Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) comic books

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 48 GD+ 2.5

The Deserted Lighthouse, pencils by Bob Forgione, inks by Jack Abel. The Man Who Stole a Skyscraper, art by Manny Stallman. The Men In Space, art by Bill Walton. I've Got To Hide, art by Mort Meskin. Muscle Man text story. Medicine Man, art by Ed Winiarski. The Last of Mr. Grimm, art by Dick Ayers. 36 pgs. $0.10. Cover price $0.10.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 84 CGC 3.0

Paper: Off white

Label #4646452002

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. "The Wonder of the Ages!!! Magneto!", pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers (prototype of the X-Men's Magneto); A strong man is exploited and abandoned, unable to find work except in a freak show; His size makes him the perfect pilot for an experimental space flight, on which he gains magnetic powers. "The Inventor" text story. "Twelve Silent Men!", art by Paul Reinman; A greedy lawyer steals a time machine in order to profit from knowledge from the future; Once there he is tried for stealing the machine. "They Met on Mars!", art by Steve Ditko; Two beings in grotesque space suits fight on Mars; One of them destroys the other's ship and escapes, with the two never knowing that they were both humans: one from the US, one from the USSR. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 89 CBCS 6.0

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #00-0009861-AA-023

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. 1st appearance of Fin Fang Foom in "Fin Fang Foom!", pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; A young historian from Taiwan crosses to the mainland to awake the dragon Fin Fang Foom and foil a communist invasion; He lures the dragon to the coast to wreck the invasion fleet. "The Future" text story. "The Green Things!", script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; A wealthy retiree keeps a magnificent greenhouse, where he talks to the plants; When a burglar tries to kill him, his plants come to life and stop the intruder, saving their friend's life. "The Touch of Midas!", art by Paul Reinman; A greedy man locates the source of Midass power, planning to stop the undesirable effects with gloves; He gains the power but finds that his gloves turn to gold, dooming him to the same fate as Midas. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.10.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 95 GD 2.0

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. "The Two-Headed Thing!", pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; In a storm, a convict escapes through a hole smashed in the wall; When he is found, he tells a tale of a shape-shifting monster; When the guards scoff, the escapee reveals that HE is the monster. "Muscle Man" text story. "The Monster Escapes!", pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; An alien planning to invade Earth crash lands and tries to find a rocket to escape; Instead, he accidentally conceals himself in an airtight time capsule and suffocates. "The Cave of Shaggdorr!", art by Don Heck; No one had ever returned from a treasure search in the cave of the Shaggdorr on Ursa Centaurius; Bruno Krugg escapes the authorities and heads for the planet to steal the treasure. "Do Not Panic!", script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; An alien craft arrives over a city and descends; The pilot wears a frightening spacesuit, but since the military do not panic, they do not attack, and when the human pilot removes his helmet he is warmly greeted by the people of Mars. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 104 CGC 5.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4641361009

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. First appearance of Paste-Pot Pete (later called the Trapster) in "Paste-Pot Pete!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; Human Torch stops Paste-Pot Pete from stealing an experimental missile from the military. "Venus!" text story. "Markham's Magic Crayon!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), art by Paul Reinman; A greedy factory owner fires a worker who claims to have made a magic crayon; He finds that the crayon really is magic, giving him the ability to draw fabulously. "The Frog-Man!", script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; An evil king is turned into a frog by a sorcerer; He hibernates for centuries hoping that the future will hold a cure, but Halloween costumes make him think that humans are now giant frogs and he goes to sleep forever. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 104 GD+ 2.5 (R)

Trimmed

TRIMMED. Cover oxidation. Staples added (not manufacturing).

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. First appearance of Paste-Pot Pete (later called the Trapster) in "Paste-Pot Pete!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; Human Torch stops Paste-Pot Pete from stealing an experimental missile from the military. "Venus!" text story. "Markham's Magic Crayon!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), art by Paul Reinman; A greedy factory owner fires a worker who claims to have made a magic crayon; He finds that the crayon really is magic, giving him the ability to draw fabulously. "The Frog-Man!", script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; An evil king is turned into a frog by a sorcerer; He hibernates for centuries hoping that the future will hold a cure, but Halloween costumes make him think that humans are now giant frogs and he goes to sleep forever. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 105 CGC 5.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4646436020

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. The Human Torch stars in "The Return of the Wizard!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; In prison, The Wizard becomes a model prisoner—just so he can become a trustee, work in the hospital, have access to chemicals...and break jail! "Discovery," art by Joe Maneely; A scrawny man is given a magic candy bar that confers great strength, but he discovers that he already possesses more strength than he suspects. "Man Alone!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), art by Don Heck; A man has recurring dreams of solitary confinement and goes to sea to escape this fate. He is shipwrecked and left alone on a desert island, unaware that this is the solitude he was destined for. "The Supernatural!", script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; A house appears to be magically dismantled by wisps of smoke, but it is only a girl playing with her dollhouse while her father smokes. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 108 CGC 5.5

