{"product_id":"planet-comics-7","title":"Planet Comics #9 (November 1940)","description":"\u003ch1 id=\"a985221d-85cb-4ac9-994f-1cf0118a6959\" data-toc-id=\"a985221d-85cb-4ac9-994f-1cf0118a6959\" data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003ePlanet Comics #9 (November 1940)\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePlanet Comics #9\u003c\/em\u003e, published by Fiction House with a cover date of November 1940 (hitting newsstands around September), is a classic relic from the Golden Age of sci-fi comics. This series was the premier space opera of its era—vibrant, slightly bizarre, and packed with “Good Girl” art (the period’s distinctive style featuring adventurous, action-ready heroines) and wild interplanetary adventures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"53ba9c3b-f830-495d-82e9-c564cb2512aa\" data-toc-id=\"53ba9c3b-f830-495d-82e9-c564cb2512aa\"\u003eWhat Makes This Issue Notable\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"ad421206-3930-4662-818f-da04c66456de\" data-toc-id=\"ad421206-3930-4662-818f-da04c66456de\"\u003eCover Artist\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe striking cover was illustrated by Bob Powell. It features a classic space-hero aesthetic with vibrant colors and high-stakes action typical of the era—a perfect snapshot of 1940s pulp sci-fi imagination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"e4c5a762-2aea-47d8-89a4-a25a149cdc48\" data-toc-id=\"e4c5a762-2aea-47d8-89a4-a25a149cdc48\"\u003eThe “Hanks” Factor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most sought-after aspects of early \u003cem\u003ePlanet Comics\u003c\/em\u003e issues is the work of Fletcher Hanks, writing here under the pseudonym “Carlson Merrick.” Hanks is a cult favorite among collectors for his surreal, almost fever-dream-like storytelling and unique, rigid art style. In this issue, he provides a \u003cem\u003eBuzz Crandall\u003c\/em\u003e story that showcases his distinctive creative vision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 id=\"4b219397-a59a-47fb-809d-9a4d513dc70c\" data-toc-id=\"4b219397-a59a-47fb-809d-9a4d513dc70c\"\u003ePrimary Stories\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Red Comet\u003c\/strong\u003e: A magical space superhero (this issue features “The Stickers”)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuro, Lord of Jupiter\u003c\/strong\u003e: A Tarzan-like figure transplanted into a sci-fi setting\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlint Baker\u003c\/strong\u003e: One of the mainstays of the series, featuring “Invasion of the Cyclops-Men of Mars”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpurt Hammond\u003c\/strong\u003e: Defending Venus against the “Rock Men of Jupiter”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"8ca28233-cdc1-44e9-a484-5ded2ea6f2c6\" data-toc-id=\"8ca28233-cdc1-44e9-a484-5ded2ea6f2c6\"\u003eCollector’s Value\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause Fiction House comics were printed on high-acid paper, finding copies in high grade is notoriously difficult. Most surviving copies are in low to mid-grade condition (Good to Fine range), making high-grade examples exceptionally valuable. The combination of Fletcher Hanks content, Bob Powell artwork, and the scarcity of well-preserved Fiction House titles makes this issue particularly desirable to Golden Age collectors and pulp sci-fi enthusiasts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis issue represents not just a comic book, but a time capsule of pre-war American pop culture’s vision of space adventure—wild, imaginative, and utterly unique to its era.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Go Figment","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45427843661926,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0653\/2019\/0054\/files\/Planet_Comics_010aq.png?v=1775693602","url":"https:\/\/www.gofigment.com\/products\/planet-comics-7","provider":"Go Figment","version":"1.0","type":"link"}