SUPERMAN 273 274 275 276 DC COMICS 1974 LOT - KEY 1ST CAPTAIN THUNDER SHAZAM For Sale

SUPERMAN 273 274 275 276 DC COMICS 1974 LOT - KEY 1ST CAPTAIN THUNDER SHAZAMNot CGC graded. Raw. Bag & board. Please review pics/scans for condition. No returns.
SUPERMAN 273 274 275 276 DC COMICS 1974 LOT - KEY 1ST CAPTAIN THUNDER SHAZAM
You are looking at a 4 issue run of Superman comic books published by DC Comics in 1974, covering issues 273, 274, 275, and 276. All four issues connect into one ongoing storyline, ending with the debut of Captain Thunder, DC's Shazam era stand in for Captain Marvel, in issue 276.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THIS LOT
Superman 273, cover dated March 1974, Wizard with the Golden Eye, grade Very Good (VG)
Superman 274, cover dated April 1974, Protectors of Earth Inc part one, grade Fine (F)
Superman 275, cover dated May 1974, Protectors of Earth Inc continued, grade Fine (F)
Superman 276, cover dated June 1974, The Fight to Decide the Super Hero Championship of the World, first modern age appearance of Captain Thunder, grade Fine (F)
WHY ISSUE 276 MATTERS TO COLLECTORS
Superman 276 is considered a key Bronze Age issue because it introduces Captain Thunder, a Superman universe version of Fawcett and Marvel Family's Captain Marvel. DC could not use the real Captain Marvel inside the main DC universe until Justice League of America 137 in December 1976, so writer Elliot S Maggin and artist Nick Cardy created Captain Thunder as a trial run for a Superman versus Shazam style matchup. The cover art is by Nick Cardy, with interior pencils by Curt Swan and Bob Oksner.
CONDITION NOTES
Superman 273 grades Very Good (VG), showing normal wear consistent with a comic that is over 50 years old, including some cover softness and handling wear.
Superman 274, 275, and 276 all grade Fine (F), with solid cover gloss, tight spines, and only light shelf wear.
Please review the photos closely, since they are part of the description and show the actual copies you will receive.
SHIPPING AND HANDLING
Comics will be carefully packed to prevent bending or shipping damage.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Is Superman 276 a key issue worth collecting on its own.Yes. Superman 276 from June 1974 is widely recognized as the first modern age appearance of Captain Thunder, the Superman universe equivalent of Captain Marvel, and it is regularly listed and sold as a stand alone key issue by other sellers and by auction houses.
What is the condition grading scale used for these comics.These comics are graded on the standard hobby scale used by collectors and grading services, running from Poor up through Mint. Very Good (VG) indicates moderate handling wear, and Fine (F) indicates a comic with strong color and only minor wear, one step below Very Fine.
Do these four issues form a complete story.Yes. Superman 273 through 276 form a connected run from the same 1974 storyline, culminating in the introduction of Captain Thunder in issue 276, so this lot lets a reader or collector follow the full arc in order.
Are these comics raw or professionally graded.These are raw, ungraded copies graded here by eye using standard hobby terminology. They have not been submitted to a third party grading company such as CGC.
SHIPPING AND HANDLING
Comics will be carefully packed to prevent bending or shipping damage.
BX D