Comic Book History Key Moments in Comic Publishing
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Key Facts
Second published comic book in a modern-sized format, previous comics were published in larger tabloid-sized formats
This comic was a 64-page one-shot of reprinted newspaper comics strips distributed through department stores
Funnies On Parade published prior to this issue is considered the first modern format comic book but was only eight pages of reprinted newspaper comic strips
Key Facts
Second published comic book in a modern-sized format, previous comics were published in larger tabloid-sized formats
This comic was a 64-page one-shot of reprinted newspaper comics strips distributed through department stores
Funnies On Parade published prior to this issue is considered the first modern format comic book but was only eight pages of reprinted newspaper comic strips
Key Facts
First comic book to be sold on newsstands
Estimated print run of 35,000 copies though there is thought to be fewer than 10 still in existence and the highest graded copy is a 4.5
Key Facts
First comic book to be sold on newsstands
Estimated print run of 35,000 copies though there is thought to be fewer than 10 still in existence and the highest graded copy is a 4.5
Key Facts
First ongoing monthly comic book to be sold on newsstands
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First ongoing monthly comic book to be sold on newsstands
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First comic book published by National which would later become DC comics
1st appearance of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, preceded Mickey Mouse but eventually fell into obscurity
1st appearance of Jack Woods
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First comic book published by National which would later become DC comics
1st appearance of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, preceded Mickey Mouse but eventually fell into obscurity
1st appearance of Jack Woods
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First science fiction themed cover art in comics
First interior color pages in comics (partial)
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First science fiction themed cover art in comics
First interior color pages in comics (partial)
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1st appearance of Doctor Occult, one of the earliest superheroes in history
First artwork by Joe Shuster, co-creator of Superman
First written work by Jerry Siegel, co-creator of Superman
1st appearance of a vampire in comic books
Key Facts
1st appearance of Doctor Occult, one of the earliest superheroes in history
First artwork by Joe Shuster, co-creator of Superman
First written work by Jerry Siegel, co-creator of Superman
1st appearance of a vampire in comic books
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First Dick Tracy headlining title
First comic book to feature just one character throughout the entirety of the issue
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First Dick Tracy headlining title
First comic book to feature just one character throughout the entirety of the issue
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First standard-sized comic book
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First partial photo cover in comic book history
First true crime story in a standard comic book
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First partial photo cover in comic book history
First true crime story in a standard comic book
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First time an issue number appears on a comic book cover
Cover art depicting Christmas
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First time an issue number appears on a comic book cover
Cover art depicting Christmas
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First professionally published interior art by Jack Kirby, as Jack Curtiss
1st appearance of Sheena Queen of the Jungle
First adaptation of the Count of Monte Cristo in a U.S. publication - reprinted from Wags (UK, 1938)
Key Facts
First professionally published interior art by Jack Kirby, as Jack Curtiss
1st appearance of Sheena Queen of the Jungle
First adaptation of the Count of Monte Cristo in a U.S. publication - reprinted from Wags (UK, 1938)
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1st appearance and origin of Namor the Sub-Mariner
1st appearance of American Ace
1st appearance of the Holy One, later known as Thakorr, a former ruler of Atlantis
Only nine copies are known to exist
This comic was intended to be a giveaway at movie theaters but it never went into full production
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Namor the Sub-Mariner
1st appearance of American Ace
1st appearance of the Holy One, later known as Thakorr, a former ruler of Atlantis
Only nine copies are known to exist
This comic was intended to be a giveaway at movie theaters but it never went into full production
Key Facts
1st appearance of Bozo the Iron Man
1st appearance of the Invisible Hood
1st appearance of Abdul the Arab
1st appearance of Hugh Hazzard
1st cover appearance of a robot in comic books
Key Facts
1st appearance of Bozo the Iron Man
1st appearance of the Invisible Hood
1st appearance of Abdul the Arab
1st appearance of Hugh Hazzard
1st cover appearance of a robot in comic books
Key Facts
1st appearance of Superman in the UK
Comic strips collected and reprinted in the larger format
Issue #771 depicts Superman in an advertisement
Key Facts
1st appearance of Superman in the UK
Comic strips collected and reprinted in the larger format
Issue #771 depicts Superman in an advertisement
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First comic published by MLJ, later becomes Archie Comics
1st appearance of Richy the Amazing Boy
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First comic published by MLJ, later becomes Archie Comics
