Untitled - Metropolis Comics

132 Pages·2017·60.65 MB·English

Dear Friends and Fellow Collectors, 22001188 EEVVEENNTT
2018 EVENT
Thank you for making the Second City Collection auction a huge success. AAAUUUCCCTTTIIIOOONNN XXXXXXXXXVVVIII
Action Comics #1 CGC 8.5 sold for $2,052,000, a new record in grade.
Both the buyer and seller were ecstatic. It was a great auction and a
hard one to top, but, wait until you see what we have in the auction you
TABLE OF CONTENTS
are holding in your hands. A special thanks to everybody who has been
participating in our Super Monthly Online Auctions. They have grown by
leaps and bounds. Our last one broke $1 million. SESSION 1 HIGHLIGHTS 2

SESSION 1 12
With almost 2,300 lots of comics and art there should be something for
Original Comic Art: A - P
everybody. Major highlights, all CGC graded, include: Action Comics
#1 8.5 (R), Action Comics #6 7.0, Action Comics #7 6.5 (R), Adventure
Comics #40 6.5 (Do I hear rumblings about a Sandman movie?), All Star SESSION 2 HIGHLIGHTS 28
Comics #8 5.5, Amazing Fantasy #15 8.0 Stan Lee SS, Avengers #1 9.4, SESSION 2 37
Amazing Spider-Man #1 9.4 (R), Batman #1 1.5, Brave and the Bold #28 Original Comic Art: P- Z and Comic Titles:
8.0, Captain America Comics #1 5.5, Detective Comics #1 4.5, Detective Action Comics #1 - Action Comics #47
Comics #27 7.5 (R), Fantastic Four #1 9.2 (R), Flash Comics #1 1.0 (Q),
Hero For Hire #1 9.8 Stan Lee SS, Incredible Hulk #1 7.5, More Fun
SESSION 3 HIGHLIGHTS 48
Comics #73 8.0, Star Wars #1 9.4 35¢ Variant, Startling Comics #49 9.6,
super-rare Superman Ashcan 9.0, Tales Of Suspense #39 8.0, X-Men #1 SESSION 3 58
9.0, and so much more!!! Action Comics #48 - Crypt of Terror

We have nearly 1,000 pieces of art. The time periods represented are vast
SESSION 4 HIGHLIGHTS 74
and genres diverse. The third selection of our Walking Dead Art with
many key covers, splashes, and pages will impress. Rick, Negan, and the SESSION 4 82
gang are all represented with great pages from issues #1 and 2. Jack Kirby Dagar Desert Hawk - More Fun Comics #62
pages from Fantastic Four #39, 43, and Annual 2, and even Destroyer
Duck! George Perez on Avengers #198 with Captain America, Iron Man,
SESSION 5 HIGHLIGHTS 98
Beast, Jocasta, and Red Ronan of the Shogun Warriors. Neal Adams’ cover
to Justice League of America #96 and an unpublished Justice League of SESSION 5 106
America #81 cover by Gil Kane will please any DC fan. Other great pieces More Fun Comics #70 - Zoot
include Jerry Robinson’s cover to Green Hornet Comics #28, a Steve Ditko
Tales of Suspense page from issue #47, a Harold Foster Prince Valiant
Sunday, the cover to Alarming Tales #2 by Mort Meskin, and a magnificent
Godzilla painting by Bob Eggleton. With so many pieces in so many price
points, there is surely something for everyone.

As soon as you get this catalog contact us to talk about cash advances for
items you’d like to consign to our next Event Auction. Good luck in the
auction! Stephen Fishler Vincent Zurzolo
Chief Executive Officer Chief Operating Officer
Co-Founder & Owner Co-Founder & Owner
Sincerely,
36 W 37th Street, 6th Floor
New York, New York, 10018
P: 888.779.7377
Vincent Zurzolo, COO F: 212.260.4304
Int. P: 001.212.895.3999
[email protected]
SESSION ONE HIGHLIGHTS SESSION ONE HIGHLIGHTS
Original Comic Art: A - P Original Comic Art: A - P
End Time: 7PM EDT, Monday 8/27/2018 End Time: 7PM EDT, Monday 8/27/2018
ALARMING TALES #2 COVER
BY MORT MESKIN
In the 1950s superhero comics were all but given up for dead. Horror, romance, and sci-fi
books ruled the racks and Harvey Publications, primarily known for their children’s titles,
wanted in on the action. Alarming Tales was just one of the company’s forays into the
suspense genre, and this wonderful cover was composed by one of the finest artists from the
early days of comics, Mort Meskin. The image of an alien materializing out of a fireball is
at once frightening and compelling and is a nifty representation of the science fiction style
of the atomic era. Art is in good condition and measures 14.25” x 22”.
