Auctions: comic books August 1968

Avengers (1963 1st Series) 55 VG 4.0

Centerfold detached at one staple. Water spotting.

First (full) appearance of Ultron in "Mayhem over Manhattan!" Part 2 of 2. Guest-starring the Black Knight. Script by Roy Thomas. Pencils by John Buscema. Inks by George Klein. Cover by John Buscema and George Roussos. One of the legendary issues of the Avengers! As Earth's Mightiest Heroes battle their greatest foe for the first time! But at this point, they don't know who or what Ultron-5 is! The four avengers are still reeling from Jarvis' betrayal, the Masters of Evil's victory, and the Crimson Cowl's identity! However Ultron doesn't care about the Avengers' confusion! Because he's just loaded them inside a hydrogen bomb... and set the bomb on a collision course with the Empire State Building! Oh my, this looks like curtains for Earth's Mightiest! Unless the resourceful Black Knight and remorseful Edwin Jarvis can think of something quick! Appearances by Aragorn, Klaw, Melter, Whirlwind, and the Radioactive Man. Avengers Lineup: Black Panther, Goliath, Hawkeye, and the Wasp. (Notes: Ultron returns in Avengers #57. This issue was reprinted in Marvel Super Action #14. This two-part story was reprinted in 1993 in the trade paperback: The Greatest Battles of the Avengers.) 32 pages. Cover price $0.12.

Captain America (1968 1st Series) 104 CGC 8.5

Paper: Off white to white

Label #4407520006

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dan Adkins. "Slave of the Skull!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Dan Adkins and Jim Steranko (p. 11); Shield asks Captain America to test their Life Model Decoys; After Cap easily defeats them, Nick Fury sends them back to the lab; Cap goes to Shields doctor for help with headaches; Red Skull tells Shield he has placed nuclear tape on the back of Captain America's neck; He warns that anyone who tries to remove the special tape would activate the timer on a bomb planted in Washington D.C. by one of the Skull's spies. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Detective Comics (1937 1st Series) 378 CGC 5.5

Paper: Off white

Label #4405338012

Written by Frank Robbins. Art by Bob Brown and Joe Giella. Cover by Irv Novick. Batman! Drop Dead... Twice!; a disgruntled Robin leaves Batman; a bad guy named Salvo and his apprentice Chino have a similar falling out; Chino and Robin become roommates. Written by Gardner Fox. Art by Sid Greene. Menace of the Man-Killing Shooting Gallery!; a local syndicate threatens Hanford Jenkins, hiding a weapon in his apartment; Ralph Elongated Man and Sue Dibny visit their friends in the same building. 36 pages, full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.

Silver Surfer (1968 1st Series) 1 CBCS 8.5

Paper: White

Label #24-0E3FD1B-001

"The Origin of the Silver Surfer!" Cameos by the Incredible Hulk, Doctor Doom, and the Fantastic Four. Written by Stan Lee. Art and cover by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott. Many years ago, in order to prevent the total annihilation of his civilization and homeworld, Norrin Radd bargained with the Devourer of Worlds. Imbued with the Power Cosmic, he became the Silver Surfer and Herald of Galactus. However, on the fateful day he arrived on Earth, for love of humanity, he betrayed his master, and thus was cursed to never traverse the space-ways again. This is his story. Includes the Watcher back-up "The Wonder of the Watcher!" Story by Stan Lee. Art by Gene Colan and Syd Shores. 68-page giant. Cover price $0.25.

Silver Surfer (1968 1st Series) 1 CGC 4.0

Paper: Off white to white

Label #2109746016

"The Origin of the Silver Surfer!" Cameos by the Incredible Hulk, Doctor Doom, and the Fantastic Four. Written by Stan Lee. Art and cover by John Buscema and Joe Sinnott. Many years ago, in order to prevent the total annihilation of his civilization and homeworld, Norrin Radd bargained with the Devourer of Worlds. Imbued with the Power Cosmic, he became the Silver Surfer and Herald of Galactus. However, on the fateful day he arrived on Earth, for love of humanity, he betrayed his master, and thus was cursed to never traverse the space-ways again. This is his story. Includes the Watcher back-up "The Wonder of the Watcher!" Story by Stan Lee. Art by Gene Colan and Syd Shores. 68-page giant. Cover price $0.25.

Thor (1962 Marvel 1st Series Journey Into Mystery) 155 VF 8.0

Cover pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta. "Now Ends the Universe!", script by Stan Lee, pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Vince Colletta; Thor and Sif return to Asgard, and Loki sends Thor and the Warriors Three to battle Mangog, who is approaching Asgard in order to draw the Odinsword and bring about Ragnarok. Appearances by Balder, Sif, Karnilla, Hogun, Fandral, Volstagg, Loki, and Odin. Cameos by Ego and the Recorder. 36 pgs., full color. $0.12. Cover price $0.12.