Item Report
Bronze Age Marvel Comics 'Monsters on the Prowl #9' Comic Book
By: Marvel Comics Group (various artists, commonly Jack Kirby for the original 'Gorgilla' stories)
Style: Bronze Age Comic Book
Origin: United States
Materials: Paper, comic book ink (offset print)
Age: Published February 1971
Condition: Good/Very Good (visible spine wear, slight cover creasing, corner wear; unslabbed, not officially graded, interior pages appear intact but some yellowing and possible minor foxing/handling marks)
Value: $15–$40 (depending on condition; auction prices can be lower than retail for raw/ungraded Bronze Age comics in good/fair shape)
Maker's Marks / Writing: Cover: MONSTERS ON THE PROWL 15¢ 9 FEB, Marvel Comics Group, Comics Code Authority stamp. Interior: 'I discovered GORGILLA! THE MONSTER OF MIDNIGHT MOUNTAIN!' plus speech bubbles, publication information at bottom. Back Ad: Sizzlers (Hot Wheels Sizzlers Mattel, Inc.).
Date: 2025-06-25 16:48:27.530907
Description:
This is a vintage comic book titled 'Monsters on the Prowl' issue #9, published by Marvel Comics Group. The cover features 'Gorgilla,' a giant monster breaking out of the ground, menacing a group of explorers. Published February 1971, this comic represents the Bronze Age era and features classic monster art, dramatic dialogue bubbles, and a typical 15-cent cover price. It was edited and published by Marvel's legendary staff and showcases a reprinted story from the early Marvel (Atlas/Timely) days, blending monster and adventure themes.
Curator Questions
Curated by Jade
Assessment:
This is a Bronze Age Marvel monster comic that features an iconic monster story, 'Gorgilla: The Monster of Midnight Mountain!' The comic is unslabbed and appears to be in good, but not mint or near mint, condition based on visible spine wear and rounded corners. Such Marvel monster issues have nostalgic collector appeal but are not typically high-value unless in near-mint shape. It displays strong period graphics, clean coloring, and legible interiors, making it a solid entry-level collectible. A word about fakes: While outright forgeries are rare for low-value Bronze Age issues, beware of reprints being passed as originals and condition restoration that is not disclosed. So sayeth Comics Lass!
Individual Images:
- Multiple images include close-ups of the cover (visible spine stress and a small corner crease
- mild rubbing at edges)
- full splash page showing consistent aging/yellowing of interior paper
- and a full back cover Hot Wheels ad (slight soiling at the lower left corner). No obvious tears or missing pieces
- but the book is not in high-grade collectible condition. No signatures or markings found. Legibility of print is good throughout
- and all text and graphics are sharp. No evidence of inpainting
- glued tears
- or other restoration.
Provenance:
No explicit provenance or sales history is provided; the photos appear to have been taken in a vintage comic/book shop (visible price tag).
Condition:
Good/Very Good (visible spine wear, slight cover creasing, corner wear; unslabbed, not officially graded, interior pages appear intact but some yellowing and possible minor foxing/handling marks)
Identification Score: 100%
Confirmed as 'Monsters on the Prowl #9' from February 1971 by Marvel Comics, based on clear cover text with price, issue number, date, publisher branding, and inside story confirmation. All identification details are present in the images.
Authenticity Score: 90%
The comic shows period-correct printing, interior content, and advertising, with typical signs of vintage paper and ink (slight yellowing, offset dots). The Hot Wheels Sizzlers ad on the back is also appropriate for this era. No indicators of modern reprinting or color touch-ups are visible from the images provided. The only reason for not assigning 100% is the inability to physically examine all pages for restoration or page replacement.
Image Memory Note
Primary image: Comic book 'Monsters on the Prowl #9', Marvel Comics, dated Feb 1971, 15¢ cover price. Cover art features a giant ape-like monster (Gorgilla) smashing through rocks, looming above four explorers, with speech bubbles: 'Look!! It isn't just a hole in the dirt! Heaven help us, it's a--a giant footprint!!' and 'He's seen us! Up there... it's Gorgilla!' and 'Gorgilla! The Monster of Midnight Mountain, lives!!'. Left top corner: 'MONSTERS ON THE PROWL', 15¢, 9 FEB, Marvel Comics Group, Comics Code Authority seal. The inner splash page shows 'I discovered Gorgilla! The Monster of Midnight Mountain!', Gorgilla with arms raised menacing two explorers: speech bubbles include 'We should have listened to the natives! They warned us--they said we're no match for Gorgilla!' and 'His body is monstrous, but his brain is almost human! We'll never defeat him! NEVER!' Back cover features a full-color ad: 'Sizzlers' (Hot Wheels, 1970 Mattel). No writing, signatures, or personal marks detected inside or out. Condition issues noted are: visible stress along spine, modest corner and edge wear, some yellowing and possible foxing on interiors, decent but not mint. The price tag on plastic sleeve is visible in certain images.
Keywords
Monsters on the Prowl, Marvel Comics, Bronze Age, Gorgilla, monster comic, 1971, comic book, American collectibles, vintage Marvel
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