Lawsuits

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X-Men Adventures #1

Marvel ⋅ 1992

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$18

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1st appearance of Morph from the animated X-Men Adventures series and the comic book universe version of Changeling (X-Men #35)

Comic book series based on the Fox animated TV show

Lawsuit: In late 2019, a lawsuit was filed against Disney/Marvel for stealing the theme song to the 90s animated series from a Hungarian police show called ‘Linda’

Key Facts

1st appearance of Morph from the animated X-Men Adventures series and the comic book universe version of Changeling (X-Men #35)

Comic book series based on the Fox animated TV show

Lawsuit: In late 2019, a lawsuit was filed against Disney/Marvel for stealing the theme song to the 90s animated series from a Hungarian police show called ‘Linda’

Eerie Adventures #1

Ziff-Davis ⋅ 1951

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$200

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$800

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$2k

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Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority

Reason: a legal battle between Eerie and Eerie Adventures led to Wertham, author of Seduction of the Innocent, to believe the courts cared more about protecting the financial interests of publishers than the well being of the children

Key Facts

Referenced in Seduction of the Innocent, led to establishing the Comics Code Authority

Reason: a legal battle between Eerie and Eerie Adventures led to Wertham, author of Seduction of the Innocent, to believe the courts cared more about protecting the financial interests of publishers than the well being of the children

Zap Comix #4

Print Mint ⋅ 1969

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$15

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$60

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Key Facts

In 1969, multiple booksellers were arrested by the NYPD for selling copies of this issue that featured a story about familial incest titled Joe Blow

A judge ruled the story legally obscene and found two of the defendants guilty of knowingly selling perverse material and fined them $500

Key Facts

In 1969, multiple booksellers were arrested by the NYPD for selling copies of this issue that featured a story about familial incest titled Joe Blow

A judge ruled the story legally obscene and found two of the defendants guilty of knowingly selling perverse material and fined them $500

Panic #1

EC ⋅ 1953

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$80

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$200

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$800

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Key Facts

Controversial parody of ‘The Night Before Christmas’ that depicted Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell as Sugar Plum Fairies and Santa with a ‘Just Divorced’ sign on his sleigh resulting in a court-ordered ban in Massachusetts

Police arrested the office manager and receptionist of EC Comics for violating obscenity laws after successfully purchasing copies of Panic #1 directly from the publisher’s business office

Key Facts

Controversial parody of ‘The Night Before Christmas’ that depicted Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell as Sugar Plum Fairies and Santa with a ‘Just Divorced’ sign on his sleigh resulting in a court-ordered ban in Massachusetts

Police arrested the office manager and receptionist of EC Comics for violating obscenity laws after successfully purchasing copies of Panic #1 directly from the publisher’s business office

Saga #1

Convention Exclusive ⋅ Image ⋅ 2018

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$10

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$30

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$100

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Promotional giveaway included in the welcome bag for attendees of Comic Con India in 2018

Due to interior graphic depictions of sex and childbirth, a police report was filed against the organizers of the convention for violating The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act by handing out Saga #1 without discretionary advisement

Key Facts

Promotional giveaway included in the welcome bag for attendees of Comic Con India in 2018

Due to interior graphic depictions of sex and childbirth, a police report was filed against the organizers of the convention for violating The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act by handing out Saga #1 without discretionary advisement

Anything Goes #5

Fantagraphics ⋅ 1987

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$15

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Five-page Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles story titled 'The Road Trip'

Four-page, reprinted Robert Crumb story

Various other stories by well-known creators

This six-issue series was published to raise money in defense of a lawsuit levied against The Comic Journal and writer Harlan Ellison by writer Michael Fleisher, the long-time writer of Jonah Hex

Ellison was sued by Fleisher for $2 million dollars on account of libelous statements that made accusations of mental instability

Key Facts

Five-page Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles story titled 'The Road Trip'

Four-page, reprinted Robert Crumb story

Various other stories by well-known creators

This six-issue series was published to raise money in defense of a lawsuit levied against The Comic Journal and writer Harlan Ellison by writer Michael Fleisher, the long-time writer of Jonah Hex

Ellison was sued by Fleisher for $2 million dollars on account of libelous statements that made accusations of mental instability

Simpsons Comics #39

Non-Key

Bongo ⋅ 1998

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Flipbook with two stories

Sense and Censorability, inspired by true events

In 1986, a comic shop owner in Lansing, Illinois was arrested for selling obscene material which led to the establishment of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBDLF)