GREEN HORNET COMICS #28 COVER
BY JERRY ROBINSON
Up for auction is another incredibly impressive piece, this cover is from one of the
most-important comic book artists of all time Jerry Robinson! Best known for his hand
in creating the Joker and for naming the world’s greatest sidekick, Robin, he worked for
several different publishing houses in the 1940s including Harvey, publishers of Green
Hornet Comics. Covers from the 1940s are extremely rare, partially due to the low
regard people once had for the comic art form. Boy have things changed since then!
This lovely example features the Green Hornet and Kato interrupting an armed robbery,
with a bit of bondage on the side. It’s quite lovely. Jerry Robinson pieces seldom come
up for sale so don’t miss this opportunity. Art is in good condition and its image area
measures 13” x 19”.
IN CASE OF ATOMIC ATTACK COVER
BY BILL DRAUT
From the earliest days of the printing press, cartoons and comics were used for
education, propaganda, and promotion, and the 1950s, in particular, saw an explosion of
how-to, patriotic, and commercial comics meant to inform the public. This fascinating
document from unsung lifetime pro Bill Draut, a reliable artist who contributed to every
publisher of the Silver Age both large and small, is part of a comic pamphlet showing
the average atomic-era family what to do in case the worst-case scenario should happen
to them. It’s startling to think that this sort of information was at one time considered
necessary and commonplace, but Draut’s clean lines and professional layouts sure
go a long way to cushioning the blow. It’s very unusual for art from promo comics to
surface, as they rarely were returned to their creators and often destroyed, so treasure
this special look into a forgotten and fascinating side trip down comics history. Includes
stats of the first four pages of this proposed project! Art is in good condition and
measures 15” x 21”.
For questions about the auction or to place proxy bids over the
2
phone, please call 888.779.7377 (International 001.212.895.3999).
You may also email us at [email protected]
SESSION ONE HIGHLIGHTS SESSION ONE HIGHLIGHTS
Original Comic Art: A - P Original Comic Art: A - P
End Time: 7PM EDT, Monday 8/27/2018 End Time: 7PM EDT, Monday 8/27/2018
GOLDEN AGE COVERS AND
STRIPS
Superhero art gets all the attention, but savvy collectors know that
some of the best pieces are outside of the cape-heavy mainstream.
Witness this quartet of remarkable pieces with not a superpowered
mutant in sight! First, a cover from the mighty Frank Springer, an
inventive, macabre horror illustration for Dell’s attempt to cash
in on the Weird Mystery craze of the late Silver/early Bronze
Age, Ghost Stories. Next, the immortal Hal Foster, king of the
Sunday pages, brings his impeccable pen to the glorious days of
yesteryear, showing why his imposing style and lush graphics
inspire illustrators and comic artists to this day. Third, Bob
Montana, who did so much to establish the look of the Archie
franchise, crafts a lovely daily page from the long-running Archie
strip. Lastly, an action-packed Lee Elias cover that showcases his
muscular style and assured linework rounds out this influential
group of uber-talented illustrators with this fine wartime slugfest.
Terry and the Pirates #25 and Prince Valiant #nn will end in
Session 2.
From Left to Right: Archie Daily Strip Art by Bob Montana; Ghost Stories #16 Cover by Frank Springer; Terry and the Pirates #25
Cover by Lee Elias; and Prince Valiant #nn Sunday Strip Art by Harold R. Foster.
For questions about the auction or to place proxy bids over the
3
phone, please call 888.779.7377 (International 001.212.895.3999).
You may also email us at [email protected]
SESSION ONE HIGHLIGHTS SESSION ONE HIGHLIGHTS
Original Comic Art: A - P Original Comic Art: A - P
End Time: 7PM EDT, Monday 8/27/2018 End Time: 7PM EDT, Monday 8/27/2018
AVENGERS #198 COVER
BY GEORGE PEREZ AND TERRY
AUSTIN
This is the original cover art for Avengers
#198, vintage 1980, drawn by George
Perez, inked by Terry Austin, and signed by
both. One of their finest and best-known
cover collaborations, it features the
Avengers battling Red Ronin or “Ronan”
as spelled here. This mighty robot was
built to do battle against Godzilla before
falling under the control of the evil Dr.
