THUN'DA KING OF CONGO #1 Facsimile

Thun'da was a Tarzan-esque character scripted by Gardner Fox and created by artist Frank Frazetta that first appeared in comics in 1952 and later on film in the Columbia Pictures serial King of the Congo starring Buster Crabbe. The legend is Frank did this as a tryout to do the Tarzan newspaper strip. So he just did #1, and artist Bob Powell drew issues #2-6. This lone issue remains a true icon of comics, Frank's one and only full length, cover to cover comic book creation. Reproduction is very sharp. Overstreet value today on a Fine copy is $800 and $4200 in Near Mint minus! Which is very low -- a VG+ copy just sold on Heritage for $1600 and a signed Very Fine+ sold for $10,800. And that brings up a favorite story of mine: I sold a buddy of mine a fine Thun'da #1 that was inscribed and signed by Frank. Why did he want it? Well, it was inscribed "To Larry, Frank Frazetta" way back in 1972 or so, when Larry met Frank at a NY Comic-Con, now 50 years ago! Larry sold it when he needed money for college -- well, would you say, what was he thinking!!??  Now he's a retired doctor. I managed to get that same copy when another good friend of mine passed away, the fellow who bought it from Larry and kept it in his own collection all these years. It was very satisfying getting it back to the rightful owner, as much as I was tempted to keep it for myself. But I couldn't do that -- it belonged back in Larry's collection. - Bud