Compalcomics offers first issue Beano, Black Panther art and more in March auction

Compalcomics Spring 2019 CoverCompalcomics has launched its March auction catalogue of British and US comics, and a huge amount of great comic art, including Black Panther art for Marvel UK, Thunderbirds and Garth art by Frank Bellamy and some other rarities from the Bob Monkhouse Archive.

Beano Comic No 1 (1938) - offered with a Beano No 1 and No 2 Flyer eight page Mini Comic. The debut issue marks the first appearances of characters Big Eggo, Lord Snooty, Little Peanut and Tin-Can Tommy

Beano Comic No 1 (1938) – offered with a Beano No 1 and No 2 Flyer eight page Mini Comic. The debut issue marks the first appearances of characters Big Eggo, Lord Snooty, Little Peanut and Tin-Can Tommy

The star item on offer has to be a copy The Beano No 1 with No1 Flyer, which is estimated to sell for at £9000. Compalcomics say it’s in pretty good shape, too. The first Beano Christmas issue also features in this auction and Beano and Dandy are represented by magnificent bound volumes from the late 1940s and early 1950s.

A fine copy of the second Dandy annual from 1940 and a superb run of The Broons and Oor Wullie rare ‘office copy’ hardbound books complete a very fresh DC Thomson collection.

World War One Comics

Comics published in World War One are one of the gems in the auction

A rare copy of Magic Issue 2, published in 1939, offered with Magic No 1 and 2 Flyer eight page mini-comic

A rare copy of Magic Issue 2, published in 1939, offered with Magic No 1 and 2 Flyer eight page mini-comic

Scoops (1934) 1-20 - Complete series in bound volume. The UK's first science fiction weekly with The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in issues 14-18

Scoops (1934) 1-20 – Complete series in bound volume. The UK’s first science fiction weekly with The Poison Belt by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in issues 14-18

Bound sets of 2000AD, Progs 1 - 45, with free gifts for Prog 2, the Biotronic Stickers and Prog 3 - a Red Alert Survival Wallet

Bound sets of 2000AD, Progs 1 – 45, with free gifts for Prog 2, the Biotronic Stickers and Prog 3 – a Red Alert Survival Wallet

There’s a near complete run of Mighty Midget ‘Blitz’ books and a full 500 issue run of Eagle comics from Volumes 1-10. A well-worn series of Triumph / Superman issues should attract plenty of interest at No Reserve and there are lots of interplanetary titles including Space Ace, Space Travellers, Buck Rogers, Mystery in Space and Space Comics Captain Valiant.

Eagle volumes 1-10 (1950-59). A complete 10 year run comprising 501 consecutive issues including two No 1s. Starring Frank Hampson's iconic space hero , Colonel Dan McGregor Dare, his nemesis The Mekon, The Red Moon Mystery, Prioners of Space, Rogue Planet, L Ashwell Wood's centre page 'cutaway' art, Captain Pugwash by John Ryan, P.C. 49, Harris Tweed, Luck of the Legion, Jeff Arnold, Montgomery of Alamein and the Life of Winston Churchill both by Frank Bellamy and special Coronation Numbers - all here - 501 items in total

Eagle volumes 1-10 (1950-59). A complete 10 year run comprising 501 consecutive issues including two No 1s. Starring Frank Hampson’s iconic space hero , Colonel Dan McGregor Dare, his nemesis The Mekon, The Red Moon Mystery, Prioners of Space, Rogue Planet, L Ashwell Wood’s centre page ‘cutaway’ art, Captain Pugwash by John Ryan, P.C. 49, Harris Tweed, Luck of the Legion, Jeff Arnold, Montgomery of Alamein and the Life of Winston Churchill both by Frank Bellamy and special Coronation Numbers – all here – 501 items in total

This catalogue showcases the second part of the Bob Monkhouse Archive collection with original artwork boards of Thunderbirds, the Daily Mirror‘s Garth and “Brett Million’s Ghost World” by Frank Bellamy, “Dan Dare” by Frank Hampson and The Beano’s “Magic Lollipops” by Allan Morley.

