Posted in: Comics, Heritage Sponsored, Vintage Paper | Tagged: golden age, Harvey Comics

Giant Ants on the Moon and the End of Speed Comics, Up for Auction

Published Mon, 29 Aug 2022 14:32:10 -0500

The post-World War II era was a time of transition for all American comic book publishers. Many were pulling back on their superhero titles, and experimenting with a wide variety of other types of material to see what might be the next big thing. In 1946, Harvey launched a number of new series including Stuntman, Boy Explorers, Clown Comics, and Black Cat Comics. Besides Black Cat Comics, all of these were short-lived. When there was an eight-month gap between Speed Comics #43 and issue #44, regular newsstand comic book buyers likely knew what the deal was. Speed Comics ended with the January-February 1947 cover-dated issue, with fellow superhero-centric series All-New Comics disappearing from the newsstands at the same time (and with far less superhero content near the end of its run). A noteworthy moment in Harvey Comics history, there's a Speed Comics #44 (Harvey, 1947) Condition: GD/VG and a bunch of other issues of Speed Comics up for auction in the 2022 August 28-29 Sunday & Monday Comic Books Select Auction #122235 at Heritage Auctions.

While not the cover feature, the most interesting story of this final issue is the Shock Gibson feature, in his first post-WW2-created story, having been transformed into a science fiction character of sorts for an adventure on the moon. Shock Gibson would return to the moon for his last original Harvey Comics appearance in Green Hornet Comics #37. The character had also appeared in Green Hornet Comics #37, presumably to use up story inventory. Speed Comics #44 would be Captain Freedom's final original Harvey Comics appearance.

The end of an important and well-remembered Golden Age comic book series, there's a Speed Comics #44 (Harvey, 1947) Condition: GD/VG and a bunch of other issues of Speed Comics up for auction in the 2022 August 28-29 Sunday & Monday Comic Books Select Auction #122235 at Heritage Auctions. If you've never bid at Heritage Auctions before, you can get further information, you can check out their FAQ on the bidding process and related matters.

Speed Comics #44 (Harvey, 1947) Condition: GD/VG. Last issue of the title. Rudy Palais cover. Joe Kubert and Bob Powell art. Cover detached at top staple, tape repair to cover interior, spine roll, and water damage. Overstreet 2022 GD 2.0 value = $50; VG 4.0 value = $100.