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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 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 the Human Torch, Jim Hammond
2nd appearance of Namor the Sub-Mariner - 8 pages of the 12-page story reprinted from Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1
1st appearance of Dorma, Namor's cousin
1st appearance of Ka-Zar, David Rand
1st appearance of Angel, Thomas Halloway, a private detective and vigilante
1st appearance of the Masked Raider, Jim Gardley
1st comic book published by Timely, later becomes Marvel
Retitled Marvel Mystery Comics after this issue
80,000 copies were produced of the first printing with an October 1939 date on the cover
The second printing could be identified by the October 1939 date blacked out, replaced with November 1939
The first printing sold out within a week and was quickly reprinted at a quantity of 800,000, the same as Superman #1
Although published in October, the cover date was changed to have a longer on-sale period at newsstands
💰 In March 2022, a 9.2 known as the Pay Copy due to publisher notations that tracked creator payouts sold for $2.42 million
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Human Torch, Jim Hammond
2nd appearance of Namor the Sub-Mariner - 8 pages of the 12-page story reprinted from Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1
1st appearance of Dorma, Namor's cousin
1st appearance of Ka-Zar, David Rand
1st appearance of Angel, Thomas Halloway, a private detective and vigilante
1st appearance of the Masked Raider, Jim Gardley
1st comic book published by Timely, later becomes Marvel
Retitled Marvel Mystery Comics after this issue
80,000 copies were produced of the first printing with an October 1939 date on the cover
The second printing could be identified by the October 1939 date blacked out, replaced with November 1939
The first printing sold out within a week and was quickly reprinted at a quantity of 800,000, the same as Superman #1
Although published in October, the cover date was changed to have a longer on-sale period at newsstands
💰 In March 2022, a 9.2 known as the Pay Copy due to publisher notations that tracked creator payouts sold for $2.42 million
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Captain America
[December 2025 - Chris Evans to return as Captain America in Avengers: Doomsday]
1st appearance of James Buchanan Barnes aka Bucky, later becomes the Winter Soldier
1st appearance of the Red Skull, George Maxon, an agent of the true Red Skull
1st appearance of Doctor Reinstein aka Doctor Erskine, the inventor of the Super Soldier serum
1st appearance of Hurricane, later becomes Makkari
1st appearance of Tuk the Cave Boy, first offspring of the Inhumans
Introduction of Project Rebirth, the Super Soldier Program that eventually expanded into Weapon Plus
💰 In April 2022, a 9.4 sold for $3,120,000 (San Francisco Pedigree)
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Captain America
[December 2025 - Chris Evans to return as Captain America in Avengers: Doomsday]
1st appearance of James Buchanan Barnes aka Bucky, later becomes the Winter Soldier
1st appearance of the Red Skull, George Maxon, an agent of the true Red Skull
1st appearance of Doctor Reinstein aka Doctor Erskine, the inventor of the Super Soldier serum
1st appearance of Hurricane, later becomes Makkari
1st appearance of Tuk the Cave Boy, first offspring of the Inhumans
Introduction of Project Rebirth, the Super Soldier Program that eventually expanded into Weapon Plus
💰 In April 2022, a 9.4 sold for $3,120,000 (San Francisco Pedigree)
Key Facts
1st team appearance and origin of the Fantastic Four: Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, The Thing
1st appearance of Mole Man
1st appearance of Giganto, a Deviant Mutate from Monster Isle
1st appearance of Tricephalous
Landmark issue that launched the Marvel Age of comics
💰 In April 2022, a 9.2 sold for $1.5 million
💰 In September 2024, a 9.6 sold for $2,040,000
Key Facts
1st team appearance and origin of the Fantastic Four: Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, The Thing
1st appearance of Mole Man
1st appearance of Giganto, a Deviant Mutate from Monster Isle
1st appearance of Tricephalous
Landmark issue that launched the Marvel Age of comics
💰 In April 2022, a 9.2 sold for $1.5 million
💰 In September 2024, a 9.6 sold for $2,040,000
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Hank Pym, later becomes Ant-Man, Goliath, Giant-Man and Yellowjacket
