Devil Dinosaur #5 — Marvel Comics (August 1978) — Jack Kirby Story & Art — Kingdom of the Ants — Raw VF/NM

Devil Dinosaur #5 — Raw/Ungraded Copy

Publisher: Marvel Comics Group
Issue: #5
Cover Date: August 1978
Condition: Raw/Ungraded — estimated VF to NM (8.0–9.2 range) — see photos
Cover Price: 35¢
Comics Code Authority: Approved — stamp visible on cover
Distributor Code: No. 5, Aug., 02614
Copyright: ©1978 Marvel Comics Group
Storage: Bagged and boarded in acrylic slab case

Creative Team

• Story & Art: Jack Kirby
• Cover Art: Jack Kirby

Cover Details — Kingdom of the Ants

A magnificent Jack Kirby cover — bold, dynamic, and instantly recognizable. The cover banner reads: "In an age of monsters, HE was mightiest of all!" The story blurb announces: "Neither man nor monster can long survive in The Kingdom of the Ants!" The composition depicts the massive red Devil Dinosaur — a T-Rex-like creature rendered in Kirby's signature explosive style — rearing up with jaws wide open and teeth bared, dominating the upper two-thirds of the cover. In the lower foreground, two primitive human figures — including the long-haired Moon Boy — struggle against a swarm of giant ant-like creatures in shades of brown and purple. The white background with the bold blue Devil Dinosaur masthead and the red dinosaur create a striking, high-contrast composition. The Devil Dinosaur corner box (red dinosaur on yellow) appears upper left alongside the Marvel Comics Group banner. Comics Code Authority stamp and distributor code (No. 5, Aug., 02614) appear upper right. A UPC barcode is visible in the lower left — one of the first Marvel issues to carry the new UPC format introduced in 1977.

Featured Characters

• Devil Dinosaur — the massive red T-Rex-like creature, protagonist
• Moon Boy — Devil Dinosaur's primitive human companion, long-haired figure in foreground
• Giant Ant Creatures — the antagonists of the "Kingdom of the Ants" story

Jack Kirby — The King of Comics

Jack Kirby is the single most important creator in American comic book history. Devil Dinosaur was one of Kirby's final Marvel creations, launched in 1978 during his second Marvel tenure. The series — featuring a red Tyrannosaurus Rex and his primitive human companion Moon Boy in a prehistoric world — is pure, unfiltered Kirby imagination. Though the original series ran only 9 issues, Devil Dinosaur has become a beloved cult character, appearing in Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2015–2019) and the Disney+ animated series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2023–2024), which has significantly boosted collector interest in the original Kirby issues.

Why Collect Devil Dinosaur Now

The Disney+ animated series Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (2023–2024) brought Devil Dinosaur to a new generation of fans, driving renewed collector demand for the original 1978 Kirby issues. Issue #5 in high grade is increasingly difficult to find — these were printed on newsprint in modest quantities and rarely survive in VF or better. The UPC barcode on this issue also makes it a transitional artifact of Marvel publishing history.

Back Cover — Spalding "Street Ball" — Rick Barry & Dr. J

Features one of the most spectacular and collectible sports-themed back cover advertisements of the Bronze Age — Spalding presents "Street Ball" with Rick Barry and Dr. J, presented in full comic strip format. The ad depicts NBA legends Rick Barry and Julius "Dr. J" Erving playing street basketball with neighborhood kids, promoting Spalding rubber autograph basketballs. Key dialogue includes:

• "Hey look! It's Rick Barry and Dr. J!!"
• "Glad to see you're playing with a Spalding Rubber Ball like I grew up with." "Yeah, those vinyl balls are just too slick!"
• "My man, for real ball handling, you need that… Spalding Touch!!!" [SLAMDUNK!]
• "Now it's MY turn, Julius!" [SWISH!] "What a magic touch!"
• "You don't need magic — just practice with a Spalding Autograph Ball. It's got a rubber cover so you can really get a grip on it."
• "I believe it! I believe it!!"

Bottom copy: "If you want the ball with the sure-handed feel, look for our signatures at your sporting goods dealer. Other autograph balls are signed by Wilt Chamberlain, 'Pistol Pete' and George McGinnis." Published by Questor. This ad also references Wilt Chamberlain, "Pistol Pete" Maravich, and George McGinnis — making it a remarkable snapshot of 1978 NBA royalty. An absolutely iconic piece of 1970s sports and pop culture history.

Condition Notes & Market Pricing

This is a raw (ungraded) copy estimated in the VF to NM (8.0–9.2) range based on photo review. The cover displays with exceptionally strong, vibrant colors, sharp corners, flat presentation, and minimal visible wear. Please review all provided photos carefully before purchasing.

Market pricing for raw Devil Dinosaur #5:

• Raw FN (6.0): $15–22
• Raw VF (8.0): $28–40
• Raw VF/NM (9.0): $45–60
• Raw NM (9.2): $55–75
• CGC 8.0: $40–55
• CGC 9.0: $65–85
• CGC 9.4+: $100–150+

This copy is priced to reflect its estimated high-grade raw condition. Submitting for CGC grading is recommended — a 9.0+ return could significantly increase value, especially given renewed Disney+ interest in the character.

Shipping

Shipped as an 8 oz. package in a rigid comic mailer with additional protective packaging. Fully insured and tracked. Ships within 1–2 business days of payment.