🗝 The Top 100 Key Issues from The Cooper Age Comic Books published from 1985 - 1992
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Omega Men #3
DC
•
1983
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Lobo, an intergalactic bounty hunter
[January 2023 - Jason Momoa speculated to play Lobo in James Gunn's DC films / December 2024 - confirmed]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Lobo, an intergalactic bounty hunter
[January 2023 - Jason Momoa speculated to play Lobo in James Gunn's DC films / December 2024 - confirmed]
Thor #337
Marvel
•
1983
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Beta Ray Bill, a Korbinite alien worthy of picking up Mjolnir
1st appearance of Lorelai, the sister of Enchantress
Key Facts
1st appearance of Beta Ray Bill, a Korbinite alien worthy of picking up Mjolnir
1st appearance of Lorelai, the sister of Enchantress
Gobbledygook #1
Mirage
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
Advertisement for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (1984)
1st appearance of Fugitoid
Key Facts
Advertisement for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1 (1984)
1st appearance of Fugitoid
G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #21
Marvel
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Storm Shadow, a former ally of Snake Eyes and the Young Master of the Arashikage Clan
Solo story featuring Snake-Eyes, told without any text or dialogue
Key Facts
1st appearance of Storm Shadow, a former ally of Snake Eyes and the Young Master of the Arashikage Clan
Solo story featuring Snake-Eyes, told without any text or dialogue
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1
Mirage
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st team appearance and origin of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Donatello, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo
1st appearance of Splinter, the Turtles' mentor
1st appearance and death of the Shredder
First printing: 3,000 copies
Key Facts
1st team appearance and origin of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Donatello, Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo
1st appearance of Splinter, the Turtles' mentor
1st appearance and death of the Shredder
First printing: 3,000 copies
Mage: The Hero Discovered #1
Comico
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Kevin Matchstick, the reincarnation of King Arthur with Excalibur depicted as a glowing baseball bat
Key Facts
1st appearance of Kevin Matchstick, the reincarnation of King Arthur with Excalibur depicted as a glowing baseball bat
Saga of the Swamp Thing #25
DC
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st cameo appearance of John Constantine, Hellblazer
⚠️ Debatable Firsts: it is widely accepted that this is the first cameo appearance of John Constantine but the character in question is not identified as such nor does he wear the classic trenchcoat that is seen when Constantine first appears in full, 12 months later, in Swamp Thing #37
Key Facts
1st cameo appearance of John Constantine, Hellblazer
⚠️ Debatable Firsts: it is widely accepted that this is the first cameo appearance of John Constantine but the character in question is not identified as such nor does he wear the classic trenchcoat that is seen when Constantine first appears in full, 12 months later, in Swamp Thing #37
Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #1
Marvel
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st cameo appearance of the Beyonder as a white light and a voice
First line-wide crossover event series
Key Facts
1st cameo appearance of the Beyonder as a white light and a voice
First line-wide crossover event series
Amazing Spider-Man #252
Marvel
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Spider-Man's black costume
Cited as being tied with Marvel Team-Up #141 as the first appearance of the black costume, this issue went on sale January 31,1984
Marvel Team-Up #141 went on sale February 14,1984
Cover art inspired by Amazing Fantasy #15
The symbiote costume was designed by a Marvel fan from Illinois named Randy Schueller who was paid $220 by Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter for the concept
[March 2026 - the evolution of Spider-Man in the Spider-Man (Tom Holland franchise) may be building toward a symbiote bond, based on clues in the latest Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Spider-Man's black costume
Cited as being tied with Marvel Team-Up #141 as the first appearance of the black costume, this issue went on sale January 31,1984
Marvel Team-Up #141 went on sale February 14,1984
Cover art inspired by Amazing Fantasy #15
The symbiote costume was designed by a Marvel fan from Illinois named Randy Schueller who was paid $220 by Editor-In-Chief Jim Shooter for the concept
[March 2026 - the evolution of Spider-Man in the Spider-Man (Tom Holland franchise) may be building toward a symbiote bond, based on clues in the latest Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer]
Firestorm the Nuclear Man #24
DC
•
1984
•
Vol. 2
Key Facts
1st appearance of Blue Devil, a 16-page original story preceding Blue Devil #1
1st appearance of Bug
Origin of Byte