Paper: White

Label #4646436022

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. The Human Torch stars in "The Painter of a Thousand Perils!", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Robert Bernstein [as R. Berns] (script), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; A counterfeiter caught by the Human Torch finds magic paints and uses them to escape from prison and strike back at the Torch; Fantastic Four guest appearance. "The Heat's On" text story, art by Don Heck. "The Silent Giant," script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), pencils by Larry Lieber, inks by Sol Brodsky; An old hermit becomes enraged that the nearby redwood tree will outlive him, but when he dies the tree transforms its friend into an immortal redwood too. "The Iron Warrior," art by Steve Ditko; A knight of King Arthur's court resents the favor shown Merlin and so challenges him to a battle; Merlin's champion, a black knight, wins the competition; The envious knight still sneers at Merlin and claims he has no true magic powers. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 109 CGC 6.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4641361010

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. The Human Torch stars in "The Sorcerer and Pandora's Box," script by Stan Lee (plot) and Robert Bernstein [as R. Berns] (script), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; The Human Torch fights a sorcerer that unleashes the evils imprisoned in Pandoras Box for his own profit; Fantastic Four guest appearance. "The Comic" text story. "Earth Is Off-Limits!", script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko; Space explorers discover life on a far off planet, but mission control panics at the thought of alien germs loose on Earth and so forbids them to return. "Time Was...", script by Stan Lee (plot) and Larry Lieber (script), pencils by Larry Lieber, inks by Sol Brodsky; A scientist builds a time machine and travels to prehistoric times; When he kills an attacking caveman he unknowingly kills his own human ancestor, meaning that he becomes a Neanderthal. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 114 VG+ 4.5

Moisture damage.

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. "The Human Torch Meets... Captain America", script by Stan Lee (co-plot, dialogue) and Jack Kirby (co-plot, uncredited), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; The Human Torch is upstaged by the return of Captain America, but the Torch realizes that it is his old enemy the Acrobat in disguise and defeats him; This is the first appearance of Captain America since the Golden Age (though it's actually the Acrobat from issue 106 disguised as the hero). "The Bridge" text story. Third appearance of Dr. Strange in "The Return of the Omnipotent Baron Mordo!", script by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (co-plot), pencils by Steve Ditko, inks by George Roussos; Strange is lured into a trap in England by Baron Mordo, but defeats him with the help of a woman with latent magical talents; First appearance of Victoria Bentley. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 114 GD 2.0

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. "The Human Torch Meets... Captain America", script by Stan Lee (co-plot, dialogue) and Jack Kirby (co-plot, uncredited), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; The Human Torch is upstaged by the return of Captain America, but the Torch realizes that it is his old enemy the Acrobat in disguise and defeats him; This is the first appearance of Captain America since the Golden Age (though it's actually the Acrobat from issue 106 disguised as the hero). "The Bridge" text story. Third appearance of Dr. Strange in "The Return of the Omnipotent Baron Mordo!", script by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (co-plot), pencils by Steve Ditko, inks by George Roussos; Strange is lured into a trap in England by Baron Mordo, but defeats him with the help of a woman with latent magical talents; First appearance of Victoria Bentley. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 116 GD- 1.8

MARRIED Cover. Interior tape and staples added (not manufacturing).

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by George Roussos. "In the Clutches of the Puppet Master!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Dick Ayers, inks by George Roussos (as Geo. Bell); The Puppet Master manipulates the Thing into fighting the Human Torch, hoping to pick off the Fantastic Four one at a time; Sue Storm and Reed Richards cameos. "The Radio" text story. "Return to the Nightmare World!", script by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (co-plot), art by Steve Ditko; Nightmare has discovered the ability to capture humans and bring them to his world for study while they sleep; The police ask Strange's help, as a "last resort," to discover the cause behind a rash of people unable to awaken; Strange tracks the cause down to the Nightmare World, and has a rematch with his old foe. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 117 CGC 7.0

Paper: White

Label #4646436023

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko (Eel figure), inks by Sol Brodsky and Steve Ditko (Eel Figure). The Human Torch battles the Eel (from issue #112) in "The Return of the Eel!", script by Stan Lee (co-plot, script) and Dick Ayers (co-plot, un-credited), art by Dick Ayers; Having served his time, The Eel is released from jail, but Johnny's suspicious because he left prison wearing his Eel costume; Taking a security guard job at an aquarium, The Eel begins pulling crimes. "From Outer Space" text story. "The Many Traps of Baron Mordo!", script by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (co-plot), art by Steve Ditko; Mordo places a spell over Strange's house that causes it to vanish to another dimension; Strange manages to track Mordo down using his ethereal form, but it becomes trapped in Mordo's lair; Mordo goes to see The Ancient One, claiming he's changed his way, just so he can attack him unawares. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 117 VG+ 4.5

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko (Eel figure), inks by Sol Brodsky and Steve Ditko (Eel Figure). The Human Torch battles the Eel (from issue #112) in "The Return of the Eel!", script by Stan Lee (co-plot, script) and Dick Ayers (co-plot, un-credited), art by Dick Ayers; Having served his time, The Eel is released from jail, but Johnny's suspicious because he left prison wearing his Eel costume; Taking a security guard job at an aquarium, The Eel begins pulling crimes. "From Outer Space" text story. "The Many Traps of Baron Mordo!", script by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (co-plot), art by Steve Ditko; Mordo places a spell over Strange's house that causes it to vanish to another dimension; Strange manages to track Mordo down using his ethereal form, but it becomes trapped in Mordo's lair; Mordo goes to see The Ancient One, claiming he's changed his way, just so he can attack him unawares. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 119 GD+ 2.5

Cover detached at one staple.