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Hank Pym, later becomes Ant-Man, Goliath, Giant-Man and Yellowjacket
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of the Hulk
1st appearance of Betty Ross
1st appearance of Rick Jones
1st appearance of General 'Thunderbolt' Ross
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of the Hulk
1st appearance of Betty Ross
1st appearance of Rick Jones
1st appearance of General 'Thunderbolt' Ross
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Thor
Introduction of Thor's hammer, Mjolnir
1st team appearance of the Kronans, a race of rock-like aliens
1st appearance of Donald Blake, the human host of Thor
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Thor
Introduction of Thor's hammer, Mjolnir
1st team appearance of the Kronans, a race of rock-like aliens
1st appearance of Donald Blake, the human host of Thor
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Spider-Man
1st appearance and death of Uncle Ben
1st appearance of Aunt May
1st appearance of Flash Thompson
1st appearance of Liz Allan, later marries Harry Osborn
💰 In Sept. 2021, a 9.6 sale of $3.6 million surpassed the previous record in this grade of $1.1 million from 2011
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Spider-Man
1st appearance and death of Uncle Ben
1st appearance of Aunt May
1st appearance of Flash Thompson
1st appearance of Liz Allan, later marries Harry Osborn
💰 In Sept. 2021, a 9.6 sale of $3.6 million surpassed the previous record in this grade of $1.1 million from 2011
Key Facts
1st appearance of Iron Man
Debut of Iron Man's 'Model 1' armor
1st appearance of Wong-Chu, a Viet Cong warlord and Iron Man's first enemy
Key Facts
1st appearance of Iron Man
Debut of Iron Man's 'Model 1' armor
1st appearance of Wong-Chu, a Viet Cong warlord and Iron Man's first enemy
Key Facts
1st appearance of Doctor Strange
1st appearance of the Ancient One, former Sorcerer Supreme
1st appearance of Wong, Doctor Strange's assistant
1st cameo appearance of Nightmare, multiple panels, named but obscured by shadows
Key Facts
1st appearance of Doctor Strange
1st appearance of the Ancient One, former Sorcerer Supreme
1st appearance of Wong, Doctor Strange's assistant
1st cameo appearance of Nightmare, multiple panels, named but obscured by shadows
Key Facts
1st team appearance of the X-Men: Cyclops, Jean Grey aka Marvel Girl, Iceman, Angel, Beast, Professor X
1st appearance of Magneto
Homo Superior concept, coined by Magneto to describe humans born with special abilities introduced in this issue
Key Facts
1st team appearance of the X-Men: Cyclops, Jean Grey aka Marvel Girl, Iceman, Angel, Beast, Professor X
1st appearance of Magneto
Homo Superior concept, coined by Magneto to describe humans born with special abilities introduced in this issue
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Black Widow, Natasha Romanova
Death of the first Crimson Dynamo
1st appearance and death of the second Crimson Dynamo, Boris Turgenov
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Black Widow, Natasha Romanova
Death of the first Crimson Dynamo
1st appearance and death of the second Crimson Dynamo, Boris Turgenov
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Daredevil, Matt Murdock
1st appearance of Foggy Nelson, a lawyer
1st appearance of Karen Page, the love interest of Matt Murdock
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Daredevil, Matt Murdock
1st appearance of Foggy Nelson, a lawyer
1st appearance of Karen Page, the love interest of Matt Murdock
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Hawkeye
3rd appearance of Black Widow
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Hawkeye
3rd appearance of Black Widow
Key Facts
1st team appearance of the Inhumans, a race created by the Kree: Triton, Karnak, Lockjaw, Gorgon, Medusa, Crystal and Black Bolt
1st cameo appearance of Black Bolt
1st appearance of Crystal, ability to manipulate the elements
1st appearance of Karnak, a skilled fighter and advisor to Black Bolt
1st appearance of Triton
Key Facts
1st team appearance of the Inhumans, a race created by the Kree: Triton, Karnak, Lockjaw, Gorgon, Medusa, Crystal and Black Bolt
1st cameo appearance of Black Bolt
1st appearance of Crystal, ability to manipulate the elements
1st appearance of Karnak, a skilled fighter and advisor to Black Bolt
1st appearance of Triton
Key Facts
1st appearance of Silver Surfer
1st cameo appearance of Galactus
Key Facts
1st appearance of Silver Surfer
