Author: [Original Comic Art] Ross Andru and Mike Esposito
Title: Man and Fire" * Complete Nine-Page Story from LOST WORLDS No. 6"
Place Published:
Publisher:[Standard/Pines]
Date Published: [1952]
Description: Original art for "Men and Fire." Complete nine-page story, pencilled by Ross Andru and inked by Mike Esposito, unsigned, published in Standard's Lost Worlds #6 (December 1952). Black ink over graphite on Bristol board measuring 15" x 22", with white paint touch-ups, "AND" in the story title is a paste-over (according to the editorial notes in the margin of the first page, the original title was "Men of Fire"), marginal editorial notes in graphite, blue pencil, grease pencil and ink, occasional fingermarks and smudges to margins, two hole-punches to left margin of first page, some ink residue to versos, pencilled diagram to verso of page 1 (looks kinda like a subway map – maybe Andru was planning his commute?), overall very good or better condition.Here's a fairly early pairing of Ross Andru and Mike Esposito (the two artists began their four-decade-long collaboration in 1950, two years before this art crossed their drawing boards). It's a pre-Code sci-fi yarn, no superheroes in sight, but it nevertheless evokes the heroic ideals that Andru and Esposito expressed so well in their 1960s & '70s stuff for Marvel and DC: "Science has an answer to every weapon... and to every force of nature! What you are really fighting is the human spirit intent on simple justice!"______________________________________________________________

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.

Consignments welcome for PBA's Summer 2024 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 funnybook fiends. "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.

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