Thunderbirds original double-page artworkdrawn, painted and signed by Frank Bellamy for TV Century 21 No 131, 1967. From the Bob Monkhouse Archive. Fearing a rebel attack on the President super-ship Thunderbirds 1 keeps station but a rogue tanker is on collision course… (Bright Pelikan inks on board. 28 x 20 ins)

Thunderbirds original double-page artworkdrawn, painted and signed by Frank Bellamy for TV Century 21 No 131, 1967. From the Bob Monkhouse Archive. Fearing a rebel attack on the President super-ship Thunderbirds 1 keeps station but a rogue tanker is on collision course… (Bright Pelikan inks on board. 28 x 20 ins)

Three original consecutive Garth artworks, drawn and signed by Frank Bellamy from the Daily Mirror 22-27th December 1973. From the Bob Monkhouse Archive. Garth is trapped with Andromeda in Tallion's torture chamber… (Indian ink on board. 20 x 18 ins)

Three original consecutive Garth artworks, drawn and signed by Frank Bellamy from the Daily Mirror 22-27th December 1973. From the Bob Monkhouse Archive. Garth is trapped with Andromeda in Tallion’s torture chamber… (Indian ink on board. 20 x 18 ins)

“Brett Million and the Ghost World” original artwork drawn, painted and signed by Frank Bellamy for Boy’s World, published in 1963. From the Bob Monkhouse Archive. From Boy’s World Volume 2: No 9. To save the ship Brett undergoes the life threatening risk of neural amplication – invisibility! (Bright Pelikan inks on board. 20 x 15 ins)

Dan Dare original artwork drawn and painted by Frank Hampson and team for Eagle Volume 7 No 26, published in 1956, from the Bob Monkhouse Archive. On Cryptos, Digby and Lex witness the launch of Kra, the vast satellite liberating refugees from the Phant invasion. Described as a rare example of Hampson's highly detailed and inventive artwork. Gouache on board. 16 x 13 ins

Dan Dare original artwork drawn and painted by Frank Hampson and team for Eagle Volume 7 No 26, published in 1956, from the Bob Monkhouse Archive. On Cryptos, Digby and Lex witness the launch of Kra, the vast satellite liberating refugees from the Phant invasion. Described as a rare example of Hampson’s highly detailed and inventive artwork. Gouache on board. 16 x 13 ins

Six-Million Dollar Man original artwork painted and signed by Martin Asbury for Look-in cover dated 4th July 1975. Steve is electrocuted by Mandini… (Poster colour on board. 20 x 15 ins)

Six-Million Dollar Man original artwork painted and signed by Martin Asbury for Look-in cover dated 4th July 1975. Steve is electrocuted by Mandini… (Poster colour on board. 20 x 15 ins)

“Inferno” original artwork by Massimo Belardinelli from 2000AD Prog 45, cover dated 10th December 1977 (Indian ink on cartridge paper. 14 x 19 ins)

“Inferno” original artwork by Massimo Belardinelli from 2000AD Prog 58, cover dated 1st April 1978 (Indian ink on cartridge paper. 14 x 19 ins)

Three consecutive artworks featuring actor Terry Thomas from Film Fun, published in Novermber 1960, by Terry Wakefield, from the Bob Monkhouse Archive Terry disarms the Carioca Kid and the mayor of Deadbeat City makes him the Sheriff but the gang has other plans (Indian ink on cartridge paper. 13 x 6 ins)

Three consecutive artworks featuring actor Terry Thomas from Film Fun, published in Novermber 1960, by Terry Wakefield, from the Bob Monkhouse Archive Terry disarms the Carioca Kid and the mayor of Deadbeat City makes him the Sheriff but the gang has other plans (Indian ink on cartridge paper. 13 x 6 ins)

Beano/Magic Lollipops April Fool original artwork (1949) drawn and initialled by Allan Morley for The Beano No 358 April 2nd 1949. Offered with original comic. From the Bob Monkhouse Archive

Beano/Magic Lollipops April Fool original artwork (1949) drawn and initialled by Allan Morley for The Beano No 358 April 2nd 1949. Offered with original comic. From the Bob Monkhouse Archive

The artwork selection also features front covers of Beano and Dandy from the 1950s along with “The Broons” and “Desperate Dan” pages by Dudley Watkins.

