Auctions: comic books November 1969

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 78 VF- 7.5

First appearance of the Prowler in "The Night of the Prowler!" Part 1 of 2. Script by Stan Lee. Art by John Buscema (layouts) and Jim Mooney (finishes). Cover by John Romita. In order to make a name for himself, a down on his luck window washer named Hobie Brown becomes a super-villain. And using his own ideas and equipment, Hobie creates weapons and a costume -- and the Prowler is born! In the meantime, Peter Parker is also feeling downtrodden after seeing Gwen Stacy and Flash Thompson having coffee together. Later that evening, Peter stops by the Daily Bugle hoping for a payday advance. But instead he sees the Prowler stealing the Bugle's payroll bag! And suddenly it's the Prowler vs. Peter Parker...with J. Jonah Jameson standing by! Origin of the Prowler. Cameo appearances by Harry Osborn, Joe Robertson, and Mindy Brown. (Note: This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales #59.) 32 pages. Cover price $0.15.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 92 FN- 5.5

"Ben Grimm, Killer!" Part 3 of 4. Written by Stan Lee. Pencils by Jack Kirby. Inks by Joe Sinnott. Cover by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott. Trapped on the planet Kral in the Skrull galaxy, Ben Grimm waits for his turn in the arena of death! The Thing's scheduled opponent is his cellmate, Torgo! The powerful mechanoid from the planet Mekka! At the Great Games, the Thing will fight for Boss Barker's cartel, while Torgo will battle for Lippy Louie's racket! But is there any chance Ben could convince Torgo to fight with him for life…instead of against him for death? Meanwhile back on Earth, Reed surmises that the Skrulls must be behind Ben's disappearance! Can Mr. Fantastic, Crystal, and the Human Torch reach Kral before the death-duel begins? Cameo appearance by the Invisible Girl. (Notes: The letters page includes a letter from comics publisher Howard Keltner of Star-Studded comics fanzine fame.) Cover price $0.15.

Nick Fury Agent of SHIELD (1968 1st Series) 15 CGC 6.5

Paper: White

Label #4125690022

Cover pencils by Herb Trimpe, inks by Sam Grainger. First appearance and death of Bull's-Eye in "The Assassination of Nick Fury!", script by Gary Friedrich (plot, dialogue), Herb Trimpe (plot), and Dick Ayers (plot), pencils by Herb Trimpe and Dick Ayers, inks by Sam Grainger; HYDRA Number 72 hires the services of Bulls-eye, a paid assassin, to kill Nick Fury; Fury is concerned that 3 CIA operatives have been killed, and feels SHIELD could handle the investigation better than they could; Fury picks up Laura for a date, and as they drive, they're followed all over town by Bulls-eye; Number 72 plans to turn NYC into a "bloody battleground" within the hour following Fury's death; Fury & Laura attend a concert by Country Joe & The Fish in Central Park, when Bulls-eye strikes! Abruptly, Number 72 decides this would be the moment SHIELD would expect HYDRA to strike - and changes his plans!; Instead, SHIELD converges on Central Park, and corner Bulls-eye, who decides to shoot it out with them. Dugan shoots Bulls-eye dead, then ponders if there's any pieces of SHIELD left to pick up. 36 pgs., full color. $0.15. Cover price $0.15.

Vampirella (1969 Warren) 2 FN/VF 7.0

Stories in this issue include: "Vampi's Feary Tales," "Evily" (starring Vampirella's cousin); "Montezuma's Monster"; "Down to Earth" (with cameos by Forry Ackerman and James Warren); "Queen of Horror"; "The Octopus"; "One, Two, Three" (a robot tale); and "Rhapsody in Red." Written by Forrest J Ackerman, Nicola Cuti, Don Glut, Bill Parente, and R. Michael Rosen. Art by William Barry, Ernie Colon, Billy Graham, Mike Royer, Jerry Grandenetti, Dick Piscopo, and Tony Williamsune. Cover art by Bill Hughes. 68 pages, B&W. Cover price $0.50.