Alongside rare British comics, large bulk offers and an incredible selection of American comics – Marvel, DC and more – the latest Compalcomics auction catalogue has some fantastic art on offer, including Doctor Who boards from TV Comic by John Canning and Doctor Who Monthly, and legendary artist Ron Embleton‘s first commercial comic work.
After the very strong £15,000 hammer price for a The Beano No 1 in August, a second one has been teased out for auction this month. There are some key Beano lots following on, too, including the scarce full years of 1947, 1948 and 1954 with Dandy propaganda war issues (1940-45) and complete The Dandyyears of 1950 and 1951 in bound volumes.
It’s really hard to find T.V Boardman’s Super Coloured Comic annuals but we have all three issues in pretty good nick at lot 45. High grade Topper Nos 1-7 and volumes of 1956-58 are also on offer.
There’s a strong selection of scarce Picture Library pocket books including Thriller Nos 1-44, Espionage, Fantastic, Lone Rider, Nightmare Suspense, S.A.T.A.N., Secret Agent, Secret Service, Silhouette, Top Three, Undercover, Western Adventure and L. Miller’s Space Adventures 1-3.
2000AD Judge Dredd ‘The Day the Law Died’ original artwork by Mick McMahon for 2000AD prog 90 page 6, 11 Nov 1978. So the story goes, Dave Gibbons (with whom Mick shared a studio in St Albans) literally took the mick out of McMahon who had declared that drawing a ‘fish’ as a Deputy Chief Judge was his ‘worst ever artwork panel’ (source: Mick McMahon – The 2000 AD Thrill Cast, Lockdown Tapes Interview – You Tube 2016). Recently, in May of this year the publishers of the Apex Edition of Mick McMahon’s Art took a digital copy of this artwork for their archive with the owner’s permission. Indian ink and black marker pen with Letratone on card. 17 x 20 ins. Framed and glazed
Doctor Who original double-page artwork (1977) by John Canning for Mighty TV Comic 1327, cover dated 21st May 1977. The Klings attack the TARDIS with their deadly storm-sticks but the Doctor plans a counter attack…. John Canning illustrated the first Doctor Who series with William Hartnell in the title role. Indian ink and wash on board. 26 x 20 ins
Doctor Who – The Metal Eaters original artwork by Gerry Haylock for TV Comic No 1409 (Dec 1978). Indian ink and wash on board. 21 x 15 ins
Doctor Who original artwork (1980) by Dave Gibbons from Doctor Who Marvel Monthly No 48 (1980). With original comic. Pen and ink on card. 19 x 13 ins
Dalek/Terror Task Force two original artworks by Edgar Hodges from the Dalek Annual (1976) pgs 20 & 21. 6 x 4 and 7½ x 4½ ins. Pen and ink on card (Two artworks)
As usual, UK artwork is well represented with Sexton Blake’s “Amazing Affair of the Shipyard Sabotage” 1941 cover by Eric Parker, Ron Embleton’s first published work in 1949 with three pages from Ray Regan comic No1 – scarce in its own right.
“The Amazing Affair of the Shipyard Sabotage” original cover artwork (1941) by Eric Parker for Sexton Blake Library No 736. Scarce wartime artwork, bright fresh colours | Gouache on board. 17 x 13 ins
Ray Regan No. 1: three original artworks (1949) by Ron Embleton. This was Embleton’s first commercial work and he also wrote the story. Ray Regan No. 1 was published and edited by Denis Gifford, whose Tiger Man story debuted in this one and only issue. Embleton also drew a self-portrait which was printed on Gifford’s editorial page. Indian ink on board, 14 x 11 ins (3 artworks) with original comic
Look and Learn front cover original artwork (1962) by Ron Embleton illustrating the story of Sir Walter Raleigh – The Grand Adventurer. With original Look and Learn No 43 (1962). Bright, fresh poster colours on board. 20 x 18 ins
“The Story of the Soldier” original artwork (1965) by Peter Jackson for Ranger Issue 15 (1965). Whilst most Englishmen accepted William the Conqueror as the new king, many did not. One of the king’s methods for dealing with the rebellious English, (who often chose the cover of night for their sabotage activities), was to impose an evening curfew. When the church bell tolled at dusk all Englishmen had to be indoors – and to ensure their incarceration Norman soldiers brutally patrolled the streets. Bright poster colours on board. 18 x 14 ins
Cortez, Conqueror of Mexico original Eagle artwork (1950) by William Stobbs. In this final Eagle episode, Cortez, leading the Spanish army, is defeated at Algiers by the Moors and has to swim for his life… William Stobbs (1914-2000) was head of design at the London College of Printing, illustrating over 100 books including 20 of his own. ‘Cortez’ was his only comic strip artwork. Poster colour on board. 21 x 15 ins
Also offered is Frank Bellamy’s back cover artwork for Eagle, an action packed “David, the Shepherd King” episode, showing his warriors battling the Philistine hordes.