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by George Roussos. "The Torch Goes Wild!", script by Stan Lee (plot, script) and Dick Ayers (plot, un-credited), art by Dick Ayers; A demagogue drums up public opinion against the Torch, as part of a communist plot against an American ally; The Torch regains the public trust by stopping him and using his own mind control devices to turn him to the American side; Cameos by Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four. "Beyond the Purple Veil!", script by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (co-plot), art by Steve Ditko; Doctor Strange must rescue two thieves who unwittingly steal a magic gem from him and are trapped in a mystical dimension as a result. (There is no text story in this issue.) 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 120 CGC 7.5

Paper: White

Label #4641361012

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by George Roussos. First Iceman crossover in "The Torch Meets Iceman!", script by Stan Lee (plot, script) and Jack Kirby (plot, un-credited), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; Johnny's riled because a newspaper compares Iceman (of The X-Men) to him; On a cruise liner, Bobby tries to pick up Doris, until Johnny arrives; Before the potential rivalry goes too far, The Barracuda (a modern-day pirate) and his men arrive and take over the ship; Fantastic Four guest appearance; X-Men cameo (Angel, Marvel Girl, and Professor X). "The House of Shadows!", script by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (co-plot), art by Steve Ditko; Strange is on the scene to observe a TV crew as they prepare to enter & broadcast about a "Haunted House"; Strange discovers something is amiss, as he is unable to enter via his spirit form. The first page of a 2-page text story, "The Salesman." 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 120 GD/VG 3.0

Centerfold detached at one staple.

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by George Roussos. First Iceman crossover in "The Torch Meets Iceman!", script by Stan Lee (plot, script) and Jack Kirby (plot, un-credited), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; Johnny's riled because a newspaper compares Iceman (of The X-Men) to him; On a cruise liner, Bobby tries to pick up Doris, until Johnny arrives; Before the potential rivalry goes too far, The Barracuda (a modern-day pirate) and his men arrive and take over the ship; Fantastic Four guest appearance; X-Men cameo (Angel, Marvel Girl, and Professor X). "The House of Shadows!", script by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (co-plot), art by Steve Ditko; Strange is on the scene to observe a TV crew as they prepare to enter & broadcast about a "Haunted House"; Strange discovers something is amiss, as he is unable to enter via his spirit form. The first page of a 2-page text story, "The Salesman." 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 121 GD/VG 3.0

Water damage.

Cover art by Jack Kirby/Ditko (Ditko by himself on the Dr. Strange half). The Human Torch faces the weed of crime, AKA the Plantman, in "Prisoner of the Plantman!", script by Stan Lee and Dick Ayers (co-plot), art by Dick Ayers; After improving his plant ray, The Plantman captures Johnny to get him out of the way while he pulls a robbery; After, Doris, worried about her father, begs Johnny to stop the villain; They have a duel at the Botanical Gardens. "Witchcraft in the Wax Museum!", script by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (co-plot), art by Steve Ditko; A phone call lures Strange away in his ectoplasmic form, so Baron Mordo can steal his body; Knowing that if the two are not reunited in 24 hours Strange is doomed, Mordo places a spell over the body so Strange cannot return to it. The second page of a 2-page text story, "The Salesman." Statement of ownership--average print run 321,212; average paid circulation 189,160. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 122 GD+ 2.5

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko (Doctor Strange), inks by George Roussos and Steve Ditko (Doctor Strange). The Human Torch mixes it up with Doctor Doom and his allies in "3 Against The Torch!", script by Stan Lee (co-plot, dialogue) and Dick Ayers (co-plot), pencils by Dick Ayers, inks by George Roussos (as George Bell); In flashback we see the how Dr. Doom used "The Terrible Trio" to trap the Fantastic Four, then discarded his underlings by sending them into another dimension!; With Doom gone, the three return to Earth, where they're foolish enough to try taking on The Torch again, figuring 3 against 1 would be no contest. "The World Beyond," script by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (co-plot), pencils by Steve Ditko, inks by George Roussos; Weary from his struggles against supernatural forces, Strange falls asleep, carelessly forgetting to cast a protective spell over himself and becoming a prisoner of the Nightmare World!; Nightmare imprisons Strange, the only human who has ever defeated him, then says he's bored and looks forward to other victims; Strange summons The Gulgol, a creature that never sleeps. (Reprinted in Giant-Size Marvel Triple Action # 1.) "Strange Mission" text story. 36 pages, full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 123 GD/VG 3.0

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Sol Brodsky. First appearance of the Beetle in the Human Torch story, "The Birth of the Beetle!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Carl Burgos, inks by Dick Ayers; Mechanic-inventor Abner Jenkins creates the identity of The Beetle; While taking the Fantasti-Car for a double-date, Johnny & Ben wind up being humiliated by The Beetle; Guest starring the Thing. "The Challenge of Loki!", script by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (co-plot), pencils by Steve Ditko, inks by George Roussos (as George Bell); Dr. Strange practices the art of levitation; Meanwhile, in faraway Asgard, home of the Norse Gods, Loki, God of Mischief, plots as always; He contacts Doctor Strange and tries to convince him that he is a prisoner of Thor, who is evil and deceiving his father; Strange uses a spell to take Thor's hammer (first cross-over with Thor). (Reprinted in Giant-Size Marvel Triple Action # 2.) "Strange Mission" text story, art by Joe Maneely. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 124 VG+ 4.5 (R)

Restored (see item notes)

RESTORATION. Color touch.

