HAND OF FATE #s 24 & 25b * Lot of 2 Comics * Castigated

Heading:
Author:
Title: HAND OF FATE Nos. 24 and 25 * Lot of Two Comics
Place Published:
Publisher:Ace [Indicia: A.A. Wyn, Inc.]
Date Published: 1954
Description:

#24: G/VG (3.0). Staple rust, a few short splits to spine, 1" tear to front cover, cover crease, piece missing from margin of one page. Cream to off-white pages.

#25: VG- (3.5). Spine roll, 1" spine split, a few small chips, dogeared tear to back cover. Off-white pages.

Covers and art: Lou Cameron, Sy Grudko, Ken Rice, Louis Zansky, Jim McLaughlin, Larry Woromay. Note: #25 is the 2nd of two consecutive issues thus numbered, and is technically the 26th issue (Overstreet designates it as "25b"). Overstreet claims the cover to #25b is by Lou Cameron, but this attribution has been disputed. GCD suggests Jim McLaughlin as the cover artist.

Hand of Fate's narrator, the cosmic entity known only as Fate, is the biggest wet-blanket in horror-host history. Unlike the Crypt Keeper, Vault Keeper and Old Witch, Fate doesn't crack wise to amuse his readership. Instead, he threatens the reader with death and damnation ("Yes, you! If you are guilty you shall pay by one of these violent deaths!"), allowing for the possibility of redemption only if the sinning reader is sufficiently contrite ("Fortunately, you still have a choice!"). In terms of their dimestore-Manichean viewpoint, Ace horror mags were the Chick tracts of their day. One wonders what Jack Chick, who was about 30 years old when these mags came out, thought of horror comics. He admitted that he got the idea for his fire-and-brimstone tracts from Red Chinese propaganda comic books, which inspired him "to try to use the same technique to win souls for Christ."

A deluxe limited edition of 12 hardcover catalogues is available, in addition to a small number of softcovers. 400 lots, fully illustrated. Fun reference, great keepsake. Softcover $40, deluxe hardcover with dust jacket and limitation plate $200. Eight of the 12 hardcovers are pre-ordered and the rest will go quickly, so reserve yours now. To order, contact ivan@pbagalleries.com.

Consignments welcome for PBA's Spring 2022 Comic Book sale. Top prices for Pre-Code Horror, Golden Age, Silver Age, original art and ephemera. Find out why PBA is the new fan-fave of comics auctioneers. "This is some of the best commentary I've yet seen on the quality of the content of comic books... Priceless." — R. Crumb. Send inquiries to ivan@pbagalleries.com.