ACTION (1ST SERIES)

Publishers: IPC
Dates: 14th Feb 1976-16th Oct 1976. 36 un-numbered issues; 23rd Oct 1976 (not distributed. 30 possible copies)
Issues: CLICK HERE to view issues, super-size cover images and values in 9 grades

(See also Collected Hookjaw). This first series, or Pre-Ban issues  as they are coming to be known, is selling well and values have risen!

This short-lived title achieved national notoriety when it was banned for too much violence and blood in the comic, particularly the Hook Jaw strip based on Steven Spielberg's Jaws. More mature stories with a decidedly anti-authoritarian streak. The last issue of this first series dated 23rd Oct 1976 was withdrawn from sale and is therefore very rare.  There were 30 printed for internal publisher use only.

The free gift Red Arrow Plane with issue #1 is fairly common though the rubber band is often perished and will snap if stretched. The Hook-Jaw transfer from issue #2 is scarcer. A VG condition comic plus Near Mint transfer sold on eBay UK for £26.05 Feb 2008. Seemed cheap to me. Can't believe however that issue #3 with the 16 free Soccer Cards sold (Nov 2007) for £91.50. The awesome power of eBay!

A complete set of 36 issues sold on eBay UK in Jan 2010 for £93. No free gifts and condition could have been anything. Jan 2010 on eBayUK -  a high grade #1 with gift sold for £75.

STOP PRESS: Phil Comics of Brighton sold a copy of the 23rd Oct 1976 issue for an amazing £2,555 on May 31st 2015 on eBay UK. Well done sir!

Oct 2019: a bound volume of issues #1-36 fetched £411.03 on eBay UK. Well done phil comics!

 

Total value for all issues of this title listed:

Condition

PR
1.0
FR
1.5
GD
2.0
VG
4.0
FN
6.0
VF
8.0
VF/NM
9.0
NM-
9.2
NM
9.4
MINT
10.0
Issues 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36
Total £ 70.10 139.00 212.00 386.00 656.00 1,180 1,890 2,510 3,070

Note: some PR issues may have no value. Selected issues in FN, VF or VF/NM may not exist in some titles.