Cover pencils by Dick Ayers (upper section) and Steve Ditko (lower section), inks by Dick Ayers (upper section) and George Roussos (lower section). "Paste-Pot Pete," script by Stan Lee (co-plot, script) and Dick Ayers (co-plot, un-credited), pencils by Dick Ayers, inks by Paul Reinman; Trying to tell Johnny that Paste-Pot Pete was paroled (for helping The Avengers), Ben & Johnny get into a brawl; Tired of being thought of as a clown, Pete completely redesigns his costume, then takes on The Thing while he's flying his part of the Fantasti-Car; The Thing becomes a regular co-star with this issue. "The Lady From Nowhere!", script by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (co-plot), pencils by Steve Ditko, inks by George Roussos (as Geo. Bell); Sensing sorcery, Doctor Strange finds a woman wandering the streets under a spell; After guiding her to his house, he consults his mentor; Strange travels into the past, though he's warned that if the candle employed in the spell expires he will be trapped there forever; In Ancient Egypt, he battles a wizard, Zota, and removes his power. (No text story in this issue.) 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 124 VG 4.0

Cover pencils by Dick Ayers (upper section) and Steve Ditko (lower section), inks by Dick Ayers (upper section) and George Roussos (lower section). "Paste-Pot Pete," script by Stan Lee (co-plot, script) and Dick Ayers (co-plot, un-credited), pencils by Dick Ayers, inks by Paul Reinman; Trying to tell Johnny that Paste-Pot Pete was paroled (for helping The Avengers), Ben & Johnny get into a brawl; Tired of being thought of as a clown, Pete completely redesigns his costume, then takes on The Thing while he's flying his part of the Fantasti-Car; The Thing becomes a regular co-star with this issue. "The Lady From Nowhere!", script by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (co-plot), pencils by Steve Ditko, inks by George Roussos (as Geo. Bell); Sensing sorcery, Doctor Strange finds a woman wandering the streets under a spell; After guiding her to his house, he consults his mentor; Strange travels into the past, though he's warned that if the candle employed in the spell expires he will be trapped there forever; In Ancient Egypt, he battles a wizard, Zota, and removes his power. (No text story in this issue.) 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 125 GD/VG 3.0

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. The Human Torch and the Thing star in "The Sub-Mariner Must Be Stopped!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Dick Ayers, inks by Paul Reinman; Ben and Johnny's hi-jinks are interrupted by the arrival of a pair of LIFE Magazine reporters, who are there to interview Reed and Sue; When the news reports Sub-Mariner is heading for NYC, Ben and Johnny figure they can make an impression by tackling him on their own. "Mordo Must Not Catch Me!", script by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (co-plot), pencils by Steve Ditko, inks by George Roussos (as Geo. Bell); Three followers of Mordo attack Strange in his sanctum; After dispatching them, he uses the Eye of Agamotto and his amulet to contact his mentor, but to no avail!; Mordo appears saying he's captured The Ancient One; In their ectoplasmic forms, a running battle begins that takes them halfway around the world, until Strange locates his mentor in a half-hidden jungle somewhere in Tibet. First page of a 2-page text story, "The Message." (The second page does not appear in issue 126 and may never have been published!) 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 125 GD 2.0

2" Spine split from top. Cover coming loose at one staple.

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Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers. The Human Torch and the Thing star in "The Sub-Mariner Must Be Stopped!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Dick Ayers, inks by Paul Reinman; Ben and Johnny's hi-jinks are interrupted by the arrival of a pair of LIFE Magazine reporters, who are there to interview Reed and Sue; When the news reports Sub-Mariner is heading for NYC, Ben and Johnny figure they can make an impression by tackling him on their own. "Mordo Must Not Catch Me!", script by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko (co-plot), pencils by Steve Ditko, inks by George Roussos (as Geo. Bell); Three followers of Mordo attack Strange in his sanctum; After dispatching them, he uses the Eye of Agamotto and his amulet to contact his mentor, but to no avail!; Mordo appears saying he's captured The Ancient One; In their ectoplasmic forms, a running battle begins that takes them halfway around the world, until Strange locates his mentor in a half-hidden jungle somewhere in Tibet. First page of a 2-page text story, "The Message." (The second page does not appear in issue 126 and may never have been published!) 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 126 CGC 8.0

Paper: Off white

Label #4506969001

First appearance of Dormammu and Clea (named in issue 146). The Human Torch and the Thing face the Thinker and the Puppet Master in "Pawns of the Deadly Duo!" Script by Stan Lee, pencils by Dick Ayers, inks by Paul Reinman. Reed Richards and Sue Storm appearances. Doctor Strange stars in "The Domain of the Dread Dormammu!" Script by Lee, art by Steve Ditko. First letters page. Jack Kirby/Chic Stone cover. 36 pgs. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 126 VG 4.0

Staple rust.