Cohen. Running amok, the Avengers must
find a way to overcome his power. Inspired
by Japanese super robot toys and comics
of the 1970s, he’s a colorful antagonist
for Nick Fury’s team of heroes, including
Iron Man, Captain America, Jocasta, the
Vision, the Beast, and Wonder Man.
The rampaging robot is shown towering
above the New York City skyline with
the Avengers struggling against him
in dramatic disarray. It’s a metaphoric
symbol, perhaps, of the rampant
commercial success of Japanese
technology in the American market at the
time. In any case, he’s got an expressive
face for a mechanical monster, and this
is an impressive Avengers collectible,
as well as an internationally attuned bit
of pop culture, with vivid colors and
striking composition showing the Earth’s
Mightiest Heroes pitted against a giant
robot samurai warrior long before the
Transformers came on the scene. Art is
in good condition and measures 11” x
17”. Time payments available.
For questions about the auction or to place proxy bids over the
4
phone, please call 888.779.7377 (International 001.212.895.3999).
You may also email us at [email protected]
SESSION ONE HIGHLIGHTS SESSION ONE HIGHLIGHTS
Original Comic Art: A - P Original Comic Art: A - P
End Time: 7PM EDT, Monday 8/27/2018 End Time: 7PM EDT, Monday 8/27/2018
CRIME SUSPENSTORIES #17 PG. 24
BY AL WILLIAMSON AND FRANK FRAZETTA
This is the original Al Williamson art for seven juicy panels from
the Golden Age EC comic, Crime SuspenStories #17, featuring a
searing pulp-fiction treatment of the “battle of the sexes.” Enjoy
the conclusion to the ironically titled “Fired,” a story about an
itinerant ranch foreman, Roy, who feels like moving on, and his
female boss, Pat, who refuses to let him go. The tale supplies a
graphically symbolic take on the theme of the possessive woman
and the footloose man, with Pat claiming her right of ownership
with the help of a hot branding iron. Could the “Circle-Diamond”
brand be a Freudian substitute for a wedding ring? She appears in
the penultimate frame as a spiteful femme fatale who must have
revenge on those she loves. The final panel shows Roy’s branded face
and Pat “sobbing hysterically” with astonished ranch hands in the
background. This a choice depiction of sexual tensions in the post-war
era. The added kicker here is the ink work, executed by one “Fritz”
aka Frank Frazetta, a name that never fails to draw hordes of attention
to any piece of art he imbued with his legendary talent. Art is in good
condition and measures 14.5” x 21.5”.
WEIRD MYSTERIES #9
HALF SPLASH PG. 26
BY MIKE SEKOWSKY
Mike Sekowsky, best known for his contributions to the Justice
League of America and Wonder Woman in the 1960s, cut his teeth
in the Golden Age at Timely Comics. He illustrated a variety of
anthology titles, where his ability to work fast and efficiently made
him a favorite among editors and his peers alike.
This striking splash page from Weird Mysteries #9 showcases some
of the tropes typically employed during the pre-code horror days,
where artists and writers were free to rot the minds of innocent youths
looking for a cheap scare. The mirrored image in the half-splash panel
is a triumph of design, perfectly setting up the tale “Destiny’s Double
Deal.” Sekowsky’s fluid line work and self-assured style leave no
doubt that something nasty is about to happen. Golden Age horror
pages are difficult to come by, and this rare-to-market piece is sure
to garner some rapt attention at auction. Art is in good condition and
measures 14.5” x 23”. This auction lot will end in Session 2.
For questions about the auction or to place proxy bids over the
5
phone, please call 888.779.7377 (International 001.212.895.3999).
You may also email us at [email protected]
SESSION ONE HIGHLIGHTS SESSION ONE HIGHLIGHTS
Original Comic Art: A - P Original Comic Art: A - P
End Time: 7PM EDT, Monday 8/27/2018 End Time: 7PM EDT, Monday 8/27/2018
FANTASTIC FOUR #39
PG. 9
BY JACK KIRBY AND FRANK GIACOIA
In issue #39 of the Fantastic Four, the
hero team finds themselves at a major
disadvantage, having been stripped of
their powers by a “Q-Bomb” explosion.
