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Update Archives For April 2006

25 April 2006

Newsflash! Avengers #1 sells instantly!

Wow, we knew that some of you out there move fast, hanging on every word of the deathless prose we submit to this page, but this must be a record. The Avengers #1 listed but minutes ago in this week's update has sold already!

Posted by Rob | 06:17 p.m. GMT | 25 April 2006

Car Booty Collection Update - Avengers #1-#60

Regular vistors to this page will already have heard of the amazing collection we've acquired via the BBC1 programme Car Booty. The relevant episode will be screened sometime in May (date to be confirmed), but here's your chance to grab some of the wonderful comics from it before the national TV publicity. We're processing these as fast as we can manage and this week we feature one of the key titles in our Marvel section: Avengers #1-#60. All the glory and majesty of Marvel's super-team is here in their formative years, from the origin of the team and their troubles with the Hulk, through the sensational revival of Captain America, the departure of the big guns followed by the recruitment of Cap's kooky quartet (Cap, Hawkeye, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch) in the 'Wanda my sister years', the return of Giant-Man & the Wasp, the Black Widow, Hercules & the Black Panther and the revival of the Vision. Truly Marvel's finest and the cornerstone of the Marvel Universe to this day. Many nice copies in higher mid-grade await you on the pages of our online catalogue. Assemble!

Posted by Rob | 06:03 p.m. GMT | 25 April 2006

British Update - Shiver & Shake

*This week, in the Humour Comics & Picture Libraries section of the British part of our online catalogue, brace yourselves -- it's Shiver & Shake! Running from 1973-74, this unlikely Whizzer & Chips imitator (ghost Shiver & elephent Shake helmed their own separate sections within the comic) featured 'Biddy's Beastly Bloomers' (plants, not undies), 'Tough Nutt & Softly Centre', Leo Baxendale's 'Sweeney Toddler' and 'Grimly Fiendish' and other comedy strips with a macabre slant. Though not successful at the time, it's hugely sought-after now... Don't take our word for it -- just try finding them. The last time we had a couple of issues they sold within 24 hours, so book early to avoid disappointment. Plus: additions to our stock of Beano & Buster.

Posted by Rob | 05:54 p.m. GMT | 25 April 2006

17 April 2006

Star Collections Update (American) - Brave & Bold 1st 3 JLAs, early Legion, Sensation & Sensation Mystery, loads of Atlas pre-code horror!

More helpings of goodies from our Star Collections this week in the following categories:

*DC: An astonishing range of rarities from the 1940's to the early 1960's, including early Legion of Super-Heroes appearances from Adventure Comics (pre their own series) in lovely mid-high grade, the first three Justice League of America apprearances from Brave & Bold #28-#30 in nice mid-grade and a terrific selection of Sensation Comics, including the scarce 'all-girl' format from the late 1940's and the ultra-rare 'Sensation Mystery' issues.

*Horror 1940-1959: From the vaults (should that be tombs?) of the recent acquisitions from our Star Collections comes a range of Atlas horror/mystery to take your breath away. Astonishing, Marvel Tales (inc the rare #97 with Sun Girl, the last Timely super-hero story), Mystic, Spellbound, and Uncanny Tales provide pre-code shudders and thrills, while the much underestimated post code Mystical Tales and Strange Stories Of Suspense still provide top-notch artwork by Everett, Crandall, Torres and Williamson, among other 1950's stars.

Posted by Rob | 11:11 a.m. GMT | 17 April 2006

Star Collections Update (British) - 1st Desperate Dan Annual 1954

*Just one addition in our Annuals section this week, but it's a significant one: the first annual of Desperate Dan, Cactusville's favourite son, from the pages of the Dandy into his own 1954 hardcover. That it wasn't a huge hit at the time may be inferred from the fact that Dan didn't get another annual until the 1970's, but hey -- that just makes this rarity even more special! Very respectable GD/VG copy with worn but complete spine and good page quality.

