Graham Ingels Covers Lance Lewis & Marna, Startling Comics at Auction

Sometimes a traditional little second in comedian guide historical past can slip by way of the cracks misunderstood, forgotten, or maybe a bit overshadowed. Such is the case with the Lance Lewis & Marna covers for Startling Comics #44-46, from the legendary artist Graham Ingels for writer Standard/Better/Nedor. These three points, cover-dated March-July 1947, characteristic the start of Startling Comics’ transition from a superhero title that had featured Pyroman and Fighting Yank covers, to a science fiction title with covers that includes Lance Lewis, Space Detective and his companion Marna.  Ingels would then hand the duvet duties off to Alex Schomburg, whose airbrushed “Xela” cowl run right here achieved way more fame amongst collectors  (most notably the notorious “Bender” cowl of Startling Comics #49).  But Ingels kicked this cowl run off with some putting work of his personal, and there is a Startling Comics #44 (Better Publications, 1947) CGC VG 4.0 Off-white to white pages and Startling Comics #45 (Better Publications, 1947) Condition: VG+ up for public sale within the 2023 February 23 The Thrillingly Exciting Heroes of Nedor Comics Showcase Auction #40219 at Heritage Auctions.

Lance Lewis, Space Detective first appeared in Mystery Comics #3, a problem of Standard/Better/Nedor’s (or maybe extra particularly, Richard E. Hughes‘) uncommon collaboration with specialty direct advertising writer William H. Wise. He was a time touring, jetpack carrying, raygun toting science fiction hero within the Buck Rogers mildew, and can be the duvet characteristic of Startling Comics till the top of the title with challenge #53.  Of course, that includes Lance’s girlfriend, the intrepid Marna, was a big a part of the purpose of what turned out to be a spectacular cowl run.

The Lance Lewis covers of the 2 points obtainable listed below are by Graham Ingels, whereas the inside Lance Lewis story for Startling Comics #45 additionally by Ingels. After spending a lot of the early a part of his profession at Fiction House, legendary artist Ingels would spend a quick interval in 1947 because the artwork director of Standard/Better/Nedor, earlier than being employed by Al Feldstein in 1948 to contribute to EC Comics, the place he quickly grew to become a horror comics legend on titles corresponding to The Haunt of Fear, Tales from the Crypt and The Vault of Horror.  Ingels penchant for the weird is definitely on show with the creatures he designed for these Startling Comics covers.

This copy of Startling Comics #44 has been graded CGC VG 4.0 Off-white to white pages. The Startling Comics #45 obtainable right here has been graded VG+ Heritage Auctions. There are solely 34 entries for Startling Comics #44 and 24 for Startling Comics #45 on the CGC census.  While the Schomburg covers of this run get all of the glory, Ingels work right here is price your gathering time as properly. Two of them can be found in Heritage Auctions’ 2023 February 23 The Thrillingly Exciting Heroes of Nedor Comics Showcase Auction #40219.  If you might be new to Heritage Auctions to take a look at their FAQ on the bidding course of and associated issues.

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