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
0172: RADIANT LOVE #6 * CGC 8.0 * Highest-Graded Copy * Weird Mysteries #12 PrecursorEst. $1,000-$1,500
TOP



![POLICE TRAP #1 * 4.0 * Kirby, Cops & Code Collide: Heading: Author: Title: POLICE TRAP No. 1 Place Published: Publisher:Mainline [Indicia: Mainline Publications, Inc.] Date Published: August-September, 1954 Description: VG (4.0). A few creases and](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621548_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)

![PRISON BREAK! #3 * 3.0 * Carnival of CRIME * Snake Lady Squeezes Saps: Heading: Author: Title: PRISON BREAK! No. 3 Place Published: Publisher:Avon [Indicia: Realistic Comics, Inc.] Date Published: April, 1952 Description: G/VG (3.0). Spine slightly rolled, 1/4" splits](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621550_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![RADIANT LOVE #6 * CGC 8.0 * Highest-Graded Copy * Weird Mysteries #12 Precursor: Heading: Author: Title: RADIANT LOVE No. 6 * Highest-Graded Copy Place Published: Publisher:Stanley Morse [Indicia: Gillmor Magazines, Inc.] Date Published: August, 1954 Description: CGC certified:](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621551_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![REAL CLUE CRIME STORIES v.7, #1 * 4.0 * Wedding Day Carnage: Heading: Author: Title: REAL CLUE CRIME STORIES Vol. 7, No. 1 Place Published: Publisher:Hillman [Indicia: Hillman Periodicals, Inc.] Date Published: March, 1952 Description: VG (4.0). Small chip](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621552_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![SHOCK DETECTIVE CASES #20 * 3.5 * L.B. Cole Cover: Heading: Author: Title: SHOCK DETECTIVE CASES No. 20 Place Published: Publisher:Star [Indicia: Star Publications, Inc.] Date Published: September, 1952 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine roll, spine](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621553_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![SHOCK SUSPENSTORIES #4 * CGC 3.5 Qualified * SEDUCTION of the INNOCENT: Heading: Author: Title: SHOCK SUSPENSTORIES No. 4 Place Published: Publisher:EC [Indicia: Tiny Tot Comics, Inc.] Date Published: August-September, 1952 Description: CGC certified: VG- (3.5). Green](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621554_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![SHOCKING MYSTERY CASES No. 51 * CGC 3.0 * Crazy COLE Cover: Heading: Author: Title: SHOCKING MYSTERY CASES No. 51 Place Published: Publisher:Star [Indicia: Star Publications, Inc.] Date Published: November, 1952 Description: CGC certified: G/VG (3.0).](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621555_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![SPACE ACTION #1 * CGC 6.5 * Clobbered Spaceman Sees STARS: Heading: Author: Title: SPACE ACTION No. 3 Place Published: Publisher:Ace [Indicia: Junior Books, Inc.] Date Published: June, 1952 Description: CGC certified: Fine+ (6.5). Off-white pages. Cover:](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621556_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![SPOOK #24 * CGC 7.0 * L.B. Cole Cover * Wally Wood Story: Heading: Author: Title: SPOOK No. 24 Place Published: Publisher:Star [Indicia: Star Publications, Inc.] Date Published: May, 1953 Description: CGC certified: F/VF (7.0). Off-white pages. Cover: L.B.](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621557_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![STARTLING TERROR TALES #11 * CGC 1.0 * Cole's GHOST SPIDER of DEATH: Heading: Author: Title: STARTLING TERROR TALES No. 11 Place Published: Publisher:Star [Indicia: Star Publications, Inc.] Date Published: July, 1952 Description: CGC certified: Fair (1.0). Cream to](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621558_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![STRANGE FANTASY #9 * Black Cat Variant * 4.0 * Mystery Mag: Heading: Author: Title: STRANGE FANTASY No. 9 * Black Cat Variant Place Published: Publisher:Ajax-Farrell [Indicia: Farrell Comics, Inc.] Date Published: December, 1953 Description: VG (4.0). Spine](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621559_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![STRANGE MYSTERIES #1 * 4.0 * Blonde Gal Gets Spine-Rolled: Heading: Author: Title: STRANGE MYSTERIES No. 1 Place Published: Publisher:Superior [Indicia: Superior Publishers Limited] Date Published: September, 1951 Description: VG (4.0). Spine lightly](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621560_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![STRANGE STORIES FROM ANOTHER WORLD #'s 2 & 4 * 1.5 & 1.8 * Lot of 2 Mags: Heading: Author: Title: STRANGE STORIES FROM ANOTHER WORLD Nos. 2 and 4 * Lot of Two Comics Place Published: Publisher:Fawcett [Indicia: Fawcett Publications, Inc.] Date Published: 1952](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621561_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![STRANGE TALES #1 * CGC 1.8 * Primo Atlas Horror: Heading: Author: Title: STRANGE TALES No. 1 Place Published: Publisher:Atlas [Indicia: Chipiden Publishing Corp.] Date Published: June, 1951 Description: CGC certified: Good- (1.8). Off-white pages.](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621562_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![STRANGE WORLDS #2 * CGC 1.5 * Wally WOOD: Heading: Author: Title: STRANGE WORLDS No. 2 Place Published: Publisher:Avon [Indicia: Avon Periodicals, Inc.] Date Published: April, 1952 Description: CGC certified: Fair/Good (1.5). Cream to](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621563_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![TALES OF HORROR #8 * CGC 5.0 * Classic GIANT SNAKE Cover: Heading: Author: Title: TALES OF HORROR No. 8 Place Published: Publisher:Toby [Indicia: Minoan Publishing Corp.] Date Published: December, 1953 Description: CGC certified: VG/Fine (5.0). Off-white](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621564_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)
![TEEN-AGE ROMANCES #34 * 3.0 * Matt BAKER Cover & Story * Rare in Hi-Grade: Heading: Author: Title: TEEN-AGE ROMANCES No. 34 Place Published: Publisher:St. John [Indicia: St. John Publishing Co.] Date Published: November, 1953 Description: G/VG (3.0). Light spine stress,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621566_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![TEEN-AGE TEMPTATIONS #3 * 3.5 * Vice Dicks and Underaged Kicks: Heading: Author: Title: TEEN-AGE TEMPTATIONS No. 3 Place Published: Publisher:St. John [Indicia: St. John Publishing Co.] Date Published: August, 1953 Description: VG- (3.5). Spine stress, center](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621567_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![TERRORS OF THE JUNGLE #5 * CGC 3.0 * L.B. Cole Cover: Heading: Author: Title: TERRORS OF THE JUNGLE No. 5 Place Published: Publisher:Star [Indicia: Star Publications, Inc.] Date Published: June, 1953 Description: CGC certified: G/VG (3.0). Off-white to](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621568_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![The THING! #1 * 3.0 * Severed Heads n' Stuff * Dire Fire Meets Prose Woes: Heading: Author: Title: The THING! No. 1 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Song Hits, Inc.] Date Published: February, 1952 Description: G/VG (3.0). Spine stress, spine a bit rolled,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621569_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![The THING! #2 * 4.5 * Pre-Code PANDEMIC * That's No BULL: Heading: Author: Title: The THING! No. 2 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Song Hits, Inc.] Date Published: April, 1952 Description: VG+(4.5). Slight curve to spine, light spine stress,](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621570_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
![The THING! #3 * 5.0 * Dope Story * Strangulation by Spider: Heading: Author: Title: The THING! No. 3 Place Published: Publisher:Charlton [Indicia: Outstanding Comics, Inc.] Date Published: June, 1952 Description: VG/Fine (5.0). Small rub to front cover above](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/642/247983/128621571_1_x.jpg?height=310&quality=70&version=1652296444)
