Done
Berkeley, CA, United States
Auction Details
Comic Books: Pre-Code Horror & Other Comics
PBA Galleries
Greetings, gang, and welcome to PBA?s fifth comic book sale. Fright fans will be pleased to see that once again our focus is on the seedy underbelly of the comics world: the ?terrifying, shocking, sensational, appalling, forbidden? but simply wonderful? pre-Code horror comic books of the 1950s. As usual, we?ve tried to delve beneath the surface of this fascinating category with our signature blend of research and commentary. Despite the surge in interest in pre-Code horror, we feel that these books have yet to receive their proper due ? they?ve become very attractive as investment collectibles, to be sure, but we think they?re even more valuable for the insights that they yield to careful observers. In his influential anti-comics opus Seduction of the Innocent, Dr. Fredric Wertham claimed to detect hidden content embedded in these lurid pamphlets: ?In ordinary comic books, there are pictures within pictures for children who know how to look.? Granted that Wertham was a bit of a plonker, but we?re not unsympathetic to this particular claim of his ? indeed, we believe that a hidden psychosexual portrait of midcentury America is buried in the pulpy pages of old horror comics, and we?ve made it our business to try and bring this shadowy portrait to light, one pre-Code mag at a time. We hope that you?ll find our efforts diverting.
Sale highlights include a complete run of Stanley Morse?s WEIRD MYSTERIES, including another copy of #5, a gruesome classic that?s become PBA?s pre-Code calling card (we?ve offered copies in three of our four previous outings); a near-complete run of MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES and its sister title FIGHT AGAINST CRIME, including a 6.5 copy of FAC #20 (infamous severed head cover); Avon?s EERIE #1, the first true horror comic; a rare and possibly unique misprint copy of DARK MYSTERIES #19, with the inside covers not only printed upside-down, but with another company?s name in the indicia; a Yankee version of CHAMBER OF CHILLS #23, featuring one of th
Sold
0201: The THING! #13 * 1.5 * Steve DITKO Cover & Three Stories * Swipe Gripe * Mr A Nay-SayEst. $100-$150
Sold
0275: WEIRD TERROR #8 * 3.5 * Hatchet-Fight Cover * Two by PALAIS * Flies Eat FaceEst. $200-$300
Sold
0249: WEIRD MYSTERIES #1 * 3.5 * Partial WOLVERTON Cover * Loffredo's Double-Dip of DOOMEst. $400-$600
Sold
0147: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #19 * CGC 6.0 * Carload of CORPSES * Bones for Big BenjisEst. $1,500-$2,500
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![DARK MYSTERIES #3 * 3.0 * Smorgasbord of HORROR * Harrison's Harrangue: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 3 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: October-November, 1951 Description: G/VG (3.0). STAPLES](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621430_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![FIGHT AGAINST CRIME #4 * 4.0 * Hopped-Up KILLERS * Reefer MADNESS: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 4 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: November, 1951 Description: VG (4.0). Spine roll, 1/2" rubbed spot at](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621460_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![FIGHT AGAINST CRIME #10 * 3.0 * Crime Goes to the DOGS: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 10 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: November, 1952 Description: G/VG (3.0). Spine stress, hint of spine](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621465_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![FIGHT AGINST CRIME #15 * 4.5 * Porno Blackmail * Parade of PLEASURE: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 15 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: September, 1953 Description: VG+ (4.5). Thin reading crease along](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621470_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![GANGSTERS CAN'T WIN #1 * 2.5 * Pistol Pack'n Dames Sans Dishpan Hands: Heading: Author: Title: GANGSTERS CAN'T WIN No. 1 Place Published: Publisher:D.S. [Indicia: D.S.Publishing Co., Inc.] Date Published: February-March, 1948 Description: Good+ (2.5). Spine ends](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621480_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #4 * 3.5 * Korean CARNAGE: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 4 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: October, 1951 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine stress, slight spine](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621510_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #8 * 4.5 * Man Bitten by Eyeball Snake: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 8 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: June, 1952 Description: VG+ (4.5). 