🗝 The Top 100 Key Issues from The Bronze Age Comic Books published from 1970 - 1985
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Scooby-Doo #1
Western
•
1970
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Scooby-Doo in comics
Six months prior to the publication of this issue, Scooby-Doo appeared in Golden Comics Digest #7 in a one-page puzzle activity game, not in a story
[April 2024 - Greg Berlanti's production house has teamed with Warner Bros. for a live-action Scooby Doo Netflix series with writers Josh Applebaum and Scott Rosenberg (Cowboy Bebop)]
1st appearance of Scooby-Doo in comics
Six months prior to the publication of this issue, Scooby-Doo appeared in Golden Comics Digest #7 in a one-page puzzle activity game, not in a story
[April 2024 - Greg Berlanti's production house has teamed with Warner Bros. for a live-action Scooby Doo Netflix series with writers Josh Applebaum and Scott Rosenberg (Cowboy Bebop)]
Green Lantern #76
DC
•
1970
•
Vol. 2
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
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
Detective Comics #400
DC
•
1970
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Man-Bat, a scientist whose experiment went awry after combining human and bat DNA to cure his own deafness
First solo Batgirl and Robin story
1st appearance and origin of Man-Bat, a scientist whose experiment went awry after combining human and bat DNA to cure his own deafness
First solo Batgirl and Robin story
Conan the Barbarian #1
Marvel
•
1970
•
Vol. 1
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]
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]
Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #134
DC
•
1970
•
Vol. 1
1st cameo appearance of Darkseid, the ruler of Apokolips
Batman #227
DC
•
1970
•
Vol. 1
Iconic cover art by Neal Adams inspired by Detective Comics #31 (1939)
Iconic cover art by Neal Adams inspired by Detective Comics #31 (1939)
Forever People, The #1
DC
•
1971
•
Vol. 1
1st full appearance of Darkseid
1st team appearance of The Forever People: Beautiful Dreamer, Mark Moonrider, Serifan, Big Bear, Vykin the Black
First mention of Mother Boxes, sentient supercomputers of vast power and the Anti-Life Equation
1st appearance of Infinity-Man, a protector of The Forever People
1st full appearance of Darkseid
1st team appearance of The Forever People: Beautiful Dreamer, Mark Moonrider, Serifan, Big Bear, Vykin the Black
First mention of Mother Boxes, sentient supercomputers of vast power and the Anti-Life Equation
1st appearance of Infinity-Man, a protector of The Forever People
New Gods #1
DC
•
1971
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Orion, son of Darkseid
1st appearance of Highfather, Leader of New Genesis
1st appearance of Metron, Boom Tube inventor
1st appearance of Kalibak. son of Darkseid
1st appearance of Lightray
1st team appearance of the Parademons
Introduction of New Genesis and Apokolips
Debut of the Mobius Chair
1st appearance of Orion, son of Darkseid
1st appearance of Highfather, Leader of New Genesis
1st appearance of Metron, Boom Tube inventor
1st appearance of Kalibak. son of Darkseid
1st appearance of Lightray
1st team appearance of the Parademons
Introduction of New Genesis and Apokolips
Debut of the Mobius Chair
Mister Miracle #1
DC
•
1971
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Mister Miracle, Scott Free, the son of Highfather
1st appearance of Oberon, Mister Miracle's stage manager
1st appearance and death of Thaddeus Brown, the Miracle Man who preceded Scott Free
1st appearance of Mister Miracle, Scott Free, the son of Highfather
1st appearance of Oberon, Mister Miracle's stage manager
1st appearance and death of Thaddeus Brown, the Miracle Man who preceded Scott Free
Detective Comics #411
DC
•
1971
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and cover of Talia al Ghul, daughter of Ra's al Ghul
1st appearance and cover of Talia al Ghul, daughter of Ra's al Ghul
Savage Tales Magazine #1
Marvel
•
1971
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Man-Thing, Ted Sallis, a scientist who developed a serum to protect soldiers from chemical warfare
The Super Soldier program known as Project Sulphur aka Weapon IV, had the unintended effect of transforming Ted Sallis into Man-Thing
1st appearance of Ellen Brandt
1st team appearance of the Femizons
1st appearance of Man-Thing, Ted Sallis, a scientist who developed a serum to protect soldiers from chemical warfare
The Super Soldier program known as Project Sulphur aka Weapon IV, had the unintended effect of transforming Ted Sallis into Man-Thing
1st appearance of Ellen Brandt
1st team appearance of the Femizons
Batman #232
DC
•
1971
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Ra's al Ghul
2nd appearance of Talia al Ghul