The titles that were considered obscene were Omaha Cat Dancer, Bizarre Sex, Weirdo and The Bodyssey

Reverse side of the comic featuring Radioactive Man with cover art inspired by Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 (1968) by Jim Steranko

Key Facts

Flipbook with two stories

Sense and Censorability, inspired by true events

In 1986, a comic shop owner in Lansing, Illinois was arrested for selling obscene material which led to the establishment of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund (CBDLF)

The titles that were considered obscene were Omaha Cat Dancer, Bizarre Sex, Weirdo and The Bodyssey

Reverse side of the comic featuring Radioactive Man with cover art inspired by Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 (1968) by Jim Steranko

Key Facts

100-page, black and white, independently published comic book written and illustrated by Mike Diana then distributed to approximately 300 subscribers

Diana has the distinction of being the first person in the United States to be convicted of 'artistic obscenity' for the graphic content of the Boiled Angel series which included extreme violence, sexual assault and murder of men, women and children

Diana was fined $3,000, ordered to stay away from minors and given three years probation with one of the conditions being to cease creating art

In addition to police viewing Diana's work as illegal, they also supposedly identified the creator as a suspect in the 1990 Gainseville Ripper slayings, of which he was cleared

A documentary about the case titled 'Boiled Angels: The Trial of Mike Diana' was released in 2018

Value unknown

Key Facts

100-page, black and white, independently published comic book written and illustrated by Mike Diana then distributed to approximately 300 subscribers

Diana has the distinction of being the first person in the United States to be convicted of 'artistic obscenity' for the graphic content of the Boiled Angel series which included extreme violence, sexual assault and murder of men, women and children

Diana was fined $3,000, ordered to stay away from minors and given three years probation with one of the conditions being to cease creating art

In addition to police viewing Diana's work as illegal, they also supposedly identified the creator as a suspect in the 1990 Gainseville Ripper slayings, of which he was cleared

A documentary about the case titled 'Boiled Angels: The Trial of Mike Diana' was released in 2018

Value unknown

2000 AD #72

Rebellion ⋅ 1978

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$15

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$55

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Burger Wars part 2

Banned issue within the 25 part maxi-series 'The Cursed Earth'

'Burger Wars' infringed on multiple food chain trademarks including Ronald McDonald depicted as a violent gang member

As of 2016, an amendment to UK law allowed the use of copyright-protected characters in parody

Key Facts

Burger Wars part 2

Banned issue within the 25 part maxi-series 'The Cursed Earth'

'Burger Wars' infringed on multiple food chain trademarks including Ronald McDonald depicted as a violent gang member

As of 2016, an amendment to UK law allowed the use of copyright-protected characters in parody

LCD: Kieron Dwyer's Lowest Comic Denominator

Independent ⋅ 1999

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LCD: Kieron Dwyer's Lowest Comic Denominator

Independent ⋅ 1999

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$12

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$40

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Key Facts

Recalled self-published, underground parody created by Kieron Dwyer

In 2000, Starbucks Corporation sued Dwyer for copyright and trademark infringement on their logo which resulted in an out-of-court settlement for an unknown amount

Key Facts

Recalled self-published, underground parody created by Kieron Dwyer

In 2000, Starbucks Corporation sued Dwyer for copyright and trademark infringement on their logo which resulted in an out-of-court settlement for an unknown amount

The Weeknd Presents Starboy #1

Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018

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The Weeknd Presents Starboy #1

Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018

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$12

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$45

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Key Facts

Limited edition cover with a black background instead of red

Key Facts

Limited edition cover with a black background instead of red

Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #15

Marvel ⋅ 1990

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Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #15

Marvel ⋅ 1990

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$15

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Key Facts

Victor Strange becomes Baron Blood

1st appearance of Varney the vampire, not to be confused with Varnae the vampire

Controversial cover: In 1990, Christian singer Amy Grant sued Marvel for her likeness being used on the cover of this issue, fearing her audience would view it as an association with the occult

Key Facts

Victor Strange becomes Baron Blood

1st appearance of Varney the vampire, not to be confused with Varnae the vampire

Controversial cover: In 1990, Christian singer Amy Grant sued Marvel for her likeness being used on the cover of this issue, fearing her audience would view it as an association with the occult

