American Comics Update: The Bute Collection: Pre-Code Horror Fest: Strange Tales #8 & #17
*Horror 1940-1959: From the Bute Collection this week, another dip into the entrails of Pre-Code Horror with two issues of Strange Tales, one of Atlas’s flagship titles for this stuff. Like Journey Into Mystery, Strange Tales is one of the Marvel titles that had its roots in the Atlas Pre-Code Horror days and survived via the Big Panty Monsters into the super-heroic Silver Age. It’s the Pre-Code Horror that concerns us here, with two early issues in decent shape. The usual high standards of Atlas horror are preserved in these excellent items.
PICTURED: STRANGE TALES BOTH SOLD
#8 VG £325 Pre-Code. Great cover by Everett. Interior art by Colan, Stallman, Maneely and others. Great colour with some gloss. Corner blunting, solid spine, firm, tight staples at spine and centrefold, slight chipping wear to right edge. Supple pages off-white to cream.
#17 GD+ £150 Pre-Code. Cover by Carl Burgos. Interior art by Sinnott, Robinson, Brodsky (?), Briefer and others. Upper spine split 2.5 cm. Unspoilt cover with spidery crease lines, mostly above logo. Minor edge and spine wear. Good firm staples and nice off-white to cream pages. This copy looks a little wonky and we suspect a trim to the right upper side; graded and priced accordingly.