First appearance of Dormammu and Clea (named in issue 146). The Human Torch and the Thing face the Thinker and the Puppet Master in "Pawns of the Deadly Duo!" Script by Stan Lee, pencils by Dick Ayers, inks by Paul Reinman. Reed Richards and Sue Storm appearances. Doctor Strange stars in "The Domain of the Dread Dormammu!" Script by Lee, art by Steve Ditko. First letters page. Jack Kirby/Chic Stone cover. 36 pgs. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 128 VG 4.0

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Sol Brodsky. The Human Torch and the Thing guest star in "Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch," script by Stan Lee and Dick Ayers (co-plot), pencils by Dick Ayers, inks by Frank Giacoia (as Frank Ray); Quicksilver wants to leave Magneto's group but his sister Wanda reminds him that she is in his debt; The Scarlet Witch takes her brother's lead and they seek out the Fantastic Four for advice; They encounter Ben and Johnny at FF headquarters where a misunderstanding turns into a brawl; Cameos by the X-Men (Angel, Cyclops, Marvel Girl, and Iceman), Magneto, the Mastermind, the Blob, and the Yancy Street Gang. Dr. Strange Master of the Mystic Arts illustration by Steve Ditko. "The Demon's Disciple!", script by Steve Ditko (plot, uncredited) and Stan Lee (dialogue), art by Steve Ditko; Dr. Strange receives a desperate plea for help from a man who became a disciple of someone called The Demon, not realizing the seriousness of the situation; The Demon transports the man back to his lair and consigns him to a pit beneath the floor; Strange tracks the man's location and confronts the evil mystic in an epic battle. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 131 CGC 7.0

Paper: Off white

Label #4521579002

Cover pencils by Bob Powell, Steve Ditko (Dr. Strange figure), inks by Mike Esposito and Steve Ditko (Dr. Strange figure). The Human Torch and the Thing star in "The Bouncing Ball of Doom!", script by Stan Lee and Bob Powell (co-plot), pencils by Bob Powell, inks by Dick Ayers; The Mad Thinker's latest plot involves a flying, electronics-laden metal ball, which nearly manages to destroy a dam; Cameos by Reed Richards and Sue Storm. "The Hunter and the Hunted!", script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Stan Lee (dialogue), art by Steve Ditko; In the far East, Strange is on the run from Mordo and his minions, unaware that Mordo's increased power comes from Dormammu; As Mordo forcibly recruits more followers to search for Strange the mage makes plans to hop a plane to New York City. Statement of ownership--average print run 315,500; average paid circulation 214,800. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 131 FN- 5.5

Cover oxidation. Interior tearing.

Cover pencils by Bob Powell, Steve Ditko (Dr. Strange figure), inks by Mike Esposito and Steve Ditko (Dr. Strange figure). The Human Torch and the Thing star in "The Bouncing Ball of Doom!", script by Stan Lee and Bob Powell (co-plot), pencils by Bob Powell, inks by Dick Ayers; The Mad Thinker's latest plot involves a flying, electronics-laden metal ball, which nearly manages to destroy a dam; Cameos by Reed Richards and Sue Storm. "The Hunter and the Hunted!", script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Stan Lee (dialogue), art by Steve Ditko; In the far East, Strange is on the run from Mordo and his minions, unaware that Mordo's increased power comes from Dormammu; As Mordo forcibly recruits more followers to search for Strange the mage makes plans to hop a plane to New York City. Statement of ownership--average print run 315,500; average paid circulation 214,800. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 132 CGC 8.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4646436025

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby. The Human Torch and the Thing star in "The Sinister Spacetrap!", script by Larry Ivie and Bob Powell (co-plot), pencils by Bob Powell, inks by Mike Esposito (as M. Demeo); Sometime after the FF visit the Skrull home world, Mr. Pearson of NASA pays a visit to tell them of a security risk, Professor Jack; Doris gets upset after Johnny stands her up for the 113th time; Posing as "Doug Brown", Johnny acts as Jack's assistant, in order to keep an eye on him; Guest appearances by Sue Storm and Reed Richards. "Face-to-Face at Last With Baron Mordo!", script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Stan Lee (dialogue), art by Steve Ditko; Dr. Strange reaches his Greenwich Village home safely but discovers one of Mordo's followers has taken over his sanctum; In a hidden cave in Tibet The Ancient One's servant questions the meaning of his ailing master's word "Eternity"; Strange bluffs his way into his sanctum but when he attempts to consult the All-Seeing Eye he discovers it's been booby-trapped, sending a signal to Mordo and Dormammu of his whereabouts; Strange battles Mordo; Appearance by Clea. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 132 VG- 3.5

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby. The Human Torch and the Thing star in "The Sinister Spacetrap!", script by Larry Ivie and Bob Powell (co-plot), pencils by Bob Powell, inks by Mike Esposito (as M. Demeo); Sometime after the FF visit the Skrull home world, Mr. Pearson of NASA pays a visit to tell them of a security risk, Professor Jack; Doris gets upset after Johnny stands her up for the 113th time; Posing as "Doug Brown", Johnny acts as Jack's assistant, in order to keep an eye on him; Guest appearances by Sue Storm and Reed Richards. "Face-to-Face at Last With Baron Mordo!", script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Stan Lee (dialogue), art by Steve Ditko; Dr. Strange reaches his Greenwich Village home safely but discovers one of Mordo's followers has taken over his sanctum; In a hidden cave in Tibet The Ancient One's servant questions the meaning of his ailing master's word "Eternity"; Strange bluffs his way into his sanctum but when he attempts to consult the All-Seeing Eye he discovers it's been booby-trapped, sending a signal to Mordo and Dormammu of his whereabouts; Strange battles Mordo; Appearance by Clea. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 133 VG/FN 5.0

