World Devourer

By the by, the census advises there are 888 copies of #1 from 2003 in 9.8. That's a lot!

Miami Vice. A slow start in Season 1, an exciting Season 2 and then all downhill once the Daytona Spyder was blown up at the start of Season 3.

Just by the by, you can't sell this issue. Copyright issues and all that.

Like Marvel Two-In-One, Marvel Team-Up was a grand experiment that while focusing mainly on one-shot stories, did occasionally ground itself in Marvel continuity and act as a firm reference point. * The title debuted in March 1972, and was initially published on a bi-monthly schedule - not moving to a monthly format until #8 was published in April 1973. * Of minor interest are the small images of the heroes in the top corners of the cover - all are previous images that have been "cut and pasted" from past covers of other titles to avoid any redrawing. #1-2 (March & May 1972) featured core title star Spider-Man and guest-star the Human Torch (the same character receiving cover billing for two consecutive issues only occurred three times during the entire run: the Human Torch in #1-2, the Hulk in #53-54 and Captain Britain in #65-66). The story is unusual in that it has an intimate Christmas-style ending, giving the impression that this is in fact the end and there is no second part. #2 is a more typical "super hero" situation at Baxter Building (the Wizard of the Frightful Four discovered the Negative Zone, and then realized his error and it became a race to stop Annihilus escaping). A very minor character - a drunken sailor who speaks with the Human Torch - appears in #2 and re-appears in #13. #3 - 4 (July & September 1972) are significant for several reasons: * Gil Kane art * It is a DIRECT continuation of the storyline in Amazing Spider-Man #100 - 102 (September - November 1971), which was the first appearance of Morbius The Living Vampire. Although ingesting Morbius' blood cured Spider-Man of his extra four arms, it is slowly killing him. A cure is obtained in this story. The notion of the "shared universe" had always been a constant at Marvel, and this would be one of many instances in the title where Spider-Man or another character are "arriving or departing" from/to another story. * While #3 has the Human Torch as guest star once again, #4 features a rare post-cancellation appearance by the original X-Men (cameo by the Beast - see below). The last issue of the regular title was X-Men #66, in March 1970. Reprints commenced in December 1970, and the title was not reinvented until Giant Size X-Men #1 in May 1975. The Marvel Team-Up story is published in Sept. 1972. * The Beast only has a brief appearance in the story. This is due to the fact that the Beast has mutated into a stronger, grey-furred version of himself, and wishes to keep it a secret from the X-Men while investigating the Brand Corporation in Amazing Adventures #11, March 1972. The Beast's story continues until Amazing Adventures #17, March 1973. Again, this is one of the very few instances of the X-Men appearing during the cancellation period. #5 (November 1972) guest star Vision. The story has the minor distinction of being the first appearance of the Vision outside the Avengers title. The story is a consequence of the Kree-Skrull War storyline in Avengers #89 - 97 (June 1971 - March 1972). At the start of the story, the Vision is reflecting on the events of Avengers #105, and then after being assisted by Spider-Man rejoins the team in their search for Quicksilver in Avengers #106. #6 (January 1973) guest star the Thing, and the character's popularity would eventually culminate in Marvel Two-In-One #1 in January 1974. #7 (March 1973) guest star Thor, who makes mention of currently being banished from Asgard (from Thor #203 -213, Sept. 1972 - July 1973). Thor also learns that Peter Parker is Spider-Man when he observes Peter save a woman from a mugging. #8 (April 1973) guest star The Cat, saw the beginning of the monthly publishing schedule. The Cat had only debuted in the Marvel universe a few months prior in The Cat #1, Nov. 1973. This title was published on a bi-monthly schedule and unfortunately also short-lived - it concluded with #4 in June 1973. The Marvel Team-Up story occurs either before or after the events of #3. It is interesting to note that that this was an obvious attempt by Marvel to promote a new character (complete with a cover featuring The Cat uttering a pro-feminist cry at Spider-Man that reflected the times). This pattern would be repeated several times during a period when new writers for Marvel were experimenting with new characters. #9-11 (May - July 1973) are an excellent example of how it is a shared universe and characters can join a story at any time: Spider-Man allies with Iron Man, then the Human Torch, and then by association the Inhumans across the three issues to defeat Kang the Conqueror. Several heroes fighting the same villain across several issues would become a popular plot device. #12 (August 1973) guest star Werewolf By Night, who curiously is only referred to as "The Werewolf" on the cover. The issue repeats the promotional tactic of #8: Jack Russell, aka "Werewolf By Night", only debuted the year prior in "try-out" title Marvel Spotlight #2 (February 1972). The title began a monthly schedule in May 1972, with the character appearing in #3-4. The character would then appear in his own eponymous title that ran for 43 issues (September 1972 - March 1977). * The story places in San Francisco, and although the haunt of Werewolf by Night, Peter Parker was in fact sent by the Daily Bugle to interview Daredevil and the Black Widow. Peter is in mourning at this time: haunted by the recent death of Gwen Stacy (Amazing Spider-Man #121, June 1973). After the events of this story, Peter does interview the heroes in Daredevil #103 (September 1973). #13 (September 1973) guest star Captain America. The Grey Gargoyle seeks revenge against the Captain for being shot into space in Captain America #142 (October 1971). Also features a drunken sailor who gives advice to the still mourning Peter Parker (the same character who spoke with the Human Torch in Marvel Team-Up #2.) #14 (October 1973) guest star the Sub-Mariner. Spider-Man aids Namor in his quest to find Tiger Shark, the villain responsible for his father's death in Sub-Mariner #46 (February 1972). #15 (November 1973) guest star Ghost Rider. Ghost Rider was yet another character who had only recently appeared - debuting the year before in Marvel Spotlight #5 (August 1972). The character appeared in the title on a bi-monthly schedule until #11 (August 1973), before an eponymous title launched with #1 (September 1973). The title ran until #81 (June 1983). #16 - 17 (December 1973 - January 1974) is a two-part story that guest stars Captain Marvel (the character's only appearance in the title) and Mr. Fantastic respectively. The first issue features Jim Starlin art. #18 (February 1974) was another Human Torch issue, with guest star the Hulk as they stop Blastaar. #19-20 (March - April 1974) is another two-part story, that guests stars first Ka-Zar in the Savage Land and then the Black Panther in New York respectively as they aid Spider-Man against Stegron. #21 (May 1974) guest star Doctor Strange. The story is a loose continuation of the events of Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2 (October 1965), as the same villain - Xandu - attempts to recover the Wand of Watoomb. #22 (June 1974) guest star Hawkeye, who enlists Spider-Man's aid to defeat villain Quasimodo. The story occurs during Hawkeye's rift with the Avengers, having left in Avengers #109 (March 1973). The character had fought alongside the Hulk in Incredible Hulk #166 (August 1973) and then followed him into the events of Defenders #7 (August 1973). Hawkeye remained with the team until Defenders #11 (December 1973). After the Marvel team-Up story, Hawkeye rejoined the Avengers in Giant-Size Avengers #2 (November 1974). #23 (July 1974) once again features the Human Torch as the star, although Spider-Man is mentioned. Ice Man guest stars. Continuity points: * This story actually occurs during the events of Giant-Size Spider-Man #1, published the same month. In that story, Spider-Man is on the way to the Baxter Building to borrow fast transport (seeking a vaccine from a doctor travelling by sea - in order to save his Aunt May). He sees the villain of the Marvel Team-Up story - Equinox - robbing a jewelry store and attempts to pursue but trips on a patch of ice. Spider-Man continues on his way and after meeting with the Human Torch, is given a one-man ship. Spider-Man has a tangential encounter with Dracula and eventually recovers the serum. In the Marvel Team-Up story, Spider-Man is seen briefly having the same conversation with the Human Torch, before the narrative then follows the Torch as he investigates. * The Torch meets three of the X-Men - Iceman, Cyclops and Marvel Girl - who are making another rare appearance during the cancellation period of the eponymous title. Cyclops mentions a "secret mission" that Iceman will need to return for shortly. This is a reference to the disastrous mission seen in flashback in Giant-Size X-Men #1. #24 (August 1974) guest star Brother Voodoo - another newly created character to be showcased in the title. Brother Voodoo first appeared in Strange Tales #168 (September 1973), and featured in the bi-monthly title until #173 (April 1974). #25 (September 1974) guest stars Daredevil. #26 (October 1974) once again featured the Human Torch as the main character, with guest star Thor. The story relates back Thor's second encounter with the Lava Men in Avengers #5 (May 1964). #27 (November 1974) guest stars the Hulk, who is coerced into freeing one of the Chameleon's old friends from prison. At the end of the story, the Hulk overhears news on the police radio about a battle between the Defenders and the Wrecking Crew. After being given directions by Spider-Man, he