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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![WEIRD TERROR #6 * 2.5 w/ Reversible RESTO * Secret ORIGIN of CSS #22: Heading: Author: Title: WEIRD TERROR No. 6 Place Published: Publisher:Comic Media [Indicia: Allen Hardy Associates, Inc.] Date Published: July, 1953 Description: Good+ (2.5). Moderate spine stress,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621652_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![WITCHCRAFT #2 * CGC 3.0 * Classic SKULL Cover: Heading: Author: Title: WITCHCRAFT No. 2 Place Published: Publisher:Avon [Indicia: Avon Periodicals, Inc.] Date Published: May-June, 1952 Description: CGC certified: G/CG (3.0). Off-white pages.](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621662_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![ACTION COMICS #242 * CGC 4.5 * 1st App: BRANIAC & Kandor: Heading: Section 3: Everything ElseAuthor: Title: ACTION COMICS No. 242 Place Published: Publisher:DC [Colophon: National Comics Publications, Inc.] Date Published: July, 1958 Description: CGC](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621680_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DAREDEVIL #1 * CGC 6.0 * DD's Debut * Man Without FEAR: Heading: Author: Title: DAREDEVIL No. 1 Place Published: Publisher:Marvel [Indicia: Olympia Publications, Inc.] Date Published: April, 1964 Description: CGC certified: Fine (6.0). Cream to off-white](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621690_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![IRON MAN & SUB-MARINER #1 * 5.0 * 1968 Expansion: Heading: Author: Title: IRON MAN and SUB-MARINER No. 1 Place Published: Publisher:Marvel [Indicia: Atlas Magazines, Inc.] Date Published: April, 1968 Description: VG/Fine (5.0). Slight spine roll,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621705_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![WILLIE COMICS #6 * 6.0 * Record Player's REVENGE * Bad Luck Cuck: Heading: Author: Title: WILLIE COMICS No. 6 * Cosmic Aeroplane Pedigree Place Published: Publisher:Marvel [Indicia: Margood Publishing Corp.] Date Published: Winter, 1946-47 Description: Fine (6.0).](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621715_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)

![DARK MYSTERIES #4 * 3.0 * Vault of VIBRATORS * Dildo of DOOM: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 4 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: December-January, 1952 Description: G/VG (3.0). Spine](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621431_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #17 * 4.0 * Bone Zone * Surplus of Skeletons: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 17 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: April, 1954 Description: VG (4.0). Small split to](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621446_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![GHOST BREAKERS #2 * 2.0 * Bob POWELL * Joe MANEELY * Zangerle's Culture Stew: Heading: Author: Title: GHOST BREAKERS No. 2 Place Published: Publisher:Street and Smith [Indicia: Street & Smith Publications, Inc.] Date Published: December, 1948 Description: Good (2.0). Cover](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621481_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)
![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)
![WEIRD HORRORS #8 * 3.0 * Kubert Cover * Cuckolds, Cats, Killers: Heading: Author: Title: WEIRD HORRORS No. 8 Place Published: Publisher:St. John [Indicia: St. John Publishing Co.] Date Published: August, 1953 Description: G/VG (3.0). Spine stress, tiny nick at](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621626_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![WEIRD TALES OF THE FUTURE #8 * CGC 3.0 * Heart Ripped Out: Heading: Author: Title: WEIRD TALES OF THE FUTURE No. 8 Place Published: Publisher:Stanley Morse [Indicia: S.P.M. Publications, Inc.] Date Published: July, 1953 Description: CGC certified: G/VG](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621646_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)
![DAREDEVIL * Lot of 20 Comics * 10 (Wood), 17 (Romita Spidey), etc.: Heading: Author: Title: DAREDEVIL: Lot of 20 Comics Place Published: Publisher:Marvel [Indicia: Olympia Publications, Inc.] Date Published: 1965-1969 Description: Lot comprises #'s: 10 (3.0, name on](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621693_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![INCREDIBLE HULK #182 * CGC 8.0 * 3rd App: WOLVERINE: Heading: Author: Title: INCREDIBLE HULK No. 182 Place Published: Publisher:Marvel [Indicia: Marvel Comics Group] Date Published: December, 1974 Description: CGC certified: VF (8.0). White pages.](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621703_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652300272)
![AUTHENTIC POLICE CASES #17 * 4.0 * Matt BAKER Cover: Heading: Author: Title: AUTHENTIC POLICE CASES No. 17 Place Published: Publisher:St. John [Indicia: St. John Publishing Co.] Date Published: February, 1952 Description: VG (4.0). Spine roll, light](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621395_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #8 * 3.0 * Hillbilly HORROR * Severed Heads, Naked Psyches: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 8 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: August-September, 1952 Description: G/VG (3.0). 3/4"](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621435_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #13 * CGC 4.5 * Classic SKULL Cover: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 13 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: April, 1953 Description: CGC certified: VG+ (4.5). Cream to](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621520_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![TEEN-AGE ROMANCES #32 * CGC 4.0 * Matt BAKER Cover: Heading: Author: Title: TEEN-AGE ROMANCES No. 32 Place Published: Publisher:St. John [Indicia: St. John Publishing Co.] Date Published: July, 1953 Description: CGC certified: VG (4.0). Off-white to](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621565_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)
![CRIME SUSPENSTORIES #25 * CGC 5.0 * EC Fixation Fodder * Are You a RED DUPE?: Heading: Author: Title: CRIME SUSPENSTORIES No. 25 Place Published: Publisher:EC [Indicia: L.L. Publishing Co., Inc.] Date Published: October-November, 1954 Description: CGC certified: VG/Fine](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621427_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)
