Featuring Hidden Messages and Easter Eggs in comic books
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Spider-Man #1
Marvel
•
1990
•
Vol. 1
Premiere issue of the fourth ongoing Spider-Man series
Todd McFarlane begins including images of Felix the Cat in the interior art of many issues after meeting someone suffering from post-traumatic stress who carried around a Felix the Cat doll
The man told McFarlane that he was not a fan of superhero books, therefore he didn't purchase Spider-Man comics, McFarlane asked if he would start reading them if Felix the Cat was drawn into them and the man said, "yes"
Premiere issue of the fourth ongoing Spider-Man series
Todd McFarlane begins including images of Felix the Cat in the interior art of many issues after meeting someone suffering from post-traumatic stress who carried around a Felix the Cat doll
The man told McFarlane that he was not a fan of superhero books, therefore he didn't purchase Spider-Man comics, McFarlane asked if he would start reading them if Felix the Cat was drawn into them and the man said, "yes"
Cover art reads 'Spider-Boy Will Return'
Amazing Spider-Man #332
Marvel
•
1990
•
Vol. 1
First time Venom is depicted with a long tongue and drool, a significant addition to Venom's design, added by Erik Larsen
Hidden in the background of a panel featuring Spider-Man in a park are Charlie Brown and Snoopy having a picnic - tap cover and swipe to view additional image
First time Venom is depicted with a long tongue and drool, a significant addition to Venom's design, added by Erik Larsen
Hidden in the background of a panel featuring Spider-Man in a park are Charlie Brown and Snoopy having a picnic - tap cover and swipe to view additional image
Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes #217
DC
•
1976
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Laurel Kent, a descendant of Superman
Hidden message in a boat explosion panel reads: HOLY COW! DIG THE FIREWORKS!
1st appearance of Laurel Kent, a descendant of Superman
Hidden message in a boat explosion panel reads: HOLY COW! DIG THE FIREWORKS!
Ms. Mystic #1
Pacific Comics
•
1982
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Hidden on the first page of this issue is Deadman who might be difficult to spot in the print version of the comic but easier on the digital image - see attached
Hidden on the first page of this issue is Deadman who might be difficult to spot in the print version of the comic but easier on the digital image - see attached
Creatures on the Loose #29
Marvel
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
Hidden under a stained-glass illustration and written upside down in Spanish are the words: Esta vineta se la dedico a Neal (This vignette is dedicated to Neal) Adams
Hidden under a stained-glass illustration and written upside down in Spanish are the words: Esta vineta se la dedico a Neal (This vignette is dedicated to Neal) Adams
Marvel Spotlight #8
Marvel
•
1980
•
Vol. 2
Non-Key
Inker Terry Austin hid Popeye on the cover art with pencils by Frank Miller
Inker Terry Austin hid Popeye on the cover art with pencils by Frank Miller
Flash #165
DC
•
1966
•
Vol. 1
Marriage of Barry Allen and Iris West
The cover artist on this issue, Murphy Anderson spelled his last name on the bible pages
Marriage of Barry Allen and Iris West
The cover artist on this issue, Murphy Anderson spelled his last name on the bible pages
Green Lantern #26
DC
•
2013
•
Vol. 5
1st appearance of Gorrin-Sunn, a member of the Green Lantern Corps made of living energy
Gorrin-Sunn was named for Hunter Gorinson who, at the time, was Marketing Director at Valiant
1st appearance of Gorrin-Sunn, a member of the Green Lantern Corps made of living energy
Gorrin-Sunn was named for Hunter Gorinson who, at the time, was Marketing Director at Valiant
Brave and the Bold, The #149
DC
•
1979
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
A sign that reads 'Levitz Arms Service Entrance' is a reference to Paul Levitz who was editor on Batman at the time of this issue's publication but went on to act as president of DC from 2002-2009
A sign that reads 'Levitz Arms Service Entrance' is a reference to Paul Levitz who was editor on Batman at the time of this issue's publication but went on to act as president of DC from 2002-2009
Weapon X #28
Marvel
•
2004
•
Vol. 2
Non-Key
