A Glance at the Gallery

Greetings, fannish ones! Michael McFadden here, back with yet another tour of the “New Additions Wing” of our interplanetary-famous Funny Book DigiGallery. Do enjoy the tour and remember, kids, ask for your free sample slabbed Golden Age book before you exit.

The wacky antics of Nero Fox, the jive-jumping emperor of ancient Rome, continue to make Leading Comics a collectors’ favorite… yeah, on the Bizarro World! Part of the mid-40s content change from cape and mask types that torpedoed More Fun Comics and Comic Cavalcade as well, this 9.2 Davis Crippen copy of Leading #19 is still desirable because of its scarcity in stratospheric grades. Vibrant color on this copy, too. While Leading plodded on to 1950, Nero’s headliner spot was soon overthrown by Boy Bacon himself, DC’s long-running Peter Porkchops. Too bad… had he been conceived earlier, Nero Fox could have fit right in as a member of Leading’s previous lead feature, the hopelessly lame Seven Soldiers of Victory. Would he be less useful than modern day “superheroes” armed with bows and arrows, swords and lance, six-shooters and a lariat? Probably not, but more cogently, who cares? And lame redux, this gorgeous Massachusetts copy of Marvel’s undistinguished Rawhide Kid #41, 9.6, offers a side benefit of leaving your book in a slab; namely you get to view the nifty Jack “King” Kirby cover and not the, uh, less than groovy Jack Keller and Larry Lieber art inside. Not a bad plan; definitely a benefit!

While only a 7.0, the Rockford copy of Adventure Comics #78 is notable not only because of the unusual two-hero cover (the spandex Sandman and Simon and Kirby’s Manhunter), but also because of Joe Simon’s SigSeries enhancement. Pacific Coast strikes again with typically lovely 9.8 of Journey into Mystery #115. Equaling that 9.8, but from 20 years earlier, is the Edgar Church Star Spangled Comics #54 (DC) and from a month later, that collection’s Stuntman #1 (Harvey). All four books are, interestingly, Jack Kirby covers. Also from the Church Mile High set are John Celardo’s strong cover on Fight Comics #13 (9.4), Startling Comics #21 (9.6), Startling Comics #23 (9.0) and, holy mackerel, one of those silly “getting smacked in the kisser with a floppin’ fish” covers on Blue Bolt v9 #5. Looks to me like this hit tipped the scales.

The Vancouver copy of EC’s Tiny Tot Comics #1 earned a 9.6, which introduced EC favorites Crypt Keeper, Old Witch and Vault Keeper. No, strike that, I misread my notes. I meant Dunny the Flying Donkey, Clippety Clop and Tommy Turnip. Wotta difference four years of lousy sales can make on a company! Gaines File Copies of the real deal include imposing 9.8 copies of Crypt of Terror #19 and Crime Superstores #3. Transitional New Trend / New Direction title Piracy #3 GFC notched 9.8 as well. The Rocky Mountain Tales of Suspense #90 reached 9.6.

I love obscure Silver Age books, those books you just don’t see much in any grade and often for a very good reason: not many fans bought and collected them back then. I used to own a lot of these books and I do think there is merit to many of them. Maybe they’re just, gosh, I dunno… “overlooked.” It’s good to be charitable, don’t you think? Well, when we see batch of 9.4s and 9.6s from the Western Penn collection, it’s impressive. Archie Comics, in the early 60s, published a couple of moderately successful superhero titles under their “Archie Adventure Series” imprint, Adventures of the Fly (31 issues) and Adventures of the Jaguar (15 issues). We have Jaguar #s 4, 6 and 8 newly on exhibit. Pep Comics and Laugh Comics featured the Archie cast in a teen humor format, but for a couple of years, early in the 60s, these titles would also feature a five- or six-page back-up story featuring the Fly, Jaguar or Fly Girl. The superhero stories were never referenced on the Archie covers, so if you didn’t stumble across them, you didn’t know about them. That pretty much defines “obscure,” huh? Pep Comics #s 151 and 153 and Laugh Comics #s 128, 129 and 130 also sport sci-fi- or horror-themed Archie covers, enhancing their collectibility. Pep Comics #168 is the Jaguar’s final Silver Age story, coming two months after his own book had folded. He was only seen in cameos after this. Laugh #s 134 and 135 have covers poking fun at the Twist, the Chubby Checker-fueled rock ‘n’ roll phenomenon that changed how people dance in America. Seldom seen are Charlton’s Attack #nn, Fightin’ Navy #s 104, 109 and 116, Unusual Tales #32 and Judo Master #98, all of which reached 9.6 with Western Penn copies.

