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Strange Tales of the Unusual
Atlas // December 1955 - August 1957
Issue count: 11
You could always expect a high-quality product from Atlas in the 50's before they became Marvel. Horror was their niche, and Strange Tales O.T.U. often used the same creative teams that would make Marvel legendary! Grab 'em up if you see them!
It took a little bit of time for Atlas Comics (formerly Timely Comics, later Marvel Comics) to find their footing in the 1950’s as far as the creative direction in which they wanted the company to go.
Martin Goodman’s Timely Comics had, by 1949, ceased publication of almost all of it’s superhero books that had brought it such good fortune from 1939 through the end of the Second World War. Captain America, the Human Torch and The Sub-Mariner were fading from public consciousness, and the whole comic book business was turned on its head; it seems America did not need heroes in their comics, they had them in their homes in the men and women that had come back after the big war…
One may think that tastes would have veered towards the more fanciful, for the country had had enough of the death and dying. But no - the flavor of the day was moving towards the darker subjects of everyday criminals, monsters, and unexplained phenomenon.
Perhaps this turnabout in content could be explained as simply being a reflection of the collective national fatigue of war, and the uncertainty and paranoia of facing a future in a post-atomic-bomb world.
Monsters of unexplained origin, scenarios of invasions from alien beings resonated more as the threat of global communist-domination was repeatedly heralded in the daily news.
In December of 1955, Atlas offered up Strange Tales Of The Unusual - and this particular title most effectively captured the Cold-War consciousness so present in everyday American life. Stan Lee, who wrote and edited most of this title, had his pulse on the pervading mood of the public, and this is the Atlas title that was clearly, but allegorically, getting its point across in the fantasy/supernatural idiom.
The eleven issues between December of 1955 and August of 1957 were replete with stories reflecting a general mania and panic. Dominant themes were ones of fear of the unknown, “who is around the corner? Aliens? Invaders? Killers? Communists?” Paranoid visions of the world after the unfathomable nuclear apocalypse, shrinking men, invisible men, menacing statues, science losing control with disastrous laboratory experiments...get it? It was a very cold war indeed.
All sorts of contributions from past and future Marvel greats made up the bulk of this title - Carl Burgos (The Human Torch), John Romita (to many the definitive Spider-Man artist), Don Heck (Iron Man, The Avengers), Bill Everett (The Sub Mariner, Dr. Strange), Ross Andru and Mike Esposito (a team that enjoyed a long run on Amazing Spider-Man in the 70’s), Dick Ayers (frequent Jack Kirby inker, and for some the definitive Sgt. Fury artist), Jack Abel (who would assist on various art, inking and editing assignments), Steve Ditko (Spider-Man, Dr. Strange would be nowhere without this visionary), Gene Colan (Iron Man, longtime Daredevil artist who had a good run on Capt. America, too), Marie Severin (Incredible Hulk, Dr. Strange), Jack Kirby (just about every damn 1960’s Marvel superhero book; a giant), George Roussos (a veteran illustrator in his own right who would enjoy a career boost inking Jack Kirby on The Avengers, Fantastic Four, and The Hulk - often under the pseudonym George Bell), John Severin (took over Sgt. Fury, and stayed on that book for several years.) Timely/Atlas/Marvel had very devoted staffers.
Anyway, if you can find any of the 11 issues of Strange Tales Of The Unusual, there is a good chance that they are worth some money - but just as important, it’s a pretty cool read, also!
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Issue #1
What's Strange Tales of the Unusual #1 worth in 2024?
The mint condition value of Strange Tales of the Unusual #1 is unknown. The highest-rated copy to sell publicly is an unrestored 9.2 from the White Mountain pedigree sold for the price of $2,510 in August 2016. An unrestored 4.0 has a September 2019 value of $235, and an unrestored 3.0 sold for the cost of $126 in February 2020.
Why is this comic book valuable?
A time machine is stolen in Strange Tales #1, published by Atlas Comics in December 1955. A scientist invest a time machine in “Man Lost!” but his brother plans to use it for his own gain. In “The Sorcerer, “ Tim Morton discovers his nephew has become developed magical abilities.
Price Guide Report
GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$110 | $225 | $400 | $800 | $3,000 | $2,510 |
Issue #2
What's Strange Tales of the Unusual #2 worth in 2024?
There are only seven registered copies of this issue on file, and one recorded sale to date: a $90 value for a FN 6.0 in 2008. Above this book are single copies of grades NM 9.4, VF+ 8.5, and VF- 7.5. We should see more movement once these top-end issues set a benchmark to follow. This presents a good investment opportunity if you want to be the first to buy into a blind market.
Why is this comic book valuable?
Features art by Bill Everett, co-creator of Namor the Sub-Mariner and Daredevil.
Price Guide Report
GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$50 | $100 | $200 | $400 | $1,600 | $90 |
Issue #3
What's Strange Tales of the Unusual #3 worth in 2024?
The mint condition value of Strange Tales of the Unusual #3 is unknown. The highest-rated CGC copy to sell publicly is a 6.5 FN+ that sold for $50 in January 2012. That is an increase from its April 2007 value of $48 and its October 2004 price of $16. An unrestored 3.0 has a February 2020 value of $126.
Why is this comic book valuable?