Final issue with 'I want this issue to be finished and over with! I don't like slogging through the last issue of a dead book if I'm a pro"
Final issue with 'I want this issue to be finished and over with! I don't like slogging through the last issue of a dead book if I'm a pro"
Strange Adventures #216
DC
•
1969
•
Vol. 1
In one panel, Neal Adams pays tribute to artist Jim Steranko with a hidden message in the artwork that spells out the phrase 'HEY A JIM STERANKO EFFECT' - tap cover and swipe to view panel
In one panel, Neal Adams pays tribute to artist Jim Steranko with a hidden message in the artwork that spells out the phrase 'HEY A JIM STERANKO EFFECT' - tap cover and swipe to view panel
Sleepwalker #5
Marvel
•
1991
•
Vol. 1
Non-Key
The words “I Give Up” are playfully incorporated into the webbing after the artist reached his limit of webs that he wished to draw for this cover
The words “I Give Up” are playfully incorporated into the webbing after the artist reached his limit of webs that he wished to draw for this cover
Ka-Zar #1
Marvel
•
1970
•
Vol. 1
Curse word visible on the cover, above the backside of Zabu and to the right of the tree trunk
First standalone back-up story featuring Hercules, first solo story in Avengers #47
First reprint of Ka-Zar's first appearance from X-Men #10 (1965)
Curse word visible on the cover, above the backside of Zabu and to the right of the tree trunk
First standalone back-up story featuring Hercules, first solo story in Avengers #47
First reprint of Ka-Zar's first appearance from X-Men #10 (1965)
Defenders #89
Marvel
•
1980
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Hellcat, Patsy Walker, specifically her long history in Marvel's romance comics explained as fictional stories written by her mother
Profanity panel: a cartoon rabbit is holding a box of cereal with the word 'SHIT' on it that was missed by editors
Origin of Hellcat, Patsy Walker, specifically her long history in Marvel's romance comics explained as fictional stories written by her mother
Profanity panel: a cartoon rabbit is holding a box of cereal with the word 'SHIT' on it that was missed by editors
Captain America #602
Marvel
•
2010
•
Vol. 1
Interior panel depicting protestors with one sign that reads: Tea Bag The Libs Before They Tea Bag YOU!
Ed Brubaker has stated this text was not written into the issue
This issue is often listed on eBay as recalled but this is false
Interior panel depicting protestors with one sign that reads: Tea Bag The Libs Before They Tea Bag YOU!
Ed Brubaker has stated this text was not written into the issue
This issue is often listed on eBay as recalled but this is false
Marvel Team-Up #95
Marvel
•
1980
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Bobbi Morse as Mockingbird
Hidden Message: interior panel of a vehicle in an airport parking lot with a vanity plate that reads FUQ
1st appearance of Bobbi Morse as Mockingbird
Hidden Message: interior panel of a vehicle in an airport parking lot with a vanity plate that reads FUQ
Amazing Spider-Man #311
Marvel
•
1989
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by Todd McFarlane featuring Mysterio
The circled number after McFarlane's signature denotes how many spiders are illustrated into the design, hidden on the cover
Cover art by Todd McFarlane featuring Mysterio
The circled number after McFarlane's signature denotes how many spiders are illustrated into the design, hidden on the cover
Brute #1
Atlas (Paramount)
•
1975
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Brute, a Neanderthal thawed from ice in the modern day
Former owner of Marvel Comics, Martin Goodman, wanted to get back into publishing and established Atlas Comics with characters like The Brute to replicate the success Marvel had with the Hulk
Veteran artist Mike Sekowsky did not respect the unoriginality of Atlas's creative direction and expressed his feelings on the page with the word 'SHIT' vaguely hidden in the letters/numbers 5H17 on the side of an airplane
1st appearance and origin of Brute, a Neanderthal thawed from ice in the modern day
Former owner of Marvel Comics, Martin Goodman, wanted to get back into publishing and established Atlas Comics with characters like The Brute to replicate the success Marvel had with the Hulk