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Mike Esposito. The Human Torch and the Thing star in "The Terrible Toys!", script by Stan Lee (plot, dialogue) and Bob Powell (plot), pencils by Bob Powell, inks by Mike Esposito (as Mick Demeo); Deciding to switch his M.O., The Puppet Master builds robotic "statues" he can control, and undergoes plastic surgery so no one will recognize him; The masquerade is short-lived, as he lures Johnny & Ben into a trap in a department store. "A Nameless Land, a Timeless Time!", script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Stan Lee (dialogue), art by Steve Ditko; After escaping from Mordo, Strange plummets thru dimension after dimension, finally coming to a stop in a world ruled by Shazana, a female tyrant who once conned a wizard into giving her some of his powers, which she repaid by destroying him; Believing her sister has recruited Strange to overthrow her she battles Strange into submission; Appearances by Clea, Dormammu, and Baron Mordo. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 134 GD+ 2.5

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Frank Giacoia. The Human Torch and the Thing star in "The Challenge of...The Watcher!", script by Stan Lee and Bob Powell (co-plot), pencils by Bob Powell, inks by Wally Wood; Though he is not permitted to interfere, The Watcher tells Ben & Johnny of how Kang time-travelled to the days of King Arthur, imprisoned Merlin, and took over the country; In order for the time stream to remain intact, The Watcher sends the pair back in time to defeat Kang; Cameos by Sue Storm and Reed Richards. "Earth Be My Battleground," script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Stan Lee (dialogue), art by Steve Ditko; Dr. Strange returns to earth but remains in hiding. Mordo's spirits discover Strange and pursue him; Meanwhile Clea distracts Dormammu by freeing The Mindless Ones; They attack, causing Dormammu to leave Mordo on his own. Strange flies into space and straight into the sun, the spirits fleeing and Mordo worried that it might spell his doom; Strange returns to The Ancient One, who in his weak, delirious condition, speaks of "Eternity"; Appearance by Clea. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 135 CGC 7.5

Paper: White

Label #4646446001

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Frank Giacoia. "The Man for the Job!", script by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (co-plot), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; Nick Fury reports to the Pentagon, encountering Life Model Decoys: replicas of himself; He is driven in a gadget-filled car that converts to flying mode; Fury learns about SHIELD, an international organization whose job is to stop HYDRA, fanatics bent on world domination; Fury meets Tony Stark, in charge of SHIELD's weaponry, who tells Fury he was chosen to lead SHIELD. "Eternity Beckons!", script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Stan Lee (dialogue), art by Steve Ditko; In London, seeking info on "Eternity," Dr. Strange goes to the secluded home of Sir Baskerville, a former disciple of Mordo's, who greets him as an old friend; Meanwhile, Dormammu discovers that Clea set the Mindless Ones free and swears she will pay for her betrayal; Baskerville contacts Mordo, who sends an emissary to trap Strange but it backfires, allowing Strange to discover that Dormammu is the one behind Mordo's attacks and increased power. Notes: 1st S.H.I.E.L.D., 1st Hydra, 1st Nick Fury as agent of shield, 1st appearance of LMD (Life Model Decoy). 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 135 VG 4.0

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Frank Giacoia. "The Man for the Job!", script by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (co-plot), pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dick Ayers; Nick Fury reports to the Pentagon, encountering Life Model Decoys: replicas of himself; He is driven in a gadget-filled car that converts to flying mode; Fury learns about SHIELD, an international organization whose job is to stop HYDRA, fanatics bent on world domination; Fury meets Tony Stark, in charge of SHIELD's weaponry, who tells Fury he was chosen to lead SHIELD. "Eternity Beckons!", script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Stan Lee (dialogue), art by Steve Ditko; In London, seeking info on "Eternity," Dr. Strange goes to the secluded home of Sir Baskerville, a former disciple of Mordo's, who greets him as an old friend; Meanwhile, Dormammu discovers that Clea set the Mindless Ones free and swears she will pay for her betrayal; Baskerville contacts Mordo, who sends an emissary to trap Strange but it backfires, allowing Strange to discover that Dormammu is the one behind Mordo's attacks and increased power. Notes: 1st S.H.I.E.L.D., 1st Hydra, 1st Nick Fury as agent of shield, 1st appearance of LMD (Life Model Decoy). 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 146 VG- 3.5

Cover detached at one staple. Extra staples (manufacturing).

Cover art by Steve Ditko. Nick Fury stars in "When the Unliving Strike!", script by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (co-plot), pencils by Jack Kirby (layouts) and Don Heck, inks by Mike Esposito (as Mickey Demeo); Aboard the Heli-Carrier Count Royale, a representative of A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics) a society of the world's greatest intellects, is offended by SHIELD's security measures; Fury uses a sonic vibrator to blast into an underwater base but is trapped between electric energy waves; A stalemate occurs when Fury reveals he has fission bombs that would blow up the base; Story continues in part from Tales of Suspense 78 and, to a lesser extent, #79. "The End--at Last!", script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Denny O'Neil (dialogue), art by Steve Ditko; Using his mystic powers to temporarily bind the sleeping Eternity Dormammu lures Strange to another dimension and challenges him but as they begin their mystical combat Eternity breaks free; He tells Dormammu to end the violence, but instead he attacks Eternity; Their encounter is brief and destructive as Dormammu is smashed between two colliding spheres; Eternity vanishes while Strange is hurled between dimensions and rescued by The Ancient One; Appearances by Baron Mordo and Clea (who is finally named in this issue!) Merry Marvel Marching Society info and coupon. NOTE: First appearance of A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics). 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 150 VG+ 4.5

