The latest ComPalcomics auction (February/March 2018 catalogue) has just launched, and if you’re a fan of the Beano or Dandy, or after some classic US comics, then it’s well worth checking out. There’s some great art on offer too, including pages from “Charley’s War” from Battle and a stunning “Bionic Woman” page from Look-In by John M. Burns; and a massive selection of US comics including Batman, Marvels Comics – and a copy of John Byrne’s Next Men #21, published in 1993, which features the first appearance of Hellboy.

Beano Book 1 (1940) Pansy Potter balances the Beano Bunch!

The auction’s star UK item is a good copy of the first Beano Book from 1940. It has some worn hinges and is a complete, robust example. Complementing the annual are early Beano and Dandy comics, including Christmas issues with stand-out complete years of Dandy from 1949 and Beano from 1950.

Daddy Neptune spikes Hitler. Wild Boy of the Woods steals Nazi Christmas dinner!

A propaganda war issue of The Beano (Issue 170), published in 1942. ‘V for Victory – B for Beano!’ Doubting Thomas gets a black eye collecting waste paper. Dudley Watkins won’t teach Lord Snooty how to draw and gets duffed up by Pals! ‘Waste Littler – Paste Hitler!’ illustrated ad

1950s British and Australian reprints are strongly represented with Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers star Buster Crabbe (of which only two issues were published), Batman, Black Magic, Charlie Chan, Kid Colt, Lone Rider, Masked Marvel, Redskin and scarce New Zealand title, Supreme Feature comics, all vying for attention.

Rawhide, Cheyenne, Hawkeye (illustrated by Ron Embleton), Lone Ranger 5, Tales of Wells Fargo (1961), Western Comic Album 5

If you really want more bang for your buck, you must check out Dan Dare’s Space Pistol – but you’ll have to get your own caps!

A Dan Dare Space Pistol (produced in the 1950s by Lone Star). The trigger action is in full working order, although there’s some wear and paint chips. Offered with a boxed Dan Dare Jigsaw Puzzle and a lapel badge.

The first Topper Picture Book is also on offer, along with a 15-issue run of Jackie magazine from 1967.

Topper Picture Book 1 (1954). Large format featuring Birds, Beasts, Fishes and Insects

A mixed lot of POW! comics, featuring early UK reprints of Amazing Spider-Man, Fantastic Four and Sgt Fury

Later editions of TV21

Artwork includes The Broons, Oor Wullie, Keyhole Kate , a page of “The Bionic Woman” from Look-In by John M. Burns – and two magnificent lots of “Charley’s War“, illustrated by Joe Colquhoun.

Broons original artwork (1964) drawn and signed by Dudley Watkins for the Sunday Post 1 November 1964 Paw thinks the family’s getting their photies taken and gets all dressed up in his Sunday best and spats – only to find out that the family’s in their old claes fer tattie-pickin’ – Ye daft gowk!

Bionic Woman original artwork (1978) drawn and signed by John Burns for Look-in No 46

Charley’s War two original artworks by Joe Colquhoun from Battle Action No 288 (1984) with printer’s double-page colour layout and acetate overlay

Charley’s War – two original artworks by Joe Colquhoun from Battle 601 (1980) ‘1916.

There are plenty of gems in the US collection, too, starting with a fabulous early run of Golden Age Batman comics most in lower affordable grades.

Batman #6 (1941)

Batman #47 (1948)

Conan #1 (1970)

Jungle Action (1972-75) #1-13 featuring Black Panther

The Silver Age section includes Amazing Spider-Man #20 with arch enemy Scorpion debut, now being touted as the new villain in the 2019 Spider-Man sequel, along with long runs of Avengers, Batman, Captain America, Daredevil, The Incredible Hulk, Journey Into Mystery and X-Men. Included in these titles are 30 CGC editions, again, all at No Reserve.

• The February/March catalogue is open for bidding. Click here to visit The Saleroom and place realtime bids. You can also view and search the auction lots here. The auction closes on Sunday 4th March 2018 starting at 2.00 pm UK time

Next Men 21 (1993) –
featuring the first appearance of Hellboy

• About the Author
• Latest Posts

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.

• British Comics Now offers two new opportunities for British Creators – Apply Now
• British Comic Free Gifts Galore offered in latest Phil-Comics auction
• The World of Doctor Who: Panel to Panel interviews artist Martin Geraghty

Categories: Auctions, British Comics, Comic Art, downthetubes Comics News, downthetubes News, Events, US Comics

Tags: Auction News, Batman, Bionic Woman, Charley's War, ComPal, Compalcomics, Dan Dare, Dandy, downthetubes News, Hellboy, John Byrne's Next Men, John M Burns, Look-In, Oor Willie, Superhero Comics, The Beano, The Broons