Comics and Animation News: Ace Comics and A Tribute To Malcolm Willits

Comics and Animation News [Read this newsletter online]( [Heritage Auctions]( [Comics and Animation News]( In This Issue: • [Sunday Internet Auction](#spotlight) • [Malcolm Willits (5 February 1934-April 15th 2019)](#collector-b) • [The Ten Rarest Ace Comics (Maybe)](#collector-c) • [Steve Rude Visits the "Nexus" of Comics!](#collector-d) • [Around Heritage Auctions](#around-1) • [Cover of the Week: America's Comic?](#week) • [Current Auctions](#current) May 8, 2019 []Sunday Internet Auction [Sunday Internet Comics Auction]( Auction Ends: May 12, 2019 Live Session at 6:00 PM CT [No less than three copies of Amazing Fantasy #15 are in this week's auction!]( [Several comics in this week's auction were rated scarce or rare by Ernst Gerber's Photo-Journal.]( [And we've got some interesting memorabilia from the 1940s through 1960s and beyond.]( [Amazing Fantasy #15 (Marvel, 1962) CGC VG- 3.5 Cream to off-white pages]( The first appearance of Spider-Man. [Speed Comics #16 (Harvey, 1942) Condition: GD+]( One of the earliest Harvey comics, Speed #16. [Prince Valiant Sword, Scabbard, and Shield Group (Mattel, c. 1950s)]( Get your own Prince Valiant sword and shield! Highlights of this week's auction include: [Doc Savage V1#2 Canadian Edition (Street & Smith, 1933) Condition: GD/VG]( Doc Savage V1#2 Canadian Edition (Street & Smith, 1933) Condition: GD/VG Canadian edition of the second issue. Classic dinosaur cover by Walter Baumhofer. Presents well, but has significant insect damage to back cover. Bookery's Guide to Pulps GD value for US edition = $500; VG value = $1,250. [View]( [Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Snow White Animation Drawing (Walt Disney, 1937)]( Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Snow White Animation Drawing (Walt Disney, 1937) Good Snow White drawings are getting very hard to find, and great ones like this even harder. It is a gorgeous production drawing of Snow White giving a little wave to the dwarfs as they head off to the Diamond Mine. This 6" tall image is rendered in graphite and red pencil on 12 field, 5-peg-hole paper. It's numbered 36 in the lower right corner and stamped Prod 1 / Seq. 10A / Scene 26 in the lower left. She truly is the fairest in all the land. There is slight tanning and handling; otherwise, condition is Fine. [View]( [Classics Giveaways: Illustrated Story of Robin Hood and His Merry Men #nn (Gilberton, 1944) CGC VG 4.0 Off-white to white pages]( Classics Giveaways: Illustrated Story of Robin Hood and His Merry Men #nn (Gilberton, 1944) CGC VG 4.0 Off-white to white pages Gerber rates this issue a "7" ("scarce") in its scarcity index. One of three copies certified by CGC to date, and the second copy we've encountered. Robin Hood Enriched Flour promotional comic. Overstreet 2018 VG 4.0 value = $412. CGC census 5/19: 1 in 4.0, 1 higher. [View]( [Cat-Man Comics #29 (Holyoke/Continental, 1945) Condition: VG+]( Cat-Man Comics #29 (Holyoke/Continental, 1945) Condition: VG+ Gerber "8" or "rare". Doctor Macabre cover and story. L. B. Cole cover art. Overstreet 2018 VG 4.0 value = $412. [View]( [Little Archie in Animal Land #1 (Archie, 1957) CGC VF+ 8.5 Cream to off-white pages]( Little Archie in Animal Land #1 (Archie, 1957) CGC VF+ 8.5 Cream to off-white pages Story, cover, and art by Bob Bolling. Overstreet 2018 VF 8.0 value = $194; VF/NM 9.0 value = $435. CGC census 5/19: 1 in 8.5, none higher. [View]( [The Flintstones 'Fred's New Job' Storyboard (Hanna-Barbera, 1963)]( The Flintstones "Fred's New Job" Storyboard (Hanna-Barbera, 1963) The third season of the Flintstones heralded the arrival of baby Pebbles and this story centered around Fred's harebrained efforts to get a raise so he could cover the expense of a new baby. This is a very rare storyboard of Fred and Barney from episode 22 which first aired on 2/15/63. Seven of the nine panels feature fantastic drawings rendered in graphite on 10.5" x 12.5" storyboard paper. The scene was eventually cut from the final production, so this is real never-before-seen Flintstones history! The paper shows handling and edge wear; otherwise, condition is Very Good. [View]( [The Amazing Spider-Man #50 (Marvel, 1967) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages]( The Amazing Spider-Man #50 (Marvel, 1967) CGC NM 9.4 Off-white to white pages First appearance of the Kingpin (Wilson Fisk). Spider-Man's origin is retold. Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon make cameo appearances. John Romita Sr. cover and art. Overstreet 2018 NM- 9.2 value = $2,600. CGC census 5/19: 48 in 9.4, 18 higher. [View]( [Gene Colan and Klaus Janson Batman #348 Story Page 15 Original Art (DC, 1982)]( Gene Colan and Klaus Janson Batman #348 Story Page 15 Original Art (DC, 1982) Batman confronts Man-Bat in a bat cave (of course). Ink over graphite on DC Bristol board with an image area of 10" x 15". In Excellent condition. [View]( [Rick Leonardi and Terry Austin Cloak and Dagger #3 Page 15 Original Art (Marvel, 1983). ]( Rick Leonardi and Terry Austin Cloak and Dagger #3 Page 15 Original Art (Marvel, 1983) Some fantastic Peter Parker/Spider-Man panels are the highlights of this page from early in the original series. Ink and Zipatone over graphite on Bristol board with an image area of 10" x 15". In Excellent condition, signed by Austin at the bottom left. [View]( [Mortal Kombat (Genesis, Arena, 1993) Wata 9.4 A (Seal Rating)]( Mortal Kombat (Genesis, Arena, 1993) Wata 9.4 A (Seal Rating) Based on the controversial 1992 Midway arcade game. Contributed to the formation of the ESRB in 1994. [View]( Our MyHeritage: [MyBids]( feature makes tracking your favorite items easier than ever. Just a reminder...our Sunday Internet Comics, Animation, and Art Auctions end with a Live Session at 6:00 PM CT. [Browse the entire auction here](. [Back to Top](#top) []Malcolm Willits (5 February 1934-April 15th 2019) [Malcolm Willits ]( Willits (center) displaying the painting he purchased from Carl Barks (far left), and joined by Bruce Hamilton, Russ Cochran, and Floyd Gottfredson. By [Joe Mannarino](mailto:JoeM@HA.com), Heritage Auctions [Walt Disney Productions Letter to Malcolm Willits Identifying Carl Barks (1957)]( The field lost a true pioneer on April 15th, 2019 with the passing of Malcolm Willits. Collector extraordinaire, entrepreneur, author and authority, Malcolm Willits was the definition of the insatiable collector. While many collectors can sit back and enjoy their chosen passion, few have the archeological tenacity to delve beyond the immediate surface. Malcolm was passionate about many fields and was not afraid to walk away from his chosen profession to pursue his passions. I met Malcolm decades ago. We spent countless hours discussing numerous common interests. He was supportive and always encouraged us to go one step further. He was fearless and wished the same for us. With his help and guidance we pressed forward. A zealous aficionado of Science Fiction, he found it necessary to seek out and collect every Sci-Fi pulp and related magazine. He appreciated all aspects of the field and researched authors, publishers and artists. It was not surprising to know that he became a teacher, as he loved to learn and share his considerable base of knowledge. He brought that same enthusiasm and doggedness to other genres. Malcolm loved the early Disney comics and newspaper features that he had read as a child. He knew that there was something different about certain features and specific books, a sophistication that made the stories appealing to readers of all ages. When the opportunity presented itself he reached out to the Disney corporation, which was always very cautious in regards to crediting artists and professionals. In 1957 he found out the author of all his favorite Duck stories was the same person, [Carl Barks](. Malcolm quickly spread the word and a plethora of fellow fans came forward. In 1965 he and fellow collector Leonard Brown became partners opening Collectors Bookstore in LA., one of the first venues devoted to popular culture. Malcolm and Leonard quickly launched a media blitz tracking down collections and the store became a mecca for serious collectors. I recall Malcolm telling me about running ads in newspapers across the country for old comics and pulps. He departed in a station wagon and worked his way across the country finally arriving in New York with the vehicle full to the brim. His final stop was Richard Merkin, fine artist and celebrated Dandy. Merkin perused the