Beano/Biffo the Bear original front cover artwork (1953) drawn, painted and signed by Dudley Watkins for The Beano No 564 cover dated 9th May 1953. Biffo is upset that everyone wants to give him a good licking but they're all after Biffo shaped lollipops! (Poster colour and Indian ink on cartridge paper. 1½ ins sealed tear to lower margin. 20 x 14 ins. 'The Beano' header is a laser colour copy)

Beano/Biffo the Bear original front cover artwork (1953) drawn, painted and signed by Dudley Watkins for The Beano No 564 cover dated 9th May 1953. Biffo is upset that everyone wants to give him a good licking but they’re all after Biffo shaped lollipops! (Poster colour and Indian ink on cartridge paper. 1½ ins sealed tear to lower margin. 20 x 14 ins. ‘The Beano’ header is a laser colour copy)

Dandy / Korky The Cat original front cover artwork (1961) by Jimmy Chrichton for The Dandy No 1019, cover dated 3rd June 1961 with original front cover printer’s proof. There's no hiding place for Korky's cake! (Poster colour and indian ink on cartridge paper 19 x 14 ins. 'The Dandy' header is a laser colour copy)

Dandy / Korky The Cat original front cover artwork (1961) by Jimmy Chrichton for The Dandy No 1019, cover dated 3rd June 1961 with original front cover printer’s proof. There’s no hiding place for Korky’s cake! (Poster colour and indian ink on cartridge paper 19 x 14 ins. ‘The Dandy’ header is a laser colour copy)

Barney's Bear original four page artwork by George Ramsbottom for The Dandy, published in the 1950s. Barney's Bear wreaks havoc at the circus (Indian ink on card. 18 x 15 ins (4 items)

Barney’s Bear original four page artwork by George Ramsbottom for The Dandy, published in the 1950s. Barney’s Bear wreaks havoc at the circus (Indian ink on card. 18 x 15 ins (4 items)

“Black Bob and the Mad Alsatian” - original eight panel artworks by Jack Prout created in the 1950s for The Dandy/Black Bob books (Indian ink on card. 20 x 16 ins)

“Black Bob and the Mad Alsatian” – original eight panel artworks by Jack Prout created in the 1950s for The Dandy/Black Bob books (Indian ink on card. 20 x 16 ins)

The Broons original artwork (1966) drawn and signed by Dudley Watkins from The Sunday Post 10 April 1966. The Broons look after the next door's neighbour's bairn while they go tae the pictures. She's a wee lamb - for the first five minutes… (Indian ink on cartridge paper. 19 x 15 ins)

The Broons original artwork (1966) drawn and signed by Dudley Watkins from The Sunday Post 10 April 1966. The Broons look after the next door’s neighbour’s bairn while they go tae the pictures. She’s a wee lamb – for the first five minutes… (Indian ink on cartridge paper. 19 x 15 ins)

Desperate Dan original artwork by Dudley Watkins for The Dandy, cover dated 16th January 1969. Danny, Katey and Desperate Dan try to sneak a taste of Aunt Aggie's home-made pie. Note most of the word balloons are missing. (Indian ink on cartridge paper. 22 x 15 ins)

Desperate Dan original artwork by Dudley Watkins for The Dandy, cover dated 16th January 1969. Danny, Katey and Desperate Dan try to sneak a taste of Aunt Aggie’s home-made pie. Note most of the word balloons are missing. (Indian ink on cartridge paper. 22 x 15 ins)

Joe Colquhoun’s atmospheric boards of “Charley’s War” from the Battle of the Somme are also here – as is Simon Donald’s completely disrespectful ‘X’ rated Valentine’s Day card artwork for VIZ and Comic Relief in 1988!

Three original

Three original “Charley’s War” artworks by Joe Colquhoun for Battle No 622, published in 1984. The battle of The Somme July 14th 1916. The British cavalry advance into enemy territory… unaware of the Germans waiting in ambush… (Indian ink on cartridge paper. 17 x 15 ins each)

The US comics section of the auction features a page of Black Panther original artwork created as an additional opening page for the Marvel UK title Planet of The Apes series in 1975.

This has wrongly been credited to Billy Graham. The pencils are actually by David Wenzel, inked by Duffy Vohland.

