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
0124: MISTER MYSTERY #10 * 3.0 * Wife Looks Nice as a Drawstring Lamp * Comic Swap ShopEst. $200-$300
Sold
0128: MUTINY #'s 1 & 2 * 4.0 & 5.5 * Stanley MORSE vs. Alan MOORE * Rum, Thuggery & the LashEst. $100-$150
Sold
0140: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #12 * CGC 5.0 * Dissection Room of DOOM * Horror HoleEst. $1,000-$1,500
TOP



![MISTER MYSTERY #7 * 3.0 * WOLVERTON's Brain Bats of Venus: Heading: Author: Title: MISTER MYSTERY No. 7 Place Published: Publisher:Standard [Indicia: Aragon Magazines, Inc.] Date Published: September, 1952 Description: G/VG (3.0). Cover miscut with diagonal](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621500_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MISTER MYSTERY #8 * CGC 3.5 * Bizarre PORTHOLE Cover * Man Eaten by RAT: Heading: Author: Title: MISTER MYSTERY No. 8 Place Published: Publisher:Stanley Morse [Indicia: Aragon Magazines, Inc.] Date Published: November, 1952 Description: CGC certified: VG- (3.5).](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621501_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MISTER MYSTERY #9 * 1.5 * Readers Roast the Horror Host: Heading: Author: Title: MISTER MYSTERY No. 9 Place Published: Publisher:Stanley Morse [Indicia: Aragon Magazines, Inc.] Date Published: January, 1953 Description: Fair/Good (1.5). Spine stress, top](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621502_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MISTER MYSTERY #10 * 3.0 * Wife Looks Nice as a Drawstring Lamp * Comic Swap Shop: Heading: Author: Title: MISTER MYSTERY No. 10 Place Published: Publisher:Stanley Morse [Indicia: Aragon Magazines, Inc.] Date Published: March-April, 1953 Description: G/VG (3.0). Spine stress, tiny](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621503_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MISTER MYSTERY #12 * CGC 3.0 * Classic INJURY TO EYE Cover: Heading: Author: Title: MISTER MYSTERY No. 12 Place Published: Publisher:Stanley Morse [Indicia: Aragon Magazines, Inc.] Date Published: July, 1953 Description: CGC certified: G/VG (3.0). Off-white](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621504_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MISTER MYSTERY #13 * CGC 4.0 * Gossip Fest of FEAR * Morse Mocked, Maybe?: Heading: Readers Shocked; Morse Mocked?Author: Title: MISTER MYSTERY No. 13 Place Published: Publisher:Stanley Morse [Indicia: Aragon Magazines, Inc.] Date Published: September, 1953 Description:](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621505_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MISTER MYSTERY #18 * CGC 4.0 * Cauldron of CABEZAS: Heading: Author: Title: MISTER MYSTERY No. 18 Place Published: Publisher:Stanley Morse [Indicia: Aragon Magazines, Inc.] Date Published: August, 1954 Description: CGC certified: VG (4.0). Off-white](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621506_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MUTINY #'s 1 & 2 * 4.0 & 5.5 * Stanley MORSE vs. Alan MOORE * Rum, Thuggery & the Lash: Heading: Author: Title: MUTINY Nos. 1 and 2 * Lot of Two Comics Place Published: Publisher:Stanley Morse [Indicia: Aragon Magazines, Inc.] Date Published: October & December, 1954 Description: #1:](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621507_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #1 * 2.5 * Crude Terror Tales: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 1 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: March, 1951 Description: Good+ (2.5). Rather acute spine roll,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621508_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #2 * 3.5 * Story Swipes from DC, pre-EC Swipery?: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 2 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: June, 1951 Description: G/VG (3.0). Spine stress, small nicks and](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621509_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 #5 * 3.0 * Shrunken Heads Speak: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 5 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: December, 1951 Description: G/VG (3.0). 1/4" split at top spine,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621511_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #6 * 3.0 * Shrunken Heads & Satanic Spectacles: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 6 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: February, 1952 Description: G/VG (3.0). Minor spine roll, spine](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621512_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)
![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #7 * Shivved Eyeball * Human Body Chop Shop: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 7 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: April, 1952 Description: G/VG (3.0). Watersoiled, with significant](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621514_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 #7 * 5.0 * Violent AF * Lion Munches Man: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 9 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: August, 1952 Description: VG/Fine (5.0). Slight spine roll, light](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621516_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #10 * 3.5 * "Fatal Scalpel" Swipe * Same Old STORY: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 10 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: October, 1952 Description: G/VG (3.0). Staples pulled, a few tiny](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621517_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #11 * 3.5 * Seduction of the INNOCENT * Crippen Copy: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 11 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: December, 1952 Description: VG- (3.5). Sun shadow to top edge of](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621518_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #12 * CGC 5.0 * Dissection Room of DOOM * Horror Hole: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 12 * Fourth Highest-Graded Copy Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: February, 1953 Description: CGC](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621519_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)
![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #14 * 2.5 * Johnny CRAIG Swipe Cover: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 14 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: June, 1953 Description: Good+ (2.5). Spine a bit stressed and](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621521_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #15 * CGC 4.5 * Dinos Bowl with HUMAN HEADS: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 15 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: August, 1953 Description: CGC certified: VG+ (4.5). Cream to](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621522_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES #16 * 3.0 * Doctors of DOOM * Ed Gein Meets Sorayama: Heading: Author: Title: MYSTERIOUS ADVENTURES No. 16 Place Published: Publisher:Story [Indicia: Story Comics, Inc.] Date Published: October, 1953 Description: G/VG (3.0). Stress lines to mid-spine](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621523_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
