Alter Ego (1961) Fanzine comic books

First Edition of ALTER-EGO #1 (Spring 1961; 22 pages; ditto) This is the holy grail for comic fanzine collectors. The debut issue of Jerry Bails' and Roy Thomas' Alter-Ego tied with Comic Effect #1 for the very first comics-related fanzine ever published. Issue #1 includes the following: "On the Drawing Board" by Jerry Bails (which includes a preview of the legendary "Flash of Two Worlds" from Flash #123); an article about JSA villain The Wizard by Bails; "The Reincarnation of the Spectre" by Roy Thomas (including art by Thomas); a feature on Wonder Woman by Bails; and a funny, five-page parody strip by Thomas called "Bestest League of America." Edited by Jerry Bails and Roy Thomas. 22 pgs. Spring, 1961. NOTE: A 2nd printing of #1 was issued.

1988 Al Dellinges reprint. The reprint of Alter Ego #1 is mostly the same as the original edition. Reprinted features include: "On the Drawing Board" by Jerry Bails (which includes a preview of the legendary "Flash of Two Worlds" from Flash #123); an article about JSA villain The Wizard by Bails; "The Reincarnation of the Spectre" by Roy Thomas (including art by Thomas); "Merciful Minvera", a feature on Wonder Woman by Bails; and a funny, five-page parody strip by Roy Thomas called "Bestest League of America." 34 pages, 1988. Cover price $7.00.

1988 Al Dellinges reprint. The reprint of Alter Ego #2 is mostly the same as the original edition, with some Roy Thomas art re-drawn by Dellinges for reproduction quality. 56 pages, B&W. Cover price $7.00.

Cover by Roy Thomas. Art by Roy Thomas and Al Dellinges. 1988 reprint of Alter Ego #3, originally printed in 1961. 64 pages, B&W. Cover price $7.00.

ALTER-EGO #4 (Fall, 1962; 34 pages; offset printed). The first issue to be offset-printed, this is a terrific fanzine highlighting the Alley Awards for 1962. Cover by Ronn Foss with a distinctive gold ink. Articles include "Parting Shots" Jerry Bails, his farewell editorial (Ron Foss became editor with the next issue), the pre-Superman BLB character "Maximo" and -- best of all -- the late Howard Keltner's "MLJ Leads the Way!" highlighting the pre-Archie run of superhero characters at MJL.

1st printing. Winter, 1962-63. NOTE:The 2nd edition is stamped "SFCA Reprint" on the inside cover, or back cover. Alter Ego was billed as "the world's first comic book fanzine." Issue # 5 includes the following: an editorial by Ron Foss; "The Mystery of Fandom" by Stan Woolston; a piece on collecting comics by Ed Lahmann; a feature on Republic Pictures' King of the Rocketmen serial by Ron Haydock; "The JLA?Over Crowded?" article by F.T. Frost with art by Biljo White; a Bestest League of America pin-up by Roy Thomas; The Eclipse 10-page strip by Drury Moroz (story) and Ron Foss (art); "Portrait of a Collector" featuring Biljo White; "The Future of Fandom Unlimited!" by Jerry Bails; a letter with sketch by Carmine Infantino; and letters by John Broome, Gardner Fox, and Paul Gambaccini. Cover art by Ronn Foss; back cover art (of Captain America) by Alan Weiss. Edited by Ron Foss. 7" x 8 1/2"; black and white; 36 pages. Cover price $0.50.

Add to cart VG/FN 5.0 $18.00 View scan

Add to cart VG/FN 5.0 $20.00 View scans Staple rust. Rust migration.

Add to cart VG+ 4.5 $22.00 View scan Staple rust. Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.

Reprint Editions. 2nd edition is stamped "SFCA Reprint" on the inside cover or back cover, but reprinted versions with other markers are in circulation. Alter Ego was billed as "the world's first comic book fanzine." Issue # 5 includes the following: an editorial by Ron Foss; "The Mystery of Fandom" by Stan Woolston; a piece on collecting comics by Ed Lahmann; a feature on Republic Pictures' King of the Rocketmen serial by Ron Haydock; "The JLA?Over Crowded?" article by F.T. Frost with art by Biljo White; a Bestest League of America pin-up by Roy Thomas; The Eclipse 10-page strip by Drury Moroz (story) and Ron Foss (art); "Portrait of a Collector" featuring Biljo White; "The Future of Fandom Unlimited!" by Jerry Bails; a letter with sketch by Carmine Infantino; and letters by John Broome, Gardner Fox, and Paul Gambaccini. Cover art by Ronn Foss; back cover art (of Captain America) by Alan Weiss. Edited by Ron Foss. 32 pgs. Winter, 1962-63. Cover price $0.50.