1st appearance of Richy the Amazing Boy
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1st appearance of Jane 6EM35, the Magician from Mars, a woman from the future, born to a human mother and a Martian father and, due to an early exposure to cathode rays, became the earliest female super-powered hero
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1st appearance of Jane 6EM35, the Magician from Mars, a woman from the future, born to a human mother and a Martian father and, due to an early exposure to cathode rays, became the earliest female super-powered hero
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First collaboration between Joe Simon and Jack Kirby who later co-created Captain America
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First collaboration between Joe Simon and Jack Kirby who later co-created Captain America
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Debut artwork by Jack Kirby at Timely (Marvel) Comics
1st appearance and origin of the Red Raven and the Eternal Brain
1st appearance of Mercury, later becomes Hurricane then retconned to be Makkari from Kirby’s ‘Eternals’
1st appearance of Pluto who is later retconned to become Kro from Kirby's 'Eternals'
1st appearance of Magar the Mystic
This issue is the first appearance of a number of classical mythology characters but later appearances do not connect with these versions therefore they are not considered the mainstream Marvel depictions of the Olympians
1st appearance of Mercury (Hermes), Pluto (Hades), Jupiter (Zeus), Minerva (Athena), Vulcan (Hephaestus), Aeolus, Diana (Artemis), Apollo
Key Facts
Debut artwork by Jack Kirby at Timely (Marvel) Comics
1st appearance and origin of the Red Raven and the Eternal Brain
1st appearance of Mercury, later becomes Hurricane then retconned to be Makkari from Kirby’s ‘Eternals’
1st appearance of Pluto who is later retconned to become Kro from Kirby's 'Eternals'
1st appearance of Magar the Mystic
This issue is the first appearance of a number of classical mythology characters but later appearances do not connect with these versions therefore they are not considered the mainstream Marvel depictions of the Olympians
1st appearance of Mercury (Hermes), Pluto (Hades), Jupiter (Zeus), Minerva (Athena), Vulcan (Hephaestus), Aeolus, Diana (Artemis), Apollo
Key Facts
Second written work in the comic book industry by Stan Lee
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Second written work in the comic book industry by Stan Lee
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1st appearance and origin of Hangman, the brother of Comet
Death of Comet, shot by a gangster - the first death of a superhero in comic history
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Hangman, the brother of Comet
Death of Comet, shot by a gangster - the first death of a superhero in comic history
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First Batman and Superman crossover - Batman and Superman join the JSA as honorary members
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First Batman and Superman crossover - Batman and Superman join the JSA as honorary members
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1st appearance of Archie Andrews
1st appearance of Betty Cooper
1st appearance of Jughead Jones
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1st appearance of Archie Andrews
1st appearance of Betty Cooper
1st appearance of Jughead Jones
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First "true crime" comic book format
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30-page pamphlet that includes a text essay about the evolution of storytelling and sequential art or graphic storytelling, originally published in Print: A Quarterly Journal of the Graphic Arts
Written by M. C. Gaines, the founder of EC Comics and pioneer of the early modern comic book format
Two stories accompany the essay: a four-page war bond promotion titled 'The Minute Man Answers the Call' and an 8-page excerpt from 'Picture Stories from the Bible'
Key Facts
30-page pamphlet that includes a text essay about the evolution of storytelling and sequential art or graphic storytelling, originally published in Print: A Quarterly Journal of the Graphic Arts
Written by M. C. Gaines, the founder of EC Comics and pioneer of the early modern comic book format
Two stories accompany the essay: a four-page war bond promotion titled 'The Minute Man Answers the Call' and an 8-page excerpt from 'Picture Stories from the Bible'
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First comic book to reach issue #100
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First comic book to feature a horror story throughout
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comic Code Authority
Reason: Mr. Hyde beats a little girl to death with his cane
HRN stands for Highest Re-order issue Number on back cover - the lower the number the earlier the printing. Generally a first printing will have an HRN that matches the issue number on the front
Key Facts
First comic book to feature a horror story throughout
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comic Code Authority
Reason: Mr. Hyde beats a little girl to death with his cane
HRN stands for Highest Re-order issue Number on back cover - the lower the number the earlier the printing. Generally a first printing will have an HRN that matches the issue number on the front
Key Facts
First comic book published by Charlton
1st appearance of Yellowjacket, a hero who employs bees in his crimefighting
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First comic book published by Charlton
1st appearance of Yellowjacket, a hero who employs bees in his crimefighting
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First comic book title dedicated to the horror genre
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First comic book title dedicated to the horror genre
