Auctions: comic books April 1965

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 15 GD+ 2.5

Tape on cover. Heavy cover oxidation.

"Now, By My Hand, Shall Die a Villain!" Script by Stan Lee, layouts by Jack Kirby, pencils by Don Heck, inks by Mike Esposito (as Mickey Demeo). Avengers Roll Call: Thor, Captain America, Iron Man, Giant Man, Wasp, and Rick Jones. Villains: the first Baron Zemo, the Enchantress, the Executioner, the Melter, the second Black Knight, and the first appearance of Zemo's Mercenaries (Erik Josten). Baron Zemo is killed when a laser ray, he fires, reflects off of Captain America's shield and causes an avalanche that buries the baron underneath a ton of rock. Reprinted in Marvel Triple Action # 9. Kirby/Chic Stone cover. Cover price $0.12.

Showcase (1956-1978) 55 VG 4.0

Cover by Murphy Anderson. 1st solo Golden Age Green Lantern in Silver Age (pre-dates Green Lantern 40), Doctor Fate, and Hourman star in "Solomon Grundy Goes on a Rampage!", script by Gardner Fox, art by Murphy Anderson; When Solomon Grundy last fought Green Lantern Alan Scott, Green Lantern encased Solomon Grundy in an emerald sphere prison floating above Earth; Years later, the sphere has now crash landed back on Earth, and Solomon Grundy has emerged to get his revenge on Green Lantern; Solomon Grundy instinctually heads back to his home of Slaughter Swamp, which at this point is bordering the Tyler Chemical Company plant; At the Tower of Fate, Kent Nelson is warned that there is trouble by his crystal ball; Seeing the source of the trouble to be Slaughter Swamp, Nelson becomes Dr. Fate; Hourman comes across Solomon Grundy in Slaughter Swamp; Hourman pops his Miraclo pill, then attacks Solomon Grundy. One-page text feature tells the origins of Dr. Fate and Hourman. 36 Pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.12.

Tales to Astonish (1959-1968 1st Series) 66 VG 4.0

Cover by Jack Kirby, Bob Powell, and Frank Giacoia. The Menace of Madam Macabre, script by Stan Lee, art by Bob Powell and Frank Giacoia (as Frankie Ray); Giant-Man is pitted against a disciple of the Mandarin who also has the power to grow and shrink things at will. The Power of Dr. Banner!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko and Vince Colletta; The Hulk escapes from his Russian captors with a fellow fugitive who gives his life to save the jade giant from a blast from the powerful proton gun; Angry at the death of his friend, Hulk decides to take his fight to the commies. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Tales to Astonish (1959-1968 1st Series) 66 VG- 3.5

Water spotting.

Cover by Jack Kirby, Bob Powell, and Frank Giacoia. The Menace of Madam Macabre, script by Stan Lee, art by Bob Powell and Frank Giacoia (as Frankie Ray); Giant-Man is pitted against a disciple of the Mandarin who also has the power to grow and shrink things at will. The Power of Dr. Banner!, script by Stan Lee, art by Steve Ditko and Vince Colletta; The Hulk escapes from his Russian captors with a fellow fugitive who gives his life to save the jade giant from a blast from the powerful proton gun; Angry at the death of his friend, Hulk decides to take his fight to the commies. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 115 VG 4.0

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Chic Stone. "The Vengeance of the Thunder God," script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Frank Giacoia (as Frankie Ray); Thor rescues Jane from Loki; Odin appears and accuses Thor of bringing Jane to Asgard; Loki denies all involvement and Thor calls him a liar; Odin orders the Trial of the Gods, but first Thor is granted 48 hours in which to defeat the Absorbing Man; Aided by reporter Harris Hobbs and a courageous police unit, Thor tricks Creel into absorbing some helium gas. The origin of Loki continues in this "Tales of Asgard" back-up, "A Viper in Our Midst!", script by Lee, pencils by Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta. "Tales of Asgard" back-up, "A Viper in Our Midst!" Script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta; Loki aids the giant, Ghan, in escaping from the Asgardians; Ghan owes Loki a debt of gratitude; Loki plans to ask him to repay the favor when he makes his bid to claim the throne of Asgard; features young Thor and Loki. 36 pgs., full color. Cover price $0.12.