EC (Indicia: "Fables Publishing Co., Inc."). July-August, 1951. Good+ (2.5). Chipping to bottom front corner, horizontal crease, light edgewear, general agedness, top staple pulled. Off-white pages. Nice reading copy – pulpy, floppy, intact, with pleasant whiff of old newsprint. Al Feldstein cover. Stories by Bill Gaines and Al Feldstein. Art by Graham Ingels, George Roussos, Ed Smalle?, Jack Davis.

Feldstein's cover scenario writes itself: Great white hunter, shrunken head, retribution, sense of dread. There's a storybook simplicity to Feldstein's horror covers that reminds the young reader that it's all in fun. But as EC's success spurs competitors to up the stakes of gruesome horror, Feldstein's charming tableaux will soon give way to ghastlier images.

A limited edition of 100 softcover and 15 hardcover catalogues are available. Over 200 pages, fully illustrated. Fun reference, great keepsake. Softcovers $40, dust-jacketed hardcover with limitation plate $200. To order, contact ivan@pbagalleries.com or call 415-989-2665

R. Crumb says, "I found [PBA's catalogue] so interesting that I am saving it for the texts that accompany the comics which were put up for auction. This is some of the best commentary I've yet seen on the quality of the content of comic books. I especially enjoyed the reviews of the post-war horror comics. Great. Priceless."

Consignments welcome for PBA's Spring 2021 Comic Book sale. Pre-Code Horror, Golden Age and Silver Age comics, original art and ephemera sought. Send inquiries to ivan@pbagalleries.com or call 415-989-2665