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First comic book produced in full by black creators including writers, artists and the publisher
As quoted by editor Orrin C. Evans "every brush stroke and pen line in the drawings on these pages are by Negro artists"
Inside back cover has an advertisement for #2 but it was never published
Key Facts
First comic book produced in full by black creators including writers, artists and the publisher
As quoted by editor Orrin C. Evans "every brush stroke and pen line in the drawings on these pages are by Negro artists"
Inside back cover has an advertisement for #2 but it was never published
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First comic book published in the romance genre
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First comic book published in the romance genre
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First horror story published by EC Comics titled ‘Zombie Horror’
Tap cover and swipe to see the complete five-page story
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First horror story published by EC Comics titled ‘Zombie Horror’
Tap cover and swipe to see the complete five-page story
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128-page comic book measuring 5.5 x 7.75
Considered to be the first 'graphic novel' intended to bridge the gap between novels and comic books
Interior black and white art by Matt Baker
Key Facts
128-page comic book measuring 5.5 x 7.75
Considered to be the first 'graphic novel' intended to bridge the gap between novels and comic books
Interior black and white art by Matt Baker
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First comic book adaptation of a television show
1st appearance of Howdy Doody in comic books
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First comic book adaptation of a television show
1st appearance of Howdy Doody in comic books
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First EC horror comic which, along with Vault of Horror #12, changed the course of the publisher and set into motion future censorship
Key Facts
First EC horror comic which, along with Vault of Horror #12, changed the course of the publisher and set into motion future censorship
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First interior art by Steve Ditko
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Final EC comic published, with the exception of Mad Magazine
Considered the rarest EC publication, this issue had an extremely limited circulation of approximately 100 copies, most of which were distributed to staff and subscribers
Due to financial difficulties exacerbated by the widespread adoption of the Comics Code Authority, EC could not afford to bind (staple) the printed pages
As a result, nearly the entire print run of approximately 250,000 copies was destroyed
Although Shock Illustrated #4 was produced, it was never published until 2006, when all four issues (#1–#4) were released in a hardcover collection
Key Facts
Final EC comic published, with the exception of Mad Magazine
Considered the rarest EC publication, this issue had an extremely limited circulation of approximately 100 copies, most of which were distributed to staff and subscribers
Due to financial difficulties exacerbated by the widespread adoption of the Comics Code Authority, EC could not afford to bind (staple) the printed pages
As a result, nearly the entire print run of approximately 250,000 copies was destroyed
Although Shock Illustrated #4 was produced, it was never published until 2006, when all four issues (#1–#4) were released in a hardcover collection
Key Facts
First use of a corner box on a comic cover, added to make it easier for collectors to find issues of interest when comics were often overlapping one another on a shelf
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First use of a corner box on a comic cover, added to make it easier for collectors to find issues of interest when comics were often overlapping one another on a shelf
Key Facts
Considered the first comic to be printed in the underground comix, independent genre
Collection of comic strips that were published in Charlatan, a college fanzine
Print run: 1,000
Key Facts
Considered the first comic to be printed in the underground comix, independent genre
Collection of comic strips that were published in Charlatan, a college fanzine
Print run: 1,000
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Namor is confirmed to be a mutant in this issue making him the first mutant to appear in Marvel Comics having been introduced in 1939
3rd team appearance of The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants: Magneto, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Mastermind, Toad
Key Facts
Namor is confirmed to be a mutant in this issue making him the first mutant to appear in Marvel Comics having been introduced in 1939
3rd team appearance of The Brotherhood of Evil Mutants: Magneto, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Mastermind, Toad
Key Facts
Cover art by Frank Frazetta
In 2019, the original art for this cover sold at auction for $5.4 million dollars
Key Facts
Cover art by Frank Frazetta
In 2019, the original art for this cover sold at auction for $5.4 million dollars
Key Facts
1st appearance of Appa Ali Apsa, a Guardian of the Universe
Retitled Green Arrow/Green Lantern
Issue considered by many to mark the end of the comic book Silver Age
Introduction of controversial social themes in comics - Green Lantern is reprimanded by a black man which was an expression of frustration by the creators for the lack of accurately presented black people in comics
Key Facts
1st appearance of Appa Ali Apsa, a Guardian of the Universe
Retitled Green Arrow/Green Lantern
Issue considered by many to mark the end of the comic book Silver Age
Introduction of controversial social themes in comics - Green Lantern is reprimanded by a black man which was an expression of frustration by the creators for the lack of accurately presented black people in comics