Meanwhile in Latveria, Doctor Doom
is discovering he was hypnotized to
believe he had defeated the FF, and as a
result, had stopped pursuing them. This
classic Jack Kirby page contains not only
some thrilling Doom panels, and one
of the King’s kooky machines, but also
manages to throw in Matt Murdock, aka
Daredevil, for good measure. There’s so
much happening on this page, even the
production notes add an interesting extra
feature to this overloaded piece of Silver
Age history.
Kirby’s run on the Fantastic Four
set the stage for the Marvel Age, his
collaborations with Stan Lee are now the
stuff of legend, and owning a small piece
of that legacy is an opportunity many can
only dream of. The proposed purchase
of Fox Entertainment by Disney
would bring a good chunk of Marvel’s
properties back into the MCU fold, so all
things concerning the beloved superhero
family are expected to perk up with a
reboot looming in the near future. And,
of course, any chance to own a piece
of Jack Kirby art is nothing to scoff
at either. Art is in good condition and
measures 12” x 18.5”. Time payments
available.
For questions about the auction or to place proxy bids over the
6
phone, please call 888.779.7377 (International 001.212.895.3999).
You may also email us at [email protected]
SESSION ONE HIGHLIGHTS SESSION ONE HIGHLIGHTS
Original Comic Art: A - P Original Comic Art: A - P
End Time: 7PM EDT, Monday 8/27/2018 End Time: 7PM EDT, Monday 8/27/2018
FANTASTIC FOUR #43
PG. 10
BY JACK KIRBY AND VINCE
COLLETTA
Talk about action-packed panels! This
page is pure Jack Kirby; forceful, kinetic,
psychedelic, and chock-full of all the
personal tics and touches that made Kirby
the single most-revered artist in the comic
form. His dramatic use of perspective
and foreshortening creates a sense of
danger, and his use of motion lines and
other tried-and-true comic book flourishes
highlights the important action taking
place in these panels.
The storyline in FF #43 concerns Reed
Richards’ attempts to restore Ben
Grimm’s personality after he had been
brainwashed by the Frightful Four, but
the experiment goes haywire, causing an
explosion that exposes Mr. Fantastic and
the Thing to deadly Gamma Rays. It is
only the quick thinking of Sue Richards
that saves the day and allows the Thing
to return to his ever-lovin’ blue-eyed
self. If you are a fan of Jack Kirby, the
Fantastic Four, Silver Age Marvel or
any combination of these elements, how
can you possibly resist the power of
this awesome page? This is Kirby at the
top of his form, reveling in his heyday,
churning out incredible pieces of art
for several different groundbreaking
titles daily, and in doing so, shaping
the history and narrative of the comic
art form. Art is in good condition and
measures 12” x 18.5”. Time payments
available.
For questions about the auction or to place proxy bids over the
7
phone, please call 888.779.7377 (International 001.212.895.3999).
You may also email us at [email protected]
SESSION ONE HIGHLIGHTS SESSION ONE HIGHLIGHTS
Original Comic Art: A - P Original Comic Art: A - P
End Time: 7PM EDT, Monday 8/27/2018 End Time: 7PM EDT, Monday 8/27/2018
FANTASTIC FOUR #209
HALF SPLASH PG. 30
BY JOHN BYRNE AND JOE SINNOTT
Canadian artist John Byrne burst on
to the scene with a powerful impact
on Bronze Age comic book art, which
is still felt today. Working his way up
through the ranks at B-level publisher
Charlton, Byrne quickly landed a
position at Marvel, where he would
go on to revolutionize the X-Men
franchise, turning Wolverine and
Dark Phoenix into two of the most
beloved characters in the history of
the publishing house. Before taking
over Fantastic Four for a five-year run,
Byrne would do spot work on the title
whenever called upon. This half-splash
comes from his very first work on the
franchise and stands as a precursor of
great things to come.
Fantastic Four #209 is a memorable
issue for several reasons. Not only
is it the first time Byrne tackled “the
World’s Greatest Comic Magazine,”
but it also presented the first comic
book appearance of the team’s newest
member, the oft-maligned HERBIE.
Luckily all thoughts of gimmicky
robots are wiped away in one fell
swoop by the Devourer of Worlds,
Galactus, in what may be Byrne’s first
depiction of the cosmic threat. Overall
this is an important, historical, and
collectible piece of comic art, which
sees one of the great illustrators
embarking on a long journey with
some of Marvel’s most popular
heroes. Art is in good condition and
measures 11” x 17”. Time payments
available.
For questions about the auction or to place proxy bids over the
8
phone, please call 888.779.7377 (International 001.212.895.3999).
You may also email us at [email protected]