House of Secrets #92
DC
•
1971
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Swamp Thing, Alex Olsen
[January 2023 - a Swamp Thing horror film is in development at DC Studios]
1st appearance of the Swamp Thing, Alex Olsen
[January 2023 - a Swamp Thing horror film is in development at DC Studios]
Fantastic Four #112
Marvel
•
1971
•
Vol. 1
Classic battle of the Hulk vs the Thing
Iconic cover art by John Buscema
Classic battle of the Hulk vs the Thing
Iconic cover art by John Buscema
Green Lantern #85
DC
•
1971
•
Vol. 2
Pioneering story arc that confronted the topic of drug addiction which led to more realistic and relatable stories in comics
Adams and Mr. O'Neil won a Shazam Award in 1971 for 'Best Individual Story' and recognized by NYC mayor, John Lindsay in a letter which was printed in issue #86
Pioneering story arc that confronted the topic of drug addiction which led to more realistic and relatable stories in comics
Adams and Mr. O'Neil won a Shazam Award in 1971 for 'Best Individual Story' and recognized by NYC mayor, John Lindsay in a letter which was printed in issue #86
Mister Miracle #4
DC
•
1971
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Big Barda, highly skilled warrior and love interest of Mister Miracle
1st appearance of Big Barda, highly skilled warrior and love interest of Mister Miracle
Amazing Spider-Man #100
Marvel
•
1971
•
Vol. 1
Milestone issue #100
Iconic cover art by John Romita Sr.
Amazing Spider-Man #101
Marvel
•
1971
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Morbius the Living Vampire
Marvel Spotlight #2
Marvel
•
1972
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Werewolf by Night
Amazing Adventures #11
Marvel
•
1972
•
Vol. 2
Beast undergoes a mutation which grows gray hair all over his body
Beast undergoes a mutation which grows gray hair all over his body
All-Star Western #10
DC
•
1972
•
Vol. 2
1st appearance of Jonah Hex
Marvel Premiere #1
Marvel
•
1972
•
Vol. 1
Rebirth of HIM, renamed Warlock by the High Evolutionary
Debut of Warlock's costume including an unnamed emerald, later revealed to be the Soul Infinity Stone
Rebirth of HIM, renamed Warlock by the High Evolutionary
Debut of Warlock's costume including an unnamed emerald, later revealed to be the Soul Infinity Stone
Tomb of Dracula #1
Marvel
•
1972
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Dracula, created by Gerry Conway and Gene Colan, inspired by Bram Stoker’s classic character
1st appearance of Van Helsing
1st appearance of Frank Drake, a descendant of Dracula
1st appearance of Dracula, created by Gerry Conway and Gene Colan, inspired by Bram Stoker’s classic character
1st appearance of Van Helsing
1st appearance of Frank Drake, a descendant of Dracula
Hero for Hire #1
Marvel
•
1972
•
Vol. 1
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
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
Demon, The #1
DC
•
1972
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Etrigan the Demon
1st appearance of Morgaine Le Fay, the sister of Madame Xanadu
1st appearance of Randu Singh
1st appearance and origin of Etrigan the Demon
1st appearance of Morgaine Le Fay, the sister of Madame Xanadu
1st appearance of Randu Singh
Marvel Spotlight #5
Marvel
•
1972
•
Vol. 1
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
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
Swamp Thing #1
DC
•
1972
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of the second Swamp Thing, Alec Holland
1st cameo appearance of Anton Arcane
1st appearance of Matt Cable, later becomes the Sandman's raven
1st cameo appearance of the Un-Men
1st appearance of Nathan Ellery, the man who caused the explosion that created Swamp Thing
First ongoing Swamp Thing solo title
1st appearance and origin of the second Swamp Thing, Alec Holland
1st cameo appearance of Anton Arcane
1st appearance of Matt Cable, later becomes the Sandman's raven
1st cameo appearance of the Un-Men
1st appearance of Nathan Ellery, the man who caused the explosion that created Swamp Thing
First ongoing Swamp Thing solo title
Cat, The #1
Marvel
•
1972
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of The Cat, Greer Grant
Iron Man #54
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Madame MacEvil, daughter of Drax, later referred to by the name Moondragon
Madame MacEvil becomes Moondragon in Daredevil #105
[April 2023 - speculation that the child named ‘Love’ in Thor 4 is a young Moondragon who will later appear as an adult]
1st appearance of Madame MacEvil, daughter of Drax, later referred to by the name Moondragon
Madame MacEvil becomes Moondragon in Daredevil #105
[April 2023 - speculation that the child named ‘Love’ in Thor 4 is a young Moondragon who will later appear as an adult]
Shazam #1
DC
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