Key Facts
First comic book produced entirely by women
36-page one-shot by various female cartoonists who were frustrated by the misogyny that was a cornerstone of the adult-themed underground comics
Prolific and enduring publisher, Last Gasp purchased the rights to the issue for $1,000
20,000 copies of the first print run were sold and an additional 20,000 split between the second and third printings
The title, 'It Ain't Me Babe' is a snub to the Bob Dylan song of the same name due to its anti-female lyrical content
The success of this issue led to a follow-up, all-female liberation project called Wimmen's Comix Collective
Editor, writer and cover artist Trina Robbins died of a stroke on April 10, 2024 at the age of 85
Key Facts
First comic book produced entirely by women
36-page one-shot by various female cartoonists who were frustrated by the misogyny that was a cornerstone of the adult-themed underground comics
Prolific and enduring publisher, Last Gasp purchased the rights to the issue for $1,000
20,000 copies of the first print run were sold and an additional 20,000 split between the second and third printings
The title, 'It Ain't Me Babe' is a snub to the Bob Dylan song of the same name due to its anti-female lyrical content
The success of this issue led to a follow-up, all-female liberation project called Wimmen's Comix Collective
Editor, writer and cover artist Trina Robbins died of a stroke on April 10, 2024 at the age of 85
Key Facts
Final continuous Stan Lee and Jack Kirby collaboration on the Fantastic Four title
Unpublished Kirby art used for Fantastic Four #108 but this issue marks the end of an ongoing creative team-up that began with the publication of The Fantastic Four #1
Key Facts
Final continuous Stan Lee and Jack Kirby collaboration on the Fantastic Four title
Unpublished Kirby art used for Fantastic Four #108 but this issue marks the end of an ongoing creative team-up that began with the publication of The Fantastic Four #1
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1st appearance of Green Lantern, John Stewart
[October 2024 - Aaron Pierre cast as John Stewart in the Lanterns]
2nd appearance of Green Lantern, Guy Gardner
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1st appearance of Green Lantern, John Stewart
[October 2024 - Aaron Pierre cast as John Stewart in the Lanterns]
2nd appearance of Green Lantern, Guy Gardner
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44-page one-shot considered to be the first autobiographical comic wherein the creator utilizes the medium to confess deeply personal traumas resulting from a Catholic upbringing clashing against a post-publication diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder
Inspired creators including Art Spiegelman, Robert Crumb and Jim Woodring
First printing approximate copies: 55,000
Subsequent printings can be identified from the first by the absence of an illustration of the virgin Mary in the background behind a full text panel on page 23 (tap cover and swipe for clarification)
Key Facts
44-page one-shot considered to be the first autobiographical comic wherein the creator utilizes the medium to confess deeply personal traumas resulting from a Catholic upbringing clashing against a post-publication diagnosis of obsessive-compulsive disorder
Inspired creators including Art Spiegelman, Robert Crumb and Jim Woodring
First printing approximate copies: 55,000
Subsequent printings can be identified from the first by the absence of an illustration of the virgin Mary in the background behind a full text panel on page 23 (tap cover and swipe for clarification)
Key Facts
The earliest known Mark Jewelers variant
On-sale June 6 1972
4-page interior Mark Jewelers advertisement, printed on paper stock and bound into the centerfold
Distributed to stores near military bases or on-site
Approximately only 5% of the print run included these advertisements
Value unknown
Key Facts
The earliest known Mark Jewelers variant
On-sale June 6 1972
4-page interior Mark Jewelers advertisement, printed on paper stock and bound into the centerfold
Distributed to stores near military bases or on-site
Approximately only 5% of the print run included these advertisements
Value unknown
Key Facts
1st appearance of Erik Killmonger, T'Challa's most persistent rival for the throne of Wakanda
Preview of Venomm, a villain introduced in Jungle Action #7
Part 1 of a 13 issue story titled "The Panther's Rage," the first Black Panther solo story arc
Key Facts
1st appearance of Erik Killmonger, T'Challa's most persistent rival for the throne of Wakanda
Preview of Venomm, a villain introduced in Jungle Action #7
Part 1 of a 13 issue story titled "The Panther's Rage," the first Black Panther solo story arc
Key Facts
Independent comic book that pioneered mature stories for adults to a wider audience
1st appearance of Cody Starbuck
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Independent comic book that pioneered mature stories for adults to a wider audience
1st appearance of Cody Starbuck
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2nd appearance of the algae creature that appeared in DC's Aquaman #56 (1972)
Secret DC/Marvel crossover issue - see Aquaman #56 for details
Final issue of the Savage Sub-Mariner
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2nd appearance of the algae creature that appeared in DC's Aquaman #56 (1972)
Secret DC/Marvel crossover issue - see Aquaman #56 for details
Final issue of the Savage Sub-Mariner
DC/Marvel ⋅ 1976
Key Facts
100-page oversized crossover featuring Superman and Spider-Man
First official crossover of characters from the Marvel and DC Universe
Key Facts
100-page oversized crossover featuring Superman and Spider-Man
First official crossover of characters from the Marvel and DC Universe
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