AtlasFan

Here is a Marvel key that gets little love from the mainstream collectors: First app. Dr Droom!

Sounds like a nice part-time consulting gig!

TTA #2 is a tough Ditko cover - here is my favorite Ditko cover! -- kind of reminds you of FF#1, dont it?

If only I had a tanker of melted butter...

Speaking of TTA #4 ...

Love that #3 - nice book! Nothing better than early TTAs!

Some of my favorite robot covers!

some pre-heros for sale... http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=7026700#Post7026700

Thanks guys! Now if they'd only spring my books from Gary out of "graded"... I heard a similar story about TTA #27 and TOS #32, and would like to know if that is true too. Basically the story went that the one that got the best reader response would be picked up, and apparently that ant guy won. I just compared the dates and its NOT the same date as tta 27 (jan 62). As an 8/62 it's also only one month before tta 35 at 9/62. Based on that alone Id call BS? One month would not have been enough to gauge reader interest and go with the stronger story. By the time tos 32 made it on the stands they would have bad to already write and complete the tta 35 story, no? Your thoughts? I think thats a BS story. It would be difficult to turn mutant Lucius Farnsworth into a hero. Now, I could see him as a bad guy, or as a rival to Magneto. Oh, here's my copy!

Psstt...some nice Silver Age DC Sci-Fi for sale: MIS, TOTU and more to come! http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=7018612&fpart=1

Nice "Man in the Beehive" book. Lucius Farnsworth rules!!!

I have actually heard it described/referred to as the AF#15 of Westerns. I know, perhaps that's going too far but I like the sound of it. You take it too far, sir!!! Actually, RK #17 is more like the FF #4 of the Silver Age, as a pre-silver age hero is re-defined by Kirby (ala the Sub-Mariner) for the Marvel age of comics. ...and I've seen tons of AF #15 copies floating all over the internet and at cons...one does not see a RK #17 as often.

Yes.

Here are some of my favorite pre-hero bug covers!

It was suggested that I post my FOOM here. One of my favorite books - I bought it back in the day from Marnin Rosenberg!

I have heard Stan discuss this - the monster covers are what sold the books - as per Martin Goodman's direction. The 5-page Lee/Ditko collaborations were often the hidden gems of the pre-hero books - which, when you think about it, those stories were influenced by the very popular Twilight Zone TV series and EC's SF/horror stories (with their twist endings - that is).

What's the most popular pre-hero key these days (excluding TTA #27)? 1) Strange Tales #89 (Fin Fang Foom) 2) Tales to Astonish #13 (Groot) 3) Strange Tales #97 (1st Aunt May & Uncle Ben)

A recently scanned book from my collection. I hear that ol'GROOT has become quite popular these days!

105 does have a bigger following, but WW 98 is the first SA app of Diana & her mom. A significant issue!

Speaking of toast, if some lit a match, the menace of the Scarecrow would be overwith very quickly....how about a little fire, Scarecrow???

Collectors of High Grade DC Sci-Fi should take note of this thread! http://boards.collectors-society.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=6746023&Board=78&fpart=all&gonew=1#UNREAD

Fixed the links on that JIM goodness...

JIM goodness...

Easter Island inspired monsters deserve a special place in pre-hero lore!

Nice collection of later-day Strange Tales!