*DC: From the Bute Collection this week, three of the four try-outs for Aquaman in Showcase, issues #30-32 (Aquaman also appeared in #33). Unlike most features in Showcase, however, Aquaman was not a new character. He’d been around since More Fun Comics #73 in 1941, and like just a few other super-heroes, did not disappear between the Golden Age and the Silver Age, continually appearing as a back-up feature in Adventure and Detective Comics. Notably, when DC decided to try him out for his own solo series, Showcase #30 was his first ever cover appearance. That issue, written by Jack Miller and drawn by the exquisite Ramona Fradon, told the origin of Aquaman, as a launch for his solo ‘career’, and indeed, after three more try-outs in successive issues, that solo series began, lasting throughout the Silver Age and beyond. Aquaman remains one of the world’s most recognisable super-heroes, with a plethora of media appearances. Issues #31 & #32, also in this update, are by Miller and Nick Cardy, the artist who really captured the undersea atmosphere and arguably produced the best artwork ever to feature the Sea King and his world.
PICTURED: SHOWCASE
#30 VG- p £250 Origin of Aquaman. A decent pence-stamped copy with untarnished cover image, but probable tiny colour touch pinpoints at bottom spine (taken into account in grading and pricing). Tiny crease across bottom right cover corner does not break colour. Staples are firm at spine and centrefold and pages are a tidy and clean white to off-white. Short upper spine split of less than 2 cm; otherwise wear is minimal.
#31 VG p £100 Pence-stamped. A nice copy with unmarred cover and little wear, but probable tiny colour touches around the edges (taken into account in grading and pricing). Staples are firm at spine and centrefold and pages are a tidy and clean white to off-white; minimal wear. SOLD
#32 GD/VG p £50 Pence stamped. A reasonable copy with upper spine split of 2.75 cm. Cover image is untarnished except for a small stain at central bottom edge. Upper half of spine is somewhat worn and a little frayed. Staples are okay but bottom off centrefold. Page quality okay, but edges (including inside covers) a little tanned. Some chipping at bottom and right edge rear cover.