Cover art by Bill Everett. Nick Fury stars in "Hydra Lives!", script by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby (co-plot), pencils by Jack Kirby (layouts) and John Buscema (his first work for Marvel), inks by Frank Giacoia; Fury subjects himself to a dangerous test in order to prove that an atomic missile can be detonated long-distance by a sonic weapon which SHIELD believes HYDRA has; While both he & Dugan are recovering from injuries, Don Cabellero, at the urging of an undercover SHIELD man, invites Fury to a party in ancient Karnopolis in the Sahara Desert; Caballero is a disguise for the new Supreme Hydra, who is aware a SHIELD agent has invaded his ranks. First appearance of Umar (the sister of Dormammu) in "The Conquest of Kaluu!", script by Roy Thomas and Bill Everett (co-plot), art by Bill Everett; Kaluu realizes Strange and the Ancient One have escaped to the past of ancient Babylonia where The Ancient One obtains The Book Of The Vishanti; Before Kaluu can extinguish the Flames of the Faltine, Strange returns to the present with the mystic book which hurls his spell back to him; The Ancient One sends Kaluu into Limbo for all time; In The Dark Dimension Clea fears the onslaught of the Mindless One's freed from their prison with Dormammu gone. Letter to the editor from Carl Gafford. Merry Marvel Marching Society info and coupon. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 158 VG/FN 5.0

Cover pencils by Marie Severin. Nick Fury stars in "Final Encounter!", script and art by Jim Steranko; The battle between Fury & Strucker rages until Fury manages to remove his Satan glove; Minutes later, as HYDRA thugs enter the room, they discover 2 Strucker's! One of them is revealed to be wearing a mask, panics, and is incinerated in an Alpha-Particle Reactor Cube; The other orders Laura put aboard the Dyna-Soar and takes off from Hydra Island, despite the imminent detonation of The Death Spore bomb. "The Sands of Death," script by Roy Thomas and Marie Severin (co-plot), pencils by Marie Severin, inks by Herb Trimpe; The Living Tribunal decrees that because Doctor Strange has unleashed a menace to the cosmos Earth must be destroyed; Before he recites the Incantation of Oblivion he recounts events leading up to his decision, agreed upon by his 3 faces of Equity, Revenge & Necessity; Doctor Strange challenges the Tribunal to let him deal with the menace, having defeated the forces of darkness in the past. Strange is granted a reprieve for as long as it takes the Sands of Death to run out of a mystic Hourglass resting in the middle of Stonehenge; Cameos by Dormammu and Umar. Letter to the editor from comics writer Bill Mantlo. Merry Marvel Marching Society info and coupon. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 161 VG+ 4.5

Cover art by Jim Steranko. Captain America guest stars in the Nick Fury story "The Second Doom," script and art by Jim Steranko; Reed Richards & Ben Grimm save Cap from falling to his death while Fury saves himself by catching onto the Statue's crown; Reed and Ben provide assistance to the pair and stop the invaders plans, cutting off all power on the East Coast, creating the New York City Blackout in the process; Back in the present Jimmy Woo tells Fury he believes the man behind the scheme was The Yellow Claw; First appearance of the Yellow Claw since the fifties. "And a Scourge Shall Come Upon You!", script by Raymond Marais and Dan Adkins (co-plot), art by Dan Adkins (first interior work on the series); Mordo exiles Strange to "The World Of the Million Perils," then sets about restoring some of the magic to his new coven; Lost in a distant galaxy Strange suffers temporary memory loss and faces a nameless beast within a hollow sphere; On Earth, Victoria Bentley, freed of the evil finds herself being hurled between worlds, wondering if it's Mordo's doing; Strange hears a cry for help, and discovers Victoria being menaced by a gigantic ant; The two face Nebulos, a bizarre alien creature who claims they are part of his plan; Baron Mordo appearance. Merry Marvel Marching Society info and coupon. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 170 VG/FN 5.0

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Cover pencils by Gil Kane. "Baptism of Fire!", script by Len Wein, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Dan Adkins; Papa Jambo trains Jericho Drumm to be Brother VooDoo; Brother VooDoo then returns and stops Damballah, the Serpent God. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.20.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 173 CGC 9.4

Paper: White

Label #4064361004

Last 20-cent cover price. Cover inks by Ernie Chan. "Sacrifice Play," script by Len Wein, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Dick Giordano; To aid in his mission to try and find Loralee Tate, Brother Voodoo pays a visit to an old woman named Mama Limbo who apparently has clairvoyant abilities; Her visions tell him to go and seek out Desmond Drew, who she believes has a connection to the Cult of the Darklord; As Brother Voodoo goes to check out this lead, at the police station Samuel Tate and Pete Hawkins debate on what to do about Samuel's missing daughter; They finally decide that Brother Voodoo would hamper their efforts to find her themselves and put out an APB to have him arrested on sight. "Bait," art by Manny Stallman; Scientists on board a fishing boat haul up a creature from the bottom which threatens to expand to colossal size, but the captain of the boat cuts it up before this can happen to use as chum for better fishing. Final appearance of Brother Voodoo in this title; the story continues in Tales of the Zombie 6. The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp series A #45 (Mantis). Ad for Fantastic Four #145. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.20.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 174 CGC 7.0