We took sharp notice of an Adventure Comics #40, the classic issue inaugurating Sandman’s regular six-year gig in the title. While there are eight copies with grades higher than this 7.5 copy, there is one small caveat. All are restored. Currently, this is the highest-graded unrestored copy of this significant Golden Age book. It blew us all away in the World Headquarters. Your QC Doctor does not normally select restored books for the DigiGallery, but I had to make an exception for New Comics #2, the third DC comic ever published, only the second in regular comic book size. Even a restored 4.5 looks impressive compared to the two other certified copies extant at a robust unrestored 1.8 and 1.5. Too intriguing a book to pass up and, as you know, 38 issues and two title changes later, we’re back to Adventure Comics #40. Popular bandleader Kay Kyser, he of the Kollege of Musical Knowledge, guest stars with Batman and Robin in Detective Comics #144. At 9.0, there are no better certified copies than this one, just as there are no better songs than Kyser’s mega hit “Three Little Fishes.” Both are doubtless favorites of the renown Ish Kabbible! Giant sized World’s Finest Comics from the Golden Age are tough, even after it switched from cardstock to paper covers with issue #18, so this 9.2 copy of #24 impresses.

The first newsstand comic book, Eastern Color’s Famous Funnies Series 1 #1 from February 1934, hit 4.5. That may not sound exciting, but consider this. Only two copies have graded higher at 7.5 and 6.5, however both are restored. Only two copies are superior to the Planet Comics #1 we saw at 8.5 this month. Too bad we don’t scan back covers or we would have added the fantastic Arthur Jameson coda on Dell’s Four Color #104 (Fairy Tale Parade) as well as his beautifully rendered front cover on this 9.2 book, which we did exhibit. Also from Dell is Tarzan #2 at 9.0. DC’s Adventure Comics #149 reached 9.4 and Timely’s Red Raven #1 scored eight-oh. Anyone know of an earlier Jack Kirby cover than this? Captain America Comics #39 reached 9.0 and Cap’s penultimate Golden Age appearance in issue #73 (8.0) tied for highest graded.

It was exciting to see a 9.4 copy of Nedor’s Exciting Comics #63 in 9.4, especially for me, because I got to use my “It was exciting to see…” transition that I employ before any random issue of Exciting Comics for the umpteenth time. Wow, while we were maligning use of the lariat in the Seven Soldiers of Victory’s weaponry arsenal, the bad guy on the cover is throwing one over the book’s heroine. Not only didn’t he read the earlier part of this column, he apparently doesn’t read Exciting Comics either or Einstein here might have noticed that Judy of the Jungle always carries a knife. Oops! Better luck with plan B. Alex Schomburg drew most of Nedor’s covers, like this effective war cover on Black Terror #4 (9.4), proving once more that the ol’ Terror sports some of the snazziest threads in Golden Age comics. Ditto every bit of that for Fighting Yank #4, except it appears his costume came from the final mark-down rack at the Dollar Store. On Fox’s Blue Beetle #37 (9.0, highest graded), I can’t begin to fathom why a smiling Blue Beetle is swinging and missing the jaw of a smiling dinosaur who is chasing a smiling young man though the jungle. If that’s as good as Azure Avenger’s punch gets, he’d be better off with a lariat.