1st cameo appearance of Galactus
Key Facts
1st full appearance of Galactus
1st cover and 2nd appearance of the Silver Surfer
Key Facts
1st full appearance of Galactus
1st cover and 2nd appearance of the Silver Surfer
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Black Panther, T'Challa, king of Wakanda
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Black Panther, T'Challa, king of Wakanda
Key Facts
1st appearance of Carol Danvers
2nd appearance of Captain Marvel
Key Facts
1st appearance of Carol Danvers
2nd appearance of Captain Marvel
Key Facts
1st appearance of Vision
2nd appearance of Ultron
Key Facts
1st appearance of Vision
2nd appearance of Ultron
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Alex Summers, later becomes Havok in X-Men #56
1st appearance of the Living Pharaoh, later becomes the Living Monolith
Origin of Angel
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Alex Summers, later becomes Havok in X-Men #56
1st appearance of the Living Pharaoh, later becomes the Living Monolith
Origin of Angel
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of the Falcon, Sam Wilson, the first African-American superhero in mainstream comics
1st appearance of Redwing, a falcon and Sam Wilson's sidekick
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of the Falcon, Sam Wilson, the first African-American superhero in mainstream comics
1st appearance of Redwing, a falcon and Sam Wilson's sidekick
Key Facts
1st appearance of Conan the Barbarian
1st cameo appearance of King Kull
[March 2026 - A King Conan movie is moving forward at 20th Century Studios, with Christopher McQuarrie (Mission: Impossible) writing and directing, and Arnold Schwarzenegger returning to portray the aging barbarian]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Conan the Barbarian
1st cameo appearance of King Kull
[March 2026 - A King Conan movie is moving forward at 20th Century Studios, with Christopher McQuarrie (Mission: Impossible) writing and directing, and Arnold Schwarzenegger returning to portray the aging barbarian]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Valkyrie, Enchantress in disguise
1st team appearance of the Lady Liberators: Valkyrie, Scarlet Witch, Wasp, Black Widow, Medusa
Debut of the Rutland Halloween Parade, a real parade held in Vermont annually that has been depicted in both Marvel and DC comics nearly 20 times with parade attendees wearing superhero costumes from both publishers in each book
Key Facts
1st appearance of Valkyrie, Enchantress in disguise
1st team appearance of the Lady Liberators: Valkyrie, Scarlet Witch, Wasp, Black Widow, Medusa
Debut of the Rutland Halloween Parade, a real parade held in Vermont annually that has been depicted in both Marvel and DC comics nearly 20 times with parade attendees wearing superhero costumes from both publishers in each book
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Luke Cage, the first black superhero to headline a title in mainstream comics
Luke Cage became invincible to harm through a Super Soldier program called Project Power aka Weapon VI
1st appearance of Diamondback, Comanche and Shades
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Luke Cage, the first black superhero to headline a title in mainstream comics
Luke Cage became invincible to harm through a Super Soldier program called Project Power aka Weapon VI
1st appearance of Diamondback, Comanche and Shades
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze
1st appearance of Roxanne Blaze, the wife of Johnny who later becomes the demon Black Rose
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze
1st appearance of Roxanne Blaze, the wife of Johnny who later becomes the demon Black Rose
Key Facts
1st appearance of Blade
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Punisher
1st appearance of the Jackal
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Punisher
1st appearance of the Jackal
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Iron Fist, Daniel Rand
1st appearance of Yu-Ti, a Dragon Lord
1st team appearance of the Dragon Kings
Introduction of K'un-Lun, one of the Seven Capital Cities of Heaven
1st appearance of Wendell Rand, father of Daniel Rand
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Iron Fist, Daniel Rand
1st appearance of Yu-Ti, a Dragon Lord
1st team appearance of the Dragon Kings
Introduction of K'un-Lun, one of the Seven Capital Cities of Heaven
1st appearance of Wendell Rand, father of Daniel Rand
Key Facts
1st appearance of Deathlok, Luther Manning
