*Marvel: Well, in over 30 years of trading, I can truthfully say that this is one of the very few key Marvel issues that we’ve never had in stock before. Tales Of Suspense #1 dates from January 1959. The stories are predominantly science fiction, with one historical. Artists include Don Heck (who also did the cover), Steve Ditko, John Buscema, Joe Maneely, Al Williamson & Roy Krenkel, plus others. The first four issues had science fiction covers, with Kirby’s Big Panty Monster covers kicking in with issue #5. This Bute Collection copy is structurally very sound, with glossy colours and a strong spine, tight, firm staples and supple, near white pages. There is a tiny chip out at the top of the spine and a very tiny tear in the top edge without loss. There is some creasing at the front spine, mostly not breaking colour and a soft slight vertical crease centre left, which is only just visible and does not break colour. The only significant defect is a small patch of fading centre logo, where some of the yellow letters of the logo are not as bright, and a curious patch of the red logo background has faded to an orangey yellow (see cover scan below). Nevertheless, the first issue of one of Marvel’s cornerstone titles, which doesn’t come along every day. High resolution images are available on request.
PICTURED: TALES OF SUSPENSE #1 VG £1,400