Misconceptions

Email your comic book misconceptions or corrections to [email protected]

Image Mar 1993

Maxx, The #1

Maxx, The #1
View Series Variants (4)
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$8
View on eBay
1st appearance of The Maxx, a hero who exists in two different worlds
Adapted into a 13-episode animated series by MTV that aired in 1995
⚠️ Misconception: Online claims often cite Darker Image #1 as the first appearance of The Maxx but according to the Capital City distributor market report from that period, The Maxx #1 went on sale March 9, 1993 - two weeks earlier
Image Dec 2002 Vol 2

Savage Dragon #102

Savage Dragon #102
View Series
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$75
View on eBay
Five-page preview of Invincible
1st appearance of Mother Mayhem aka Afterbirth
Copies ordered by retailers: 13,009
⚠️ Misconception: Despite the cover date listing August, this issue didn’t actually go on sale until December 4, 2002, two weeks after Tech Jacket #1, which contains the first printed preview of Invincible
Eastern Color Sep 1948

Juke Box Comics #4

Juke Box Comics #4
View Series
Low
$25
Mid
$75
High
$245
View on eBay
1st team appearance of the Three Stooges: Moe, Larry, Curly
⚠️ Misconception: Three Stooges #1 (February 1949) is widely considered the first appearance of the Three Stooges despite this issue's publications six months prior
Marvel Jan 1978

Black Panther #7

Black Panther #7
View Series Variants (1)
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$35
View on eBay
1st appearance of Bashenga, at one point known as the first Black Panther but an earlier Black Panther was introduced in the Avengers 1 million B.C. story arc
⚠ CGC mislabels this issue as the first appearance of Jakarra, the half-brother of T'Challa who was introduced in Black Panther #6 (1977)
DC Sep 1964

Action Comics #315

Action Comics #315
View Series
Low
$8
Mid
$25
High
$100
View on eBay
1st appearance Zigi and Zagi
⚠ Misconception: CGC mislabels Action Comics #316 as the first appearance of Zigi and Zagi
DC Oct 1943

Batman #19

Batman #19
View Series
Low
$250
Mid
$875
High
$2.5K
View on eBay
Second cover art on Batman by Dick Sprang
⚠ Misconception: CGC describes this as the first cover art on Batman by Dick Sprang but Sprang first provided partial pencils and inks on the cover of Batman #18
Marvel Jul 1987

Incredible Hulk #333

Incredible Hulk #333
View Series Variants (2)
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$8
View on eBay
Cover art by Steve Geiger, interior art by Todd McFarlane
⚠ Misconception: McFarlane first provided cover art on The Incredible Hulk title with issue #330 but did not pencil another cover until issue #340
Curtis Jul 1973

Monsters Unleashed #1

Monsters Unleashed #1
View Series
Low
$5
Mid
$20
High
$75
View on eBay
1st appearance of Solomon Kane in comics
⚠ Misconception: CGC states Dracula Lives #3 is Solomon Kane's first magazine appearance though it was published three months after this issue
Dark Horse Jun 2004

Star Wars: Jedi - Yoda #1

Star Wars: Jedi - Yoda #1
View Series
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$45
View on eBay
One-shot that takes place during the Clone Wars
⚠ Misconception: a character named Cal makes a first appearance in this issue but he does not resemble the character Cal Kestis
Now Oct 1991

Real Ghostbusters 3-D Special, The #1

Real Ghostbusters 3-D Special, The #1
View Series
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$10
View on eBay
Reprinted stories from The Real Ghostbusters U.K. Magazine
Polybagged with 3-D glasses for the story 'The Rise and Fall of Ghostbusting'
⚠ Misconception: cited by some resources as published in 1986 but this information pertains to the September 1986 copyright of the animated TV series for licensing purposes - NOW Comics did not obtain the rights to publish Ghostbusters until 1988
Marvel Jun 1965

Strange Tales #133

Strange Tales #133
View Series
Low
$8
Mid
$25
High
$90
View on eBay
⚠ Misconception: many eBay listings claim this issue as the first cover appearance of Clea but the two women depicted are named Shazana and Nazaka
Marvel Feb 1983

Star Wars #68

Star Wars #68
View Series Variants (4)
Low
$15
Mid
$50
High
$150
View on eBay
Boba Fett briefly appears in a flashback
First mention of the Mandalorians
1st appearance of Fenn Shysa, a Mandalorian
1st full appearance of Dengar, a bounty hunter
⚠ Misconception: CGC labels this issue as the origin of Boba Fett but the character featured in the book is a Mandalorian named Fenn Shysa
Marvel Nov 1974