1st appearance of Major Ryker
First published artwork for Marvel by George Perez, interior two-page backup story
Prior to the publication of this issue, George Perez was published in the science-fiction magazine Hot Stuf'
Key Facts
1st appearance of Deathlok, Luther Manning
1st appearance of Major Ryker
First published artwork for Marvel by George Perez, interior two-page backup story
Prior to the publication of this issue, George Perez was published in the science-fiction magazine Hot Stuf'
Key Facts
1st appearance of the new X-Men: Storm (1st), Nightcrawler (1st), Colossus (1st), Thunderbird (1st), Wolverine (3rd)
Many resources label this the 2nd full appearance of Wolverine and The Incredible Hulk #182 a second cameo
1st appearance of Illyana Rasputin as a child, later becomes Magik
Introduction of Krakoa, the Living Island
First use of the sound effect 'snikt' associated with Wolverine's claws
Key Facts
1st appearance of the new X-Men: Storm (1st), Nightcrawler (1st), Colossus (1st), Thunderbird (1st), Wolverine (3rd)
Many resources label this the 2nd full appearance of Wolverine and The Incredible Hulk #182 a second cameo
1st appearance of Illyana Rasputin as a child, later becomes Magik
Introduction of Krakoa, the Living Island
First use of the sound effect 'snikt' associated with Wolverine's claws
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Moon Knight
Key Facts
1st appearance of Star-Lord in a magazine - see Marvel Spotlight Vol. 2 #6 for Star-Lord's first appearance in a standard comic book
1st appearance of Ragnar, Master of the Sun
1st appearance of Prince Wayfinder, later created the Microverse
1st appearance of Meredith Quill, the mother of Star-Lord
Key Facts
1st appearance of Star-Lord in a magazine - see Marvel Spotlight Vol. 2 #6 for Star-Lord's first appearance in a standard comic book
1st appearance of Ragnar, Master of the Sun
1st appearance of Prince Wayfinder, later created the Microverse
1st appearance of Meredith Quill, the mother of Star-Lord
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Nova, Richard Rider
1st appearance and death of Rhomann Dey, Corpsman of the Nova Corps
1st appearance of Robbie Rider, brother of Nova
[March 2022 - Deadline reports a Nova project is in development]
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Nova, Richard Rider
1st appearance and death of Rhomann Dey, Corpsman of the Nova Corps
1st appearance of Robbie Rider, brother of Nova
[March 2022 - Deadline reports a Nova project is in development]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Captain Britain
1st cameo appearance of Roma
Debut of the Sword of Might
Captain Britain mask included inside of this issue as a bonus item
Key Facts
1st appearance of Captain Britain
1st cameo appearance of Roma
Debut of the Sword of Might
Captain Britain mask included inside of this issue as a bonus item
Key Facts
1st appearance of Betsy Braddock, later becomes Psylocke
First mention of Jamie Braddock Jr., later becomes Monarch
Key Facts
1st appearance of Betsy Braddock, later becomes Psylocke
First mention of Jamie Braddock Jr., later becomes Monarch
Key Facts
1st appearance and cover of Scott Lang as Ant-Man, in costume
1st appearance of Cassie Lang, daughter of Scott Lang, later becomes Stature and then Stinger
[January 2023 - Cassie Lang expected to appear in a Young Avengers project]
1st appearance of Darren Cross, later becomes Yellowjacket
Key Facts
1st appearance and cover of Scott Lang as Ant-Man, in costume
1st appearance of Cassie Lang, daughter of Scott Lang, later becomes Stature and then Stinger
[January 2023 - Cassie Lang expected to appear in a Young Avengers project]
1st appearance of Darren Cross, later becomes Yellowjacket
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of She-Hulk, the cousin of Bruce Banner
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of She-Hulk, the cousin of Bruce Banner
Key Facts
1st appearance of Bobbi Morse as Mockingbird
Hidden Message: interior panel of a vehicle in an airport parking lot with a vanity plate that reads FUQ
Key Facts
1st appearance of Bobbi Morse as Mockingbird
Hidden Message: interior panel of a vehicle in an airport parking lot with a vanity plate that reads FUQ
Key Facts
1st appearance of Rogue
1st cover appearance of Mystique
1st and only appearance of a girl named Maddy Pryor, not to be confused with Madelyne Pryor aka the Goblin Queen
Key Facts
1st appearance of Rogue
1st cover appearance of Mystique