1st appearance of Marla Bloom
1st appearance of Edward Bloomberg, later becomes Kid Devil then Red Devil
Key Facts
1st appearance of Blue Devil, a 16-page original story preceding Blue Devil #1
1st appearance of Bug
Origin of Byte
1st appearance of Marla Bloom
1st appearance of Edward Bloomberg, later becomes Kid Devil then Red Devil
Tales of the Teen Titans #44
DC
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
Dick Grayson becomes Nightwing, formerly Robin
Joseph adopts the name Jericho
Origin of Deathstroke and Jericho
Key Facts
Dick Grayson becomes Nightwing, formerly Robin
Joseph adopts the name Jericho
Origin of Deathstroke and Jericho
Power Pack #1
Marvel
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st team appearance of Power Pack: Gee (Alex Power), Lightspeed (Julie Power), Mass Master (Jack Power), Energizer (Katie Power)
First written work in the comic book industry by Louise Simonson
Key Facts
1st team appearance of Power Pack: Gee (Alex Power), Lightspeed (Julie Power), Mass Master (Jack Power), Energizer (Katie Power)
First written work in the comic book industry by Louise Simonson
New Mutants #18
Marvel
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st cameo appearance of Warlock, a techno-organic extraterrestrial
1st full appearance of Demon Bear, a villain of Dani Moonstar
Key Facts
1st cameo appearance of Warlock, a techno-organic extraterrestrial
1st full appearance of Demon Bear, a villain of Dani Moonstar
Transformers, The #1
Marvel
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st team appearance of the Autobots: Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Prowl, Ironhide, Huffer, Cliffjumper, Sideswipe, Hound, Gears, Brawn, Sunstreaker, Bluestreak, Windcharger, Ratchet, Wheeljack, Trailbreaker, Mirage
1st team appearance of the the Decepticons: Megatron, Starscream, Buzzsaw, Thundercracker, Laserbeak, Frenzy, Skywarp, Rumble, Ravage, Soundwave
1st appearance of Buster and Sparkplug Witwicky, human allies of the Autobots
Key Facts
1st team appearance of the Autobots: Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Prowl, Ironhide, Huffer, Cliffjumper, Sideswipe, Hound, Gears, Brawn, Sunstreaker, Bluestreak, Windcharger, Ratchet, Wheeljack, Trailbreaker, Mirage
1st team appearance of the the Decepticons: Megatron, Starscream, Buzzsaw, Thundercracker, Laserbeak, Frenzy, Skywarp, Rumble, Ravage, Soundwave
1st appearance of Buster and Sparkplug Witwicky, human allies of the Autobots
Albedo #2
Thoughts & Images
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Usagi Yojimbo
Yojimbo is Japanese for bodyguard
An animated series set in the Usagi Yojimbo universe is in production for Netflix
Key Facts
1st appearance of Usagi Yojimbo
Yojimbo is Japanese for bodyguard
An animated series set in the Usagi Yojimbo universe is in production for Netflix
Macross #1
Comico
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Robotech
Early English-translation of an anime property, based off of the Macross episode titled The Super Dimension Fortress
[April 2022 - Hawkeye director, Rhys Thomas will direct Mark Canton and Gianni Nunnari’s Robotech for Sony Pictures]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Robotech
Early English-translation of an anime property, based off of the Macross episode titled The Super Dimension Fortress
[April 2022 - Hawkeye director, Rhys Thomas will direct Mark Canton and Gianni Nunnari’s Robotech for Sony Pictures]
Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8
Marvel
•
1984
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
Origin of the black symbiote costume that later bonds with Eddie Brock to become Venom
2nd appearance of Spider-Woman, Julia Carpenter
Key Facts
Origin of the black symbiote costume that later bonds with Eddie Brock to become Venom
2nd appearance of Spider-Woman, Julia Carpenter
Uncanny X-Men #191
Marvel
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Nimrod, an advanced sentinel from an alternate timeline
Key Facts
1st appearance of Nimrod, an advanced sentinel from an alternate timeline
Coyote #11
Epic
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
First interior art by Todd McFarlane in the comic industry, officially
McFarlane previously had a sketch published in the Comics Journal #84 fanzine
Key Facts
First interior art by Todd McFarlane in the comic industry, officially
McFarlane previously had a sketch published in the Comics Journal #84 fanzine
Raphael: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1
Mirage
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
First Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles one-shot spin-off
1st appearance and cover of Casey Jones
Key Facts
First Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles one-shot spin-off
1st appearance and cover of Casey Jones
New Mutants #26
Marvel
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Legion, the son of Professor Xavier
Crisis on Infinite Earths #1
DC
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
"Crisis on Infinite Earths" part 1
1st appearance of Blue Beetle, Ted Kord, in the DC Universe after being acquired from Charlton Comics
1st appearance of Pariah
1st appearance of Alex Luthor Jr.
