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
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![The THING! #4 * 4.0 * I Was a ZOMBIE * Splash Rehash * Suarez Says: Heading: Author: Title: The THING! No. 4 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Outstanding Comics, Inc.] Date Published: August, 1952 Description: VG (4.0). Spine roll, spine stress, bottom](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621572_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![The THING! #5 * 3.0 * Headless HORROR in the Headlights: Heading: Author: Title: The THING! No. 5 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Outstanding Comics, Inc.] Date Published: August, 1952 Description: G/VG (3.0). Spine roll, spine stress, small](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621573_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![The THING! #6 * 3.5 * Shrunken Heads and Tiny Nudes: Heading: Author: Title: The THING! No. 6 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Outstanding Comics, Inc.] Date Published: January, 1953 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine stress, staples pulled,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621574_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![The THING! #7 * 3.5 * Injury to EYE Cover and Panel * Rough Stuff: Heading: Author: Title: The THING! No. 7 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Capitol Stories, Inc.] Date Published: March, 1953 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine stress, staples pulled, 1"](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621575_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![The THING! #8 * 4.0 * Vampire's Fatal Chug: Heading: Author: Title: The THING! No. 8 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Capitol Stories, Inc.] Date Published: May, 1953 Description: VG (4.0). Spine roll, spine stress, light](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621576_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![The THING! #9 * 3.5 * Seduction of the INNOCENT * The Art of Murder: Heading: Author: Title: The THING! No. 9 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Capitol Stories, Inc.] Date Published: July, 1953 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine stress, edge nicks and a few](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621577_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![The THING! #10 * 2.0 * Venus Fly-Trap of TERROR * Memento Mori of MURDER: Heading: Author: Title: The THING! No. 10 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Capitol Stories, Inc.] Date Published: September, 1953 Description: Good (2.0). Spine roll, spine stress,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621578_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![The THING! #11 * 4.0 * Necronomic-Comic-Con * Death Puffs a Pipe: Heading: Author: Title: The THING! No. 11 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Capitol Stories, Inc.] Date Published: November-December, 1953 Description: VG (4.0). Spine stress, 1/4" split](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621579_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)
![The THING! #16 * 5.0 * Whip-Cracking Cuckold * Eyeballs Injured: Heading: Author: Title: The THING! No. 16 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Capitol Stories, Inc.] Date Published: September, 1954 Description: VG/Fine (5.0). Light spine stress, a few](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621581_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![THIS MAGAZINE IS HAUNTED #20 * 4.0 * Bowl-Haircut of HORROR * Twisted Toads: Heading: Author: Title: THIS MAGAZINE IS HAUNTED No. 20 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Charlton Comics Group] Date Published: September, 1954 Description: VG (4.0). Spine stress, some](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621582_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![THRILLING CRIME CASES #44 * 3.5 * L.B. Cole Cover & Story: Heading: Author: Title: THRILLING CRIME CASES No. 44 Place Published: Publisher:Star [Indicia: Star Publications, Inc.] Date Published: April, 1951 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine roll, transverse](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621583_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)
![TINY TOT COMICS #10 * 3.0 * Moon Girl House Ad * Prurient Pigs & Wascally Werthams: Heading: Author: Title: TINY TOT COMICS No. 10 Place Published: Publisher:EC [Indicia: Tiny Tot Comics, Inc.] Date Published: November-December, 1947 Description: G/VG (3.0). 1" tear at top spine,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621586_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![TOMB OF TERROR #3 * 4.0 * Bondage Cover * Bob POWELL * Rudy PALAIS: Heading: Author: Title: TOMB OF TERROR No. 3 Place Published: Publisher:Harvey [Indicia: Harvey Publications, Inc.] Date Published: August, 1952 Description: VG (4.0). Very slight spine roll, light](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621587_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![TOMB OF TERROR #4 * 3.5 * Heart Ripped Out * Hypodermic Panel: Heading: Author: Title: TOMB OF TERROR No. 4 Place Published: Publisher:Harvey [Indicia: Harvey Publications, Inc.] Date Published: September, 1952 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine stress with color](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621588_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![The TORMENTED #1 * CGC 5.0 * HORROR in the GRAVEYARD * Savage Hoard: Heading: Author: Title: The TORMENTED No. 1 Place Published: Publisher:Sterling [Indicia: Sterling Comics, Inc.] Date Published: July, 1954 Description: CGC certified: VG/Fine (5.0). Off-white to](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621589_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![The TORMENTED #2 * 3.0 * Trapeze of TERROR * Horror Takes the Cake: Heading: Author: Title: The TORMENTED No. 2 Place Published: Publisher:Sterling [Indicia: Sterling Comics, Inc.] Date Published: September, 1954 Description: G/VG (3.0). Cover and pages miscut at a](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621590_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![TRAPPED! #2 * 3.0 * Gene COLAN * Sol Brodsky: Heading: Author: Title: TRAPPED! No. 2 Place Published: Publisher:Ace [Indicia: Periodical House, Inc.] Date Published: December, 1954 Description: G/VG (3.0). Looks 4.5 to 5.0, but with MARRIED](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621591_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![TRUE LIFE ROMANCE #2 * CGC 3.0 * Only Slabbed Copy: Heading: Author: Title: TRUE LIFE ROMANCE No. 2 Place Published: Publisher:Ajax-Farrell [Indicia: Ajax Publications, Inc.] Date Published: March, 1956 Description: CGC certified: G/VG (3.0).](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621592_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![TRUE LIFE SECRETS #23 * 5.0 * Classic SEXUAL INNUENDO Cover: Heading: Author: Title: TRUE LIFE SECRETS No. 23 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Charlton Comics Group] Date Published: November-December, 1954 Description: VG/Fine (5.0). Moderate](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621593_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![TRUE-TO-LIFE ROMANCES #10 * CGC 5.0 * L.B. Cole Cover: Heading: Author: Title: TRUE-TO-LIFE ROMANCES No. 10 Place Published: Publisher:Star [Indicia: Star Publications, Inc.] Date Published: January, 1952 Description: CGC certified: VG/Fine (5.0).](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621594_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![TWO-FISTED TALES #27 * CGC 9.0 * H. Kurtzman, Custer-Buster: Heading: Author: Title: TWO-FISTED TALES No. 27 Place Published: Publisher:EC [Indicia: Fables Publishing Co., Inc.] Date Published: May-June, 1952 Description: CGC certified: VF/NM (9.0). Off-white](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621595_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