Key Facts

Miracleman story written by Neil Gaiman

In 2012, a settlement was reached between Neil Gaiman and Todd McFarlane that awarded Gaiman the character rights to Miracleman and reportedly $1.1 million compensation for breach of contract from work performed for Eclipse, owned by McFarlane

Key Facts

Miracleman story written by Neil Gaiman

In 2012, a settlement was reached between Neil Gaiman and Todd McFarlane that awarded Gaiman the character rights to Miracleman and reportedly $1.1 million compensation for breach of contract from work performed for Eclipse, owned by McFarlane

Air Pirates Funnies #1

Hell Comics ⋅ 1971

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$25

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$60

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$135

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Key Facts

Parody comic created by underground cartoonists depicting Disney characters engaging in sex and drugs

Disney was awarded $200,000 in damages yet O'Neill continued with the parodies, forcing Disney to settle after spending approximately $2 million in court costs

Key Facts

Parody comic created by underground cartoonists depicting Disney characters engaging in sex and drugs

Disney was awarded $200,000 in damages yet O'Neill continued with the parodies, forcing Disney to settle after spending approximately $2 million in court costs

Guardians of the Galaxy #5

Marvel ⋅ 2013

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$15

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1st full appearance of Angela in the Marvel Universe, later revealed to be Thor's sister

Marvel acquired the rights to Angela after nearly a decade of litigation between Todd McFarlane and Neil Gaiman in which Gaiman was victorious

Angela makes her first cameo in the Marvel Universe in Age of Ultron #10

Key Facts

1st full appearance of Angela in the Marvel Universe, later revealed to be Thor's sister

Marvel acquired the rights to Angela after nearly a decade of litigation between Todd McFarlane and Neil Gaiman in which Gaiman was victorious

Angela makes her first cameo in the Marvel Universe in Age of Ultron #10

Key Facts

Neil Gaiman's first written work for Marvel Comics

Multi-award winning limited series that places classic Marvel heroes in the 17th century

The collected edition of this series has a dedication from Gaiman that reads 'To Todd (McFarlane), for making it necessary' referencing a 10 year legal dispute over profits and character ownership

1st appearance of Peter Parquagh, becomes The Spider in the 1602 alternate reality in Marvel 1602: New World #4

[July 2022 - a 1602 Universe will be featured in What If...? Season 2]

Key Facts

Neil Gaiman's first written work for Marvel Comics

Multi-award winning limited series that places classic Marvel heroes in the 17th century

The collected edition of this series has a dedication from Gaiman that reads 'To Todd (McFarlane), for making it necessary' referencing a 10 year legal dispute over profits and character ownership

1st appearance of Peter Parquagh, becomes The Spider in the 1602 alternate reality in Marvel 1602: New World #4

[July 2022 - a 1602 Universe will be featured in What If...? Season 2]

Blade #1

Photo Cover ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 1998

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$30

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Key Facts

Variant photo cover featuring Wesley Snipes as Blade

Blade creator Marv Wolfman, filed a $35 million lawsuit against Marvel, New Line Cinema and Time Warner regarding ownership of Blade but lost the case two years later

Key Facts

Variant photo cover featuring Wesley Snipes as Blade

Blade creator Marv Wolfman, filed a $35 million lawsuit against Marvel, New Line Cinema and Time Warner regarding ownership of Blade but lost the case two years later

Destroyer Duck #1

Eclipse ⋅ 1982

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$15

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$50

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Key Facts

1st appearance of Destroyer Duck

1st appearance of Groo the Wanderer

Steve Gerber, creator of Howard the Duck, teamed up with Jack Kirby for this issue to raise funds for his lawsuit against Marvel concerning the ownership of Howard

[November 2021 - film and TV rights have been acquired by Err Productions for animated development]

Key Facts

1st appearance of Destroyer Duck

1st appearance of Groo the Wanderer

Steve Gerber, creator of Howard the Duck, teamed up with Jack Kirby for this issue to raise funds for his lawsuit against Marvel concerning the ownership of Howard

[November 2021 - film and TV rights have been acquired by Err Productions for animated development]

The Walking Dead #7

Image ⋅ 2004

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$15

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$55

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1st appearance of Tyreese

Charlie Adlard takes over interior art from original artist Tony Moore

In 2012, Moore filed a lawsuit that settled out of court alleging Kirkman convinced him into surrendering his rights to The Walking Dead comic and TV profits

