Randall Dowling

Or Archie's! Remember how much condescension those collectors got?

This is what most people say today but my recollection of the time was a little different. When the Photo Journals came out, there were already a group of elite collectors that had been identifying the unusual and special golden age and precode horror books for over a decade. Some of those people are on these boards, like Jon Berk and Pat Calhoun (among others). Those guys were actively researching and writing about these "off the beaten track" gems in CBG and other fanzines and eventually the Comic Book Marketplace. Those guys were after books like Suspense 3, Terrific 5, Fantastic 3, Hit 25, Black Cat 50, Crime Does Not Pay 24, Eerie 2, and many, many others long before the rest of the market had any idea. Most collectors in the 1980s that ever ventured earlier than silver age hero books were busy chasing DC, Timely, EC, and maybe Fawcett. But that small minority forged through quarter boxes, dollar bins, back rooms and basements for the cool stuff nobody else wanted. And had been doing so for some time. To these guys, Suspense 3 was a big deal. When Ernie Gerber published his books, it opened up this much, much wider world to the rest of us. I (and many other fellow collectors) would spend hours combing through those pages for new gems to find, making lists and then searching through mail order catalogs and the CBG to find these rarities. But by then it was already pretty late. Suspense 3 was on my first list and I searched and searched for a copy to no avail. Being from Wisconsin and Minnesota, there just wasn't the access. When I started looking, I think guide on it was a few hundred dollars. But you would never find one for that price (same as today, pretty much). The books that Ernie put on the dust jacket weren't arbitrary. It's a pretty awesome cross section of all comics from all publishers. Anyway, I've always had a lot of respect for those "trailblazers" like Pat and Jon (among others) that spent hours, days, weeks of their lives enduring boxes of comics in some old guy or lady's smelly basement or attic to clue the rest of us in. And, of course, much gratitude to Ernie Gerber, too!

That was my thought, as well. Also, looks like somebody smashed it in a mean way. Particularly as the staple placement is a little tough... Although I may be completely wrong about this, it doesn't seem unreasonable to assume so. Having said all of that, what a treat to finally see the Church copy of this book! Always wondered what it looked like. Congratulations to whoever wins this book as it's truly the iconic copy of one of the most admired books in comic collecting!

This is a beautiful copy of a mag that's getting harder to find in high grade! Nice pick up, Man of Oak!

Vampirella 68 Copy B sold per pm

Creepy 1 is sold per pm

Vampirella 75

I'm trying to figure out what that top is that she's wearing. Don't think I've ever seen one of those before but I'll keep on the lookout from now on...

Very cool! Pretty book!

WOW!! Nice score! Did that slip by me on eBay?

I know, but it's not the same. Kind of a purist, I guess, but I like to read 'em the way god (and Jim Warren) intended!

I love Comix International! I think I'll have to get a low grade set so I can read them without fear of damaging them. That card stock cover is unforgiving!

This is such a reasonable price for the 1st appearance of Wolverine! I'm always surprised at how much people pay for the second appearance. Cool book! GLWTS!!

And that's it for the magazines. Thanks everyone for looking. Feel free to pm with offers or questions.

Vampirella Annual, Just bought this from October here on the boards and he graded it as a 4.5-5.0 with a ring stain. Seems pretty strict but I'll go with his assessment. Just looking to get what I have into it. $28 SOLD to wombat!

Vampirella 88, 8.0, Great looking book with nice eye appeal. $10

Vampirella 81, 7.5-8.0, Another wrinkly with the same stuff. $10

Vampirella 8.5-9.0, Alien Amazon Assault? WTF is that? You have to read it to find out! $15

Vampirella 75, 9.0, Nice looking copy with great eye appeal. $15 SOLD to Black_Adam

Vampirella 74, 9.2-9.4, Very pretty copy with great colors and gloss. And, oh, Barbara Leigh, how do I love thy full head of hair! $25

Vampirella 68 (copy B), as far as the stiffies go, this is pretty good. I'm calling at an 8.5. $15 SOLD to N e r V

Vampirella 68 (copy A), 7.5-8.0, Another of the stiffies with some wrinkliness. Those who collect Warrens know what I'm talking about. $10

Vampirella 67, 8.0-8.5, Barbara Leigh photo cover (she'll always be Vampi to me!). It says Vampi goes to Hollywood and every time I'm reminded of Frankie goes to Hollywood. $15

Vampirella 66, 8.0, This book suffers from a very common ailment that many Warrens have from this time period- stiff book with oddly wrinkled cover. Structurally, these books are nearly flawless except for this phenomenon. $10

Vampirella 62, 8.0, Another tough black cover! $10