DC begins publishing Shazam after licensing the Captain Marvel character from Fawcett who they had successfully sued 20 years earlier for copyright infringement due to the character's similarities to Superman
1st appearance of Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr. and Mary Marvel since the Golden Age
1st appearance of Doctor Sivana and family since the Golden Age
Origin of Captain Marvel retold
DC begins publishing Shazam after licensing the Captain Marvel character from Fawcett who they had successfully sued 20 years earlier for copyright infringement due to the character's similarities to Superman
1st appearance of Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr. and Mary Marvel since the Golden Age
1st appearance of Doctor Sivana and family since the Golden Age
Origin of Captain Marvel retold
Conan the Barbarian #23
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Red Sonja
⚠ Misconception: cited by many resources as a cameo appearance of Red Sonja but she appears in over 20 panels, fights and is introduced by name
[August 2022 - filming is scheduled to begin with Matilda Lutz cast in the main role]
1st appearance of Red Sonja
⚠ Misconception: cited by many resources as a cameo appearance of Red Sonja but she appears in over 20 panels, fights and is introduced by name
[August 2022 - filming is scheduled to begin with Matilda Lutz cast in the main role]
Iron Man #55
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Thanos, an Eternal from Titan born with the Deviants gene
1st cameo appearance of Eros aka Starfox, brother of Thanos
1st appearance of Kronos, Grandfather of Thanos
1st appearance of Mentor, father of Thanos
1st appearance of Drax the Destroyer, created by Kronus to kill Thanos
1st appearance of the Blood Brothers
1st appearance of Thanos, an Eternal from Titan born with the Deviants gene
1st cameo appearance of Eros aka Starfox, brother of Thanos
1st appearance of Kronos, Grandfather of Thanos
1st appearance of Mentor, father of Thanos
1st appearance of Drax the Destroyer, created by Kronus to kill Thanos
1st appearance of the Blood Brothers
Amazing Spider-Man #121
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
Death of Gwen Stacy, neck unintentionally snapped as Spider-Man attempted to rescue her
Death of Gwen Stacy, neck unintentionally snapped as Spider-Man attempted to rescue her
Amazing Spider-Man #122
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
Death of Green Goblin
Tomb of Dracula #10
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Blade
Ghost Rider #1
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
First solo titled series featuring Ghost Rider
1st cameo appearance of Daimon Hellstrom, Son of Satan, multiple panels in shadows
First solo titled series featuring Ghost Rider
1st cameo appearance of Daimon Hellstrom, Son of Satan, multiple panels in shadows
Batman #251
DC
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
Iconic cover art by Neal Adams
Issue credited for revitalizing the Joker as a homicidal villain instead of a comical villain
Iconic cover art by Neal Adams
Issue credited for revitalizing the Joker as a homicidal villain instead of a comical villain
Strange Tales #169
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Brother Voodoo, Jericho Drumm
1st appearance of Daniel Drumm, the brother of Jericho
1st appearance of Brother Voodoo, Jericho Drumm
1st appearance of Daniel Drumm, the brother of Jericho
Marvel Spotlight #12
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
1st full appearance and origin of Son of Satan
Thought many sources cite Ghost Rider#2 as the first full appearance of Damion Hellstrom he is obscured by shadows throughout the issue
1st full appearance and origin of Son of Satan
Thought many sources cite Ghost Rider#2 as the first full appearance of Damion Hellstrom he is obscured by shadows throughout the issue
Special Marvel Edition #15
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung-Fu
1st appearance of Sir Dennis Nayland-Smith
1st appearance of Fu Manchu, father of Shang-Chi, later renamed Han, then Zheng Zu
1st team appearance of Si-Fan, a secret society with allegiances to Fu Manchu
1st appearance of Shang-Chi's unnamed mother, an American - later retconned in Shang-Chi #4 (2021)
1st appearance of Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung-Fu
1st appearance of Sir Dennis Nayland-Smith
1st appearance of Fu Manchu, father of Shang-Chi, later renamed Han, then Zheng Zu
1st team appearance of Si-Fan, a secret society with allegiances to Fu Manchu
1st appearance of Shang-Chi's unnamed mother, an American - later retconned in Shang-Chi #4 (2021)
Fear (Adventure Into) #19
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Howard the Duck
Amazing Spider-Man #129
Marvel
