Auctions: comic books April 1977

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 167 VF- 7.5

"Stalked by the Spider-Slayer!" Part 1 of 2. First appearance of Will-O'-the-Wisp. Script by Len Wein. Art by Ross Andru (breakdowns) and Mike Esposito (finishes). Cover by John Romita. With Dr. Marla Madison's new and improved spider-slayer, J. Jonah Jameson takes another run at capturing the wondrous wall-crawler! But in typical fashion, JJJ stumbles and bumbles in his attempt to subdue Spidey! In the meantime though, a new villain has come to New York City: Will-O'-the-Wisp! And the Wisp has unearthly electromagnetic powers! The spider-slayer is just the undercard for the amazing one! Will-O'-the-Wisp is the main event! First appearance of Dr. Bart Hamilton (aka the third Green Goblin). Cameo appearances by Aunt May, Anna Watson, Harry Osborn, Liz Allan, Flash Thompson, and Mary Jane Watson. (Note: The letters page includes a statement of ownership: average print run 555,709; average paid circulation 282,159.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.30.

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 158 CGC 9.2

Paper: White

Label #4632048004

1st appearance of Graviton

"When Avengers Clash! Part 1 of 2. Script by Jim Shooter. Art by Sal Buscema (breakdowns) and Pablo Marcos (finishes). Cover by Jack Kirby and Dan Adkins. Ever since Simon Williams' amazing return from the dead six issues ago, tension has been building between Wonder Man and the Vision. And now things finally boil over in a big way! A horrified Scarlet Witch looks on as the two titans clash inside Avengers Mansion! It's a fight that neither man can win. And after it's over, the Avengers' morale sinks to a new low. Meanwhile north of the border, a brand new villain has seized control of a town in the Canadian Rockies. The Avengers need a big challenge to shake them out of the doldrums; and Graviton is poised to provide it! First appearance of Graviton. Avengers Lineup: Beast, Captain America, Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Vision, Wasp, Wonder Man, and Yellowjacket. 36 pages Cover price $0.30.

Captain America (1968 1st Series) 208 CGC 9.2

Paper: Off white to white

Label #2103421007

First appearance of Armin Zola in "The River of Death!" Script by Jack Kirby. Pencils by Jack Kirby. Inks by Frank Giacoia and John Verpoorten (uncredited). Cover by Jack Kirby and Joe Sinnott. Still on the run in Rio de Muerte, the tired shield-slinger pauses along a riverbank...where he is suddenly ambushed by the Man-Fish! The what? Apparently, a weird red-hued creature lives in the river and attacks anyone who passes by! Oddly enough, Cap is rescued from the Man-Fish by the Swine's prison guards -- and hauled before the Swine himself! But one of the Swine's associates, Donna Maria, comes to Captain America's aid. Then someone really bizarre appears -- a man without a head! How many secrets does this jungle hold? Cameo appearances by Leila Taylor and the Falcon. (Note: This issue includes a full-page ad for Hostess Cup Cakes featuring Spider-Man.) 36 pages. Cover price $0.30.

Ghost Rider (1973 1st Series) 23 VF 8.0

"Wrath of the Water Wizard!" Guest-starring Stunt Master and the Champions (Ice Man, Angel and Black Widow). Story by Gerry Conway and Jim Shooter. Art by Don Heck. Cover by Jack Kirby and John Romita. Ghost Rider faces the new threat of the Water Wizard! Plus, Ghost Rider a Champion no more?! 32 pages, FC. NOTE: 1st appearance of the Water Wizard. Includes Hostess ad "Spider-Man! The Champ!" **NOTE: This issue features the very first time Ghost Rider uses his hellfire to burn another person's soul. Cover price $0.30.

Inhumans (1975 1st Series) 10 CGC 9.2

Paper: White

Label #4224232024

Trapped in the stronghold of their enemies, the Inhumans go wild! Featuring: 17 page Inhumans story "Isle of the Asteroid Web!" Characters: Inhumans [Black Bolt; Medusa; Karnak; Gorgon; Triton; Lockjaw]; Guest: Warkon, Falzon; Villain: Mon-Tog (Intro); Skornn; Kree. Written by Doug Moench, with art by Keith Pollard. Cover by Ed Hannigan and Mike Esposito. Cover price $0.30.

Marvel Premiere (1972) 35 CGC 9.6

Paper: White

Label #4632122007

The 3-D Man! - Written by Roy Thomas. Art by Jim Craig & Dave Hunt. Cover by Jack Kirby & John Verpoorten. Featuring the 3-D Man! Heads up, hit-men! He's coming for you...and there's nowhere you can hide from him! It's the action-packed origin of a startling new super-hero from the fabulous 1950's! Starring the 3-D Man, Chuck Chandler and Skrulls. 32 pages, full color. Cover price $0.30.

Marvel Premiere (1972) 35 CGC 8.5

Paper: White

Label #4646743019

The 3-D Man! - Written by Roy Thomas. Art by Jim Craig & Dave Hunt. Cover by Jack Kirby & John Verpoorten. Featuring the 3-D Man! Heads up, hit-men! He's coming for you...and there's nowhere you can hide from him! It's the action-packed origin of a startling new super-hero from the fabulous 1950's! Starring the 3-D Man, Chuck Chandler and Skrulls. 32 pages, full color. Cover price $0.30.

Spectacular Spider-Man (1976 1st Series) 5 CGC 8.0

Paper: White

Label #2097675010

"Spider-Kill!" Part 2 of 2. Script by Archie Goodwin. Art by Sal Buscema (breakdowns) and Mike Esposito (finishes). Cover by Dave Cockrum. An awesome three-way battle rages outside Peter Parker's apartment! The Vulture vs. the Hitman vs. the Spectacular Spider-Man! As the cover shows, the situation looks grim for the web-slinger as he dangles in midair with the Vulture closing in and the Hitman lining up the kill shot! Will the spectacular one survive? Meanwhile, Flash Thompson and Mary Jane Watson investigate the mysterious reappearance of Sha Shan. (Note: The Hitman returns in Amazing Spider-Man 174.) 32 pages Cover price $0.30.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 258 CGC 9.2

Paper: White

Label #4657809023

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby and John Romita (alterations), inks by John Verpoorten and John Romita (alterations). "If the Stars Be Made of Stone!", script by Len Wein, pencils by John Buscema (breakdowns) and Tony DeZuniga (finished art), inks by Tony DeZuniga; The Grey Gargoyle's pirate ship has come across the Asgardians; The Asgardians begin to quickly go through the pirates, until the Grey Gargoyle enters the fray; He quickly turns everyone but Thor to stone, and before Thor can move, the Grey Gargoyle grabs the petrified Sif, and threatens to smash her unless Thor surrenders; Back in Asgard, the council of war is planning their moves when Karnilla calls Balder to the gate; Just then, the Enchantress and the Executioner break down the door; Back in space, the Asgardians wake from the Grey Gargoyle's spell to find themselves in slave collars. Appearances by Hogun, Fandral, Volstagg, and the Recorder. Hostess snack cakes ad with Spider-Man. 36 pgs., full color. $0.30. Cover price $0.30.

Uncanny X-Men (1963 1st Series) 104 FN/VF 7.0

"Magneto!" Starjammers cameo. Story by Chris Claremont. Art by Dave Cockrum and Sam Grainger. You knew it had to happen sooner or later, the all new X-Men must battle the team's oldest and most dangerous adversary - Magneto, the Master of Magnetism! Plus, who are the Starjammers, and what is Mutant X? NOTE: 1st appearance of the Starjammers - Corsair and Ch'od. 36 pgs. Cover price $0.30.