Posted by Rob | 11:00 a.m. GMT | 17 April 2006

British Update - Eagle, Lion, Outer Space

*This week, added to our Boys' Adventure & War section, the following gems: From 1956, the entire Vol 7 of Eagle, including several duplicate copies. Eagles are, um, flying at the moment, so brisk activity is expected. Order early to make sure of your copies. Also, an update of Lion in its most sought-after period, 1968 to 1973, with the Spider, the Spellbinder, Zip Nolan and company in full force. And from the mid-1950's, the Ouer Space softcover album, with original stories of the Flash Gordonesque Captain Future. A genuine rarity, never before seen here at 30th Century Towers.

Posted by Rob | 09:58 a.m. GMT | 17 April 2006

9 April 2006

Star Collections Update (American) - DC gems and Atlas Sub-Mariner

Yet more treasures from the seemingly bottomless pit of our Star Collections this week. Full details as always in the appropriate sections of our on-line catalogue.

*DC: a plethora of rarities ranging from the late 1940's to the early 1960's, with a superb all-Kubert Viking Prince Barve & Bold, late-run Star-Spangled Comics featuring Dr. 13, Tomahawk and Robin the Boy Wonder, Tales Of The Unexpected beginning with #4, Wonder Woman from #89 (with both H.G. Peter and Andru & Esposito issues), and World's Finest, including the scarce issue #100. All this, plus additions to our ever-burgeoning stocks of Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen & Superman.

*Miscellaneous 1940-1959: A rare selection from the 1950's incarnation of Sub-Mariner, Scourge of the Seas! Namor ran for 10 issues in the 1950's (longer than Cap or the Torch, because of a mooted TV series and the hope of crossover sales), and fully half the run is here, in a range of grades from FA/GD to VG/FN. Never mind the insane commie-smashing stories, just revel in the gorgeous Bill Everett artwork, the power, grace and majesty, and of course our hero's cousin, the shapely Namora! Beautiful stuff, and almost never seen in the UK.

Posted by Rob | 05:20 p.m. GMT | 9 April 2006

Car Booty Collection Update - Strange Tales & Ditko Charltons

Regular vistors to this page will already have heard of the amazing collection we've acquired via the BBC1 programme Car Booty. The relevant episode will be screened sometime in April/May (date to be confirmed), but here's your chance to grab some of the wonderful comics from it before the national TV publicity. We're processing these as fast as we can manage and feature tons of goodies this week in the following categories:

*Marvel: Strange Tales, home of the Human Torch, Dr. Strange & Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD, thoroughly updated from #102 through to the final Silver Age issue, #168, with all of the genre-redefining Steranko SHIELD issues (many in high grade), and much work by Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko, Marie Severin, Bill Everett and other top-notch illustrators.

*Charlton: All Ditko titles this update, with the scarce final issue of Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, the Captain Atom relaunch issues of Strange Suspense Stories and the exquisite and controversial Question book-lengther from Mysterious Suspense #1.

Posted by Rob | 04:56 p.m. GMT | 9 April 2006

British Update - Alan Class, Judy & Misty

More of our most popular titles this week in these categories:

*Alan Class Reprints: Having devoted most of last year to the prestigious Alan Class Private Collection (many prime certificated issues still available!), we now turn our attention back to the regular, non-certificated stock, with additions to our listings of Astounding Stories (from #3), Creepy Worlds, Outer Space, Out Of This World (1st series), Secrets Of The Unknown (from #8), Sinister Tales, Suspense (from #1), Uncanny tales and Weird Planets. These unpredictable treasure troves of vintage material remain swift sellers in all grades -- order early to avoid disappointment.

*Girls' Comics & Picture Libraries: A small but select range of Judy from 1969 & 1970, and a veritable cumulo-nimbus of Misty from 1978 through 1980, including the final issue of this cult horror/mystery title, featuring 'The Cats Of Carey Street', 'A Lamp Through Time', the suspiciously-familiar 'Body Snatchers' and other suspensful sagas illustrated by Jesus Redondo, Enrique Romero and other popular artists.

Posted by Rob | 04:35 p.m. GMT | 9 April 2006

5 April 2006

Revision to Postage and Packing Charges

Following the rise in postal charges this week, we have restructured our scale of charges for postage and packing. The new levels can now be viewed on the 'How To Order' page of the website. Regular customers please note before placing future orders. These changes are effective from 6th April.

Posted by Rob | 11:50 p.m. GMT | 5 April 2006

3 April 2006

Car Booty Collection Update - Wonder Woman (the 'Emma Peel' years), Silver Surfer, Simon & Kirby Romance and much more!