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Punisher
1st appearance of the Jackal
Marvel Premiere #15
Marvel
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
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
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
Astonishing Tales #25
Marvel
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
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'
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'
Incredible Hulk #180
Marvel
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
1st cameo appearance of Wolverine
2nd appearance of Wendigo
Marvel Value Stamp Series A #67 - Cyclops
⚠️ Debatable Firsts: this issue, by far, is the most debated "cameo versus full" book and likely the main reason "cameo" became such a significant yet loosely defined term in comic book collecting
Theoretically, The Incredible Hulk #180 being labeled "cameo" of Wolverine was due to an oversight by Overstreet (see additional images)
In the 1980/1981 edition of Overstreet, Hulk#181 is labeled - 1st app of Wolverine and Hulk#180 is without a descriptor, commanding the same value as issues #151 - #176
In the 1981/1982 Overstreet, the description had been amended to read #180 - 1st app. Wolverine but mislabeled #181 and #182 - Wolverine cameo
Finally, in 1982/1983, Overstreet labeled Hulk #180 - 1st app. Wolverine (cameo) and #181 - Wolverine app. #182 - Wolverine cameo
In recent years, Marvel has taken a stance on Hulk #180 as the first appearance of Wolverine, wanting to eliminate the term "cameo" altogether, presumably to avoid this exact debate
But in years past, official Marvel guidebooks and trading cards would often trade-off which issue was given the coveted 1st (full) appearance designation (see additional images)
1st cameo appearance of Wolverine
2nd appearance of Wendigo
Marvel Value Stamp Series A #67 - Cyclops
⚠️ Debatable Firsts: this issue, by far, is the most debated "cameo versus full" book and likely the main reason "cameo" became such a significant yet loosely defined term in comic book collecting
Theoretically, The Incredible Hulk #180 being labeled "cameo" of Wolverine was due to an oversight by Overstreet (see additional images)
In the 1980/1981 edition of Overstreet, Hulk#181 is labeled - 1st app of Wolverine and Hulk#180 is without a descriptor, commanding the same value as issues #151 - #176
In the 1981/1982 Overstreet, the description had been amended to read #180 - 1st app. Wolverine but mislabeled #181 and #182 - Wolverine cameo
Finally, in 1982/1983, Overstreet labeled Hulk #180 - 1st app. Wolverine (cameo) and #181 - Wolverine app. #182 - Wolverine cameo
In recent years, Marvel has taken a stance on Hulk #180 as the first appearance of Wolverine, wanting to eliminate the term "cameo" altogether, presumably to avoid this exact debate
But in years past, official Marvel guidebooks and trading cards would often trade-off which issue was given the coveted 1st (full) appearance designation (see additional images)
Incredible Hulk #181
Marvel
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
1st full appearance of Wolverine, final page cameo in issue #180
Marvel Value Stamp Series A #54 - Shanna the She-Devil
1st full appearance of Wolverine, final page cameo in issue #180
Marvel Value Stamp Series A #54 - Shanna the She-Devil
Giant-Size Defenders #3
Marvel
•
1975
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Korvac
Marvel Value Stamp
[April 2020 - two inside sources have confirmed that Korvac will be in multiple upcoming Marvel projects. Although the sources are independent from one another and close to Marvel Studios this is still unconfirmed until official word is released]
1st appearance of Korvac
Marvel Value Stamp
[April 2020 - two inside sources have confirmed that Korvac will be in multiple upcoming Marvel projects. Although the sources are independent from one another and close to Marvel Studios this is still unconfirmed until official word is released]
Strange Tales #178
Marvel
•
1975
•
Vol. 1
Ongoing stories featuring Adam Warlock begin
1st appearance of Magus, an evil version of Adam Warlock from the future
1st team appearance of The Universal Church of Truth
1st appearance of The Matriarch, a leader of The Universal Church of Truth
Ongoing stories featuring Adam Warlock begin
1st appearance of Magus, an evil version of Adam Warlock from the future
1st team appearance of The Universal Church of Truth
1st appearance of The Matriarch, a leader of The Universal Church of Truth
Giant-Size X-Men #1
Marvel
•
1975
•
Vol. 1
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
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
Joker, The #1
DC
•
1975
•
Vol. 1
First solo titled Joker series
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