Charms! filler page, script by Julius Schwartz, pencils by Morris Waldinger, inks by Tommy Nicolosi. Statement of ownership - average print run 333,000; average paid circulation 175,000. 36 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.