From the fabulous 50s, we crossed a triptych of perfectly charming crime comics, Perfect Crime from Cross Publications, specifically. I won’t lie to you - this time - and tell you I know anything about this title. I can tell you I really love these covers! They bring out the felon in me. Number 28 (5.5, second-highest certified) explores the rich human emotion of a prison guard about to be carved up in the execution of a prison break. It’s always a clue that things aren’t going your way if the desperate inmate holding a straight-razor at your throat is named “Butcher.” Trust me on this one, okay? A copy of Perfect Crime #30 is only the third we’ve seen in 10 years. A femme fatale with ice water in her veins is calling the shots, or at least for the garrote, in a gangland rub-out. Who says crime comics aren’t wholesome ligature? The cover of Perfect Crime #32, at 6.0 the first copy we’ve seen in the office, reminds me of the time I asked CGC mega-headcheese for a day off. Fortunately for me, Mark forgot we’re on the first floor here. My fall onto the Florida firmament was broken by geckos. One, with a phony Aussie accent, tried to sell me accident insurance.

Added to the impressive group of Silver Age Flash from our last tour is #113 in 9.2, the first appearance of the Trickster. Avengers #28 (9.8) introduces yet another superhero incarnation, Goliath, for Hank Pym, who got his start in the pages of Lee and Kirby monster books. Also certifying 9.8 was, from January 1963, Superman #158, Amazing Spider-Man #34 and Tales of Suspense #94. Joining nine other copies as highest certification of the first appearance of Silver Surfer and Galactus is a 9.8 Fantastic Four #48 and alone at 9.6, the best Fantastic Four #2 that we’ve ever seen. No Skrull imitation, this. At 9.6, a copy of Marvel’s Daredevil #1 tied for the top spot. Additionally at 9.6, we certified another of Neal Adams’ terrific House of Mystery covers, this one, #186, a double cover, and Journey into Mystery #s 105 and 107 both tied at the top. 80 Page Giant #12, the ninth Batman Annual, very hard to find in 9.6. Justice League of America #59 was 9.6 and World’s Finest Comics, all from 1960, certified 9.2 on #107, 8.0 on #110 and 8.5 on #111. And for you hopeless romantics out there, the ever-exciting Barbie and Ken #5 scored a 9.0. No word if Ken scored...

SigSeries is still hot, hotter than habanera eye-drops. A couple of renowned Bat-artists have personalized Bat-books. Batman: Odyssey, Neal Adams’ return to Batman interior art after several decades, is signed on a copy that certified 9.9. The first cover appearance of the Boy Commandos, Detective Comics #65 (8.0), is highlighted by a cover depicting Batman and Robin (drawn by Jerry Robinson) welcoming the Commandos (drawn by Jack Kirby and Joe Simon) to the pages of that publication. Now go get Joe Simon’s signature and resubmit it! Batman: Harley Quinn #nn was personalized by cover artist Alex Ross and writer Paul Dini. Both J. Scott Campbell and Edgar Delgado signed a Red Foil edition of True Blood #1. This copy earned a 10… kudos to the signers for their soft hands! We always enjoy seeing actors sign books. Blade himself, Wesley Snipes, signed a 9.8 photo cover Blade: Vampire Hunter #2. Acclaimed as the best science fiction film ever, no argument from this bureau, 2001: A Space Odyssey stars Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood, who signed the first issue of Marvel’s comic book. Now, if we could only witness a printout on this 9.6 copy from HAL 9000...

Moderns, we have more Moderns. Achieving the ultra groovy, universally coveted CGC10 designation was usual suspect Locke & Key, this time Crown of Shadows #6, Batman and Robin #13 and the Diamond Retailer Edition of True Blood #1. The Boys #10 offers a crucifixion-themed cover and I must say that artist Darick Robertson really nailed this one. And speaking of great covers, check out the marvelously drawn fronts courtesy of relative newcomer Chris Samnee on Thor the Mighty Avenger #1. Thoughtful, unpretentious and flat-out well drawn, a Variant Edition hit 10 and we put up a 9.8 of the regular book because we admired the cover. An Ultimate Spider-Man #12 settled for a not quite ultimate but still sizzling 9.9, as did Cursed Pirate Girl #1, Mouse Guard: Legend of the Guard #2, Batman #701, Brightest Day #5 and also its Variant Cover Edition. Kick Ass #s 1, 2 and 3 at 9.8 were added to the DigiGallery, as were X-Men #s 104 and #106 and Wolverine #145 Gold Foil Edition. Walking Dead #1 certified 9.8. No, not that one, the Aircel Comics book from 1989. Pretty cover, too, as pretty as our own Matt Dakan. The other Walking Dead #75 got a 9.8 on a Convention Edition from San Diego and a 9.9 on a SigSeries copy of same. Jim Steranko’s dynamite cover on the Now’s Green Hornet #1 is so evocative of Then’s Golden Age of America pulp magazine illustration that after I saw it in the office, I had to snag a copy myself! Lucky for me I don’t like Action #1’s cover that much!