Veteran artist Mike Sekowsky did not respect the unoriginality of Atlas's creative direction and expressed his feelings on the page with the word 'SHIT' vaguely hidden in the letters/numbers 5H17 on the side of an airplane
Iron Man #127
Marvel
•
1979
•
Vol. 1
"Demon in a Bottle" part 8
In the final panels of this issue, the Avengers' butler Jarvis quits after witnessing a drunken outburst from Tony Stark
In real life, prior to the publication of this issue, veteran writer Dave Cockrum had tendered his resignation in a scathing letter to upper management that is printed as if the words were penned by Jarvis
Cockrum's grievances aren't fully aligned with Jarvis's which confused readers and was later explained in the fan mail column of Iron Man #130
See additional images by tapping the cover image and swiping
"Demon in a Bottle" part 8
In the final panels of this issue, the Avengers' butler Jarvis quits after witnessing a drunken outburst from Tony Stark
In real life, prior to the publication of this issue, veteran writer Dave Cockrum had tendered his resignation in a scathing letter to upper management that is printed as if the words were penned by Jarvis
Cockrum's grievances aren't fully aligned with Jarvis's which confused readers and was later explained in the fan mail column of Iron Man #130
See additional images by tapping the cover image and swiping
New X-Men #118
Marvel
•
2001
•
Vol. 1
1st team appearance of the Stepford Cuckoos, a product of Weapon XIV, created from Emma Frost's DNA
1st appearance of Angel Salvadore
1st appearance of Cerebella, a disembodied mutant brain
Artist Ethan Van Sciver hid the word 'sex' in multiple panels throughout the book, many of which were caught by editors but one slipped past which is evident in a protest scene
1st team appearance of the Stepford Cuckoos, a product of Weapon XIV, created from Emma Frost's DNA
1st appearance of Angel Salvadore
1st appearance of Cerebella, a disembodied mutant brain
Artist Ethan Van Sciver hid the word 'sex' in multiple panels throughout the book, many of which were caught by editors but one slipped past which is evident in a protest scene
Uncanny X-Men #325
Marvel
•
1995
•
Vol. 1
Interior panel depicts a man with a newspaper with a headline that reads 'Cruz Swipes Again'
Joe Madureira intentionally added these words to express frustration toward fledgling artist, Roger Cruz for swiping panel compositions from other artists for his own
Interior panel depicts a man with a newspaper with a headline that reads 'Cruz Swipes Again'
Joe Madureira intentionally added these words to express frustration toward fledgling artist, Roger Cruz for swiping panel compositions from other artists for his own
Variant cover art by Simone Bianchi
Hidden message variant with Bianchi's name written into the tiles of the background wall
Another name hidden in the tiles is Loeb and above Wolverine's knee is W 50
The message was a hint of the yet unannounced news that beginning with Wolverine #50 of the main series, Loeb and Bianchi would take over writing and illustrating the title
Variant cover art by Simone Bianchi
Hidden message variant with Bianchi's name written into the tiles of the background wall
Another name hidden in the tiles is Loeb and above Wolverine's knee is W 50
The message was a hint of the yet unannounced news that beginning with Wolverine #50 of the main series, Loeb and Bianchi would take over writing and illustrating the title
Terminator: The Burning Earth #5
Now
•
1990
•
Vol. 1
Spelled backwards on the cover is text that reads: NOW COMIX BLOZ
Cover artist Alex Ross was nineteen years old at the time and working a full time job while working on this series in his off hours which caused him to quickly burn out on the book
Spelled backwards on the cover is text that reads: NOW COMIX BLOZ
Cover artist Alex Ross was nineteen years old at the time and working a full time job while working on this series in his off hours which caused him to quickly burn out on the book
Recalled issue due to a hidden message drawn by Al Milgrom onto the spines of a stack of books about Marvel Editor-In-Chief that reads: Bob Harras Ha ha He's Gone Good Riddance To Bad Rubbish He Was A Nasty S.O.B.
Recalled issue due to a hidden message drawn by Al Milgrom onto the spines of a stack of books about Marvel Editor-In-Chief that reads: Bob Harras Ha ha He's Gone Good Riddance To Bad Rubbish He Was A Nasty S.O.B.
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