arrives at the location only minutes later, mentioning the help of "Bug Man" on arrival in Defenders #18 (December 1974). #28 guest stars Hercules; #29 featured title star the Human Torch and guest star Iron Man, while #30 guest stars the Falcon (December 1974 - February 1975). #31 (March 1975) guest stars Iron Fist. The character debuted the year prior in Marvel Premiere #15 (May 1974) and would feature in the title until #25 (October 1975) before continuing on the very next month to star in an eponymous series from #1 - 15 (November 1975 - September 1977). #32 (April 1975) guest stars Son of Satan, the last of the newly created characters to be promoted in Marvel Team-Up. The character first appeared in Ghost Rider #1 (V 2, September 1973) and then starred in Marvel Spotlight #12 - 24 (October 1973 - October 1975). #33 - 34 guest stars Defenders Nighthawk and then Valkyrie respectively, aiding Spider-Man against Meteor Man. #39 - 40 - guest stars the Human Torch and Sons of the Tiger. #41-44 - even more elaborate as Spider-Man was embroiled in a mystical story line that featured the Scarlet Witch, the Vision, Doctor Doom and finally Moondragon. ALL the characters are featured throughout the story. NOTE! At this point the title begins to feature stories that are crucial to Marvel continuity. #53-54 featured the Hulk as the guest star, and the character was given billing on both covers. In #55 the Hulk features briefly on the first page, before Spider-Man goes into space to meet Adam Warlock. This is the LAST story for Adam Warlock before the fateful events of Avengers Annual #7, which occurs soon afterwards. It is also important to note that ideally the Hulk should have gone with Spider-Man, as this would then conclude the story line from Incredible Hulk #176-178. #59-60 (July - August 1977) guest star Yellowjacket and Wasp, who assist against perennial Marvel Team-Up foe Equinox. The Wasp's powers are increased in the second issue. The story concludes in Baxter Building, the beginning setting for the next two-part story. #61-62 (September - October 1977) guest star the Human Torch and Ms. Marvel respectively, who assist Spider-Man against the revitalized Super-Skrull. #63-64 (November - December 1977) guest star Iron Fist and Daughters of the Dragon. The story resolves plot threads from the cancelled series Iron Fist. #65-66 (January - February 1978) guest star Captain Britain. The last page has an appalling finish for the good Captain, as he is partially seen sitting silently in a car while Spider-Man converses with another character. #69-70 - like #4 - are steeped in continuity. Spider-Man teams with Havok in an unsuccessful attempt to stop the Living Pharaoh. Courtesy of Havok's powers, the villain becomes the Living Monolith and in the second issue Spider-Man is aided by Thor. This two issue arc is significant as: * Writing and art were completed by the X-Men team of Chris Claremont, John Byrne and Dave Cockrum. * In X-Men #109 Moira MacTaggert tells Scott Summers (Cyclops) that brother Alex and Lorna Dane (Havok and Polaris respectively) are taking a sabbatical after their mind control by villain Eric the Red (which occurred in X-Men #97-98; 105). At the start of this story line, the pair are doing just that. * After Alex is kidnapped, Lorna unsuccessfully tries to contact the X-Men. She then calls Avengers Mansion and reaches the Beast, who is stationed there with Thor. This ties directly into Avengers #172, as the pair were directed by Iron Man to be on standby while the remainder of the team travel to New York Harbour to stop an attack by Tyrak (Iron Man himself is busy investigating the disappearance of several Avengers, revealed to be the work of the Collector in #173, and ultimately leading to the final battle with the combined Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy against Korvac in Avengers #177). The Beast leaves for the X-Men's mansion (staying with them from X-Men #111 - 114, and finally returning to the Avengers in #178), while Thor responds to a call concerning a "stone giant" (The Living Monolith) on a rampage. Interestingly, both the Beast and Thor were initially tied to the same story (and on the defeat of the Monolith, Thor returns Havok to Lorna on Muir Island). * While Thor is fighting the Living Monolith, Spider-Man is reminded of how obsolete he felt in the recent battle with Thanos (Avengers Annual #7, 1977). #86 (October 1979) guest stars the Guardians of the Galaxy (three of the team - Starhawk, Martinex and Nikki). #95 (July 1980) guest stars Mockingbird, who was unknown to many fans, having only featured in more obscure Marvel titles. A very different version of the character (that was a brunette and psychic) first appeared in Astonishing Tales #6 (June 1971) and continued in the bi-monthly title with star Ka-Zar until #20 (October 1973). The character then appeared in the bi-monthly Ka-Zar #3- 5 (May 1974 - September 1974) and Savage Tales #8 (January 1975).