Thor #229

Thor #229
View Series Variants (2)
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$45
View on eBay
1st appearance of the Shade-Thralls, humans who serve the Dweller In Darkness
⚠ Misconception: many claim that Wolverine is first seen in an advertisement for The Incredible Hulk #181 printed in Thor #229 and Daredevil #115. These issues did not go on sale prior to the publication of Incredible Hulk #181. Comic Reader #109 reports the on-sale date of Thor #229 as August 6, 1974. The on-sale date of The Incredible Hulk #181 was July 30, 1974 which was the same day Daredevil #115 went on sale. Regardless, Wolverine was officially first seen in print briefly (cameo) in The Incredible Hulk #180 (July 2, 1974). Advertisements and preview excerpts are not considered official first appearances
Marvel Value Stamp Series A #80 - Ghost Rider
Marvel Feb 1986

Thor #364

Thor #364
View Series Variants (2)
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$55
View on eBay
Thor is transformed into a frog in the previous issue and spends this entire issue as an amphibian
In Thor #365, he lifts Mjolnir and becomes a frog version of Thor
1st appearance of Puddlegulp, Simon Walterson, a frog who later wields a hammer named Frogjolnir as Throg
⚠ Misconception: sources cite this as the first appearance of Throg. Thor is transformed into a frog in #363 and wields a sliver of Mjolnir as a frog version of Thor in #365. Simon Walterson does not appear as 'Throg' until Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers #1 (2009)
Dark Horse Nov 1988

Dark Horse Presents #24

Error
Dark Horse Presents #24
View Series
Low
$0
Mid
$0
High
$0
View on eBay
⚠ Misconception: mislabeled as Aliens first appearance
Aliens first appeared in a standard-sized comic (non-parody) in Aliens #1 (1988)
Current CGC labels have corrected this error
Mislabeled listings bought/sold on eBay account for approximately 20% of inventory
There is no difference in value of correct and incorrect labels
Feature Dec 1940

Prize Comics #7

Prize Comics #7
View Series
Low
$615
Mid
$1.9K
High
$10K
View on eBay
1st appearance of Frankenstein in comics, back-up story set in 1930s New York City
1st appearance of Dr. Frost
1st appearance and origin of the Green Lama in a comic book
⚠ Misconception: many resources mislabel Green Lama's first appearance due to multiple appearances in single-page promotional ads for Double Detective pulp magazine
Adventure Publications Apr 1992

Rust #1

Rust #1
View Series Variants (1)
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15
View on eBay
⚠ Misconception: incorrectly cited as the first published image of Spawn in an advertisement
The same advertisement appeared in multiple comics that went on-sale in April 1992: Re-Animator #2, Rocket Ranger #3, Rust #1, The Southern Squadron: Freedom of Information #4, Torg #3
In March 1992, one month prior to Rust #1, Spawn advertisements were printed in two comic books: Robotech II The Sentinels #13 and Torg #2
Prior to the publication of Robotech II #13 and Torg #2, Spawn appeared in numerous catalogs and fanzines
Character Search "Spawn" for more information on early appearances
Dark Horse Jul 2008

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #31

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #31
View Series
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50
View on eBay
Squint first uses the alias Malak
⚠ Misconception: listings on eBay claim this issue is the first appearance of Darth Malak but according to writer John Jackson Miller: Malak does not fall to the Dark Side in my comics series. He first appears under the name Squint in KOTOR #0. He first uses the alias Malak in #31. He takes the name Malak permanently in #42
Marvel Aug 1987 Vol 2

Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, The #17

Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe, The #17
View Series
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3
View on eBay
First interior art by Jim Lee at Marvel Comics, specifically the character profile for 'Eel'
⚠ Misconception: Jim Lee's first published artwork for is considered to be Alpha Flight #51, an issue he illustrated in full, but Lee contributed one panel of art for Marvel published prior to Alpha Flight #51
Marvel Feb 2019 Vol 6

Daredevil #2

Daredevil #2
View Series Variants (4)
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$35
View on eBay
2nd appearance of Detective Cole North
⚠ Misconception: the cover art for the second printing of this issue features Detective Cole North but his first appearance is issue #1 (2019)
Marvel Jul 1974

Amazing Spider-Man #134

Amazing Spider-Man #134
View Series
Low
$18
Mid
$85
High
$210
View on eBay
1st appearance of Tarantula
2nd appearance of the Punisher
⚠ Misconception: many sources cite The Amazing Spider-Man #135 as the second appearance of the Punisher and categorize this appearance as a cameo
[March 2026 - confirmed for Spider-Man: Brand New Day]
Marvel Jul 1995

Spider-Man Adventures #8

Spider-Man Adventures #8
View Series Variants (1)
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$40
View on eBay
1st cameo appearance of the black symbiote costume in the comic based off of the animated series
Cover art inspired by The Amazing Spider-Man #300
⚠ Misconception: many eBay listings incorrectly identify this issue as the first appearance of the animated version of Venom which occurs in #9
Marvel Apr 1977