contents of the car, finding complete runs of every popular title. Instead of selling Malcolm his books, he could not resist the urge to purchase the runs that he admired. In 1966 Walt Disney passed away. When an appraisal of the contents of his office became necessary, Malcolm was approached. When he was asked what he would charge, his answer was the names of the artists that had worked on the Mickey Mouse newspaper feature. To his surprise, once again, it was a single name, Floyd Gottfredson. This time, Malcolm went to see the artist and commissioned him to create a series of recreations. Malcolm kept them all. As he grew older, his business grew more into entertainment memorabilia, celebrity photographs, posters and scripts. However, the love for the memories of his youth never waned. [Carl Barks Menace out of the Myths Painting CB-OIL 50 Original Art (1973)]( Malcolm had his quirks, however, he was the most supportive friend one could have. His favorite Barks painting was, ["Menace of the Myths."]( Carl was patient enough to allow Malcolm much more input than other collectors ever had. My wife Nadia and I were pleased to first offer the painting back in the nineties and by sheer coincidence (or fate) it is in Heritage's current May auction. Malcolm will be missed on many levels but by few more than Nadia and I. [Back to Top](#top) []The Ten Rarest Ace Comics (Maybe) By [Barry Sandoval](mailto:BarryS@HA.com), Heritage Auctions See below for how we arrived at this list, but let's jump right in: [Sure-Fire Comics #2 (August 1940)] 10. Sure-Fire Comics #2 (August 1940) A cool underwater cover that unfortunately we've seen just three times over the years! Starring Flash Lightning, the series was soon renamed Lightning Comics. This was just the third issue Ace ever published, following Sure-Fire #1 and Super-Mystery #1. [Four Favorites #4 (March 1942)] 9. Four Favorites #4 (March 1942) Just two copies of #4 have crossed our path in 15 years. You'll notice several issues of Four Favorites are in our top ten, and a few other issues barely missed our list. If you want a challenging run to put together, this is it! [Four Four Favorites #24 (July 1946)] 8. Four Four Favorites #24 (July 1946) A Gerber "white space," in other words a book the author couldn't find a copy of to photograph for his definitive reference work. Heritage has never sold a copy of #24. What did we just tell you about the scarcity of Four Favorites? Magno and Davey star on the cover. (image source: [comicbookplus.com]( [Super-Mystery Comics V3#1 (April 1942)] 7. Super-Mystery Comics V3#1 (April 1942) A Gerber "7." We have never sold one, and CGC has graded only four copies. (Special thanks to ebay seller "amazing_heroes" for giving us permission to use the image at right.) [Four Favorites #6 (July 1942)] 6. Four Favorites #6 (July 1942) Gerber didn't deem this particularly hard to find, but we strongly disagree. The copy shown below is the only one we've ever seen. Magno and Davey are joined by the Flag and Lightning (whose first name had been changed by this point, from Flash to Lash). [Sure-Fire Comics #3 (#4) October 1940] 5. Sure-Fire Comics #3 (#4) October 1940 Confusingly there are two #3s. This is the latter, as well as being the final issue of the title. We have sold just two copies ever. Looks like Flash Lightning was a guarantee of slow sales, judging by how often he appears on this list! [Four Favorites #2 (November 1941)] 4. Four Favorites #2 (November 1941) Here you see the one and only copy of the issue we've ever sold. The art is by Jim Mooney, who was still going strong 30-plus years later. [Banner Comics #5 (January 1942)] 3. Banner Comics #5 (January 1942) We have only ever sold one copy of this Gerber "7," and CGC has graded just five. Captain Courageous is the cover hero. [Lightning Comics #6 (April 1941)] 2. Lightning Comics #6 (April 1941) We have never sold one, and CGC has graded just four. A Gerber "7." (image source: [comicbookplus.com]( [Our Flag Comics #5 (April 1942)] 1. Our Flag Comics #5 (April 1942) This was the last issue of the series, and the superguy on the cover is The Flag. We have never sold a copy. With a high Guide value of $1,500, we'd certainly like to, plus it has a very cool cover! Please note, only comics with a 9.2 Overstreet