1st full appearance of the Monitor
Lyla Michaels becomes Harbinger
Key Facts
"Crisis on Infinite Earths" part 1
1st appearance of Blue Beetle, Ted Kord, in the DC Universe after being acquired from Charlton Comics
1st appearance of Pariah
1st appearance of Alex Luthor Jr.
1st full appearance of the Monitor
Lyla Michaels becomes Harbinger
Infinity Inc. #14
DC
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
First published cover art by Todd McFarlane
Amazing Spider-Man #265
Marvel
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Silver Sable
1st team appearance of the Wild Pack
Key Facts
1st appearance of Silver Sable
1st team appearance of the Wild Pack
Saga of the Swamp Thing #37
DC
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of John Constantine, Hellblazer
[September 2022 - Warner Bros. announced Keanu Reeves will reprise the role of Constantine in a sequel film]
Key Facts
1st appearance of John Constantine, Hellblazer
[September 2022 - Warner Bros. announced Keanu Reeves will reprise the role of Constantine in a sequel film]
Avengers, The #257
Marvel
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Nebula, the adopted daughter of Thanos
Miracleman #1
Eclipse
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
Reintroduction of Marvelman, a 1950s British superhero renamed Miracleman for legal purposes
Key Facts
Reintroduction of Marvelman, a 1950s British superhero renamed Miracleman for legal purposes
Batman #386
DC
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Black Mask, a crime boss who wore a mask carved from the casket lid of his deceased father
Key Facts
1st appearance of Black Mask, a crime boss who wore a mask carved from the casket lid of his deceased father
Longshot #1
Marvel
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Longshot
1st appearance of Spiral
Crisis on Infinite Earths #7
DC
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
"Crisis on Infinite Earths" part 7
Death of Supergirl
Origin of The Monitor, Anti-Monitor, Pariah and Guardians of Oa
Key Facts
"Crisis on Infinite Earths" part 7
Death of Supergirl
Origin of The Monitor, Anti-Monitor, Pariah and Guardians of Oa
DC Comics Presents #87
DC
•
1985
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Superboy-Prime, a corrupted, parallel universe version of Superman
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Superboy-Prime, a corrupted, parallel universe version of Superman
Uncanny X-Men #201
Marvel
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Nathan Summers (Cable) as a baby, son of Scott Summers and Madelyne Pryor
Key Facts
1st appearance of Nathan Summers (Cable) as a baby, son of Scott Summers and Madelyne Pryor
Solson Christmas Special #1
Solson
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
First interior art by Jim Lee, interior inks
Punisher Limited Series #1
Marvel
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
First solo series featuring the Punisher
Booster Gold #1
DC
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Booster Gold
1st appearance of Skeets, the robot sidekick of Booster Gold
1st appearance of Blackguard
1st appearance of Trixie Collins, later becomes Goldstar
1st cameo appearance of Mindancer
[January 2023 - a Booster Gold TV series about a "loser from the future" who returns to the past to pretend to be a superhero is planned for HBO Max - SYNOPSIS: Michael Jon “Booster” Carter, is a member of the Justice League born in Gotham City who attends university on a football scholarship. He is expelled for gambling and becomes a superhero, although continues to irritate others with his obsession for fame and wealth. His nickname came via Ronald Reagan after he saved the former POTUS.]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Booster Gold
1st appearance of Skeets, the robot sidekick of Booster Gold
1st appearance of Blackguard
1st appearance of Trixie Collins, later becomes Goldstar
1st cameo appearance of Mindancer
[January 2023 - a Booster Gold TV series about a "loser from the future" who returns to the past to pretend to be a superhero is planned for HBO Max - SYNOPSIS: Michael Jon “Booster” Carter, is a member of the Justice League born in Gotham City who attends university on a football scholarship. He is expelled for gambling and becomes a superhero, although continues to irritate others with his obsession for fame and wealth. His nickname came via Ronald Reagan after he saved the former POTUS.]
