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
0049: DANGER: Lot of 9 Comics * Don HECK * 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 * Drug StoriesEst. $200-$300
Sold
0054: DARK MYSTERIES #6 * 5.5 * Necktie Party of PERIL * Sad Sack Succumbs to SuccubusEst. $200-$300
Sold
0069: DARK MYSTERIES #19 * CGC 4.0 * Rare PRINTING ERROR Variant * Printer Pulls a BonerEst. $1,500-$2,500
TOP



![DANGER: Lot of 9 Comics * Don HECK * 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11 * Drug Stories: Heading: Author: Title: DANGER: Lot of Nine Comics Place Published: Publisher:Comic Media [Indicia: Allen Hardy Associates, Inc.] Date Published: 1953-1954 Description: #1: VG (4.0). Light wear and](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621428_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #1 * CGC 4.5 * Wally WOOD & Joe ORLANDO: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 1 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: June-July, 1951 Description: CCG certified: VG+ (4.5).](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621429_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![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)
![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 #5 * 1.8 * Looks Great but Spine Taped * Dwarves of DOOM: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 5 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: February-March, 1952 Description: Good- (1.8). Spine of](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621432_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #6 * 5.5 * Necktie Party of PERIL * Sad Sack Succumbs to Succubus: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 6 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: April, 1952 Description: Fine- (5.5). Light spine](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621433_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #7 * 3.5 * Gambling GHOULS * Dead Man's Hand: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 7 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: June-July, 1952 Description: VG- (3.5). 1" split at](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621434_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)
![DARK MYSTERIES #9 * 3.5 * Satanic Snake Charmer * Voodoo Ghouls: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 9 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: October-November, 1952 Description: VG- (3.5). 1" split](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621436_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #10 * CGC 6.0 * Slaves in Watery GRAVES * Swipe Gripe: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 10 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: December-January, 1953 Description: CGC certified:](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621437_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #10 * CGC .5 * Terror of the BURNING WITCH: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 10 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: December-January, 1953 Description: CGC certified:](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621438_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #11 * 3.5 * Eaten by RATS * Headless Horror: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 11 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: March-April, 1953 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine roll,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621439_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #12 * 3.0 * Aping EC in Earnest * Better Read than Dead: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 12 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: June, 1953 Description: G/VG (3.0). Spine stress, 1/2"](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621440_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #12 * 3.5 * Woman Cut in Half * Booked to DIE: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 12 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: June, 1953 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine roll, spine](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621441_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #13 * 3.5 * Horror of the MIXED TORSOS * Queasy Classic: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 13 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: August, 1953 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine a bit](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621442_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #14 * 5.5 * Alleged CRAIG Copycat: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 14 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: October, 1953 Description: Fine- (5.5). A few spine](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621443_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #15 * 4.5 * Slave Master STEW * Cannibal Caper: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 15 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: December, 1953 Description: VG+ (4.5). Light spine](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621444_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #16 * 3.5 * A Corpse is a Corpse of Course of Course: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 16 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: February, 1954 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine stress,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621445_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)
![DARK MYSTERIES #18 * 4.0 * Meat is MURDER * Bone Appetit: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 18 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: June, 1954 Description: VG (4.0). Spine stress,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621447_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #19 * CGC 4.0 * Rare PRINTING ERROR Variant * Printer Pulls a Boner: Heading: Pre-Code Mystery Mag of the YearAuthor: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 19 * Printing Error Variant Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621448_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #20 * 3.5 * Evil Nazis and Octopus Girls: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 20 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: October, 1954 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine roll,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621449_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #21 * 4.0 * Satan Cover * Lascivious Leper * Cops Kill Kittens: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 21 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: December, 1954 Description: VG (4.0). Moderate spine](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621450_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![DARK MYSTERIES #22 * 3.0 * Felines of FEAR * Last Pre-Code Ish: Heading: Author: Title: DARK MYSTERIES No. 22 Place Published: Publisher:Story, aka Master/Merit [Indicia: Master Comics, Inc.] Date Published: March, 1954 Description: G/VG (3.0). Spine stress,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621451_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
