*Marvel: All the Silver Surfer’s original 18 issue series, launched in 1968, are keenly sought, but issue #4, in which our angst-ridden cosmic hero faces the might of Thor, is particularly scarce, both here in the UK and in its native USA. Many theories abound (including one about most of the print run being set alight by disappointed truck hijackers, which we declare inventive but apocryphal), but no conclusive explanation has yet been presented. Nevertheless, rare it is, significantly less common than even #1 in our experience. This pence stamped copy of the epic Thor/Surfer clash, beautifully illustrated by John Buscema at the height of his powers, is superficially a decent copy with reasonably unblemished cover image (there is some edge wear, particularly to the right edge and what looks like an historic very small water stain at the bottom edge plus there are some faint imprint lines between the figures of Thor and the Surfer), but the spine is split at the front of the binding about 2/3rds along. The back cover also has some staining at the lower edge. The staples are firm and page quality a nice off-white. So, not a beautiful copy, but pretty good for the low grade we have assigned it.
PICTURED: SILVER SURFER #4 FA+ p £200 SOLD