🗝 The Top 100 Key Issues from The Golden Age Comic Books published from 1934 - 1955
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Detective Comics #58
DC
•
1941
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Penguin
Sensation Comics #1
DC
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
1st cover appearance of Wonder Woman
2nd appearance and origin of Wonder Woman
1st appearance and origin of Mr. Terrific, Terry Sloane
1st appearance of Wildcat, Ted Grant
1st cover appearance of Wonder Woman
2nd appearance and origin of Wonder Woman
1st appearance and origin of Mr. Terrific, Terry Sloane
1st appearance of Wildcat, Ted Grant
Sensation Comics #2
DC
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Dr. Poison, Princess Maru
1st appearance of Etta Candy, Wonder Woman's best friend
1st appearance of Dr. Poison, Princess Maru
1st appearance of Etta Candy, Wonder Woman's best friend
Pep Comics #26
Archie
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Veronica Lodge
Crime Does Not Pay #22
Lev Gleason
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
First "true crime" comic book format
Our Gang Comics #1
Dell
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Tom & Jerry - Tom is depicted as a brown-colored cat in this comic instead of the more traditional gray
1st appearance of Barney Bear
1st team appearance of Our Gang
1st appearance of Tom & Jerry - Tom is depicted as a brown-colored cat in this comic instead of the more traditional gray
1st appearance of Barney Bear
1st team appearance of Our Gang
Police Comics #11
Quality
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Spirit in standard comic format
The Spirit is a crimefighter created by Will Eisner who first appeared in a 16-page newsprint comic insert distributed with the Register and Tribune Syndicate newspaper
1st appearance of the Spirit in standard comic format
The Spirit is a crimefighter created by Will Eisner who first appeared in a 16-page newsprint comic insert distributed with the Register and Tribune Syndicate newspaper
Four Color #9
Dell
•
1942
•
Vol. 2
First artwork on Donald Duck by Carl Barks
Animal Comics #1
Dell
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Pogo Possum
Air Fighters Comics #3
Hillman
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of The Heap, a German pilot that turned into a swamp monster
Origin of Skywolf
1st appearance and origin of The Heap, a German pilot that turned into a swamp monster
Origin of Skywolf
Captain Marvel Adventures #18
Fawcett
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Mary Marvel
1st appearance of the Marvel Family together in one issue: Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr.
1st appearance and origin of Mary Marvel
1st appearance of the Marvel Family together in one issue: Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr.
Detective Comics #73
DC
•
1943
•
Vol. 1
1st cover and 2nd appearance of the Scarecrow
Batman #16
DC
•
1943
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Alfred Pennyworth
Captain Marvel Adventures #26
Fawcett
•
1943
•
Vol. 1
1st full appearance of Mr. Mind, revealed to be a tiny, alien worm
In issue Captain Marvel Adventures #22 - #25, Mr. Mind’s presence is in dialogue alone
1st full appearance of Mr. Mind, revealed to be a tiny, alien worm
In issue Captain Marvel Adventures #22 - #25, Mr. Mind’s presence is in dialogue alone
Air Fighters Comics #2
Hillman
•
1943
•
Vol. 2
1st appearance of Valkyrie and the Air Maidens
Suspense Comics #3
Continental
•
1944
•
Vol. 1
Published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority
Considered the most valuable non-superhero comic book
Published prior to the establishment of the Comics Code Authority
Considered the most valuable non-superhero comic book
All-American Comics #61
DC
•
1944
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Solomon Grundy, a zombie
Jumbo Comics #69
Fiction House
•
1944
•
Vol. 1
First published interior art in the comic book industry by Matt Baker, the first known black artist in comics
Baker is credited as having illustrated the first graphic novel, It Rhymes With Lust
Baker's name is synonymous with the term 'Good Girl Art' which referred to stimulating illustrations of women
Baker defined the classic Phantom Lady imagery which caused him to be a target of Dr. Frederic Wertham, author of "Seduction of the Innocent"
First published interior art in the comic book industry by Matt Baker, the first known black artist in comics
Baker is credited as having illustrated the first graphic novel, It Rhymes With Lust
Baker's name is synonymous with the term 'Good Girl Art' which referred to stimulating illustrations of women
Baker defined the classic Phantom Lady imagery which caused him to be a target of Dr. Frederic Wertham, author of "Seduction of the Innocent"
Nelvana of the Northern Lights
Bell Features
•
1945
•
Vol. 1
First solo Nelvana of the Northern Lights issue
Reprint of stories from Triumph Comics
First solo Nelvana of the Northern Lights issue
Reprint of stories from Triumph Comics
Mask Comics #1
Rural Home
•
1945
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by L.B. Cole
Wilbur Comics #5
Archie
•
1945
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Katy Keene, a fashion model
Terry-Toons Comics #38
Timely
•
1945
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Mighty Mouse
[November 2024 - a feature film is in development at Paramount with Ryan Reynolds' production company Maximum Effort and writer Matt Lieberman (Free Guy) attached]
1st appearance of Mighty Mouse
[November 2024 - a feature film is in development at Paramount with Ryan Reynolds' production company Maximum Effort and writer Matt Lieberman (Free Guy) attached]
Marvel Family #1
Fawcett
•
1945
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Black Adam, an Egyptian prince named Teth-Adam who was first granted powers by the wizard Shazam though it corrupted him
Origin of The Marvel Family: Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Junior, Mary Marvel and Uncle Marvel
1st appearance and origin of Black Adam, an Egyptian prince named Teth-Adam who was first granted powers by the wizard Shazam though it corrupted him
Origin of The Marvel Family: Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Junior, Mary Marvel and Uncle Marvel
All Winners Comics #19
Timely
•
1946
•
Vol. 1
1st team appearance and origin of the All Winners Squad: Captain America, Bucky, Human Torch, Miss America, Sub-Mariner, Toro, Whizzer
