Auctions: comic books February 1974

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 129 VG+ 4.5

First appearances of the Punisher and the Jackal in "The Punisher Strikes Twice!" Script by Gerry Conway. Pencils by Ross Andru. Inks by Frank Giacoia and Dave Hunt (backgrounds). Cover by Gil Kane and John Romita. One of the landmark issues of the bronze age! The Punisher, the legendary gun-toting vigilante, makes his first appearance in the Marvel Universe! And his first target...is none other than your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! But before Frank Castle can locate the web-slinger, he needs directions from a mysterious new super-villain called the Jackal! Once the dastardly Jackal tells the sharpshooting anti-hero where to find the wall-crawler, the inaugural battle between the Punisher and the Amazing Spider-Man erupts! The first of many classic confrontations! Cameo appearances by Mary Jane Watson, Harry Osborn, Betty Brant, Joe Robertson, and J. Jonah Jameson. (Notes: The Punisher appears next in Amazing Spider-Man 134 (cameo) and 135. The letters page includes a letter from comics writer Ralph Macchio. This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales 106 and again in Marvel Tales 209.) 32 pages. 20 cent cover price. Cover price $0.20.

Vampire Tales (1973) 3 VG 4.0

Corner margin pieces torn out.

Painted cover art by Luis Dominguez. "The Kiss of Death," script by Gerry Conway, art by Esteban Maroto; A preacher tries to have Satana killed. "The Collection," script by Bhob Stewart, pencils by Paul Reinman, inks by Russ Jones and Bhob Stewart (backgrounds). "Don't Try To Outsmart the Devil," script by Stan Lee, pencils by Carmine Infantino; An evil man makes a bargain with Satan that his heart will never stop beating so that he will live forever, but Satan merely arranges it so that his heart continues to beat after his body has rotted away. "Bat's Belfry," script by Don McGregor, art by Vicente Alcazar; adapted from August Derleth's first published short story. "Vampires In Time and Space" one-page story, script by Tony Isabella, art by Pablo Marcos. "Demon Fire," script by Don McGregor, pencils by Rich Buckler, inks by Klaus Janson; story about a demonic cult. 68 pgs., B&W. Cover price $0.75.