Showcase #24: Green Lantern in 'The Creature That Couldn't Die!'
Comic Book, periodical print on newsprint and cardstock cover • Cover art by Gil Kane (penciller) and Joe Giella (inker); published by DC Comics
Style & Movement
Silver Age of American Comics; Pop Art-adjacent commercial illustration
Medium & Technique
Four-color process (CMYK) offset lithography; line art and mechanical screen tones
Creation Period
February 1960
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 10.25 x 6.75 inches; standard American comic book portrait format
Subject Description
A dynamic action scene featuring Green Lantern (Hal Jordan) wrestling with a giant pink alien monster on a suspension bridge. The creature emits yellow 'weakening' beams from its eyes, exploiting the character's signature vulnerability. The composition uses high-contrast diagonal lines and primary colors characteristic of mid-century pulp science fiction.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair/Good (estimated 2.0 to 3.0 on a 10-point scale). Significant wear is visible including spine stresses, creasing, and edge blunting.
Estimated Market Value
USD $400 - $700 (Condition dependent; raw copy state)
Auction Estimate
USD $300 - $600
Provenance History
Mass-marketed retail publication; bears a 'Nov 24' date stamp near the title, likely a newsstand arrival date marker from original point of sale.
Art Historical Significance
A key Silver Age issue. Showcase was the premier try-out title for DC Comics; this issue represents one of the earliest appearances of the modern Hal Jordan Green Lantern, a character who redefined science fiction in the medium and remains a cornerstone of DC's intellectual property.
Notable Features
Features the Comics Code Authority seal of approval; contains the original 10-cent price point; notable for the Gil Kane artwork which is highly regarded for its anatomical precision and kinetic energy.
Condition Issues
Visible spine roll, multiple color-breaking creases, significant foxing/tanning of the newsprint, small tears at the edges, and minor surface soiling.
Conservation Recommendations
Storage in an acid-free Mylar sleeve with a buffered backing board. Keep in a temperature-controlled environment away from UV light to prevent further paper oxidation (acidification) and ink fading.