value of $400 or above were considered for this list. Note that no professional statisticians were consulted, and this is for entertainment purposes only! You can follow these links to see our previous articles on [Nedor]( [Fox]( [Harvey]( [MLJ]( [Fiction House]( and [superhero Timelys](. [Back to Top](#top) []Steve Rude Visits the "Nexus" of Comics! [Steve Rude Visits the 'Nexus' of Comics 1] Our staff got a nice treat when comic art VIP Steve Rude made a visit to Heritage HQ this week. We had it on good authority that he was one of the nicest guys in comics. And "the Dude" proved it by leaving us with some autographs and even putting pencil to paper to work his comic art magic. Many thanks Mr. Rude! [Check out his work here.]( [Steve Rude Visits the 'Nexus' of Comics 2] [Back to Top](#top) []Around Heritage Auctions The Neil Armstrong Family Collection™ Part II of Personal and Space Memorabilia Returns May 9-11 [Neil Armstrong's Handwritten Notes Regarding Spacesuit Technology]( [The Neil Armstrong Family Collection(TM)]( [Apollo 11 Lunar Flown Spacesuit Glove Buzz Aldrin]( Neil Armstrong Family CollectionTM Part II]( the second presentation of the private and professional treasures from the personal collection of the first man to walk on the moon, will be presented by Heritage Auctions May 9-11 in Dallas, Texas. The entire [Space Exploration Auction]( will also feature one-of-a-kind rarities from several moonwalkers and NASA space pioneers, including: • The [Apollo 11 Lunar Module Flown Spacesuit Comfort Glove]( by Mission Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin, flown to "Tranquility Base" on the moon's surface during the first manned lunar landing, on July 20, 1969. • A historically important copy of the [July 21, 1969 edition of The New York Times, signed by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins]( below the blaring headline "MEN WALK ON MOON" • An [Apollo 11 Flown Flight Plan Pages with Armstrong's Notations]( from the Collection of Buzz Aldrin, Signed and Certified, with Signed LOA. Personal prized mementos from The Armstrong Family CollectionTM include the auction debut of a [Western Union Telegram to Neil Armstrong from President Richard Nixon]( sent upon his Wapakoneta (Ohio) Homecoming Celebration, and an [Apollo 11 Crew-Signed "Type One" Insurance Cover]( canceled at Houston, Texas, on July 20, 1969, when Apollo 11 landed on the moon. Also offered are [Armstrong's handwritten notes concerning spacesuit technology]( from his personal notebook of NASA-related archives. The fascinating pre-launch notes chronicle the astronaut's own scientific equations on how to build the safest spacesuit possible. "This auction event gives the world a behind-the-scenes experience of Neil Armstrong's personal thoughts on the historic lunar landing," said Greg Rohan, President of Heritage Auctions. "The advance preparation he planned before launch and a trove of memorabilia from the time immediately following his crew's safe return will impress passionate collectors of space race rarities and American history." Additional, highly personal items from Armstrong's collection include: • [His Owned and Worn Leather Bomber-Style Leather Jacket]( • [Armstrong's Presentation 1955 Class Ring, 10K Gold with Diamond]( • [The Pen Used by the United States as Signatory to the Outer Space Treaty]( which forms the basis for international space law — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own such an important piece of Space history. • Armstrong's own [Apollo 11 Flown Largest Size American Flag]( an 18-inch by x 11-1/2-inch silk U.S. flag carried to the moon and back aboard the Apollo mission. This incredibly rare and desirable flag, the largest size typically flown on Apollo missions, traveled to the moon with Apollo 11 and was kept as a treasured souvenir by Mission Commander Neil Armstrong. • Additional flags of interest include Armstrong's personal [Apollo 11 Lunar Module Flown Explorers Club Flag]( which the pioneer took with him in the Lunar Module Eagle all the way to the surface of the moon. An incredible rarity and fitting for three explorers like Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, each of whom was awarded the Explorers Club Medal in 1971. • Also offered are a beloved [Apollo 