“David, The Shepherd King” original back cover artwork by Frank Bellamy for The Eagle (1959) Vol. 10, No. 12. The Philistine hordes march on Jerusalem as David hides his army in the outlying forest setting a trap to repel the invaders and, years later, King David’s son, Absalom, plots treachery against his father. The ‘Shepherd King’ title and top left-hand panel of Young David and explanatory text are laser colour additions to complete the look of the artwork.
Also included are the last three Frank Bellamy “Garth” Daily Mirror boards being sold through Compalcomics for now, all signed by the great man himself. They’ve also got “Lettice Leaf” strips by John Ryan, Look and Learn and Ranger boards by the Embleton brothers, two war action boards of Maddock’s Marauders painted and signed by Jordi Panalva for Fleetway Super Library Front Line 1 and 3, a 2000AD prog 90 “The Day The Law Died” Judge Dredd board by Mick McMahon, more “Charley’s War” pages by Joe Colquhoun – and a Doctor Who piece by Dave Gibbons for Doctor Who Monthly No 48.
Charley’s War by Joe Colquhoun for Battle-Action 272 (1980). October 1916. Following a gas attack the German “Judgement Troopers” had over-run the British defences and Charlie Bourne had been captured after assisting Smith 70 on the Vickers machine gun – the most hated weapon of the Great War. Indian ink on card 19 x 15 ins
Charley’s War art by Joe Colquhoun for Battle-Action 273 (1980). With Battle Action 273 painted front cover with printed layout acetate overlay. After rebuffing the initial Judgement Troopers gas attack Charlie and his surviving comrades were waiting for the end. But the Judgement Troopers had sustained heavy losses as well and the German High Command refused to send re-inforcements… Indian ink on card. 19 x 15 ins. With Battle Action cover and overlay
The Four Feathers original cover artwork (1954) by Royal Academician, Septimus E Scott for Thriller Comics Library No 67. With removeable laser copy title overlay. 1″ tape to edge, small corner piece missing. Gouache on board. 21 x 16″
Garth: “The Angels of Hell’s Gap” original artwork (1975) drawn and signed by Frank Bellamy, for the Daily Mirror, 8th April 1975. Indian ink on board. 21 x 7 ins
Garth: “The Angels of Hell’s Gap” original artwork (1975) drawn and signed by Frank Bellamy for the Daily Mirror 1st May 1975. Indian ink on board. 21 x 7 ins
Garth: “The Beautiful People'”original artwork (1976) drawn and signed by Frank Bellamy for the D.aily Mirror, 9th March 1976. Indian ink on board. 21 x 7 ins
“Lettice Leaf” original artwork by John Ryan, for Princess comic, cover dated 20th March 1965. Indian ink and wash on board. 15 x 7 ins
“Lettice Leaf” original artwork by John Ryan for Princess, cover dated 3rd December 1966. Indian ink and wash on board. 16 x 9 ins
‘Maddock’s Marauders’ Front line series No 1 original cover artwork painted and signed by Jordi Panalva (1966) for Fleetway Super Library. Gouache on board. 16 x 12 ins
‘Maddock’s Marauders’ Front Line series. No 3 original cover artwork painted and signed by Jordi Panalva (1966) for Fleetway Super Library. Gouache on board, 16×12 ins
The US section is heralded by the first tranche of the Michael A. Cox Comic-Book Archive, a collection of 10,000 pieces built up over 50 years mainly consisting of mid to high grade Marvel and DC titles including Amazing Spider-Man, The Avengers, Batman, Daredevil, Detective Comics, Fantastic Four, Silver Surfer and X-Men. Many key issues included.
“Michael’s family were largely unaware of the depth and complexity of his archive,” Notes Compalcomics Malcolm Phillips, “and, although he is deeply missed, they will relive his passion by finally offering the collection for auction.”
Postal and fax bids need to be with us by Friday 18th November 2022 and the team will enter them on your behalf in thesaleroom.com/Comic Book Auctions website closing on Sunday 20th November from 2.00 pm
If you have a question about any of the items in the catalogue, please send an email to Compalcomics director Malcolm Phillips at comicbook@compalcomics.com
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.
Beautiful panel work in the Judge Fish and the Baker one right below it!