Doctor Who, “Charley’s War”, “Master of Kung Fu” original art on offer in latest ComPal auction

By John Freeman on May 17, 2024 • ( 1 )

There’s a veritable feast of original comic art, from both the UK and US, on offer in the latest Compalcomics auction, now open, including a page of Doctor Who art from the first Countdown annual by Jim Baikie, and four episodes of “Charley’s War” for Battle-Action, written by Pat Mills, drawn by Joe Colquhoun.

Original artwork "Doctor Who" art by Jim Baikie for the first Countdown Annual (1972), annual included in the lot. "Through time and space whirls a strange object … The TARDIS!". Some fading to colours, Four screw holes to corners. Poster colour on board, 16 x 11 ins — Original artwork “Doctor Who” art by Jim Baikie for the first Countdown Annual (1972), annual included in the lot. “Through time and space whirls a strange object … The TARDIS!”. Some fading to colours, Four screw holes to corners. Poster colour on board, 16 x 11 ins

Rare British comics with their free gifts are also part of the catalogue open for realtime bidding at thesaleroom.com here right now. You can also browse auction lots and print a fax or mail bidding form at the Compalcomics website.

Postal bids need to be with Compal by Friday 31st May and the team will enter them on your behalf. The auction closes on on Sunday 2nd June from 2.00 pm.

Check out the US comics and comic art on offer in more detail here.

In Compal’s last catalogue, The Woodard Archive of British Comics continued to impress with strong results. Topper 1-50 in a bound volume made £1420, a near complete run of Beano comics from 1960 took £920 and the first 45 Victors from 1961 flew with Braddock to £480.

Highlights from the Archive this time include Beezers 1-50 and 103-154, complete years in bound volumes, the first two years of Bunty from 1958-59, full years of Buster 1963-64 and The Beano No 1242 from 1966, which appeared on the front of John Mayall and Eric Clapton’s Bluesbreakers LP, known as the ‘Beano Album’. Both are included at lot 75.

The first full year of Bunty (nos 1-50), 1958
Cherie No 1, cover dated 1st October 1960, With Free Gift
The Dandy No. 56, cover dated 245h Decmber 1938 – second Christmas issue
The Dandy No 108, cover dated 23rd December 1939. Propaganda Christmas issue, with second appearance of “Adie & Hermy, the Nasty Nazis”
The Dandy 159, cover dated 14th December 1940. A bumper Christmas Number with Hitler snowman front cover
Fantastic 52, cover dated 10th February 1968, With Free Gift – a Fantastic Star Target Pistol and Star Target (the six bullet discs are missing). Thor, Avengers and X-Men episodes inside
Fantastic 53, cover dated 17th February 1968, With Free Gift – a Apollo Spacecraft Capsule
Lindy (1975) 1-20 complete run
POW! 2, cover dated 28th January 1967, With Free Gift – an Amazing Spider-Man Transfer
POW! 3, cover dated 4th February 1967, With Free Gift – Haggis Launcher Game (missing 2 of the 5 Haggis bullets)
Smash! No 3, cover dated 19th February 1966, With Free Gift – Flying Phantom Fighter
Smash! cover dated 22nd March 1969, With Free Gift – Super Smashmatic Gun (2 bullets missing)
Thunder No. 1 With Free Gift, Ozzie Jumping Kangaroo and No. 2 WFG, Black Max’s Bat
Tornado 2 (1979) With Free Gift, Team Tornado Mayday Pack. Dave Gibbons on the cover as superhero “Big E”

The low print run Eagle No 1 promotional issue also seeks your attention!

Above: Eagle No 1 promotional eight-page full colour issue distributed to churches and schools in the UK in 1950 to publicise the imminent print run of the first issue of The Eagle. The front cover has no ‘Dan Dare Pilot of the Future’ header and a different date of 21st April 1950. Bright fresh colours. The back corner has two small lower corner edge pieces missing and some discoloured tape marks. Only a handful of copies are known to exist

Compal also have some scarce Australian reprints on offer starting with Kit Carson, King of the West – all 44 issues published in Sydney from 1949. These full size comics were Amalgamated Press’s template for the hugely successful digest-size Cowboy Comics/Picture Library that was printed in the UK from 1952 once paper stocks became more available in post-war Europe. Compal do not know of another complete set in existence. They are followed by strong Aussie runs of The Phantom, Jumbo, Jungle and Kaanga comics, Batman, Super Adventure, Superboy and Superman (with No 18: “The Origin of Superman” offered separately).