11 Flown Flag from Neil Armstrong's Home State of Ohio]( and an [Apollo 11 Flown U.S. Naval Academy Flag of the Brigade of Midshipmen]( a true rarity featuring the academy's coat of arms and the first flown example ever offered at auction All of the lots from The Armstrong Family CollectionTM are sold with a Statement of Provenance signed by Armstrong's sons, Rick and Mark. Collectibles Authentication Guaranty (CAG) painstakingly sealed or encapsulated each item's provenance for study by future generations. Pre-auction bidding opens April 19 on HA.com for Heritage Auctions' May 9-11 [Space Exploration Auction featuring The Armstrong Family Collection](. Auction highlights will be on display at Heritage Auctions' offices in New York and Dallas. Please [see the auction page for more preview details]( and [HA.com/Armstrong]( to see all of the lots. A special Platinum Night® auction — The Armstrong Family Collection Part III — will be held July 16 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first man on the moon. [More information about Historical Auctions]( [Back to Top](#top) []Cover of the Week: America's Comic? We have to throw a few flags on the team-up between Spider-Man and the Dallas Cowboys... [The Amazing Spider-Man Danger in Dallas (Marvel, 1983) CGC NM+ 9.6 White pages]( ...and not just the fact that the great defensive lineman Randy White is seen here playing offense. The Cowboys have not one but two ineligible receivers downfield. And the Circus of Crime is guilty of flagrant pass interference. We've got a Near Mint Plus 9.6 copy of the comic in this week's auction. [You can bid on it here](. [Back to Top](#top) []Current Auctions Comic & Comic Art Auctions [May 16 - 18 Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction - Chicago #7209]( [May 16 - 18 Comics & Comic Art Signature Auction - Chicago #7209]( [View Lots]( [Sunday Internet Comics Auction]( [Sunday Comics]( May 12 Live session @ 6PM CT OTHER SIGNATURE AUCTIONS • [Space Exploration Signature Auction Featuring The Armstrong Family Collection Part II - May 9-10]( • [Historical Manuscripts Grand Format - May 14]( • [Tiffany, Lalique & Art Glass including Art Deco & Art Nouveau - May 14]( • [Spring Sports Memorabilia Catalog - May 16-17]( • [Texas Art - May 18]( • [Modern & Contemporary Art - May 23]( • [The Hamilton Collection of British India Coins - May 26]( • [The Leonard Glazer Collection of Civil War Dated Currency & Related Items US Currency Online - May 30]( • [1915 Cracker Jack PSA Set Registry - May 30]( • [Watches & Fine Timepieces - June 3]( OTHER INTERNET AUCTIONS • [Weekly US Coins - May 8]( • [Thur. World Coins - May 9]( • [Monthly Wine - May 9]( • [Thur. Natural History - May 9]( • [Sun. Movie Poster - May 12]( • [Sun. Sports - May 12]( • [Tues. Jewelry - May 14]( • [Tues. World Currency - May 14]( • [Tues. US Currency - May 14]( • [Monthly Photographs Online - May 15]( • [Wed. Prints & Multiples - May 15]( • [Ancient Coin Selections from the Morris Collection, Part I Monthly World and Ancient Coin - May 26]( • [The Doug Murray Collection Special Monthly Coin - May 26]( [Auction Schedule]( | [Order a Catalog]( [Back to Top](#top) [] DEPARTMENTS [Art & Antiques]( [Books]( [Coins]( [Comics]( [Currency]( [Domain Names & Intellectual Property]( [Entertainment & Music]( [Historical]( [Jewelry & Timepieces]( [Luxury Accessories]( [Movie Posters]( [Nature & Science]( [Real Estate]( [Sports]( [Stamps]( [Wine]( [Charity Auctions]( [] SERVICES [Free Auction Evaluation]( [Appraisal Services]( [Trusts and Estates]( [Auction Archives]( [Other Resources]( MY HERITAGE [My Bids]( [My TrackedLots]( [My Wantlist]( [My Profile]( [My Collection]( [My Consignments]( [My Orders]( [Consign Now]( [Lon Allen]( [1-800-872-6467 x1261](tel:1-800-872-6467) [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [LinkedIn]( [YouTube]( [Blog]( Heritage Auctions / Bid@HA.com / 3500 Maple Ave / Dallas, Texas 75219 / [1-877-HERITAGE (437-4824)](tel:1-800-872-6467) • Copyright © 1999 - 2019 Heritage Capital Corporation / All Rights Reserved Note: When calling or emailing us, please reference your client number: 3434334 [Forward to a Friend]( [Unsubscribe me permanently from all marketing emails]( Never miss an email! 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