Captain America #208

Captain America #208
View Series Variants (3)
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30
View on eBay
1st cameo appearance of Arnim Zola
⚠ Misconception: cited by many sources as the first appearance of Armin Zola but it is similar to what is widely considered the first cameo appearance of Wolverine in The Incredible Hulk #180 in that he appears on the final page
Marvel Jun 1965

Amazing Spider-Man #25

Amazing Spider-Man #25
View Series Variants (1)
Low
$100
Mid
$300
High
$1K
View on eBay
1st appearance of Spencer Smythe and the Spider-Slayers
1st cameo appearance of Mary Jane Watson, face is obscured by a tree
⚠ Misconception: cited by some sources as the first appearance of Mary Jane but she does not appear in full until The Amazing Spider-Man #42
DC Apr 2015 Vol 2

Justice League #40

Justice League #40
View Series Variants (4)
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$8
View on eBay
1st cameo appearance of Grail, daughter of Darkseid
⚠ Misconception: cited by some sources as the first appearance of Grail but she is obscured by shadows in the final panel
First full appearance of Grail - Free Comic Book Day 2015: Divergence #1
DC Sep 2006

Batman #655

Batman #655
View Series Variants (12)
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$35
View on eBay
1st cameo appearance of Damian Wayne, the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul, in shadows
⚠ Misconception: cited by many resources as Damian's first full appearance but aside from one panel that shows his eyes only, he is otherwise fully obscured by shadows
It should also be noted that the 1987 graphic novel 'Batman: Son of the Demon' introduced a child of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul but the story did not take place in the main DC story universe until Grant Morrison integrated portions of the graphic novel into the origin of Damian
Marvel Jul 1992

Iron Man #282

Iron Man #282
View Series Variants (2)
Low
$10
Mid
$30
High
$100
View on eBay
1st cover appearance of the War Machine armor, worn by Tony Stark
⚠ Misconception: cited by many as the first appearance of War Machine. "War Machine" is splashed across the IRON MAN title in reference to the armor’s incredible armaments but the name is not official. The armor, (piloted by Tony Stark in this issue, not James Rhodes) actually debuts in the previous issue, Iron Man #281. In Iron Man #284, James Rhodes suits up in the War Machine armor but does so as Iron Man and does not officially assume the War Machine codename until West Coast Avengers #94, though he is referred to as War Machine in X-Force #21 but as Iron Man in X-Force #20
Marvel Jan 1988

X-Factor #24

X-Factor #24
View Series Variants (1)
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$40
View on eBay
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
Marvel May 1984

Marvel Team-Up #141

Marvel Team-Up #141
View Series Variants (3)
Low
$5
Mid
$20
High
$85
View on eBay
2nd appearance of Spider-Man's black costume, tied with Spectacular Spider-Man #90
According to solicitations from 1984, The Amazing Spider-Man #252 went on sale January 31
Marvel Team-up #141 and The Spectacular Spider-Man #90 both went on sale February 14
Marvel Nov 1972

Marvel Premiere #5

Marvel Premiere #5
View Series
Low
$15
Mid
$55
High
$165
View on eBay
1st team appearance of the Vishanti: Agamotto, Hoggoth, Oshtur
First mention of Shuma-Gorath
⚠ Misconception: this issue is often cited as Shuma-Gorath's first appearance but the character is only mentioned
Marvel Oct 1973

Ghost Rider #2

Ghost Rider #2
View Series Variants (2)
Low
$18
Mid
$55
High
$155
View on eBay
2nd cameo appearance of Son of Satan
This issue is often cited as the first full appearance of Damion Hellstrom and though the character does appear in many panels, he is obscured by shadows throughout the issue
Marvel Feb 1973

Conan the Barbarian #23

Conan the Barbarian #23
View Series Variants (1)
Low
$30
Mid
$90
High
$345
View on eBay
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]
Marvel Feb 1976

Uncanny X-Men #97

Uncanny X-Men #97
View Series Variants (3)
Low
$15
Mid
$60
High
$180
View on eBay
1st cameo appearance of Lilandra, fully obscured by a spacesuit
1st appearance of the second Erik the Red, a warrior for the Shi'ar
First use of the name Polaris by Lorna Dane
Revealed that Colossus's first name is Peter

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

No Results Found

Try adjusting the "Variants" search filter above, or disable "Keys Only" to see all issues.

  • Variant Covers ([[totalVariants]])

Subscribe to Unlock

View Graded Pricing

Unlock graded pricing and other premium features by subscribing to Key Collector Comics.

Subscribe Learn what's included

Price Guide

Prices are estimates based on recent sales data and may not reflect actual market value. Key Collector Comics does not guarantee the accuracy of any pricing information.