1st team appearance and origin of the All Winners Squad: Captain America, Bucky, Human Torch, Miss America, Sub-Mariner, Toro, Whizzer
Terry-Toons Comics #50
Timely
•
1946
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Heckle & Jeckle
Eerie #1
Avon
•
1947
•
Vol. 1
First comic book title dedicated to the horror genre
Detective Comics #122
DC
•
1947
•
Vol. 1
1st cover appearance of Catwoman
Marvel Mystery Comics #82
Timely
•
1947
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of and origin of Namora
First team-up of the Sub-Mariner and Namora
1st appearance of and origin of Namora
First team-up of the Sub-Mariner and Namora
Star-Spangled Comics #69
DC
•
1947
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Tomahawk, a soldier who fought during the Revolutionary War
1st appearance and origin of Tomahawk, a soldier who fought during the Revolutionary War
All Negro Comics #1
All Negro Comics
•
1947
•
Vol. 1
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
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
Flash Comics #86
DC
•
1947
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Black Canary
Young Romance Comics #1
Prize
•
1947
•
Vol. 1
First comic book published in the romance genre
Four Color #178
Dell
•
1947
•
Vol. 2
1st appearance of Uncle Scrooge, introduced in a story titled ‘Christmas on Bear Mountain’
1st appearance of Uncle Scrooge, introduced in a story titled ‘Christmas on Bear Mountain’
Two-Gun Kid #1
Timely
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Two-Gun Kid, Clay Harder
Phantom Lady #17
Fox
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Matt Baker
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham writes of the cover art, 'sexual stimulation by combining headlights with the sadist's dream of tying up a woman' - headlights a reference to her breasts
💰Top Sale: 9.6 sold for $456,000 in 2021
Cover art by Matt Baker
Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority
Reason: Wertham writes of the cover art, 'sexual stimulation by combining headlights with the sadist's dream of tying up a woman' - headlights a reference to her breasts
💰Top Sale: 9.6 sold for $456,000 in 2021
Detective Comics #140
DC
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of the Riddler
Casper the Friendly Ghost #1
St. John
•
1949
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Casper the Friendly Ghost
1st appearance of Herman the Mouse
1st appearance of Baby Huey
1st appearance of Casper the Friendly Ghost
1st appearance of Herman the Mouse
1st appearance of Baby Huey
War Against Crime #10
EC
•
1949
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Vault Keeper and the Vault of Horror
Crypt of Terror #17
EC
•
1950
•
Vol. 1
First EC horror comic which, along with Vault of Horror #12, changed the course of the publisher and set into motion future censorship
First EC horror comic which, along with Vault of Horror #12, changed the course of the publisher and set into motion future censorship
Detective Comics #168
DC
•
1951
•
Vol. 1
Origin of the Joker, formerly a crook named the Red Hood who pulled a heist that led him through a vat of chemicals that caused his clown-like appearance
Origin of the Joker, formerly a crook named the Red Hood who pulled a heist that led him through a vat of chemicals that caused his clown-like appearance
Action Comics #161
DC
•
1951
•
Vol. 1
Debut of Green Kryptonite
Previous versions of Kryptonite were depicted colorless or red
Debut of Green Kryptonite
Previous versions of Kryptonite were depicted colorless or red
Thun'da: King of the Congo #1
Magazine Enterprises
•
1952
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Thun'da, a pilot forced to becomes a warrior after his plane crashed in the jungle
The only original comic book illustrated entirely by Frank Frazetta, from cover to cover
1st appearance and origin of Thun'da, a pilot forced to becomes a warrior after his plane crashed in the jungle
The only original comic book illustrated entirely by Frank Frazetta, from cover to cover
Tip Top Comics #173
St. John
•
1952
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" in comic books
According to the United States Library of Congress copyright records, this issue preceded the Peanuts appearance in United Comics #21 by one week
1st appearance of Charles Schulz's "Peanuts" in comic books
According to the United States Library of Congress copyright records, this issue preceded the Peanuts appearance in United Comics #21 by one week
Phantom Stranger, The #1
DC
•
1952
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Phantom Stranger, a powerful archmage
Mad #1
EC
•
1952
•
Vol. 1
Premiere issue of the long-running satirical magazine that ceased new content publications in 2019
Premiere issue of the long-running satirical magazine that ceased new content publications in 2019
Dennis the Menace #1
Pines
•
1953
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Dennis the Menace
Little Dot #1
Harvey
•
1953
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Richie Rich
1st appearance of Little Lotta
Marvelman #25
L Miller Son
•
1954
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Marvelman, later renamed Miracleman, a young man who transformed into a superhero by saying 'Kimota' which is Atomik spelled backwards
The development of Miracleman occurred after DC/National won a lawsuit against Fawcett that prohibited the use of Captain Marvel, later renamed Shazam, due to his likeness to Superman
The UK publisher of Captain Marvel reprints, facing a devastating financial blow, successfully renamed, redesigned and re-marketed Captain Marvel into Marvelman
1st appearance of Marvelman, later renamed Miracleman, a young man who transformed into a superhero by saying 'Kimota' which is Atomik spelled backwards
The development of Miracleman occurred after DC/National won a lawsuit against Fawcett that prohibited the use of Captain Marvel, later renamed Shazam, due to his likeness to Superman
The UK publisher of Captain Marvel reprints, facing a devastating financial blow, successfully renamed, redesigned and re-marketed Captain Marvel into Marvelman
Four Color #596
Dell
•
1954
•
Vol. 2
1st appearance of Turok, dinosaur hunter
Rawhide Kid #1
Atlas
•
1955
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of the Rawhide Kid, the first version of the character
1st appearance of the Rawhide Kid, the first version of the character
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