The Arizona Kid #1 (March 1951) — F+ (6.5)
First issue of Marvel’s early-’50s western run, featuring the debut of Davy Laramee — the Arizona Kid — along with Captain Cliff Macklin, Nan Macklin, and Happy Hicks. Classic Russ Heath work throughout, with three full Kid stories plus a Dave Berg backup and a text feature. One of Timely/Atlas’s best-looking western launches and a tough book to find in nicer shape.
Contents
Cover — “The Coming of the Arizona Kid!”
Art: Russ Heath
Big, bold showcase cover with four inset scenes — bushwhackers, outlaws, Apache conflict, and a full-charge center panel. Early Heath at his most energetic.
“The Bushwhacker Strikes!” — 7 pages
Art: Russ Heath
Laramee rescues Capt. Macklin, earns his spot in the Rangers, and faces down a traitor in their own ranks.
“Redman’s Justice!” — 6 pages
Art: Russ Heath
Apache tensions, crooked settlers, and a Heath-drawn Cochise sequence that holds up beautifully today.
“An Ace Up His Sleeve” — 2-page text story
Spot illo; classic Atlas formula.
“The Last Chance” — 4 pages
Art: Dave Berg
Early Berg western short about a wounded lawman confronting his past in a final showdown.
“Terror! South of the Border!” — 5 pages
Art: Russ Heath
Rustlers, a wrongful murder accusation, and Laramee fighting to clear his name.
Maj. Picto’s Grading Notes — F+ (6.5)
Clean mid-high grade with strong gloss and color pop. Light spine wear, small stress marks, and a faint arrival date on cover (period correct). Corners show mild rounding; interior pages are cream/off-white and firmly attached. Back cover shows typical light handling and minor soiling. A sharp, well-preserved first issue of a short-run Atlas western that rarely turns up this nice.
The Arizona Kid #1 (March 1951) — F+ (6.5)
First issue of Marvel’s early-’50s western run, featuring the debut of Davy Laramee — the Arizona Kid — along with Captain Cliff Macklin, Nan Macklin, and Happy Hicks. Classic Russ Heath work throughout, with three full Kid stories plus a Dave Berg backup and a text feature. One of Timely/Atlas’s best-looking western launches and a tough book to find in nicer shape.
Contents
Cover — “The Coming of the Arizona Kid!”
Art: Russ Heath
Big, bold showcase cover with four inset scenes — bushwhackers, outlaws, Apache conflict, and a full-charge center panel. Early Heath at his most energetic.
“The Bushwhacker Strikes!” — 7 pages
Art: Russ Heath
Laramee rescues Capt. Macklin, earns his spot in the Rangers, and faces down a traitor in their own ranks.
“Redman’s Justice!” — 6 pages
Art: Russ Heath
Apache tensions, crooked settlers, and a Heath-drawn Cochise sequence that holds up beautifully today.
“An Ace Up His Sleeve” — 2-page text story
Spot illo; classic Atlas formula.
“The Last Chance” — 4 pages
Art: Dave Berg
Early Berg western short about a wounded lawman confronting his past in a final showdown.
“Terror! South of the Border!” — 5 pages
Art: Russ Heath
Rustlers, a wrongful murder accusation, and Laramee fighting to clear his name.
Maj. Picto’s Grading Notes — F+ (6.5)
Clean mid-high grade with strong gloss and color pop. Light spine wear, small stress marks, and a faint arrival date on cover (period correct). Corners show mild rounding; interior pages are cream/off-white and firmly attached. Back cover shows typical light handling and minor soiling. A sharp, well-preserved first issue of a short-run Atlas western that rarely turns up this nice.
