Terry Doyle

And here's my replacement Neal Adams cover:

For this auction, I wasn't able to pursue any EC art due to other priorities. The Weird Fantasy # 14 was something I really wanted to bid on but couldn't. In 2010 I was finally able to acquire this much wanted cover. Here's the story from my CAF . . . "My favourite Al Feldstein WEIRD FANTASY cover! First time I saw the cover to this comic-book was at a Liverpool (UK) comic mart back in the late 1970s. At the time, I was a newcomer to EC (which I'd recently discovered, then, via the East Coast Comix reprint series). Anyway, back to the story of the Liverpool comic mart . . . as I was walking around the venue (the Blucoat Chambers), I noticed one of the atendees trying to sell a bunch of 1950s EC comics to a dealer. The dealer was trying to sound unimpressed/disenterested (in an effort to low-ball on the kind of prices he was willing to pay). I quietly stepped in and politely asked the guy with the ECs if he would consider selling his comics to me. Much to the displeasure of the dealer (if looks could kill . . . ), we moved away to another part of the venue to look at the books in detail and discuss an appropriate exchange of money. All the asking prices were very reasonable and I ended up buying most of the ECs. I also arranged to purchase others the seller had at home. Amongst the selection I bought at the comic mart was WEIRD FANTASY # 14. Although EC was new to me, I'd already formed a definite preference for the Science-Fiction titles. Al Feldstein's cover art was a big pull for me, and I absolutely loved the cover image to that WF # 14 comic-book when I fist set eyes on it back at that 1970s venue! I'd grew up watching television repeats of all the old Science-Fiction movies of the 1950s - and Al's art was a perfect reflection of those times. The image, showing a group of astronauts effecting a repair on their rocket ship is highly reminiscent of George Pal's DESTINATION MOON (1950), which no doubt influenced Al's science-fiction artwork, together with Chesley Bonestell's famous space paintings. A journey beset by problems as man makes fledgling steps into the great unknown . . . Several years later, during the early 1980s, when I'd progressed my EC addiction to buying original artwork from the Russ Cochran EC art auctions, I was looking forward to the time when the cover art to WF # 14 would become available for sale. When the artwork eventually surfaced and Russ's Auction Catalog reached my doorstep, timing was bad . . . an emergency had arisen in which I needed to buy a new motorcycle; essential transportation for getting me to and from my workplace. I had to make a practical decision and in the process missed-out on a much-loved piece of art. Fast forward to nearly three decades later . . . the cover art re-surfaced for sale via Steve Ferzoco (who was offering it out on behalf of the then owner)! But by this time, the market for vintage EC artwork had skyrocketed in demand and value - and I couldn't quite raise the funds needed to meet the asking price. In recent weeks (at this time of writing), the cover re-appeared for sale once again - ironically, by the auctioneer who had sold it first time round . . . Russ Cochran! Surprisingly (at least to me), the cover failed to meet its reserve price. Unfortunately I wasn't quite in a postion to compete during the auction, but after I discovered that the artwork didn't sell I e-mailed Russ to ask if we could perhaps negotiate a deal on the cover (which had been on consignment from Don Lineberger, who tragically died several months after releasing this cover from his collection.). I put forward a proposal, and a little under a week later Russ got back to me with a counter-offer (that I was more than happy to agree to). Funny things is . . . this past year I've been winding-down my collecting habits and selling off chunks of my collection to finance future plans that will have a lasting benefit for all of my family. Just when I think I'm over the addiction, something really special comes along and I know I have to make a concerted effort go for it (or face a future of regret). Nature of the beast, I guess . . . Big, big thanks to Russ Cochran and Angie Meyer (Russ's right hand person) for making this wonderful acquisition possible Also special thanks to Steve Ferzoco (who first highlighted me to the cover's availability), Dan Forman (who offered some useful advice along the way) and Paul Stephenson (who pitched-in on organizing an overseas payment). Thank you guys . . . this is a cover from a long time ago, that I've long-admired. Although I've had to shed a number of prized possessions this past year, I somehow think that this particular piece of art is destined to remain with me." And this story wouldn't be complete without a photo of the art:

Item # 33, the Neal Adams Superman cover, failed to sell (no bid at $150). Shortly afterwards, Russ offered the cover for direct sale at $75. I bought it! Later on, I sold the cover to a UK collector for £250 - 350 (forget the exact price). I would regret this sale, but later on I managed to buy a replacement Neal Adams cover that I much prefer to my old Supes.

Comic Art Catalog # 18 (August 15, 1984). Selected highlights as follows . . .

$150 Neal Adams covers anyone?

Swamp Thing # 1, no less! How cool is that?

This (and next image) represent some of the finest Hogarth Tarzans I've ever seen.

I bought item 13, "The End!", a 8-page lead story by Wally Wood for Weird Fantasy #13. My third Wood story and a particular favourite for me. Years later, as my collecting interests shifted more and more towards cover examples, I traded this story for a Kurtzman Frontline Combat cover (which I still have and appears on my signature line).

Comic Art Auction Catalog # 17 (April 25, 1984). Selected highlights as follows . . .

It's a classic Wood story, that Frazetta would later re-do for the Picto-Fiction (but didn't see print as those titles quickly folded). I can only imagine that the higher price was down to two collectors locking-horns in the bidding frenzy. Happened to me, later on, when I was bidding on the Jack Davis story, "Whupped!". Usually, Davis war stories would go near minimum bid price. I loved that story so much that I submitted a top price of $1,400 (over three times the minimum bid amount). I didn't win the art, but later found out (by chance) that Anthony Smith beat me to the punch! We both loved that story. Way it goes, I suppose!