There are some more Marvel UK rarities on offer from the company’s early days on offer in the latest Excalibur Auctions misnomered “Marvel, DC & Independent Comic Books” auction, taking place Saturday 10th February 2024.
Alongside many US comics, the auction, the catalogue here on The-Saleroom, also includes some fantastic British comic lots, including original art and production materials, and early issues of titles like Battle Picture Weekly, Captain Britain and Star Wars Weekly complete with their original free gifts. Well worth a look, if only for a trip down memory lane for older downthetubes readers!
Original Carlos Ezquerra cover art for Fury #22 featuring an “Exploding Train”. The over art was produced for Marvel UK’s Fury issue #22 and the art comes with an copy of the comic
The highlight of the auction for British comic fans, however, is surely the original art by Judge Dredd co-creator Carlos Ezquerra for the short-lived Marvel UK comic Fury #22, cover dated 10th August 1977. Launched in March 1977 Fury was Marvel UK’s attempt to attract the readers of British war comic titles such as Warlord and Battle, reprinting US war strips such as “Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos”, with new covers, most by Carlos. The reprints failed to win over an audience used to the grittier fare of 1970s British war comics, and Fury was cancelled with Issue 25, cover dated 31st August 1977, merging with Mighty World of Marvel a week later.
All the Marvel UK artworks and other unique items are again offered by a vendor who worked as Art Director at the publisher during the 1970s, who clearly took better care of them than the company itself.
Avengers #33 lost art boards, eight in lot (May 4 1974) – These art boards were produced by Marvel New York, normal practice at that time, and sent to London for the UK Editor to plan issue #33. The boards were then sent to the printer in Dublin but somehow went missing. The New York office then needed to quickly reproduce new copies but only had time to partially Zip-a-tone them. The original artboards were later found and provide an interesting comparison to show how zip-a-tone improves the depth of the panels. Also includes a note from the Art Director for Marvel UK in the 1970s
Spider-Man Comics Weekly #62 to 130, 132 to 193 (130 in Lot). An almost unbroken run from Apr 20 1974 to Oct 20 1976 which includes the desirable reprint of the first appearance of the Punisher
Marvel UK First Issue Lot, four in lot. Includes Marvel Action #1 (1981), The Spider-Man Comic #1 (cover dated 4th May 1985, with Rub-Down Transfers Free Gift), Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1 (cover dated 27th April 1985, with Rub-Down Transfers Free Gift and Mattel Competition Entry Insert), and Marvel Action Hour #1 (cover dated 9th October 1996)
Spider-Man Comics Weekly #131, cover dated 16th August 1975, comic and printer’s proof (two in Lot). Comic and final printers proof for the Green Goblin cover – The vendor would study the proofs and mark anything that needed correction and send them back to the printerSuper Spider-Man #281 & 282, comics and actual black and white artwork board (four in Lot) – The Marvel US office would use a Zipatone process to add grey/shadow contrast to the black and white pages produced for Marvel UK and the UK office would then decide which pages and panels of the story to use in the UK version. This lot includes various Thor pages used in Super Spider-Man issues #281 and 282. The UK office would also cut out small sections from panels to add contrast and stick them at the bottom of the page as seen on some pagesSuper Spider-Man #289, comic and actual black and white artwork board (three in Lot). Another example of how the Marvel US office would use a Zipatone process to add grey/shadow contrast to the black and white pages produced for Marvel UK andthe UK office would then decide which pages and panels of the story to use in the UK version. This lot includes various Thor pages used in Super Spider-Man issue #289. The UK office would also cut out small sections from panels to add contrast and stick them at the bottom of the page as seen on some pages
Super Spider-Man #291, comic and actual black and white artwork board (seven in Lot)Mighty World of Marvel #89 original cover art and comic, two in lot. One of the covers produced by the Marvel US Office for the UK Mighty World of Marvel, artist unknown, but possibly Larry Lieber, brother of Stan LeeMighty World of Marvel #244 Printers Proof (Four in Lot) – A set of three chromaline acetate ‘Progressives’ for Mighty World of Marvel #244 (plus original comic). The lot contains a progressive sequence of each colour and was used for checking that everything has been picked up from the scanning and that the colour has been separated correctly, and that nothing has been missed, like type matter etc. The vendor would study the set of proofs and mark anything that needed correction and send them back to the printer. This example has comments relating to the blue colouring missing from faces & as well as the rounding of ‘O’s 1975 Marvel Mastermind Certificate. An annual Marvel Mastermind competition was run in the pages of the Mighty World of Marvel comic in the mid 1970s. This is an unused 1975 runner-up certificate signed by Stan Lee and artist Herb TrimpeMarvel UK Fury #11 comic, cover dated 25th May 1977, and printers proof, two in lot. The comic & final printers proof for Fury issue #11. The vendor, the publsher’s Art Director, would study the proofs and mark anything that needed correction and send them back to the printer. This example shows annotations relating to the position of the date and edging of lettersMarvel UK printers proof lot (6 in Lot) – A set of final printers proofs for Planet of the Apes #64 and 65 + The Avengers #128, Mighty World of Marvel #180, Dracula Lives #65 and The Super-heroes #46. The vendor would study the proofs and mark anything that needed correction and send them back to the printer.
