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
0074: JOHNNY DYNAMITE: Lot of 7 Mags * Don HECK * 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 * Morphine StoryEst. $200-$300
Sold
0075: EERIE ADVENTURES #1 * CGC 7.0 * Sinner Takes All * SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENTEst. $600-$900
Sold
0076: EERIE COMICS #1 * CGC 1.5 Purple Label * 1st True HORROR Comic * Pre-Code CLASSICEst. $800-$1,200
Sold
0092: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME #16 * 4.0 * "Foul Play" EC Swipe * Piranha Tale Baits KrigsteinEst. $200-$300
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![The DEAD WHO WALK Avon One-Shot * CGC 5.0 * Sex and Death Scenarios: Heading: Author: Title: DEAD WHO WALK * One-Shot Place Published: Publisher:Avon [Indicia: Realistic Comics, Inc.] Date Published: 1952 Description: CGC certified: VG/Fine (5.0). Cream to off-white](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621452_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![JOHNNY DYNAMITE: Lot of 7 Mags * Don HECK * 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 * Morphine Story: Heading: Author: Title: DYNAMITE: Lot of Seven Issues Place Published: Publisher:Comic Media [Indicia: Allen Hardy Associates, Inc.] Date Published: 1953-1954 Description: #1: Fine (6.0). Light](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621453_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![EERIE ADVENTURES #1 * CGC 7.0 * Sinner Takes All * SEDUCTION OF THE INNOCENT: Heading: Author: Title: EERIE ADVENTURES No. 1 Place Published: Publisher:Ziff-Davis [Indicia: Ziff-Davis Comic Group] Date Published: Winter, 1951 Description: CGC certified: F/VF (7.0). Off-white](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621454_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![EERIE COMICS #1 * CGC 1.5 Purple Label * 1st True HORROR Comic * Pre-Code CLASSIC: Heading: The First True Horror ComicAuthor: Title: EERIE COMICS No. 1 Place Published: Publisher:Avon [Indicia: Avon Comics, Inc.] Date Published: January, 1947 Description: CGC certified: Fair/Good](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621455_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![EXCITING WAR #6 * 3.5 * Flamethrower Cover * Battlefield Barbarity: Heading: Author: Title: EXCITING WAR No. 6 Place Published: Publisher:Standard [Indicia: Better Publications, Inc.] Date Published: November, 1952 Description: VG- (3.5). Light spine and edge wear,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621456_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![FANTASTIC WORLDS #7 * 6.0 * Space Pirates and Asteroid Gods: Heading: Author: Title: FANTASTIC WORLDS No. 7 Place Published: Publisher:Standard [Indicia: Literary Enterprises, Inc.] Date Published: January, 1953 Description: Fine (6.0). Light spine stress,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621457_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![FIGHT AGAINST CRIME #2 * 4.5 * Copper Filled with Lead: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 2 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: July, 1951 Description: VG+ (4.5). Spine stress, mild spine roll,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621458_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![FIGHT AGAINST CRIME #3 * 2.0 * O'Houli-HAN Shot First: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 3 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: September, 1951 Description: Good (2.0). Spine stress, bottom spine a](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621459_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 #6 * CGC 7.5 * Cop Killer Gets Helping Hand: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 6 * Third Highest-Graded Copy Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: March, 1952 Description: CGC certified:](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621461_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![FIGHT AGAINST CRIME #7 * 2.0 * Severed Head Panel: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 7 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: May, 1952 Description: Good (2.0). Spine stress, 1/4" chipped split](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621462_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![FIGHT AGAINST CRIME #8 * 2.5 * Shaft of DEATH: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 8 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: July, 1952 Description: Good+ (2.5). Spine roll, staples pulled,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621463_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![FIGHT AGAINST CRIME #9 * 3.5 * CRIMES of SUSPENSE from the TOMB of HORROR: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 9 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: September, 1952 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine stressed and rubbed,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621464_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 AGAINST CRIME #11 * 4.0 * Magician Cuts Woman in Half: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 11 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: January, 1953 Description: VG (4.0). Spine stress, 1/4" split at top](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621466_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![FIGHT AGAINST CRIME #12 * 3.0 * MORPHINE Story * "The Big DOPE": Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 12 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: March, 1953 Description: G/VG (3.0). Spine stress, 1/8" nicks to](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621467_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![FIGHT AGAINST CRIME #13 * 4.0 * Cuckold's REVENGE * Hemingway HORROR: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 13 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: May, 1953 Description: VG (4.0). Spine stress, top spine lightly](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621468_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![FIGHT AGAINST CRIME #14 * 3.0 * Electric Chair Cover * EC Similarity: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 14 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: July, 1953 Description: G/VG (3.0). Bit of spine stress, 1/4" nick](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621469_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)
![FIGHT AGAINST CRIME #16 * 4.0 * "Foul Play" EC Swipe * Piranha Tale Baits Krigstein: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 16 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: November, 1953 Description: VG (4.0). Spine stress, slight spine](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621471_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![FIGHT AGAINST CRIME #17 * 2.5 * "CARRION DEATH" Swipe * Wildey Cops CRANDALL: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 17 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: January, 1954 Description: Good+ (2.5). 3.25" spine split (from](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621472_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![FIGHT AGAINST CRIME #18 * 3.0 * Cop-Killing CUTIE: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 18 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: March, 1954 Description: G/VG (3.0). Spine stress, 1" split at top](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621473_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![FIGHT AGAINST CRIME #19 * 3.5 * SAVAGE Combo of CRAIG Capers: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 19 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: May, 1954 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine roll, spine ends nicked,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621474_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![FIGHT AGAINST CRIME #20 * CGC 6.0 * Crazy SEVERED HEAD Cover: Heading: Author: Title: FIGHT AGAINST CRIME No. 20 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: July, 1954 Description: CGC certified: Fine+ (6.5). Cream to](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621475_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