Invaders travel through time in Strange Tales of the Unusual #3, published in March 1956 by Atlas Comics. Cover art by Sol Brodsky. Stan Lee called him his 'right hand man' in developing Marvel from the ground up. A traveling man attempts to convince a simple farm family that his dog, who can speak, is not a ventriloquist’s dummy in “The Talent.”
Price Guide Report
GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$60 | $120 | $240 | $480 | $1,900 | $0 |
Issue #4
What's Strange Tales of the Unusual #4 worth in 2024?
The top five graded copies of this issue ranging up to a single NM- 9.2 have yet to record a sale. A VG+ 4.5 went for $45 in 2011 and down to $34 in 2012. One year later in 2013, a FN+ 6.5 sold for $180. There are no other transactions to date for this issue, but the market should take shape once it generates sales at the higher end.
Why is this comic book valuable?
Strange Tales of the Unusual was another title in the sci-fi/horror genre, which was a focal point of Marvel's early years. The series would be short-lived, ending with issue #11.
Price Guide Report
GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$45 | $90 | $180 | $360 | $1,400 | $180 |
Issue #5
What's Strange Tales of the Unusual #5 worth in 2024?
#5
Why is this comic book valuable?
Cover art by Bill Everett, co-creator of Namor the Sub-Mariner and Daredevil. The Moving Stairs!' art by Steve Ditko, co-creator of Spider-Man.
Price Guide Report
GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$40 | $80 | $160 | $320 | $1,250 | $0 |
Issue #6
What's Strange Tales of the Unusual #6 worth in 2024?
This issue's highest available grade single copy VF 8.0 set a top price of $250 in 2011. This was over a double value increase from its sale of $115 in 2004. There are practically no other recorded transactions for the rest of the market, but the trend at the top points to positive growth.
Why is this comic book valuable?
Cover art by Bill Everett, co-creator of Namor the Sub-Mariner and Daredevil. "The Sound of Doom" art by Bernard Baily, co-creator of The Spectre.
Price Guide Report
GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$40 | $80 | $160 | $320 | $1,250 | $250 |
Issue #7
What's Strange Tales of the Unusual #7 worth in 2024?
Like other issues in this series, a small quantity of registered copies has created an extremely slow market. The only recorded sale to date for #7 is $382 for a VF 8.0 in 2015. Above this copy in quality are a single NM- 9.2, and two VF+ 8.5. We should see a lot more movement once those top-end copies make their first sales and set a benchmark.
Why is this comic book valuable?
"Poker Face!" story pencils by Jack Kirby.
Price Guide Report
GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$50 | $100 | $200 | $400 | $1,600 | $382 |
Issue #8
What's Strange Tales of the Unusual #8 worth in 2024?
There are very few sales on record for this issue, but digging deeper into the data available reflects a market trending upward. One of the two highest available grade VF+ 8.5 copies sold for $129 in 2009. Six years later in 2015, a lower quality VF- 7.5 set the historical high sell price of $131. At another step down, a FN/VF 7.0 went for $123 in 2014. There's clear growth over time, even when going down the grade scale.
Why is this comic book valuable?
Cover art by Carl Burgos, creator of the original Human Torch.
Price Guide Report
GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$25 | $50 | $100 | $200 | $800 | $131 |
Issue #9
What's Strange Tales of the Unusual #9 worth in 2024?
There are two registered copies of this book available at the highest grade of VF/NM 9.0. They had a value of $140 in 2003, then grew 342% to set the top price of $620 in 2013. VF+ 8.5 below it gained 190% in value from $115 in 2002 to today's going rate of $335.
Why is this comic book valuable?
A Nazi spy plants a bomb on an American, only to have the plan blow up in his face. Literally! Features art by Bernard Krigstein, whose training as a classical painter led to massive influence and critical acclaim within the industry.
Price Guide Report
GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$25 | $45 | $90 | $180 | $700 | $620 |
Issue #10
What's Strange Tales of the Unusual #10 worth in 2024?
One of the two available VF/NM 9.0 copies of this issue sold for $175 in 2007. In today's market, lower grades have caught up to a price around that value: VF 8.0 goes for $155, and NM 6.0 sells for $130. The top price was set at $390 by a VF+ 8.5 in 2014. The single highest quality copy NM 9.4 has yet to go on sale, and should bring in a solid profit.
Why is this comic book valuable?
Cover art by John Severin. He'd go on to become one of the founding cartoonists of Mad magazine, followed by a 45 year run at Cracked.
Price Guide Report
GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$35 | $70 | $140 | $280 | $1,000 | $390 |
Issue #11
What's Strange Tales of the Unusual #11 worth in 2024?
Like some other issues in this series, #11 has practically zero transaction history available. The only recorded sale to date is $16 for a Fair 1.0 in 2010! There are currently five other copies on file ranging from VG+ 4.5 to VF+ 8.5. This could be an excellent investment opportunity to jump on given the blank slate and positive trends we've seen with other issues in this series.
Why is this comic book valuable?
A father wants to destroy his daughter's doll, but it contains a secret that will change his life! Covert art by Bill Everett, creator of Namor the Sub-Mariner and co-creator of Daredevil.
Price Guide Report
GD 2.0 | VG 4.0 | FN 6.0 | VF 8.0 | NM 9.4 | RECORD SALE! |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
$25 | $50 | $100 | $200 | $800 | $20 |