Add to cart CGC 6.5 $300.00 View scans Paper: White Pencil coloring on multiple pages. Label #3985989002	Add to cart VG/FN 5.0 $300.00 View scans Staple rust. Rust migration.	Add to cart VG+ 4.5 $200.00 View scans Staple rust with migration. Water damage.	Add to cart CGC 9.0 $1,500.00 View scans Paper: White Slab: Scuffing to inner well of case Label #3716027001 Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout.
Add to cart CGC 8.5 $1,000.00 View scans Paper: White Slab: Scuffing to inner well of case Label #2063022001 Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout.	Add to cart CGC 8.5 $1,000.00 View scans Paper: White Slab: Scuffing to inner well of case Label #2063021001 Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout.	Add to cart CGC 8.0 $1,000.00 or Best Offer View scans Paper: Off white to white Label #4093188001 Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout.

Alter Ego was billed as "the world's first comic book fanzine." Issue #7 includes the following: an editorial by Roy Thomas (in which he describes taking over editorship from Ronn Foss); a feature on Solomon Grundy by Richard Kyle (with art "swiped by" Biljo White and Foss); "Alter and Capt. Ego" seven-page strip by Biljo White; a piece on the Golden Age Human Torch by Rick Strong (with art by White); "One Man's Family: The Saga of the Mighty Marvels" by Roy Thomas (with art by White); "Shel Silverfish Looks at the Gilded Age of Comics" by Roy Thomas; a piece on tragic monsters by E. Nelson Bridwell; and letters by Sid Greene, Gardner Fox, Paul Gambaccini, Ronn Foss, and Otto Binder. Marvel Family cover art by Biljo White; back cover art by Ron Foss. Edited by Roy Thomas. 40 pgs. Fall, 1964.

Add to cart VG/FN 5.0 $50.00 View scans Staple rust.

Alter Ego was billed as "the world's first comic book fanzine." Issue #8 includes the following: an editorial by Roy Thomas; The Bestest League art by Thomas; a piece on Blackhawk by Derrill Rothermich and Thomas (with art by Biljo White); a feature on Doc Savage by Robert M. Hopkins (with art by Hopkins and White); "The Eclipse: The Mystery of Malimoor!" nine-page strip by Drury Moroz (script) and Ronn Foss (art); an ad for Batmania #4; part one of an article on Mexican super-heroes by Fred Patten; "Two Cases of Conscience" (Them Justice Guys part two) by Glen Johnson (art by Biljo White); and letters by Mort Weisinger, Wendell Crowley, Otto Binder, Gardner Fox, Phil Seuling, and Kurt Schaffenberger. Blackhawk cover art by Biljo White; Alter and Capt. Ego back cover art by White. Edited by Roy Thomas. 40 pgs. Winter, 1964-65.

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Add to cart FN 6.0 $69.00 View scans Consignment. 3% buyer's premium charged at checkout. Graded by MCS, not consignor.

Alter Ego was billed as "the world's first comic book fanzine." Issue #9 includes the following: an editorial by Roy Thomas (in which he discusses his new job as scripter for Son of Vulcan and Blue Beetle); part two of an article about Mexican super-heroes by Fred Patten; an ad for Star-Studded Comics #7; "I, Robotman" by "Paul Dennis" as told to Roy Thomas (with art by Biljo White); a piece on Otto Binder (with photos); "The Other Side of the Mask" column featuring comics in the news; pinups by Ronn Foss; a report on the National Cartoonists Society by Jerry Bails; humorous comic book poetry; "Great Guardians: The Saga of Doc Smith's Lensman" by Shel Kagan; a feature on The Injustice Gang by Glen Johnson (with art by Biljo White; an ad for The Eye #1; Mr. Tawny strip by Beck; and a letters column. Wraparound cover art by Biljo White. Edited by Roy Thomas. 48 pgs. May-August, 1965.

Add to cart FN- 5.5 $17.00 View scan Staple rust.

Add to cart FN- 5.5 $17.00 View scan Staple rust.

Alter Ego (Fanzine) is a magazine published by Alter Ego Enterprises. Edited by Roy Thomas. Features profusely illustrated. Interview with comic legends Gil Kane, two pages of Wally Wood super-hero parodies, lots of Tor art by Joe Kubert (including the back cover), and a funny article written by Thomas about Jim Steranko being alive and well, living with Paul McCartney. Marie Severin art. Photos of Frank Frazetta, Neal Adams, Hal Foster, Al Williamson, Archie Goodwin, Roy Thomas, and Phil Seuling. Article on the Comics Code (including the text of the actual Code). 42 pages, B&W with text, 8 1/2-in. x 11-in., newsprint, with no cover price. Print run: 5,000. Marie Severin and Gil Kane cover. Great Gil Kane interview , with lots of art from his influences, 2 pages of Wally Wood super-hero parodies, lots of Tor art by Joe Kubert, including the back cover, and a funny article about Jim Steranko being alive and well, living with Paul McCartney, by Thomas. Front cover, and interior illo by Marie Severin.

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This issue, #11, was published by Star-Reach Productions nine years after #10 was released. Co-edited by Roy Thomas and Mike Friedrich. Roy Thomas interviews Bill Everett. Jean Giraud/Moebius interview by Mike Friedrich. Magazine-sized, no cover price, black and white, newsprint interiors, 32 pages.