British reprints of US comics are also gaining price momentum and Compal have the Arnold Book Company’s Black Magic issues – all 16 of them and the rare Black Magic Album No 1 (They advertised Album No 2 on the back, but according to the auction house’s research, it was never published). R & L Locker’s Planet Comics 2, 3 and 4 are at lot 67 with Trent Book Co’s Fight 2 & 3 and Wings 1-3 also here.

The original artwork selection is led by a Broons Family Portrait by Dudley Watkins from 1954, two Frank Bellamy “Dan Dare” boards for Eagle, a key selection of “Charley’s War” pages from Battle-Action by Joe Colquhoun, “Doctor Who” art by Jim Baikie from the first Countdown Annual, and the full art for “The Collector” four-page story, “Yellow Fever” drawn by Ron Turner, for the 1984 Eagle Annual.

The Broons Family Portraits original artwork (1953) by Dudley Watkins for the inside front/back illustration for the Broons Book 1954, also used for The Sunday Post Fun Section. Starring Maw, Paw, Granpaw, Hen, Joe, Horace, Daphne and Maggie, the Twins and the Bairn. Scotland's Happy Family. Some light moisture staining to LH margin not affecting illustration. Indian ink on cream card. 15 x 11 ins — The Broons Family Portraits original artwork (1953) by Dudley Watkins for the inside front/back illustration for the Broons Book 1954, also used for The Sunday Post Fun Section. Starring Maw, Paw, Granpaw, Hen, Joe, Horace, Daphne and Maggie, the Twins and the Bairn. Scotland’s Happy Family. Some light moisture staining to LH margin not affecting illustration. Indian ink on cream card. 15 x 11 ins

*Original art by John Miller Watt for Bible Story Magazine No 22 Page 9 (1964). Painted and initialled by John Millar Watt. Some light rubbing lines to artwork. Watercolour on board. 18 x 12 ins*

Buffalo Bill: two original front cover artworks (1917, 1920s) initialled 'RP' (Robert Prowse), from Buffalo Bill Library issues 192 and 591 — *Buffalo Bill: two original front cover artworks (1917, 1920s) initialled ‘RP’ (Robert Prowse), from Buffalo Bill Library issues 192 and 591*

Buster Adventure Library No 6, "Robin Hood at Bay" original cover art (1967). Artist unknown. Gouache on board. 16 x 13 ins — *Buster Adventure Library No 6, “Robin Hood at Bay” original cover art (1967). Artist unknown. Gouache on board. 16 x 13 ins*

“Charley’s War” art by Joe Colquhoun for Battle Action 275 (1980)
“Charley’s War” art by Joe Colquhoun for Battle Action 275 (1980)
“Charley’s War” art by Joe Colquhoun for Battle Action 280 (1980)
“Charley’s War” art by Joe Colquhoun for Battle Action 280 (1980)
“Charley’s War” art by Joe Colquhoun for Battle Action 281 (1980)
“Charley’s War” art by Joe Colquhoun for Battle Action 281 (1980)
“Charley’s War” art by Joe Colquhoun for Battle Action 282 (1980)
“Charley’s War” art by Joe Colquhoun for Battle Action 282 (1980)

*Cowboy Picture Library No 305 original cover art featuring Kit Carson (1958) by Jordi Panalva. Gouache on canvas. 11 x 11 ins*

*Cowboy Picture Library No 359 Cover Art featuring Davy Crockett. Original cover artwork (1959) by Jordi Panalva. Gouache on canvas. 11 x 11 ins*

"The Collector - Yellow Fever" original four-page complete story artwork by Ron Turner for The Eagle Annual 1984. "Intrepid explorer, Sir John is pushed to his death in the Amazon by jealous companion, Kane, who makes off with the Inca gold as the piranhas tear apart their grisly meal ..." Black ink and wash on card. 17 x 12 ins (Four artworks)