Here’s a heartwarming story from the very hallways of our beloved CGC. It’s no secret we employ armed guards around here to protect your valuable and not-so-valuable comic books while they’re under our roof. Actually, we think the security folks are really here to make sure we don’t sneak out for that extra long lunch. That’s good thinking on their part. These stalwart defenders are not fans. After all, would you give a loaded weapon to a fan whose life mission is to collect every published appearance of Mr. A or the Punisher? Of course not, though that take-no-prisoners attitude would for sure cut down on any office’s paper clip shrinkage. Well, one of our security officers mentioned he had found some comics he had bought as a teen and we invited him to bring them in for an official slabitation. We sorta expected to see stuff like 2.5 Marvel New Universe books. To our collective surprise, among the three books he brought was a book that, after a million comics certified, we’d never seen. You can draw your own conclusions as to the “why” on that one, folks. But a new one it was, from 1987, and that is always notable to us. First Six Pack #2 (9.4) is a First Comics 50-cent promo book featuring Dreadstar, John Sable and American Flagg, among others and has either story or art by Mike Grell, Jim Starlin and Norm Breyfogle. And it’s not to be found in the Overstreet Price Guide yet. A nifty, seldom-seen issue, now the highest-graded copy in the history of mankind, but if I was that security officer, I’d continue to hang onto my day job instead of cashing in that issue for my retirement!

We saw an extensive group of Phantoms from the estate of creator and writer, Lee Falk. First appearing in a newspaper strip syndicated by King Features in early 1936, Ghost Who Walks created an archetype for superheroes to follow with his snappy skin-tight leotard costume with underwear trunks on top and a mask with no visible pupils. His patent on this fashion accessory alone could fund his crime-fighting family for generations. And he was one of the very first members of the cape and mask vigilante fraternity to make the jump to Hollywood. While no longer as popular in America as he once was (you perhaps have heard that newspapers are yesterday’s news?), the Phantom still retains a robust international following. He is hot in frosty Scandinavia (I guess the steamy jungle plays well there) and as any fairdinkum Phantom phan could tell you, he is tops down under. Phantom #1091 (9.4) from Australia’s Frew Publications was a treat to see; they come very Frew and far between.

My favorite this month is a war cover copy of Exciting Comics #35. A 9.0 submission which we were, all together now, excited to see. Only on a Schomburg Black Terror cover can you so deftly mix construction with destruction. This is one of those things they never seem to tell you about at the recruitment office. Our Terror Twins have made a career of steamrolling thru Axis troops, this time literally so. Once more they are, uh, paving the way for the American values they hold so (John) Deere. And maybe you thought only Italians knew how to make pizza. Instead of a generous sprinkling of pepperoni, it seems Black Terror prefers a generous sprinkling of hot lead on his human pizza. Looks like the high hopes of these evil and somewhat orthodonically challenged Axis soldiers have gone flat. At least their uniforms will be nicely pressed for the funeral. These poor Japanese troopers look absolutely crushed. Chin up, boys, though that might be asking a lot right now. You guys could make the grade yet… the road grade, that is. Ouch!

Comments and questions regarding the gallery? We’re fans, too. We enjoy hearing from you, unless we don't. You can contact me at mmcfadden@CGCcomics.com. Thank you for your time and do remember — Do you want spending money? Sell these popular Religious and Patriotic Mottos! Be good to yourself and be CGC-ing you!