Auctions: comic books published by United Features Syndicate

Single Series (1938) 9 CGC 7.0

Paper: Cream to off white

Label #4363506001

Cover by John Hix. Stories and art by John Hix. United's anthology series presented a different comic-strip character in every issue. This issue features the Ripley's Believe It or Not-like comic strip Strange as It Seems by John Hix. Freaks of nature, whimsical facts, historical oddities, persons of unusual habits, hero pets, wonders of the animal kingdom, strange foods, medical trivia, and pure plainspoken hokum. 64 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Sparkler Comics (1941 2nd Series) 10 VG+ 4.5

Cover oxidation.

Stories and art by Burne Hogarth, Reg Greenwood, Fred Methot, Bernard Dibble, Ernie Bushmiller, Jack Sparling, Drew Pearson, Bob Allen, Ben Batsford, Rudolph Dirks, Charlie Plumb, Bill Conselman, Harry O'Neill, Raeburn Van Buren and Frank N. Ernest. United's anthology featured reprints of early comic strips plus an original superhero, Spark Man, whose identity was a secret even from the readers. Washington DC reporter hero Hap Hopper joins the Sparkler Comics cast. Hap enlists in the Army as WWII starts, but Hap's mother, who has a history with the camp's general, makes boot camp a humiliating experience. Also joining the Army is The Spark Man, who reveals his identity...to the readers, at least. And Danny Dingle and his father, who join a Latin American rebel army, whether they like it or not. Plus a Tarzan adventure by Burne Hogarth. Spark Man; Hap Hopper; Nancy; Captain and the Kids; Ella Cinders; Tarzan; Abbie an Slats; Broncho Bill; Frankie Doodle; Danny Dingle; El Bombo; Unbelievable - But True. 68 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.

Tip Topper Comics (1949) 19 PR 0.5

INCOMPLETE. Piece missing, interrupts art or story. 5" cumulative spine split.

Cover by Ernie Bushmiller. Stories and art by Ernie Bushmiller, Charles Schulz, Al Capp, Sam Leff, and Henning Mikkelsen. Tip-Topper Comics collected some of United Features Syndicates most popular comic strips of the 1940s in full color, including Lil Abner and Fritzi Ritz. Fritzi was later known as "Aunt Fritzi" in the Nancy comic strip. Fritzi finds creative ways to save her hat and shoes from the weather. One of the backup strips in the comic is Charles Schulz's Peanuts, then only in its third year; several daily strips are presented in full color. Curly Kayoe's boxer buddy Mickey wants to retire from the ring so he can become a painter, but he needs to box to afford his art classes. Plus a Li'l Abner storyline by Al Capp. Fritzi Ritz; Peanuts; Li'l Abner; Curly Kayoe; Ferd'nand; Stamp Tips. 32 pages, Full Color. Cover price $0.10.