Auctions: comic books May 1969

Captain America (1968 1st Series) 113 CGC 9.2

Paper: White

Label #4096793014

Cover by Jim Steranko. "The Strange Death of Captain America," script by Jim Steranko (plot) and Stan Lee (dialogue), pencils by Jim Steranko, inks by Tom Palmer and Jim Steranko; The news reports Cap's death and explains that "Steve Rogers" was a fake identity while Madame Hydra has Cap's HYDRA file burned; A flashback reveals how she replaced Baron Strucker as head of the organization; The Avengers, Nick Fury, Sharon Carter and several SHIELD agents hold a wake but are suddenly gassed by HYDRA; Rick follows to the cemetery and is almost caught, but Cap unexpectedly appears on a motorcycle, very much alive!; A battle follows, ending when a set of missiles miss their target and kill Madame Hydra; Cap reveals he faked his death in order to retain his secret identity. Appearances by the Vivion, the Black Panther, Iron Man, Hawkeye, and Thor. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Incredible Hulk (1962 Marvel 1st Series) 115 FN+ 6.5

Cover pencils by Herb Trimpe, inks by Dan Adkins. Lo, the Leader Lives, script by Stan Lee, pencils by Herb Trimpe, inks by Dan Adkins; With the Hulk once again in custody, Ross tries to find someone who can put the jade giant under wraps for good; Lucky for him the "reformed" Leader shows up and creates an unbreakable plastic prison that will hold the Hulk forever; cameos by Captain America, the Black Panther, Goliath, Hawkeye, and the Watcher. Letter from David Kraft. Cover price $0.12.

Marvel Super Heroes (1967 1st Series) 20 FN+ 6.5

Giant-size issue. Doctor Doom stars in "This Man, This Demon!" Script by Larry Lieber and Roy Thomas, pencils by Lieber and Frank Giacoia, inks by Vince Colletta. Brief Fantastic Four appearance. The remainder of the issue contains Golden Age reprints: the Sub-Mariner by Bill Everett ("The Sub-Mariner Meets a New Enemy...Fire!"); and, from Young Men 24, the Human Torch, Captain America ("Back From the Dead!"), and the Sub-Mariner. This issue also contains a one-page ad for a Starhawk story that never appeared in Marvel Super-Heroes. John Buscema cover pencils. 68 pages, full color. Cover price $0.25.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 164 CGC 9.2

Paper: Off white to white

Label #0244950026

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta. "Lest Mankind Fall!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta; Trapped in an apocalyptic future with Pluto, God of Death, Sif and Thor find themselves in dire need of back-up; In true god-like fashion, Zeus makes his sweeping entrance; Is the King of the Gods here to support the Asgardians, or Pluto?; Back on Asgard, Balder continues to struggle with stray thoughts of Karnilla, the Norn Queen. Appearances by Balder, Sif, Karnilla, Zeus, and Odin. Re-introduction of Athena (from Red Raven Comics 1, August 1940). Adam Warlock (still in cocoon) cameo. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.