Auctions: comic books February 1974

Amazing Spider-Man (1963 1st Series) 129 CGC 8.5 SS John Romita

Paper: Off white to white

Signed by John Romita on 4/22/21.

Label #2640365002

First appearances of the Punisher and the Jackal in "The Punisher Strikes Twice!" Script by Gerry Conway. Pencils by Ross Andru. Inks by Frank Giacoia and Dave Hunt (backgrounds). Cover by Gil Kane and John Romita. One of the landmark issues of the bronze age! The Punisher, the legendary gun-toting vigilante, makes his first appearance in the Marvel Universe! And his first target...is none other than your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! But before Frank Castle can locate the web-slinger, he needs directions from a mysterious new super-villain called the Jackal! Once the dastardly Jackal tells the sharpshooting anti-hero where to find the wall-crawler, the inaugural battle between the Punisher and the Amazing Spider-Man erupts! The first of many classic confrontations! Cameo appearances by Mary Jane Watson, Harry Osborn, Betty Brant, Joe Robertson, and J. Jonah Jameson. (Notes: The Punisher appears next in Amazing Spider-Man 134 (cameo) and 135. The letters page includes a letter from comics writer Ralph Macchio. This story was reprinted in Marvel Tales 106 and again in Marvel Tales 209.) 32 pages. 20 cent cover price. Cover price $0.20.

Fantastic Four (1961 1st Series) 143 CGC 9.8

Paper: White

Label #4327331010

"The Terrible Triumph of Doctor Doom!" Part 2 of 3. Script by Gerry Conway. Pencils by Rich Buckler. Inks by Frank Giacoia. Cover by Gil Kane and Joe Sinnott. Victor Von Doom crashes his college reunion and captures Mr. Fantastic and Medusa! And now the Latverian monarch is set to unleash Operation Babel (and the vibration bomb) on Earth's population! The rocket-launched bomb will destroy the personality of every person on the globe and transform them into a mindless subject of Doctor Doom! However, the FF's long-time foe may have made a critical mistake by bringing Darkoth and Ben Grimm back from the Balkans in order to witness his stateside triumph! Could there be a traitor in the midst? Meanwhile in upstate New York, Wyatt Wingfoot and Johnny Storm run into trouble with the local police and end up in jail. Cameo appearances by the Invisible Girl and Franklin. (Note: The cover of Fantastic Four 143 was used as the cover for the 1977 Fantastic Four pocket book with one modification: the Invisible Girl replaced Medusa in the background.) 32 pages Cover price $0.20.

Iron Man (1968 1st Series) 66 CGC 8.0

Paper: White

Label #4331066017

It's Avenger vs. Avenger in "Night of the Thunder God!" Guest-starring Thor and Doctor Spectrum. Story by Mike Friedrich. Art by George Tuska and Mike Esposito. Iron Man's body is under the thrall of the Skrull outcast Krimonn. The villainous alien is using Shell-Head's own power to wreak havoc on the innocent citizens of Detroit. That is until the Mighty Thor arrives on the scene. Can Tony get back control of his body before his teammate batters it senseless? 32 pages. Cover price $0.20.

Strange Sports Stories (1973) 3 CGC 8.0

Paper: White

Label #1261895014

Cover by Nick Cardy. "Gridiron Knightmare!", script by Frank Robbins, pencils by Curt Swan, inks by Dick Giordano; an armored knight plays in a football game. "Man Who Leaped over the Earth!", script by Elliot Maggin, art by Dick Giordano; a man pole vaults over the Earth. 36 pgs., full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 220 VG 4.0 (R)

Restored (see item notes)

RESTORATION. Color touch. Water spotting.

Cover pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Dan Adkins. "Behold! The Land of Doom!", script by Gerry Conway, pencils by John Buscema, inks by Mike Esposito; Thor goes to attack Kragonn, but is swatted away easily. Kragonn then orders Dracus to determine what is wrong, and he sends Exterminators; The Exterminators are defeated, while the Rigellian outcasts eavesdrop on the giant masters of the Black Stars; They learn that Rhun is the only living planet of the Black Stars, the other four have died off without Rhun's knowledge; When the truth is revealed, the Caretakers are free to go. 36 pgs., full color. $0.20. Appearances by Sif, Balder, Hildegarde, and Odin. Letter to the editor from comics editor (and Thor scripter) Ralph Macchio. 36 pgs., full color. $0.20. Cover price $0.20.