Auctions: comic books December 1963

Showcase (1956-1978) 47 CGC 6.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4419899019

Cover art by Lee Elias. 5th Tommy Tomorrow issue. Part 1: Doomsday for Planet Earth, script by Arnold Drake, art by Lee Elias; Maj. Tommy Tomorrow and Maj. Lon Vurian are brought to the Academy of Planetary Sciences, where they are told of an anti-matter cloud that could destroy the entire solar system; They have 10 years to evacuate the 20 billion people from every planet, or find a way to stop the cloud. Ad for The Brave and the Bold, now featuring hero team-ups; includes cover art from issue #50 by George Roussos. Balancing Act in Space; facts about gravity. Part 2: Nine Worlds Gone Mad, script by Arnold Drake, art by Lee Elias; While Maj. Tomorrow tries to uncover the person who revealed their mission to the press, there is wide unrest around the solar system because the population believes they are doomed. Doctor Rocket humor page by Henry Boltinoff. Part 3: Threading the Planetary Needle, script by Arnold Drake, art by Lee Elias; Both Maj. Tomorrow's and Maj. Vurian's teams contain a traitor who has been working with a criminal mastermind, Dr. Loglov, to profit from the dire situation. Ad for Flash Annual #1, pencils by Carmine Infantino, inks by Joe Kubert. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Strange Tales (1951-1976 1st Series) 115 CGC 5.5

Paper: Off white

Label #1362288007

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Steve Ditko. Dr. Strange's 4th appearance finally provides his origin in "The Origin of Dr. Strange," script by Stan Lee (co-plot, script) and Steve Ditko (co-plot, un-credited), art by Steve Ditko; Dr. Stephen Strange, a top neurosurgeon, damages his hands in an accident and seeks out a mystic for help; He saves the seer from his treacherous student, becoming his pupil and finding a new purpose; First mentions of Dormammu and the All-Seeing Agamotto (though no actual appearances). Baron Mordo appearance. Second appearance (and brief origin) of the Sandman in "The Sandman Strikes!", script by Stan Lee (co-plot, script) and Dick Ayers (co-plot, un-credited), art by Dick Ayers; The Human Torch fights and defeats Spider-Mans old enemy Sandman. "Zero of Time" text story. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.