Only a Strong America can prevent
ATOMIC WAR! #2
(Ace Periodicals/Junior Books)
from DEC 1952.
10 cents - 36 pages.
Classic 'US planes attack Russian (Red) Submarine
with atomic warheads' cover.
Panel stories, with world destruction link
throughout, include:
Operation VENGEANCE ..Moscow destroyed!
as America returns fire (Russia attacked the US in
Atomic War #1).
HUGE HYDROGEN BOMB PANEL (1st in comics?).
The Ice Box Invasion ..The fight from Alaska to Siberia.
Mission Demolition ..The fight back in Europe.
The Spy from Coney Island! - 2 page 'Cold War' text story.
B/W Adverts on inside front cover, inside back & back cover.
Norton 'drawing' ad ..Vacutex 'blackheads' ad ..
Honor House 'Magic Dutch rock gardens' ad etc..
Ken Rice, Lou Cameron and Bill Molno art.
G/VG (3) copy.
The major problem with this copy is that it's suffered
moisture damage, although mainly confined to the
back cover.
The front cover is in decent original condition, but
the back cover (printed in cheaper 'black & white' anyway)
has fading and scuffing ..see scan.
However, there are no significant marks/tears/creasing
elsewhere.
The comic lies tight and flat, with a strong intact spine
and secure original staples (although some slight staple
rusting) and it is tight throughout, right through to the centre.
The comic is complete, reasonably sharp and supple
throughout, with only minor evidence of fading or moisture
damage to the inside front or inside back covers, and no
bits missing.
Decent intact creamy pages.
A solid if low grade example of this unusual and highly scarce
70+ year old KEY 'commie paranoia' 'Cold War' comic which can reach
very high premiums, when they crop up, because of the real
RARITY in actually finding a copy.
Photos may show lighting issues, so contact me if unsure,
or if you require further information.
An original and very scarce KEY 2nd comic book from
that startling pre-code and incredibly intense early post WW2 new
Cold War period.
This depressing 'children's and young adults' comic', which ran for 4 issues,
must have frightened youngsters far more than the host of govt targeted
horror comics that this publisher (Ace Comics), EC, and
other publishers put out before the Comic Code arrived in 1955.
Rather than 'warn' of the horrors of war, it served to reinforce
the paranoia of the 1950s, which evolved during the
McCarthy/Senate anti-communist witch hunts of the late '40s
and early '50s.
So, although extremely right-wing in its war bias (the USSR
was represented as an extreme terrorist organisation of the
day, while the Korean War was also being waged) it's strange
that the Wyns, who published this 'Fly the US flag' issue, also
themselves fell foul to SOTI/Senate Investigations and the
Comic Code by 1955, with their extreme but brilliant offerings in crime,
horror, suspense and romance publications.
All of which were believed to lead to 'juvenile delinquency'.
Even Atomic War! #4 was cited in POP (The British version of SOTI).
This incredible #2 cover and stories of destruction have been
reprinted in various formats since the 1950s.
The cover even being displayed on clothes, skirts and t-shirts,
as well as posters/postcards and other memorabilia.
A hugely KEY Pre-Code original comic book sought-after
in ANY condition.
British related 'sales' of this KEY historic comic book only
seem to apply to reprinted material currently.
As mentioned, remaining original copies are few and far between.
One extremely rare higher grade copy was recently sold for
$1000 in the States.
But low Buy it Now with just £3.75p for secure/signed-for
mailing in the UK, and fair rate to abroad (approx $16 tracked).
I COMBINE POSTAGE ..eg If 3 comics are purchased, they can be mailed
together securely at the same cost as sending just 1.
SEE MY OTHER AUCTIONS OF VINTAGE COMICS on eBay, Thank you.
Please compare with any similar copies in similar grades being sold on eBay worldwide, as well as through local stores and dealers, collectors, conventions, major internet stores/dealers and other internet or postal 'auction' sites, before buying, as I am confident I can provide the most cost effective investment or transaction for you re this rare item.
Grading Note:
Unless otherwise stated above in the description ....
all comics are complete and free of major defects relating to:
large rips/tears, pieces missing (including small bits out, right up to coupon and/or page removal), heavy marks
and stains, heavy creasing, bad spine splits, repairs or restoration, tape, glue and so on.
And, again unless it is mentioned in the above description, all comics are generally:
structurally solid/tight, flat, supple, securely on staple(s) with attached covers and complete spines,
and with tight intact clean o/w or creamy pages.
Degrees of wear and minimal defects are naturally to be expected in accordance with the age and the grade given,
but there will be no nasty surprises!
CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, BEFORE BUYING OR MAKING AN OFFER.
Grading generally follows professional lines from Poor (0.5) to Mint (10).
For example.....Fair/FR (1), Good/G (2), Very Good/VG(4), Fine/F (6), Very Fine/VF (8), and Near Mint/NM (9.4)
I use CGC and Overstreet grading criteria as strictly as possible, and based on the experience I have had with both dealers and collectors over many years, whilst amassing my collection.
Please read the following before bidding:
Payment within 48 hours please, or communicate quickly if you wish to pay via alternative methods, or if you have any problems or delays making payment.
See WORLDWIDE SHIPPING and PAYMENT options, plus ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS.
International post charges for shipping from the UK to abroad can be obtained by bringing up your country from the worldwide list.
Visiting to preview certain items, before you bid, may be arranged if you desire.
ALL items will be sent securely packaged/protected and, unless stated otherwise, via 'recorded/tracked and signed-for' delivery both within the UK and to other destinations, incl the USA, Europe, Australia and the Far East.
Proof of mailing will ALWAYS be obtained.
Ensure you open all packaging with care.
I am selling off my comic book collection on eBay so check my feedback for grading and delivery satisfaction.....
and buy with confidence.
Note too that sometimes my 'returns policy' gets knocked off the description, and 'Like New' comes up
instead of 'Used' on the item heading.
I DO have a full returns policy, and ALL comics are 'Used'.