Gilberton - Classics Illustrated #124 - The War of the Worlds (1970, HRN 169) - CGC 7.0 Graded Comic

Classics Illustrated #124 – The War of the Worlds is an English-language comic book adaptation of the science fiction novel by H.G. Wells. This copy is the American Gilberton reprint from the summer of 1970. The original cover price of 25 cents is printed on the front. Certified Guaranty Company graded the comic with a Universal Grade of 7.0, meaning Fine/Very Fine. The blue label lists the page quality as Off-White to White Pages.

In The War of the Worlds, humanity faces an invasion from Mars. The alien war machines are a recognizable part of the story and are featured prominently on the cover. In the illustration, the tripod machines tower over the soldiers in the foreground. The warm, dark sky and the points of light around the machines emphasize the difference in scale. The CGC label credits Lou Cameron with the artwork.

The HRN 169 designation on the slab label stands for Highest Reorder Number. This refers to the highest number in the order list on the back cover and is a tool for distinguishing between different printings within Classics Illustrated. The back also contains the printed order coupon, an overview of other titles in the series, and an image of The Last of the Mohicans. Both sides remain visible through the transparent CGC holder.

This edition is suitable for a collection of literary comic book adaptations, science fiction comics, or different printings of Classics Illustrated. The combination of the 25-cent cover, the back cover with the order list, and the HRN designation on the CGC label makes this reprint recognizable. The certificate number identifies the specific copy in the photos.

"No one would have believed in the last years of the nineteenth century that this world was being watched keenly and closely."
— Narrator, The War of the Worlds