SILVER STREAK COMICS #11 — CGC 2.0 (GD)
Lev Gleason Publications · June 1941 · Off-White to White Pages
1st APPEARANCE OF MERCURY · DAREDEVIL vs. THE CLAW CONCLUSION
CGC Certification #1342084003

A double-noted Golden Age key with a signed Don Rico cover. Please read the condition notes below before bidding — this is a low-grade copy with a disclosed defect.

Two designations on the label

CGC has notated both:

• "1st appearance of Mercury"
• "Daredevil vs. Claw conclusion"

The Daredevil versus the Claw serial is one of the most celebrated storylines of the early Golden Age, and this issue is the conclusion — an arc endpoint that collectors specifically track. The cover asks it directly: "Does Daredevil get The Claw at last?" The Claw himself leers from the upper right corner box, green-skinned and fanged, one of the great grotesque villains of the era, with the Daredevil roundel opposite at upper left.

Captain Battle's cover debut

The cover headlines "THE NEW SENSATION CAPTAIN BATTLE in 'GREAT PERIL'" — and Captain Battle is the cover figure here, punching the scaled reptilian demon Deaglo while a magic cannon fires on him from a castle tower. Captain Battle originated one issue earlier in Silver Streak Comics #10, making this his second appearance and his first cover appearance. Collectors pursuing the character need both books.

The caption box is pure 1941 serial hook: "Capt. Battle drove a terrific sock to the jaw of the horrible Deaglo. But then came a shot from the magic cannon—sure death for the Captain… see page 6."

The cover

"TEN TERRIFIC BREATHTAKING STORIES!" across the top, the star-spangled SILVER STREAK COMICS logo, and features listed for Silver Streak ("A New Hair-Raising Episode"), Dickie Dean the Boy Inventor, Presto Martin and Cloud Curtis. Bottom banner: "HIGH ADVENTURE TO HOLD YOU SPELLBOUND." Signed DON RICO at right. Ten cents.

Credits

• Don Rico — story, cover and art. Rico went on to a substantial career at Timely and Atlas, the company that became Marvel
• Dick Briefer — stories and art. The artist behind the long-running Frankenstein feature and a cult name among horror collectors
• Carl Formes — stories
• Jack Binder — art
• Bob Wood — art. Wood would go on to co-create Crime Does Not Pay

Back cover bonus

Full-page Spencer Fireworks Co. ad out of Polk, Ohio — "FIREWORKS: $6.45 worth for only $2.95" — offering Spencer's 1941 Young American Assortment with a photograph of the full spread of merchandise, a free catalog offer, and a coupon. A vivid Fourth of July 1941 period piece.

Condition notes — please read

CGC 2.0 (GD) with Off-White to White page quality — genuinely good paper for the grade. CGC has notated on the label:

• "Tape on interior cover."

Additional wear visible in the photos includes chipping and paper loss along the left edge and bottom, edge and corner wear, creasing, and tanning. The back cover shows chips, staining and edge wear. The front cover still displays well — the yellow field and red logo carry strongly and the Rico artwork reads clearly.

Photos show the actual book being sold. Please examine them closely and ask any questions before bidding.

Shipping

Ships fully protected: slab bagged, corner-protected, and boxed with rigid backing in a double-walled carton. Insured with tracking. Questions welcome.