Here we have a spirited group of American underground comix — the kind of paper ephemera that once lived on head-shop racks and now lives in collector wish lists. The lot centers on Zap Comix, Freak Brothers, and Mr. Natural, names that helped define the unruly visual language of late-1960s and 1970s counterculture.
These books matter because underground comix broke hard from mainstream superhero publishing. They were adult, provocative, satirical, and artist-driven. R. Crumb and Gilbert Shelton are both represented here, and that alone gives the group cultural and market interest.
Materially, these are standard stapled paper comics with color covers, now stored in modern bags and boards. The visible wear is important: several covers show creasing, stress lines, rubbing, softened corners, and general handling. That kind of wear is not surprising for underground comix, which were often casually stored, but it does affect value materially.
The big caution flag is printing status. Underground comix were reprinted often, and the front covers alone do not confirm whether these are first printings, later printings, or a mixture. We would need back covers, indicia, and interior paper details to be sure.
So my summary is this: a strong and collectible underground comix group, probably vintage, with an authenticity score of 72% for period originality as issued, but not enough evidence yet for first-print confidence. Conservative auction estimate: $700 to $1,500 if authentic original vintage printings overall, or $150 to $400 if mostly later reprints. Get the indicia checked before anyone starts doing victory laps. Comics Lass has spoken!
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Item Report
American Underground Comix Group Lot Including Zap Comix, Freak Brothers, and Mr. Natural
Owner:Comics L.
By:Various; including R. Crumb and Gilbert Shelton
Materials:Printed paper comic books, color lithographic covers, stapled newsprint interiors, modern plastic bags and backing boards
Age:circa late 1960s to late 1970s
Condition:Fair to Good (appears raw/ungraded; visible creases, edge wear, rubbing, and no back covers shown)
Value:Auction estimate, if authentic originals: $700-$1,500 for the group as shown; if later reprints/mixed printings: $150-$400 for the group.
Maker's Marks / Writing:Visible cover text includes: 'Zap Comix' nos. 0, 2, 4, 5; 'all new Saye comix' no.1; 'Sape comix' no.3; 'Mr. Natural' no.3 and another Mr. Natural issue featuring Flakey Foont; 'Freak Brothers' / 'The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers' including no.3 and no.6. Visible credits include 'by Gilbert Shelton' and 'R. Crumb '77'. Publisher/imprint references visible include Apex Novelties, Rip Off Press, and Kitchen Sink Enterprises. Other visible phrases include 'Adults Only', 'Special 69 issue', 'Approved by United Geeks of America', 'For Adult Intellectuals Only', and price points such as 50 cents, $1.00, and $1.25.
Date:2026-05-18 02:58:09.767027
Description:
A group lot of vintage American underground comix, primarily late 1960s to 1970s counterculture titles, including multiple issues of Zap Comix, The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers, and Mr. Natural. The books are unslabbed and shown bagged with boards. Visible creators include R. Crumb and Gilbert Shelton. Covers show the irreverent, adult-oriented, psychedelic graphic style associated with the underground comix movement.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
This appears to be a desirable group of American underground comix centered on key counterculture titles. The lot includes several early-numbered issues of Zap Comix and Freak Brothers, which are collectible, but the photos do not show back covers, indicia, interior pages, or printing points needed to confirm whether these are true first printings or later reprints. Condition varies from fair to good overall, with visible creasing, edge wear, soiling, and handling wear on some covers. Because underground comix were frequently reprinted, verification of print state is essential before assigning higher values.
Individual Images:
front of Sape Comix no.3
front of Freak Brothers no.3
front of Freak Brothers
front of Zap Comix no.2
front of Mr. Natural no.3
front of Saye Comix no.1
front of Zap Comix no.0
overhead of comix group lot
front of Zap Comix no.5
front of Mr. Natural
front of Freak Brothers no.6
front of Zap Comix no.4
Provenance:
No provenance documentation shown in the provided images.
Condition:
Fair to Good (appears raw/ungraded; visible creases, edge wear, rubbing, and no back covers shown)
Identification Score: 95%
The titles, issue numbers, cover art, and creators are clearly visible, allowing confident identification of the lot as underground comix including Zap Comix, Freak Brothers, and Mr. Natural. Exact printings cannot be identified from covers alone.
Authenticity Score: 72%
The books appear plausibly vintage and consistent with known underground comix issues, with age wear that supports period paper rather than obvious modern facsimiles. However, many underground titles were reprinted repeatedly, and without back covers, indicia, page color, paper stock, and interior verification, first-print authenticity and exact printing status remain unverified.
Image Memory Note
None
None
Keywords
American underground comix, underground comics, Zap Comix, Freak Brothers, Mr. Natural, R. Crumb, Gilbert Shelton, Apex Novelties, Rip Off Press, counterculture, adult comics, United States
The report was edited after initial Artmink draft. Original AI draft preserved in Artmink audit history.
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