*Horror/Mystery 1960-1980s: Although dismissed by many as a Swamp Thing rip-off, Man-Thing did actually premiere first, in Savage Tales #1 (May 1971), though Swampy’s debut in House of Secrets #92, dated July that same year, means that it’s one of those judgements that’s too close to call, and the nigh-simultaneous debuts of the duelling muck-monsters may have been mere coincidence. In any event, Man-Thing soon developed a following, as the mute, barely sentient plant-monster shambled his way through a solo series in Fear before gaining his own title. Primary writer Steve Gerber was ahead of his time in addressing ecological and social crises, even during the decade which embraced ‘relevance’, and the stories contained many genuinely horrific moments which skirted the edge of what was acceptable in the Comics-Code ruled years – though, in fairness, Gerber was even more adept at portraying psychological horror than the conventional viscera. This range commences with Manny’s first eponymous issue (also the second-ever appearance of anthropomorphic misanthrope Howard the Duck), and runs through to the final number, #22, including issues of the quarterly Giant-Size Man-Thing (ahem), which featured the Duck’s first solo flights. Grades range from VG to NM, all respectable copies, but with two outstanding issues, neither of which was distributed in the United Kingdom: #1 in a bright and clean VF+ and #3, with the first appearance of the cult character Foolkiller, in a remarkable NM grade, seldom awarded to comics of this vintage.
PICTURED: MAN-THING
#1 VF+ £65 SOLD
#3 NM £100 SOLD