Regular vistors to this page will already have heard of the amazing collection we've acquired via the BBC1 programme Car Booty. The relevant episode will be screened sometime in April/May (date to be confirmed), but here's your chance to grab some of the wonderful comics from it before the national TV publicity. We're processing these as fast as we can manage and feature tons of goodies this week in the following categories:

*DC: From the Swingin' Sixties, a sizzling selection of the 'Emma Peel' years of the Amazon Princess, Wonder Woman! DC's daring revamp of their iconic heroine raised many eyebrows at the time, recasting her as a non-superpowered martial artist heavily influenced by Modesty Blaise and TV's Avengers, but the creative team of Denny O'Neil, Mike Sekowsky and Dick Giordano pulled off the trick, creating off-beat, fast-paced adventures which are still highly sought after today. Highlights include the 'makeover' two-parter (#178 & #179), the infamous bondage covers (#196, #199 & #200), and most of the intervening issues in a variety of grades.

*Marvel: The Silver Surfer: either you love him or you hate him. Here at 30th Century, we... don't love the whiny bugger, but lots of folk feel differently, and, for you, here's the entire first run of Norrin Radd's adventures, featuring exquisite John Buscema artwork. The #1 is a fabulous VF+ outstanding copy! Just tune out his constant moaning, and you'll be fine... Also, the first series of Marvel Feature, presenting the Defenders, Ant-Man and the Thing team-ups which 'piloted' Marvel Two-In-One; plus a selection of first issues, including Giant-Size Super-Heroes, Ms. Marvel, Spectacular Spider-Man and the incredibly scarce America's Best TV Comics one shot from 1967 (the rarest Marvel comic?), and in Marvel Humour (at the end of our Marvel listing), the oddball Groovy #2!

*Romance: Showcasing the diversity of the Car booty collection, we have a selection of Simon & Kirby's Young Romance, spanning the decade between 1949 & 1959 and defining the genre. Also in this section, new Heart Throbs, High School Confidential Diary, Love Diary, and the debut isue of Marvel's Our Love Story. See you at the pep rally!

Watch for more 'Car Booty' next week!

Posted by Rob | 06:54 p.m. GMT | 3 April 2006

Star Collections Update (American) - More Iconic Pre-Code Horror!

From the vaults of our Star Collections this week:

*Horror 1940-1959: A major range of Pre-Code Horror titles, including some famous rarities from Atlas, Ziff-Davis, Fox and others. New listings for Adventures Into Terror, Chilling Tales, Dark Mysteries, the one-shot Eerie Adventures with a gorgeous painted cover with a girl in bondage playing chess with Death, Mysterious Adventures, Spellbound, Star Presentation #3 featuring Wally Wood's Dr. Jekyl & Mr Hyde (with rather more scantily-clad maids than we remember from the book!), Unknown World and Charlton's Thing! with early Steve Ditko artwork.

All listed in the appropriate section of our online catalogue and available for sale right now. Grab 'em before they grab you!

Posted by Rob | 06:33 p.m. GMT | 3 April 2006

British Update - Scorcher, Target, Tornado & more!

*Three major title updates in our Boys' Adventure & War Comics section: Scorcher from 1970-74, the popular football weekly, many fresh issues inc. the first Scorcher & Score merger; Target from 1978, the 'so-bad-it's good' TV detective weekly, featuring Kojak, Charlie's Angels, and other famous characters rendered completely unrecognisable by some of the worst art ever in a professional comic. Cheesy! And Tornado, the short-lived (22 issues) 2000 AD companion from 1979, which featured photos of acclaimed artist Dave Gibbons as superheroic editor 'Big E'. Not the best career decision ever... All this, plus Eagle from the 1950's and 1980's, and a rare 1977 Valiant Summer Special!

Posted by Rob | 06:20 p.m. GMT | 3 April 2006

American Update - IW/Super Titles

*IW/Super: New additions to this eclectic reprint publisher, featuring superheroics & action in Daring Adventures (inc. #15 with the notorious Hooded Menace), Dr. Fu Manchu (gorgeous Wood art), pre-code horror with Strange Mysteries, and more.

Posted by Rob | 12:56 p.m. GMT | 3 April 2006