Auctions: comic books June 1980

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 205D VF+ 8.5

Direct Edition. "...In Love and War!" Part 2 of 2. Script by David Michelinie. Pencils by Keith Pollard. Inks by Jim Mooney. Cover by Al Milgrom. The crafty Black Cat continues to elude the wondrous wall-crawler! So far Felicia has collected two of the four romantic artifacts she seeks! However it will be much more difficult to grab the last two with a certain web-slinging superhero poised to stop her! At an east side estate, the cat steals her final prize! But the amazing one follows her home! Will Spider-Man and Felicia finally resolve their differences? A surprise ending with a tender hug! (Note: The Black Cat returns in Amazing Spider-Man 226.) Cover price $0.40.

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 196N VG/FN 5.0

Newsstand Edition. "The Terrible Toll of the Taskmaster" Guest-starring Ant-Man. Script by David Michelinie. Pencils by George Perez. Inks by Jack Abel. Cover by George Perez and Joe Rubinstein. A brand new villain, the Taskmaster, has turned the tables on the Wasp, Yellowjacket, and Ant-Man! The three insect-like super-heroes are prisoners inside the Taskmaster's training academy! The good news is that seven avengers are waiting outside the training compound, but the bad news...none of them know that their teammates are in grave danger! However, Earth Mightiest Heroes follow the ants, and the trail leads to the Taskmaster! Is the villain with the photographic reflexes ready to battle the Avengers? Choose wisely dear Taskmaster! First (full) appearance and origin of the Taskmaster. (Notes: The Taskmaster appears next in Marvel Team-Up 103. The letters page includes a letter from comics writer Kurt Busiek.) 32 pages Cover price $0.40.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 296 CGC 9.6

Paper: White

Label #4526573022

The Eternals Saga: Part 15 of 20 - Cover by Keith Pollard. The Valkyrie guest stars in "From Valhalla - A Valkyrie!", script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Keith Pollard (breakdowns), and Chic Stone (finished art), inks by Chic Stone (pages 1-16, 19-22) and Marie Severin (pages 17, 23-31, uncredited); The Eye of Odin continues to tell its tale to Thor; He sees a version of himself, but apparently mortal, fighting against a storm, until he sees a dwelling and seeks shelter within; A woman gets him some water when her husband comes home, and offers him his hospitality; Hunding asks for his story and this mortal Thor tells him his name is Woe-King, he had a twin sister and their father's name was Wulf; They had returned home one day to find his mother dead and his sister gone, apparently killed by their enemies, the Neidings. He has since wandered, until he recently came across a clan forcing a woman into a marriage she didn't want; He managed to slay them, but during the fray, the woman is accidentally killed. Bullpen Bulletins. "The Trap" Hostess snack cakes ad with Spider-Man. 36 pgs., full color. $0.40. Cover price $0.40.

Uncanny X-Men (1963 1st Series) 134D VF+ 8.5 Direct Variant

Direct Edition. The Dark Phoenix Saga: Part 6 of 9 - "Too Late, The Heroes!" Story by Chris Claremont and John Byrne. Art by John Byrne and Terry Austin. The X-Men finally turn the tables on their captors, but too late to help Jean Grey. For months the Master of Illusion, Mastermind, in the guise of Jason Wyngarde, has been psychically seducing Jean. However, his mental tampering has unleashed the most dangerous creature this universe has ever seen. Thus, the Dark Phoenix is born, and no force on earth may be able to stop her. Cover price $0.40.

Uncanny X-Men (1963 1st Series) 134D FN/VF 7.0 Direct Variant

Direct Edition. The Dark Phoenix Saga: Part 6 of 9 - "Too Late, The Heroes!" Story by Chris Claremont and John Byrne. Art by John Byrne and Terry Austin. The X-Men finally turn the tables on their captors, but too late to help Jean Grey. For months the Master of Illusion, Mastermind, in the guise of Jason Wyngarde, has been psychically seducing Jean. However, his mental tampering has unleashed the most dangerous creature this universe has ever seen. Thus, the Dark Phoenix is born, and no force on earth may be able to stop her. Cover price $0.40.