Yeah. ASM and FF were Marvels' two best sellers, but Spidey was always on top except for possibly very early on. In general, the 5 top selling books were ASM, FF, Thor, DD, and Hulk/Avengers (they seem to reverse position from year to year).
I would humbly suggest that the run of books from FF 45-78 or so was way superior to the contemporary Spidey tales of the time. Spidey reclaimed the Bronze Age though with the death of Gwen and Gobby, the 1st Punisher, et al, but in the later part of the SA, FF was the superior title. Stan could still write, Jack could still draw, storylines were Cosmic (Surfer, Him, etc)...it was magic, meanwhile, the webslinger was facing off against such memorable villains as the Kangaroo.
Registered: 01/26/06
Posts: 10978
Loc: Between 2nd and 7th
I was talking strictly in terms of sales figures, and not in terms of quality.
However, since you bring it up!
I am about as big a Jack Kirby and Lee/Kirby FF fan as can be, and #45 -78 certainly was the high point of the series as well as one for comic superhero series in general. But ASM during the same time period was on a roll as well. Your time frame is slightly off; the Kangaroo didn’t turn up until issue #81 in 1970; ASM during the time frame of FF #45-78 would cover issues #31 - #64, which include the classic #31-33 Dr. Octopus Ditko arc; Romita taking over art chores and the Green Goblin ID revealed in #39-40; first real appearance of Mary Jane, the intro of the Kingpin, Spider-man No More! and lots of other great stories. Like a Guy Named Joe! J/K
In my old age I lean more towards the FF, but I started re-reading my old ASMs and enjoy them a lot. I dare say both titles during this period were equally good. Although I reserve the right to change my mind after a thorough comparison.
_________________________
Now complete on Strange Journey to Astonish Into Suspense Tales of Mystery! Still working on Adult Adventure Worlds of Amazing Strange Fantasy! KirbyJack's FeedBacks!
#5650353 - 05/03/1207:36 PMRe: FANTASTIC FOUR #1 CLUB
[Re: Junkdrawer]
Flash105Flash105
If you have a dream about out-posting me, you better wake up and apologize.
Registered: 08/07/07
Posts: 2853
Loc: Central City, Police Station
Originally Posted By: Junkdrawer
Originally Posted By: roulette44
Originally Posted By: LWM
[img][/img]
super nice presenting 4.0!
+1
Nice copy.
_________________________
“The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war.”
"A man does not get to write his own epitaph. But if I were to write mine it would say the following: He loved his family, and he loved his troops, and they loved him -- period."
Thank you, yes I sent in a really high end collection that I had in my safe deposit box since 1991. Sent in a total of 24 books. 3 with coupon, 6 at $90 level and 15 at the $60 level. Just saw my grades on the 15 books online and I am disappointed spending $60 a book and getting some of the grades I received. I am awaiting the grade on a killer Spidey 129 as that was part of the coupon group. Anything lower then a 9.6 and the tears will flow.
J/K 
[/img]
