King Kong original film brochure (1933). No other copies are known to exist

The latest Compalcomics online auction has just launched and offers a fantastic selection of wartime Beanos, pre-war Mickey Mouse Weeklies and copies of Glasgow / Northern Looking Glass, considered the world’s first “comic”, published in Glasgow in 1825. Plus, there’s the chance to get your hands on some rare underground comics, including a copy of the infamous Oz “Schoolkids” magazine that saw the publication taken to court for obscenity.

A pretty head mix of lots, then!

The absolute rarity this February though isn’t actually a comic, but a film programme for King Kong. This 1933 British example is the only one known to exist.

Beano Book 3 (1942): Big Eggo in a spin! From the Brenda Butler archive

In ComPal’s recent November catalogue the company received a whopping £5500 winning bid for the second Beano Book and a strong £3650 for the first one, both from the Brenda Butler Archive. Her archive provides more rarities this time around, including the third Dandy Monster Comic and the third Beano Book, in the highest grade ever offered at auction.

Dandy Monster Comic (1942). Desperate Dan powers the Dandy boat! From the Brenda Butler Archive

Mickey Mouse Weekly (1939, Issues 153-204). A complete year of this comic is on offer

There’s also a glossy copy of the scarce Eb’ and Flo’ annual from 1939 – not a title likely to get a reprint today – and some good-looking Boy’s Own annuals from 1879-1935.

Rare copies of the Glasgow / Northern Looking Glass, published in 1825 and 1826, considered to be the world’s first modern comic.

Another rarity on offer are copies of the Glasgow / Northern Looking Glass, published in 1825 and 1826, considered to be the world’s first modern comic.

The bound volume auction highlight is at lot 18 where a 15 volume run of Magnet concludes with the last issue from 1940, again in fresh overall condition. The first four Bubbles annuals are accompanied by their rare glassine jackets at lot 8.

Magic Comic 58

The ComPal one-owner successful run of individual Beano comics concludes with the year of 1941 and a high grade Christmas bumper issue for that year. Also offered is a run of trimmed Magic comics from 1939, the first two Dandy annuals in affordable lower grades and a good run of Beano and Dandy Summer Specials starting in the 1960s.

Beano Summer Special (1967)

Beano Summer Special (1968)

Beano Summer Special (1969)

The collection of scarce Oz magazines continues with some high grade examples including Number 8, which includes the scarce Yoko Ono exhibition flyer and Number 28 – the infamous Schoolkids edition. Here’s just one of the issues on offer that we can present here on what we try to make and all-ages friendly site, featuring a cover by Martin Sharp.

Oz Magazine 22 (July 1969), featuring a Martin Sharp Mickey Mouse 1 Smiling Moon cover.

For Marvel UK fans, there’s also the chance to get your hands on a copy of Captain Britain Weekly Issue 1, published in 1976, compete with free Captain Britain mask; and Mighty World of Marvel Issue One, the first ever Marvel UK title, published in 1972. Again, this offers the free gift – an iron-on Hulk transfer. Hands up those readers who remember buying this and then going out to also buy a white t-shirt to put it on. I certainly do!

Mighty World of Marvel 1 (1972) – with Hulk T-Shirt Transfer free gift

Warlord (1974) 1, 2 both with free gifts – replica medals and Holder

Early issues of Battle from 1975, complete with a large Battle Poster given away with Issue 2

Bullet issues 1, 2, published in 1976, both with free gifts – a signet ring with Transfers and Survival booklet and Wallet

Captain Britain Weekly 1 (1976) with Captain Britain Mask

Look out also for some great lots of Eagle and 2000AD – and a lovely piece of art created by Roy Wilson for the 1946 Radio Fun Annual. As you’d expect from ComPal, there’s a page of  “Oor Wullie” byDudley Watkins on offer, too.

Original pencil drawing by Roy Wilson for the Radio Fun Annual 1946 frontispiece
With the 1941 Radio Fun Annual

Oor Wullie original artwork (1953) drawn and signed by Dudley Watkins for the Sunday Post, 22nd February 1953. It’s Ma’s birthday but there’s nae money to buy her a present … mebbe some wallpaperin’ will do the trick?

The auction’s US section highlights an 11-issue run of 1950s Black Cat comics with long runs of early Amazing Spider-Man, Daredevil, Fantastic Four (some high grade beauties here) and X-Men. There are high grade Warren and Marvel Magazines to complete the picture.

• To bid on items in this auction go to the-saleroom.com to place bids. Bidding ends 26th February 2017. The-saleroom.com continues to provide you with real time bidding, viewable online, as bids are placed by customers who have registered their details. Please check the ComPal website for all the info you need to bid online and how the Timed Auction works. To cope with increased charges ComPal have had to raise our Buyers’ Premium 2% to 16%, only the second increase in 23 years of successful trading

John Freeman

The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.

He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.

Categories: 2000AD, Auctions, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Other Worlds

Tags: Adventure Comics, Auction News, Brenda Butler, Captain Britain Weekly, Comic Auction, ComPal, Compalcomics, Dandy, downthetubes News, Dudley Watkins, Glasgow/Northern Looking Glass, Humour Comics, King Kong, Magic Comic, Mickey Mouse Weekly, Mighty World of Marvel, Oz Magazine, Roy Wilson, SF Comics, The Beano, War Comics