That looks like the kind of Batman the late Frank Frazetta would draw.

Jerome, I'm concerned. I think you are taking on too much. How about letting me carry your ASM #667 for you - just to lighten the load.

What are the community's thoughts on this issue? It is certainly rare, with only 9 copies graded in 9.8, but per GPA hasn't achieved any real traction.

We know what he means. I note your post was edited. Did someone use the Time Stone and do a number on you?

Great Scott, Watson!

Whoa! Time out! 2 copies of ASM #667 in 9.8?

I saw these gems on Ebay: https://www.ebay.com/itm/FRANK-MILLER-ORIGINAL-Sketch-Art-CGC-9-8-ROM-Signed-DK-III-Master-Race-Batman/223857235175?hash=item341eee54e7:g:3jQAAOSw32lYz1TB https://www.ebay.com/itm/FRANK-MILLER-ORIGINAL-Sketch-Art-CGC-9-8-ROM-Signed-DK-III-Master-Race-Batman/273988835286?hash=item3fcb01d7d6:g:zxcAAOSwKytZDm47 https://www.ebay.com/itm/FRANK-MILLER-ORIGINAL-Sketch-Art-CGC-9-8-ROM-Signed-DK-III-Master-Race-Batman/274340747968?hash=item3fdffb9ac0:g:ECkAAOSwo4pYlCaR but couldn't find a listing for them on GPA. Even the Census doesn't register the 9.8 Sketch editions by Miller (there is also a version by Buscema). I checked the serial numbers and they are as stated, but seem to be phantoms in the data. I'm guessing that perhaps they have never been sold, which might account for part of the mystery?

Here's an example of signed: https://www.ebay.com/itm/THOR-337-CGC-9-8-SS-1ST-APP-OF-BETA-RAY-BILL-NEWSSTAND-VARIANT-STAN-LEE-HOT/133364892631?hash=item1f0d2ac3d7:g:yY0AAOSwvuxecly7 Unsigned is more realistic: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Thor-337-CGC-9-8-1st-app-of-Beta-Ray-Bill-KEY-ISSUE-L-K/223894879148?hash=item34212cbbac:g:CPkAAOSw-~teOuGd But still, the census shows: 9.8 928 and the softer 9.6 = 1, 136. I guess people haven't learned from the example of Ms. Marvel...

Thanks for the tip.

Agreed - and many a comic shop won't (sadly) be returning. The online market is alive and well. I think as the crisis continues a few gems will be offered up that the owner wouldn't ordinarily part with.

Heh. Agreed. It is simple economics.

I also think that the current crisis validates Jay's theory about the rarity of #667. If there were more copies as some of the naysayers insist, I would have expected some to appear, given that so many people are currently out of work. An instant 10K + would help stave off financial worries for some time.

The current epidemic has pushed the online market (for everything) ahead by at least 10yrs. Attitudes to shopping have changed irrevocably. As far as physical workers go, significantly less engaging in "face to face" and more behind the scenes preparing and packaging.

Do any of my SA colleagues know who owns the copy of Thor #156 (Sept. 1968) graded a perfect 10.00 (yes,10.00)? I know when it was sold and who the previous owner was, but am curious about where it went after the convention.

Hey! My man! Someone else also has an I-M/S-M #1 one-shot in 9.8 W. We're practically family!

I am not convinced. Show the back.

I'd be wanting to see the back of the comic, as every #1 I've seen up close has a chopped up back cover. After 42 years, a true 9.6 would be a cosmic fluke.

And one of the worst stories of the time. Claremont was criticized by his peers for the sloppy story, wonky pacing and poor characterization. I think it was John Byrne who said if Rogue tried to absorb Thor's powers it would be a case of "snap, crackle and pop!" (Thor #304 was one of the many examples of the huge difference between Thor and mortals - Thor channels his power into the Wrecker and almost incinerates him. The Wrecker is begging Thor to stop).

Have a look at what the last Captain Savage in 9.8 sold for. Someone got carried away...

The original buyers may not have seen a return if they sold on before the hike.

Well, I'm watching a few listings and the sellers haven't lowered their prices.