rodan57

As a fan of early Marvel westerns, I was pleased when these two arrived today courtesy of Harley Yee.

Gunsmoke Western #71 July 1962 (May 1962, newsstand)

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Gunsmoke Western #74 January 1963 (November 1962, newsstand)

Two covers that just might make the top 5 for Gunsmoke Western #50-77

Nice. (thumbs u

That's why he has that killer TTA set in the registry. (thumbs u

 

I would really like to know their print runs (Pre-Hero) prior to FF #1. It's obvious by the census that it must have been really low. But a solid figure would be nice to hear. I was told at one time CBG listed print runs but I have yet to see this info float around.

 

I wonder how much longer Stan Lee would have kept going with the Monster and Western titles without the birth of JLA, excluding Marvel's financial pinch during that era.

Average monthly paid circulation (print run would be about double) in 1960:

Tales to Astonish 163,156

Tales of Suspense 148,929

Kid Colt Outlaw 144,746

These are Marvel's Big Three for that year (at least for the books that reported circulation.)

Here's the source: Yearly Comic Sales

Got this from some guy off of craigslist. He said it was an original Neel Addams sketch. It was only $150. I think I got ripped off.

It's nice in its own way but I have never been too thrilled with the artificial polished brought over from his advertisment agency days.

 

Never seen that cover before, Nice looking copy. (thumbs u

Thanks. One doesn't expect to see Jack Davis in the context of an Atlas/Marvel cover.

This one is courtesy of pickycollector. Patrick did a nice job describing this one and was a pleasure doing business with -- he has a good eye for detail. The scans don't do the book justice as the light picks up colour differences in the masthead that one needs to squint at to see first hand -- and the whites are, well, just whiter.

I collect books starting with Kirby's full time return to Atlas/Marvel in mid-1958. This book came out one month after the first issues of Tales to Astonish, Tales of Suspense and Strange Worlds (all three were released September 2, 1958).

It was the first Gunsmoke Western published after Lee began the reshaping of the "house style". Atlas cover stalwart, Joe Maneely had just recently died in a subway accident and, as the Maneely covers ran out, Lee handed over the cover illustrations of most of the line to gifted EC alumni, John Severin and Jack Davis for a couple of months. I believe he was searching for a new house style when Kirby walked into his office. Aside from the teen titles (Al Harltey and Stan Goldberg had them under control), the Kirby style became the house style and then, of course, the Marvel style, as the company slowly emerged from the cloud of the 1957 Atlas implosion of titles.

This particular book is a transition issue as it features a striking Jack Davis cover -- as Kirby's first contribution to the title would have to wait for the next issue. It's a fine copy from both a rare genre (westerns have been poor cousins, too long) and an historical important period.

For those who don't already know....Robert Rogovin has revamped and updated his website www.fourcolorcomics.com and all the books are actually for sale. Quite a few Atlas titles with plenty of pics. GOD BLESS...

 

-jimbo(a friend of jesus) (thumbs u

The site easy to navigate and he has some interesting books but warning bells go off as all the scans are cropped on at least 2, often 3 sides.

Is this just poor scanning? Does anyone have any experience dealing with this vendor?

I've never seen the cover to #22. When you think you've seen the covers to all the Marvels that interest you, it's such a pleasant surprise to see something "new".

Another purchase from Bunky Brian (Bunky Brothers). Once again, Brian has provided me with a book very tightly graded, quickly shipped and well-packaged -- and at a good price.

I am also very pleased with the level of communication. I'm picky about what sort of defects I can live with in mid-grade books (particularly given that scans leave some defects unrevealed and, on the other hand, often accentuate some visual flaws) --- Brian took the time to review the book in light of a series of questions I posed. You can probably tell I'm pleased.

Amazing Spider-Man Annual #2, November 1965 (newsstand, August 1965).

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It's great to have two of Ditko's finest creations in one story but unusual in that Peter Parker doesn't appear in the narrative.

This cover is a Kirby/Roussos classic.

Just in from Bunky Brian: Tales to Astonish 40, Feb. 1963/Nov. 1962 newsstand.

The King

Sturdy Steve

Finally got my copy delivered. Thanks for all the information. I had no idea the character existed in other publications.

 

 

 

My copy now....

The pricing is different on the cover of this copy?

Nice book. Certainly not common to me. I've only seen one before and it suffered from chipping.

I remember being struck by Reed's five-o'clock-shadow when I first read this as a kid. It made things seem more real.

I don't get out of the Golden Age group much, but I wandered over here today and found this great thread. I really love some of these covers! Here's my only Strange Adventures issue:

 

I love this run... I have the Bethlehem copy of this issue (thumbs u

What a great cover -- iconic.

This article is from The Comic Book Marketplace # 12 dated 1992. This will clear up the question of the significance of certain prehero issues as ST #67 and JIM # 50 and others.

 

Good article. I agree with his perspective.

Though by using cover months he distorts the chronology slightly.

SW1, TOS1 and TTA1 all came out the same month -- September 1958.

JIM50 and ST67 also came out the same month -- October 1958.

Same. WTTB!

A Jack Davis cover -- a special treat.

Here's one of four X-Men books that I own. I bought it back in the early eighties at the SDCC. I forgot what I paid for it, but it couldn't have been too much.

Classic Marvel Age cover --- Kirby pencils and Stone inks/colours ... and a wonderful copy of this book to boot.

Back from dinner, and always willing to oblige

 

Beautiful. If it's the same book, I remember bidding on this a few years ago at, I think, Heritage: 8.5, white pages, perfect registration -- a real gem.

I believe it to be an historically significant book as a first hint of the Marvel Age --- the first Lee/Kirby/Ditko/Heck book of the long running series. (thumbs u

My first two arrivals of 2010, courtesy of Foolkiller.

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Amazing Spider-Man #13, June 1964.

(Newsstand, March 1964)

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X-Men #12, July 1965.

(Newsstand, May 1965)

I don't believe that they are newspaper bindings (my original 119 has the marks on the front and back covers). I think they are from the rollers on the press that move the paper along during the printing process.

A couple of JIM to add to the collection. Both act as upgrades so I was a little torn as to leaving the comic book shop with books I already "owned" --- but as they sit on my desk at home, I am happy I made the buys.

This JIM # 119, August 1965 (June 1965 newsstand release), is much nicer than my previous copy but still has the same roller marks (more noticeable in the scan than in hand) on the upper cover from publication that were on my old copy. I guess it was somewhat endemic at that time.

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I have had two other copies of JIM #101, February 1964, (December 1963 newsstand release), both of which suffered from very brittle spines. This is a strong copy with amazing colour and startling white whites. (I have always been amused by the "happy" Thor colophon in the upper left corner.)

Nice books from Big B Comics in Hamilton, Ontario: Boxing Day Sale.

Two very nice books with great colour -- from Marvel's best period.

I am probably going to be in the minority on this one but I like the signature of the original owner on the cover. It gives me a true sense of nostalgia.