3/4" split to bottom spine with](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621515_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #18 * 3.5 * Used by SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE; EC Swipefest: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 18 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: February, 1954 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine stress, transverse](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621525_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![STRANGE MYSTERIES #1 * 4.0 * Blonde Gal Gets Spine-Rolled: Heading: Author: Title: STRANGE MYSTERIES No. 1 Place Published: Publisher:Superior [Indicia: Superior Publishers Limited] Date Published: September, 1951 Description: VG (4.0). Spine lightly](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621560_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![The THING! #2 * 4.5 * Pre-Code PANDEMIC * That's No BULL: Heading: Author: Title: The THING! No. 2 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Song Hits, Inc.] Date Published: April, 1952 Description: VG+(4.5). Slight curve to spine, light spine stress,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621570_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![The THING! #13 * 1.5 * Steve DITKO Cover & Three Stories * Swipe Gripe * Mr A Nay-Say: Heading: Author: Title: The THING! No. 13 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Charlton Comics Group] Date Published: April, 1954 Description: Fair/Good (1.5). Cover detached from book,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621580_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![THUN'DA #2 * 4.0 * Racial Shenanigans * Lion Mauls Man's Mug: Heading: Author: Title: THUN'DA, KING OF THE CONGO No. 2 * Cosmic Aeroplane Pedigree Place Published: Publisher:Magazine Enterprises [Indicia: Magazine Enterprises] Date Published: 1952 Description:](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621585_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![CRIME AND JUSTICE #11 * CGC 3.0 * Kids Clobber GATOR MAN: Heading: Author: Title: CRIME AND JUSTICE No. 11 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Capitol Stories, Inc.] Date Published: January, 1953 Description: CGC certified: G/VG (3.0). Cream to](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621419_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #21 * 3.0 * Beheadings, Disembowelment, Rosaries: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 21 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: August, 1954 Description: G/VG (3.0). Spine roll, spine stress,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621529_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![WEB OF EVIL #8 * 3.5 * COLE on a Roll * Radioactive REVENGE: Heading: Author: Title: WEB OF EVIL No. 8 Place Published: Publisher:Quality [Indicia: Comic Magazines] Date Published: November, 1953 Description: G/VG (3.0). Spine stress, staples quite pulled, a](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621619_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![WEIRD TERROR #8 * 3.5 * Hatchet-Fight Cover * Two by PALAIS * Flies Eat Face: Heading: Author: Title: WEIRD TERROR No. 8 Place Published: Publisher:Comic Media [Indicia: Allen Hardy Associates, Inc.] Date Published: November, 1953 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine stress, 1/4"](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621654_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #6 * 1.5 * Satanic Spectacles: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 6 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: February, 1952 Description: Fair/Good (1.5). Spine chipped and](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621513_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![WARTIME ROMANCES #18 * 2.5 * Matt BAKER Cover and Story * Memory of SIN: Heading: Author: Title: WARTIME ROMANCES No. 18 Place Published: Publisher:St. John [Indicia: St. John Publishing Co.] Date Published: November, 1953 Description: Good+ (2.5). Spine stress, 1/4"](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621618_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![WEIRD MYSTERIES #1 * 3.5 * Partial WOLVERTON Cover * Loffredo's Double-Dip of DOOM: Heading: Author: Title: WEIRD MYSTERIES No. 1 Place Published: Publisher:Stanley Morse [Indicia: Gillmor Magazines, Inc.] Date Published: October, 1952 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine stress, 1/4"](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621628_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)

![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #19 * CGC 6.0 * Carload of CORPSES * Bones for Big Benjis: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 19 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: April, 1954 Description: CGC certified: Fine (6.0). Cream to](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621526_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)

![STRANGE TALES #169 * CGC 7.5 * 1st BROTHER VOODOO: Heading: Author: Title: STRANGE TALES No. 169 * 1st Brother Voodoo Place Published: Publisher:Marvel [Indicia: Marvel Comics Group] Date Published: September, 1973 Description: CGC certified: VF-](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621711_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![The CLUTCHING HAND #1 * 4.5 * ACG OVERKILL * Monkey Mangles Midget: Heading: Author: Title: CLUTCHING HAND No. 1 Place Published: Publisher:ACG [Indicia: Best Syndicated Features, Inc.] Date Published: July-August, 1954 Description: VG+ (4.5). Mild spine stress, a](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621417_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