1st and only appearance of a girl named Maddy Pryor, not to be confused with Madelyne Pryor aka the Goblin Queen
Key Facts
1st cover and second appearance of Angel as the Horseman, Death
In X-Factor #38, Beast gives Warren Worthington III the new codename Archangel
Worthington appears in full as the Horseman, Death in X-Factor #23 and in multiple cameos leading up to the issue
Key Facts
1st cover and second appearance of Angel as the Horseman, Death
In X-Factor #38, Beast gives Warren Worthington III the new codename Archangel
Worthington appears in full as the Horseman, Death in X-Factor #23 and in multiple cameos leading up to the issue
Key Facts
1st full appearance of Cable
1st full team appearance of the Mutant Liberation Front: Stryfe, Wildside, Reaper, Fourarm, Thumbelina, Strobe, Tempo, Zero
Key Facts
1st full appearance of Cable
1st full team appearance of the Mutant Liberation Front: Stryfe, Wildside, Reaper, Fourarm, Thumbelina, Strobe, Tempo, Zero
Key Facts
2nd appearance and first cover of Gambit
1st chronological appearance of Gambit in-story / in-continuity
X-Men Annual #14 went on sale three weeks before this issue and is often considered the first cameo appearance of Gambit
This would imply that his appearance is brief though he appears in 15 panels throughout X-Men Annual #14 with at least 10 instances of dialogue
Tap cover and swipe left to view images where Gambit is the main or partial focus of the sequence in X-Men Annual #14
Uncanny X-Men #266 was written as if it were to be published prior to the annual, therefore #266 would be the first chronological appearance of Gambit in-story (or in-continuity)
CGC, the grading certification company for comic books, recognizes Uncanny X-Men #266 as the first full appearance of Gambit
[January 2024 - Gambit rumored for the X-Men MCU reboot according to a casting grid]
Key Facts
2nd appearance and first cover of Gambit
1st chronological appearance of Gambit in-story / in-continuity
X-Men Annual #14 went on sale three weeks before this issue and is often considered the first cameo appearance of Gambit
This would imply that his appearance is brief though he appears in 15 panels throughout X-Men Annual #14 with at least 10 instances of dialogue
Tap cover and swipe left to view images where Gambit is the main or partial focus of the sequence in X-Men Annual #14
Uncanny X-Men #266 was written as if it were to be published prior to the annual, therefore #266 would be the first chronological appearance of Gambit in-story (or in-continuity)
CGC, the grading certification company for comic books, recognizes Uncanny X-Men #266 as the first full appearance of Gambit
[January 2024 - Gambit rumored for the X-Men MCU reboot according to a casting grid]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Deadpool, a subject of the Weapon X program
1st appearance of Copycat, impersonating Domino
1st appearance of Gideon, a member of The Externals
Key Facts
1st appearance of Deadpool, a subject of the Weapon X program
1st appearance of Copycat, impersonating Domino
1st appearance of Gideon, a member of The Externals
Key Facts
1st full appearance of Bishop, a time-traveling mutant who can absorb and redistribute energy
1st appearance of the Gamemaster, a powerful mutant telepath
Key Facts
1st full appearance of Bishop, a time-traveling mutant who can absorb and redistribute energy
1st appearance of the Gamemaster, a powerful mutant telepath
Key Facts
1st appearance of Squirrel Girl
Key Facts
1st appearance of X-23, Laura Kinney
Laura Kinney debuted in the animated series X-Men: Evolution (2003)
Key Facts
1st appearance of X-23, Laura Kinney
Laura Kinney debuted in the animated series X-Men: Evolution (2003)
Key Facts
1st appearance of Miles Morales, Spider-Man from an alternate reality
Distributed in a polybag
Diamond Comics Distributors estimates 65,000 copies of the first printing were shipped
Key Facts
1st appearance of Miles Morales, Spider-Man from an alternate reality
Distributed in a polybag
Diamond Comics Distributors estimates 65,000 copies of the first printing were shipped
Key Facts
First solo titled series featuring Ms. Marvel, Kamala Khan
1st appearance of Zoe Zimmer
1st appearance of Nakia Bahadir aka Kiki
Origin of Ms. Marvel, specifically the development of her powers
Key Facts
First solo titled series featuring Ms. Marvel, Kamala Khan
1st appearance of Zoe Zimmer
1st appearance of Nakia Bahadir aka Kiki
Origin of Ms. Marvel, specifically the development of her powers
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