BLACK MAGIC #s 8 & 32 * King Kirby * True Face of Fear

Author:
Title: BLACK MAGIC Nos. 8 [Vol. 2, #2] and 32 [Vol. 5, #2] * Lot of Two Comics
Place Published:
Publisher:Prize [Indicia: Crestwood Publishing Co., Inc.]
Date Published: 1951-1954
Description: #8 [Vol. 2, #2]: VG/Fine (5.0). Cover miscut with excess white at spine, two small tears, tiny corner chip, small chip to back cover near spine, small TAPE REPAIR to inside front cover, back cover toned at spine. Off-white pages. With former CGC label (5.5, off-white to white pages). GPAnalysis: No reported sales in this grade. A 5.5 sold for $99 in 9/13.

#32 [Vol. 5, #2]: Fine- (5.5). A few spine ticks, 1/4" tear with fine crease, staples pulled. Nice-lookin' mag. Off-white pages, tan edges. GPAnalysis: No reported sales in this grade. A 5.0 sold for $121 in 12/19.

Credits: Covers: Jack Kirby (assisted by Joe Simon?). Art: Jack Kirby (assisted by Bob McCarthy, Doug Wildey, and/or Joe Simon?), Mort Meskin, John Prentice, Harry Lazarus, Bill Draut, John Belfi.Cain Dis-Abel'd: In ish #32's lead story, Jack Kirby's "Maniac!," a loving brother named Tom bashes his simple-minded sibling's brains out to prevent the local yokels from locking him in a nuthouse. Only, it turns out the locals weren't trying to lock up Tom's simple-minded sibling at all; it's Tom himself they were after. The story ends with a fantastic four-panel sequence in which Tom realizes he's a fratricidal maniac. As Tom's mask of sanity cracks, his facial features contort into a grotesque rictus, reflecting the mad frenzy that's been simmering below the surface all along. Kirby reworked this concept years later when he revealed Orion's demonic true face in the startling denouement to New Gods #5 (1971).______________________________________________________________

A limited edition of ten hardcover catalogues is available, in addition to a few dozen softcovers. Fun reference, great keepsake, fully illustrated, chockablock with obscure facts, gags, bon mots. Softcovers are $40, deluxe hardcovers with dust jackets and limitation plates are $200. These books always go fast so don't delay. To order, contact ivan@pbagalleries.com.

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