Paper: White

Label #4638773013

First 25-cent cover price. Cover art by Gil Kane. First appearance and origin of the Golem in "There Walks the Golem!", script by Len Wein, pencils by John Buscema, inks by Jim Mooney; In the deserts of the Middle East, Professor Abraham Adamson is conducting an archeological dig to locate the long lost Golem, a living statue created by Judah Loew Ben Bezalel centuries ago; It was the champion of his people but eventually went to the desert and was lost in the sands; Accompanying him on this expedition are his grandchildren Jason and Rebecca, and Rebecca's fiance Wayne Logan; They succeed in uncovering the Golem prompting discussion about the creature's legend; Since the site of the dig was near a combat zone, the dig is visited by deserters of an Arabian army. Reprint of an old weird story, " "Foolproof!", script by Stan Lee, art by Russ Heath; A greedy landlord torches his building to collect the insurance but forgets one little detail in his plan. The letters page contains Marvel Value Stamp series A #44 (The Absorbing Man by Jack Kirby). 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.25.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 179 CGC 7.0

Paper: White

Label #4224234005

Cover art by Jim Starlin. "Death Ship!", script and art by Jim Starlin; Warlock is captured by Autolycus of the Black Knights an brought aboard Magus' Flagship; His fellow prisoners tell Warlock, that survivors of the Wars of the Church are taken as slave laborers, those who refuse will be terminated and their remains will be chemically broken down and valuable elements that can be retrieved will be used to further the cause of the Church; They also tell him, that Non-Humanoids are not considered fashioned in the Magus' image and thus must be disposed of, this also holds true for some Humanoid types—such as Trolls; First appearance of Pip the Troll. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.25.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 179 FN 6.0

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Cover art by Jim Starlin. "Death Ship!", script and art by Jim Starlin; Warlock is captured by Autolycus of the Black Knights an brought aboard Magus' Flagship; His fellow prisoners tell Warlock, that survivors of the Wars of the Church are taken as slave laborers, those who refuse will be terminated and their remains will be chemically broken down and valuable elements that can be retrieved will be used to further the cause of the Church; They also tell him, that Non-Humanoids are not considered fashioned in the Magus' image and thus must be disposed of, this also holds true for some Humanoid types—such as Trolls; First appearance of Pip the Troll. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.25.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 180 CGC 6.0 SS

Paper: Off white to white

Signed by Jim Starlin on 9/8/18

Label #1612354002

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Cover art by Jim Starlin. "The Judgment!", script by Jim Starlin (as Sam Jiltirn), pencils by Jim Starlin, inks by Jim Starlin (as J.L. Minirats) and Alan Weiss; While battling a couple of the Black Knights the Soul Gem almost takes control again and Warlock decides, that he must destroy it, however as he takes it off Warlock collapses and realizes, that he can no longer exist without the Gem as it has been sucking out Warlock's Soul in the last three Years thus becoming his life force; The Matriarch wants to make a Slave out of Warlock now instead of killing him; After trying to remove the Gem Warlock is invited by the Matriarch to the Sacred Palace, an obvious trap, but since she claims, that she knew that the gem would become a danger even to Warlock himself, Warlock decides to accept the invitation and ditches; Pip First appearance of Gamora. Spider-Man stars in a one-page Hostess ad, "The Trap." 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.25.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 180 FN- 5.5

Cover art by Jim Starlin. "The Judgment!", script by Jim Starlin (as Sam Jiltirn), pencils by Jim Starlin, inks by Jim Starlin (as J.L. Minirats) and Alan Weiss; While battling a couple of the Black Knights the Soul Gem almost takes control again and Warlock decides, that he must destroy it, however as he takes it off Warlock collapses and realizes, that he can no longer exist without the Gem as it has been sucking out Warlock's Soul in the last three Years thus becoming his life force; The Matriarch wants to make a Slave out of Warlock now instead of killing him; After trying to remove the Gem Warlock is invited by the Matriarch to the Sacred Palace, an obvious trap, but since she claims, that she knew that the gem would become a danger even to Warlock himself, Warlock decides to accept the invitation and ditches; Pip First appearance of Gamora. Spider-Man stars in a one-page Hostess ad, "The Trap." 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.25.

Strange Tales (1951 1st Series) 188 CGC 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4641226006

Final issue of the series. Cover pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Tom Palmer. Doctor Strange reprints: "The Pincers of Power" (from Strange Tales 140), script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Stan Lee (dialogue), art by Steve Ditko; Dormammu sends Strange, Mordo & The Ancient One to a neutral dimension; He then uses a sleeping potion on the Mindless Ones, so his domain will be temporarily safe and summons rulers of nearby dimensions; Dormammu arrives to challenge Strange in person to battle for total mastery of Earth!; Strange accepts, then Dormammu declares they shall fight using only the "Pincers Of Power" and no other spells or incantations. "Let There Be Victory" (from ST 141), script by Steve Ditko (plot) and Stan Lee (dialogue), art by Steve Ditko; Dormammu consigns Mordo to the Dimension of Demons; Strange declares he is able to continue the fight and manages to best him in combat! Dormammu swears not to attack Earth; Back in The Ancient One's home, Hamir prepares a banquet for Strange & his master; Dormammu banishes Clea to a place where Strange can never find her; The Ancient One assures Strange that there are many who may now be able to help in his search for the girl. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.30.