Dan Dare/Eagle original artwork (1959) painted and signed by Frank Bellamy for The Eagle Volume 10 No 40. "Dan and Digby had set off in Anastasia to wipe out the dreaded 'Nagreb' man-eating ant colony with a high explosive missile. Their mission accomplished, they land Anastasia outside Pax..." Bright Pelikan inks on board. 15 x 13 ins — Dan Dare/Eagle original artwork (1959) painted and signed by Frank Bellamy for The Eagle Volume 10 No 40. “Dan and Digby had set off in Anastasia to wipe out the dreaded ‘Nagreb’ man-eating ant colony with a high explosive missile. Their mission accomplished, they land Anastasia outside Pax…” Bright Pelikan inks on board. 15 x 13 ins

Dan Dare/Eagle original artwork (1959) painted and signed by Frank Bellamy for The Eagle Volume 10 No 41. "On Terra Nova - a new world - Dan Dare is trying to find his father who landed many years before and disappeared without trace. Dan has a sudden flash of inspiration..." Bright Pelikan inks on board. 15 x 13 ins — Dan Dare/Eagle original artwork (1959) painted and signed by Frank Bellamy for The Eagle Volume 10 No 41. “On Terra Nova – a new world – Dan Dare is trying to find his father who landed many years before and disappeared without trace. Dan has a sudden flash of inspiration…” Bright Pelikan inks on board. 15 x 13 ins

"Badges of the Brave" original artwork by Joe Colquhoun for Lion, cover dated 18th April 1964. Detailing the battle history of the Royal Ulster Rifles through the Boer War, World War One and World War Two, with stories of the regiment's three Victoria Crosses. Indian ink on cartridge paper highlighted with white. 21 x 16 ins — “Badges of the Brave” original artwork by Joe Colquhoun for Lion, cover dated 18th April 1964. Detailing the battle history of the Royal Ulster Rifles through the Boer War, World War One and World War Two, with stories of the regiment’s three Victoria Crosses. Indian ink on cartridge paper highlighted with white. 21 x 16 ins

"Fury's Family" original artwork by Denis McLoughlin for Lion and Thunder No 30, cover dated 9th October 1970. Fury chases the jewel thief into the derelict mine - suddenly the mine shaft collapses around them … Indian ink on board. 20 x 16 ins — “Fury’s Family” original artwork by Denis McLoughlin for Lion and Thunder No 30, cover dated 9th October 1970. Fury chases the jewel thief into the derelict mine – suddenly the mine shaft collapses around them … Indian ink on board. 20 x 16 ins

"Gun Law" original colour artwork by Paddy Nevin for TV Express No 312 (1963). "Matt Dillon is drawn into a gunfight as the wounded Chester rides up to warn Matt that a gang of professional gunslingers have taken over Dodge, hiding in ambush for his return ...". Bright poster colours on board. 21 x 17 ins. No Reserve — “Gun Law” original colour artwork by Paddy Nevin for TV Express No 312 (1963). “Matt Dillon is drawn into a gunfight as the wounded Chester rides up to warn Matt that a gang of professional gunslingers have taken over Dodge, hiding in ambush for his return …”. Bright poster colours on board. 21 x 17 ins. No Reserve

The US Golden Age section starts with EC’s Crime and Shock SuspenStories, Weird Science and Weird Fantasy titles followed by Jumbo, Jungle, Lorna Jungle Girl, Jo-Jo, Fight, Wings and Zoot comics. Patsy and Hedy, Sherry the Showgirl and an original 1940 artwork board of Dr Voodoo by Mac Raboy completes this exciting line-up.

The Silver Age highlights include Amazing Spider-Man #1, The Avengers #1, The Incredible Hulk #1, Fantastic Four #5, 7, 9, 12 and 52, Journey Into Mystery #87, 107 and 109, Strange Tales #101, 104, 108, X-Men #2 and 9 with runs of Action, Adventure and Batman. And there’s original artwork, too, of Iron Man, Master of Kung-Fu, Shanna and Sub-Mariner. Plenty of chocolates in the box to enjoy!

• The May 2024 catalogue open for realtime bidding at thesaleroom.com here right now. You can also browse auction lots and print a fax or mail bidding form at the Compalcomics website

• Check out the US comics and comic art on offer in more detail here.

Postal bids need to be with Compal by Friday 31st May and the team will enter them on your behalf. The auction closes on on Sunday 2nd June from 2.00 pm.

If you have questions about any of the lots in this catalogue, please send an email to Compalcomics Director Malcolm Phillips:
comicbook@compalcomics.com

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.