Artist's Firsts II Legendary artists in comics and their first published work

Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.

Fantagraphics ⋅ 1983

Low
$15
Mid
$50
High
$150

Key Facts

First artwork by Todd McFarlane in the letters column of a comic-related publication (fanzine)

Circulation of the fanzine during this timeframe was approximately 11,000 copies

Dark Horse ⋅ 2013

Low
$0
Mid
$0
High
$0

Key Facts

First professionally published artwork in the comic book industry by Daniel Warren Johnson - one page pin-up

London Night ⋅ 1993

Low
$1
Mid
$3
High
$12

Key Facts

First interior published artwork in comic books by Budd Root, creator of the independently-published Cavewoman series

Root claimed in an interview that The James Gang #1 sold so poorly that the writer paid him in King Kong trading cards

Cover art by Mike Hoffman

Image ⋅ 2001

Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

First interior artwork in the comic industry by Mark Brooks

Western ⋅ 1978

Low
$30
Mid
$100
High
$300

Key Facts

First professional written and illustrated work in comics by Frank Miller

Three-page story titled 'Royal Feast'

Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

First cover art by Alex Ross

Ashtray Press ⋅ 2005

Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

First self-published written and illustrated work in comics by Jeff Lemire

Image ⋅ 2001

Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

First cover art by Ben Templesmith

Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

First cover art by David Mack

Low
$3.5k
Mid
$10k
High
$35k

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

Archie ⋅ 1941

Low
$320
Mid
$915
High
$3.2k

Key Facts

First interior art by Gil Kane (inks)

Marvel ⋅ 1969

Low
$190
Mid
$780
High
$1.9k

Key Facts

First battle of Silver Surfer vs Thor

2nd appearance of Mephisto

Iconic cover art by John Buscema

First interior art by Sal Buscema, inks

AAM-Markosia ⋅ 2005

Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

First cover art by Ryan Stegman

Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$5

Key Facts

First interior art by Jae Lee, also illustrated the back cover

1st cameo appearance of Cyber aka Silas Burr in shadows, later becomes Hornet - Cyber is the villain who gouged out Wolverine's eye leading to the 'Patch' identity

Swappers ⋅ 1944

Low
$50
Mid
$150
High
$550

Key Facts

First published partial cover and interior art by Frank Frazetta

Champions #11

Non-Key

Marvel ⋅ 1977

Values Coming Soon

Key Facts

First cover art by Bob Layton

Atlas #1

Non-Key

Variant ⋅ Avatar ⋅ 2002

Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$4

Key Facts

First cover art by Mark Brooks

Rebellion ⋅ 2000

Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

First cover art by Jock (as Mark Simpson)

Street Enterprises ⋅ 1981

Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$7

Key Facts

First cover art by Mike Mignola, solicitation magazine

First published interior art was of Red Sonja on page 9 of Comic Reader #183

Image ⋅ 1994

Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

First Gen 13 limited series

First published cover art by J. Scott Campbell

Low
$50
Mid
$150
High
$600

Key Facts

First published artwork in comics by Neal Adams

One panel in this issue was replaced by sample art that Neal Adams submitted to Joe Simon who worked at Archie Comics

Aircel ⋅ 1986

Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10

Key Facts

First published artwork by Dale Keown, cover and interior

Adjust Your Filters To See More Comics!

By default Key Collector searches for Standard Cover Key Issues.

Adjust the "Variants" search filter above for additional content:

  • Variant Covers ([[totalVariants]])

At Key Collector, our primary focus is on unearthing those rare Standard Cover Key Issues for you. However, the world of comic collectibles is vast and varied. We want to make sure you have the tools to explore it all!