BERKELEY, Calif. – PBA Galleries will hold an auction of Comic Books: Pre-Code Horror, Golden Age, Silver Age & Undergrounds on October 28th. The sale features 400 lots of comics with emphasis on pre-Code horror, Golden Age (including rare giveaways), Silver Age Marvels, and key Undergrounds. The sale features hundreds of CGC-certified books, including some seldom-seen rarities. Absentee and Internet live bidding will be available through LiveAuctioneers.

The highlight of the Pre-Code Horror section of the sale is Weird Mysteries #5, CGC certified as G/VG (3.0). The cover by Bernard Baily is one of the most infamous covers of the pre-Code era, it depicts a mad scientist removing the brain from a gory severed head. Lurid, distasteful and unseemly, with a vague whiff of moral obscenity: it’s everything one could want in a pre-Code mag. It carries an estimate of $3,000-$5,000.

Other featured items include CGC certified: Fine+ (6.5) Vault of Horror #28 with the classic Johnny Craig “White Zombie” cover, estimated at $600-$900; Crime Patrol #16, featuring the second appearance of the Crypt Keeper, and signed by Al Feldstein, estimated at $2,000-$3,000; and a CGC certified G/VG (3.0) Mister Mystery #11 with the classic “Anthill of Horror” cover by Bernard Baily, estimated at $800-$1,200.

Also on offer is a complete EC Fan Addict Club membership kit in near-mint condition and containing the rare bronze pinback. Included in the kit is a certificate of membership, wallet ID card and embroidered patch all in the original mailing envelope. It is estimated at $1,000-$1,500. Another standout is a set of three original EC GhouLunatic photos. The prints are of artist Johnny Craig taken by editor Al Feldstein. One of approximately 10,000 sets, they are estimated at $1,000-$1,500.

Two Spider-Man issues are featured in the auction. The Amazing Fantasy #15 from 1962 features the debut appearance of the Amazing Spider-Man. This slightly restored issue is signed by writer Stan Lee with art by Steve Ditko, and estimated at $10,000-$15,000. The Amazing Spider-Man Annual No. 1 is CGC certified VF (8.0) and is a massive 76-page mag, crammed full of villains and guest stars and boasting the special feature, “How Stan Lee and Steve Ditko Create Spider-Man!” It is estimated at $5,000-$8,000.

In addition, Superman appears in the sale with an original color sketch by co-creator Joe Schuster. The Man of Steel drawing is dated 1979. Although plagued by deteriorating vision in later life, Shuster nevertheless created a number of skillful illustrations of Superman as a means to supplement his meager income. This heroic pose in profile must surely rank among his most impressive late-era renditions. It is estimated at $4,000-$6,000.

PBA continues to safeguard the health of employees and clients and is open by appointment only. PBA limits live auction participation to online or phone bidding. For more information about upcoming sales, to schedule a Zoom preview or phone bidding for a future auction, please contact the galleries at 415-989-2665 or pba@pbagalleries.com.

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