 Jungle Action 14 (1975) featuring Black Panther, with Black Panther story additional opening page artwork published in 1976 in Marvel UK's Planet Of The Apes Issue 75. The art has wrongly been credited to Billy Graham in the auction listing. The pencils are actually by David Wenzel, inked by Duffy Vohland. (Indian ink on cartridge paper. 17 x 11 ins)

Jungle Action 14 (1975) featuring Black Panther, with Black Panther story additional opening page artwork published in 1976 in Marvel UK’s Planet Of The Apes Issue 75. The art has wrongly been credited to Billy Graham in the auction listing. The pencils are actually by David Wenzel, inked by Duffy Vohland. (Indian ink on cartridge paper. 17 x 11 ins)

British Marvel weekly comics used to split the original Marvel US stories into two (or more) parts, necessitating new splash pages to “bridge” the stories. In the 1970s and 80, these were created in Marvel’s New York offices by different artists, usually those new to the industry) draw those new pages.

For this extra page, both David Wenzel and Duffy Vohland signed the artwork (which can be seen in the margins on pictures posted when the page was previously sold on eBay), as well as an interesting blurb from writer Don McGregor, saying he’d never seen this artwork before! Which is no surprise, since it was only drawn for the British market). The original story credits were retained, which has caused some confusion in the original artwork community.

Close up signatures of David Wenzel and Duffy Vohland, who created this page

Close up signatures of David Wenzel and Duffy Vohland, who created this page

Writer of Jungle Action Don McGregor has also signed the artwork, presumably for a buyer of the page at a later date

Writer of Jungle Action Don McGregor has also signed the artwork, presumably for a buyer of the page at a later date

The US section includes a real rarity in New York World’s Fair #1 from 1938, and it is accompanied by first issues of Buck Rogers, Super Comics and Comics on Parade, all from the late 1930s. Also on offer is the first tranche of a wonderful 1940s higher grade pulp collection including Dime Detective, Jungle Stories, Planet Stories and Weird Tales.

New York World's Fair Comics #1 (1939), starring Superman, Slam Bradley, The Sandman, Zatara and Gingersnap by Bob Kane. Showing a blonde Superman on the cover, this first edition was offered for sale at the 1939 New York World's Fair. It did not sell very well as its cover price of 25c was more than double the normal 10c comic book price of the time.

New York World’s Fair Comics #1 (1939), starring Superman, Slam Bradley, The Sandman, Zatara and Gingersnap by Bob Kane. Showing a blonde Superman on the cover, this first edition was offered for sale at the 1939 New York World’s Fair. It did not sell very well as its cover price of 25c was more than double the normal 10c comic book price of the time.

Two further stand-out 50s rarities are Sweethearts 119 (with coveted Marilyn Monroe cover) and Black Rider 8 (#1), where Stan Lee posed for the photo-cover of this first issue. All of you romantics out there have not been forgotten and runs of Personal Love, Sweethearts and New Romances are ready to take you back down memory lane.

The Silver Age promotes a good run of The Amazing Spider-Man issues, right up to CGC #300 with authenticated Tod McFarlane signature. There’s a solid cents Avengers #4 and runs of Batman, Captain America, Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk #3, 4, 5 and 6, Strange Tales, Tales of Suspense and The X-Men, with plenty of high grade individual issues amongst them – including a very fresh cowboy collection of Kid Colt Outlaw, Rawhide Kid, Ringo Kid and Two-Gun Kid.

Also in the auction is a copy of Seduction of the Innocent by Fredric Wertham M.D, published by Museum Press in 1956, describing the claimed influence of “horror comics” on today’s youth – a book that was to contribute to the demise of many titles in the US, and impacted comics publishing in the UK, too.

Seduction of the Innocent by Fredric Wertham M.D, published by Museum Press in 1956, describing the claimed influence of

Seduction of the Innocent by Fredric Wertham M.D, published by Museum Press in 1956, describing the claimed influence of “horror comics” on today’s youth

• The Compalcomics catalogue is open for bidding at thesaleroom.comCompalcomics successful team up with thesaleroom.com continues to provide you with real time bidding, viewable online, as bids are placed by customers who have registered their details.You can also browse/search the catalogue here in the Catalogue section of the Compalcomics site. Please check ‘How To Bid’ for all the info you need to bid online and how the Timed Auction works.

• Due to thesaleroom.com’s three per cent increase levied upon Compalcomics (and everyone else) for internet bidders late last year, note they have had to raise their buyer’s premium by the same amount, from 16% to 19%. The team hope this won’t dissuade regular online bidders unnecessarily as this all-inclusive premium is still one of the lowest in the auction trade

With thanks to David Roach for alerting us to the erroneous Billy Graham accreditation to the Planet of the Apes “Black Panther/ Jungle Action page and Jason Schacter for identifying the actual art team



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

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