*DC: When DC editors Jack Schiff and Julius Schwartz were each tasked with  creating a new science fiction hero, Schwartz came up with Adam Strange, while Schiff was responsible for Space Ranger. Both heroes debuted in issues of Showcase in 1958. Space Ranger was up first in issues #15/16. Space Ranger is Rick Starr, a seemingly shiftless executive. He took on the role of the superheroic interplanetary troubleshooter to battle space pirates, alien invaders, evil scientists and other futuristic threats both cosmic and criminal, hiding his true identity. Only two people knew his secret, his loyal and highly efficient beautiful blonde secretary/girlfriend Myra Mason and his plucky and clever little pink alien sidekick Cryll, a big-eyed shapeshifter. Space Ranger and chums first appeared in Showcase #15 and it took just one further outing the following issue to propel him into his own long-running series in Tales Of The Unexpected (later in Mystery In Space). He was created by writers Edmond Hamilton and Gardner Fox and artist Bob Brown. The Bute Collection brings us both those debut issues in Showcase this week.
PICTURED: SHOWCASE
#15 VG+ £300 Presents really well, with a vibrant cover and great colour. Tight, firm staples and supple off-white to cream pages. Minimal corner blunting and spine wear, with an upper spine split of less than 2 cm. A faint, vertical subscription-like crease down the centre is not obvious and only very barely breaks colour.
#16 VG/FN £200 Vibrant cover with vivid colour. Tight and flat with good staples and supple near off-white pages. Minimal spine wear with tiny nick at base of spine. Only minor handling wear at some edges. A really nice copy. SOLD