X-Factor #1
Marvel
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st team appearance of X-Factor, the original X-Men: Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Iceman, Angel
1st appearance of Cameron Hodge, a human who passionately hated mutants
1st appearance of Rusty Collins, a mutant with the ability to manipulate fire
[January 2026 - an X-Factor project is rumored to be in development at Marvel Studios]
Key Facts
1st team appearance of X-Factor, the original X-Men: Cyclops, Jean Grey, Beast, Iceman, Angel
1st appearance of Cameron Hodge, a human who passionately hated mutants
1st appearance of Rusty Collins, a mutant with the ability to manipulate fire
[January 2026 - an X-Factor project is rumored to be in development at Marvel Studios]
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1
DC
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Robin, Carrie Kelley, in an alternate reality
1st cameo appearance of the Mutants and the Mutant Leader
💰Original cover art sold on June 16, 2022 for $2.4 million dollars
Key Facts
1st appearance of Robin, Carrie Kelley, in an alternate reality
1st cameo appearance of the Mutants and the Mutant Leader
💰Original cover art sold on June 16, 2022 for $2.4 million dollars
Alpha Flight #33
Marvel
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Yuriko Oyama as Lady Deathstrike, in costume - previously introduced in Daredevil #197
Key Facts
1st appearance of Yuriko Oyama as Lady Deathstrike, in costume - previously introduced in Daredevil #197
Megaton #5
Megaton
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
First interior art by Rob Liefeld
Dark Horse Presents #1
Dark Horse
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
First comic book published by Dark Horse Comics founded in 1986
1st appearance of Concrete, an average man's journey through life in a stone body
1st appearance of Black Cross, a fearless warrior in a post-apocalyptic world
Key Facts
First comic book published by Dark Horse Comics founded in 1986
1st appearance of Concrete, an average man's journey through life in a stone body
1st appearance of Black Cross, a fearless warrior in a post-apocalyptic world
X-Factor #6
Marvel
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st full appearance and cover of Apocalypse
Captain America Annual #8
Marvel
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
Iconic cover art by Mike Zeck
1st appearance of TESS-One
Watchmen #1
DC
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
Premiere issue of a twelve-issue series that explores the dark side of superheroes from a realistic, flawed perspective
1st appearance of Rorschach, Dr. Manhattan, Ozymandias, Silk Spectre, The Comedian and Night Owl
Alan Moore based his characters off of DC's newly acquired Charlton heroes: the Question, Captain Atom, Thunderbolt, Nightshade, the Peacemaker and Blue Beetle
[July 2023 - Warner Bros. announced an animated Watchmen feature is in development]
Key Facts
Premiere issue of a twelve-issue series that explores the dark side of superheroes from a realistic, flawed perspective
1st appearance of Rorschach, Dr. Manhattan, Ozymandias, Silk Spectre, The Comedian and Night Owl
Alan Moore based his characters off of DC's newly acquired Charlton heroes: the Question, Captain Atom, Thunderbolt, Nightshade, the Peacemaker and Blue Beetle
[July 2023 - Warner Bros. announced an animated Watchmen feature is in development]
New Mutants Annual #2
Marvel
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Betsy Braddock in U.S. comics, renamed Psylocke by Mojo
1st appearance of Meggan in U.S. comics
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Betsy Braddock in U.S. comics, renamed Psylocke by Mojo
1st appearance of Meggan in U.S. comics
Key Facts
Variant cover art by John Byrne
First intentional variant cover, available from comic stores only
Key Facts
Variant cover art by John Byrne
First intentional variant cover, available from comic stores only
Uncanny X-Men #212
Marvel
•
1986
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
First battle of Wolverine versus Sabretooth
Wonder Woman #1
DC
•
1987
•
Vol. 2
Key Facts
Origin of Wonder Woman
1st appearance of Philippus, an Amazonian captain
1st appearance of Aella, an Amazon warrior, Reintroduction of Ares and Hippolyta
Origin of Hippolyta and Antiope
Wraparound cover art by George Perez
Key Facts
Origin of Wonder Woman
1st appearance of Philippus, an Amazonian captain
1st appearance of Aella, an Amazon warrior, Reintroduction of Ares and Hippolyta
Origin of Hippolyta and Antiope
Wraparound cover art by George Perez
Suicide Squad #1
DC
•
1987
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Warden John Economos
1st team appearance of Onslaught aka Jihad: Chimera aka Nightshade, Djinn, Jaculi, Manticore, Ravan and Rustam
1st appearance of Simon LaGrieve
Introduction of Belle Reve
[April 2023 - Steve Agee to voice John Economos in Creature Commandos]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Warden John Economos
1st team appearance of Onslaught aka Jihad: Chimera aka Nightshade, Djinn, Jaculi, Manticore, Ravan and Rustam
1st appearance of Simon LaGrieve
Introduction of Belle Reve
[April 2023 - Steve Agee to voice John Economos in Creature Commandos]
Transformers Magazine, The (UK) #113
Marvel
•
1987
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
1st appearance of Death's Head, a robot bounty hunter
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21
Marvel
•
1987
•
Vol. 1
Key Facts
Marriage of Peter Parker and Mary Jane Watson
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