Copies of Marvel’s early FOOM MAGAZINE over three lots, one including the Wolverine prototype published one and a half years prior to Wolverine’s first appearance, a preview of Deathlok and cover art by artists such as Jim Steranko and Jack KirbyTwo great-looking copies of Captain Britain #1 and #2, complete with their free gifts
Dan Dare: Deluxe Collectors Editions #1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 (11 in Lot) – (1987/1995 – Hawk Books). Deluxe hardcover reprints of the original Eagle strips with classic art by Frank Hampson
Will Eisner’s The Spirit Portfolio (1977 – Collectors Press). A limited edition set of prints with each edition numbered and signed by Will Eisner – This edition is numbered 410/1500 and comes complete with a Certificate of AuthenticityArtist Bernie Wrightson that Includes Badtime Stories signed by Bernie Wrightson (1971), plus Frankenstein – A Portfolio, signed and numbered 1044/2000 by Bernie Wrightson (1978), Bernie Wrightson: A Look Back hardcover (1979), and Freak Show hardcover (2005)A.C.B.A Sketchbook Portfolio (1973). Heritage Presents: The Association of Comic Book Artists – Includes 36 B/W Prints by artists such as Jim Steranko, Neal Adams, Frank Frazetta, John Romita, Wally Wood, Herb TrimpeWatchmen Lot (3 In Lot). Includes Speakeasy #62 signed by Alan Moore, plus Watchmen Noir Hardcover (2016), signed By Dave Gibbons, and Absolute Watchmen Hardcover in Slipcase (Sealed)Alan Moore Lot (2 In Lot). Includes V For Vendetta 12″ Single (Glass Records 12032) signed by Alan Moore (1984) and The Lost Girls (2006) 3 Volume Hardcover in Slipcase signed by Alan Moore and Melinda Gebbie
Carmine Infantino & George Klein Detective Comics #146 Original Art – The Boy Commandos “Gangster Island!” Story Page 7 Original Art (1949 – DC)
Marvel UK First Issue Lot, four in lot. Includes Marvel Action #1 (1981), The Spider-Man Comic #1 (cover dated 4th May 1985, with Rub-Down Transfers Free Gift), Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1 (cover dated 27th April 1985, with Rub-Down Transfers Free Gift and Mattel Competition Entry Insert), and Marvel Action Hour #1 (cover dated 9th October 1996)
Batman #232. Classic Neal Adams cover artDetective Comics #411Amazing Spider-Man #100Amazing Spider-Man #101Captain America #100Amazing Spider-Man #194
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.
Wow, I know the seller – a lovely man, he gifted me a Steranko FOOM poster in 2012 – and I still had little idea of what he had stored away. Incredible collection.
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Wow, I know the seller – a lovely man, he gifted me a Steranko FOOM poster in 2012 – and I still had little idea of what he had stored away. Incredible collection.