Marvel published some stellar non-super-hero anthology titles during the Bronze Age. In the early seventies, the company excelled especially in their production of horror and sci-fi/fantasy titles.
Many of these books fly under the radar today, but demand for these classics, as reflected in prices, has actually remained steady. In this post I’ll take a look at just one of these titles, the sci-fi/fantasy anthology book: Worlds Unknown.
Worlds Unknown still provides sci-fi/fantasy enthusiasts with a great amount of reading pleasure. During its brief existence, the title adapted the original short story ‘Arena’ (made famous as the basis for a 1967 'Star Trek' episode) and published what is today still the only comic book adaptation of the cult-classic horror B-Movie, ‘Killdozer’.
The origins of Worlds Unknown go back to a changing of the guard at Marvel Comics. After Stan Lee’s departure as head editor, Roy Thomas, till then a staff writer, took his place. Thomas quickly made it his priority to expand the Marvel brand beyond the mainly super-hero titles then being publishing.
For example, as one of his very first acts as editor in chief, in a move that would characterize his tenure, Thomas introduced the fantasy title Conan the Barbarian into Marvel's list of comics titles. This event, in hindsight marked the change in direction that would characterize Marvel's Bronze Age output under Thomas.
In order to expand the variety of titles and stories (seeking especially to capitalize on the resurgence of horror that resulted from the waning influence of the Comics Code), Thomas quickly added to Conan by reintroducing some horror/fantasy anthology books. Marvel was already publishing Towers of Shadow and Chamber of Darkness (both released in 1969). Thomas saw to it that these titles were soon joined by Journey into Mystery Vol. 2, Chamber of Chills and Supernatural Thrillers (all launched in 1972). Worlds Unknown, subsequently, was the last of the anthology books launched by Marvel in the early 1970s.
Worlds Unknown #1 (May 1973) – First Issue of Worlds Unknown
Published from May 1973 to August of 1974, Worlds Unknown might today be considered a ‘maxi-series,’ but as a limited run title (eight issues in all), and having an eclectic content, it remains appealing to collectors who like having Bronze Age books in their complete runs. Where the other early 70s anthology titles featured mostly new and original stories, Worlds Unknown originally distinguished itself by seeking to adapt existing classic sci-fi short stories and novels in comic book form. This began in its very first issue, which featured a reprint of an Atlas era horror story as well as Gerry Conway (scripts) and Ralph Reese's (pencils) adaptation of sci-fi writer Frederik Pohl's "The Day after the Day the Martians Came". Performance of this book is testament to the ongoing appeal of these Bronze Age anthology titles. The highest recorded sale of this book over the last 10 years has been a certified 9.8 copy in a Heritage Auction sale on August 06, 2017 for $310.70. Unfortunately this was followed by another Heritage sale in December of a 9.8 for $167.30.
Worlds Unknown #4 (Nov. 1973) - Adaptation of F. Browns 1944 short story ‘Arena’
Marvel’s adaptation of Frederic Browns ‘Arena’ was much more faithful to the source material than the 'Star Trek' episode of the same name. No Gorn in this one, just vintage sci-fi fun. This comic has only 26 copies on the CGC census, but with few sales the numbers look decent: a certified 9.6 sold for $115.00 on August 5, 2013. The most recent sales have only been two in number. Both of 9.4 certified copies with a Sept, 4 2017 sale for $35.00 followed by a May 25, 2018 sale for $39.00 giving a positive roi of + 5.7% for that grade.
Worlds Unknown #6 (April 1974) – Killdozer!
If you’ve never seen Killdozer you’re not alone. This wacky made-for-TV movie about a killer bulldozer was developed from a screenplay by Theodore Sturgeon. After becoming possessed by an evil sentience from outer space, an inanimate construction vehicle becomes a force for evil: walk away very quickly because the Killdozer is slowly coming to get you! The novelty of this book makes it surprisingly collectible. With a current FMV of $210.00 in 9.8 grade. Returns in 9.6 certified grade over the last three years shows a positive + 61.6% record. Unlike the other issues in the series, copies of this book sell for far above Overstreet listed prices, which -as of the 2018 guide -has WU#1 in NM- as valued at $35.00 and the remaining issues in that grade as $22.00 each.
The Worlds Unknown run would end by publishing a series of Sinbad stories, adapting the 'Voyage of Sinbad' movie. At this point, trying to tap into Conan’s popularity, the book announced Sinbad as Sword and Sorcery adventure 'in the Conan style'; unfortunately Sinbad was no Conan. The title was summarily cancelled after low sales.