Key Facts

1st appearance of Tyreese

Charlie Adlard takes over interior art from original artist Tony Moore

In 2012, Moore filed a lawsuit that settled out of court alleging Kirkman convinced him into surrendering his rights to The Walking Dead comic and TV profits

Captain Marvel #1

M.F. ⋅ 1966

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$18

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$70

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1st appearance and origin of Captain Marvel, a character who could detach limbs by shouting 'split' and recover them by saying 'xam'

M.F. Enterprises sued Marvel after the 1967 introduction of Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) for infringement and took a $4,500 settlement to relinquish the name to Marvel Comics

Key Facts

1st appearance and origin of Captain Marvel, a character who could detach limbs by shouting 'split' and recover them by saying 'xam'

M.F. Enterprises sued Marvel after the 1967 introduction of Captain Marvel (Mar-Vell) for infringement and took a $4,500 settlement to relinquish the name to Marvel Comics

Shazam #1

DC ⋅ 1973

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$20

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$75

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Key Facts

DC begins publishing Shazam after licensing the Captain Marvel character from Fawcett who they had successfully sued 20 years earlier for copyright infringement due to the character's similarities to Superman

1st appearance of Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr. and Mary Marvel since the Golden Age

1st appearance of Doctor Sivana and family since the Golden Age

Origin of Captain Marvel retold

Key Facts

DC begins publishing Shazam after licensing the Captain Marvel character from Fawcett who they had successfully sued 20 years earlier for copyright infringement due to the character's similarities to Superman

1st appearance of Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr. and Mary Marvel since the Golden Age

1st appearance of Doctor Sivana and family since the Golden Age

Origin of Captain Marvel retold

Mystery Men Comics #13

Fox ⋅ 1940

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$300

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$1k

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$3k

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1st appearance of Lynx and his sidekick Blackie - DC/National Comics won a $2,000 judgement in a lawsuit against Fox Feature Syndicate for characters too similar to Batman and Robin

Key Facts

1st appearance of Lynx and his sidekick Blackie - DC/National Comics won a $2,000 judgement in a lawsuit against Fox Feature Syndicate for characters too similar to Batman and Robin

Spawn #6

Image ⋅ 1992

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1st appearance of Overtkill

1st appearance of Tony Twist, a character named after a professional hockey player

After a 10 year court battle that initially awarded Twist $24 million dollars but was reversed, the two parties ended up settling out of court for $5 million dollars

Key Facts

1st appearance of Overtkill

1st appearance of Tony Twist, a character named after a professional hockey player

After a 10 year court battle that initially awarded Twist $24 million dollars but was reversed, the two parties ended up settling out of court for $5 million dollars

Dead Rabbit #1

Recalled ⋅ Image ⋅ 2018

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$10

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Premiere issue of an ongoing series about a notorious crook who comes out of retirement to save his wife

Recalled issue due to a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by a New York City bar of the same name famous for their hybrid comic book/cocktail menus

Key Facts

Premiere issue of an ongoing series about a notorious crook who comes out of retirement to save his wife

Recalled issue due to a copyright infringement lawsuit filed by a New York City bar of the same name famous for their hybrid comic book/cocktail menus

Detective Comics #46

DC ⋅ 2015

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First ongoing printed attribution given to Bill Finger as co-creator of Batman in the Detective Comics title

75 years after Batman debuted, Bill Finger’s granddaughter settled a court case with DC to award credit to her deceased grandfather for the creation of Batman

Key Facts

First ongoing printed attribution given to Bill Finger as co-creator of Batman in the Detective Comics title

75 years after Batman debuted, Bill Finger’s granddaughter settled a court case with DC to award credit to her deceased grandfather for the creation of Batman

Master Comics #1

Fawcett ⋅ 1940

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$800

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$2.4k

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$10k

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1st appearance of Master Man, a young man who received incredible powers after ingesting a magic vitamin containing every source of energy in existence

After six issues, Fawcett Comics discontinued the character when DC/National Comics filed a lawsuit claiming Master Man's abilities were too similar to Superman

Key Facts

1st appearance of Master Man, a young man who received incredible powers after ingesting a magic vitamin containing every source of energy in existence

After six issues, Fawcett Comics discontinued the character when DC/National Comics filed a lawsuit claiming Master Man's abilities were too similar to Superman

Wonder Comics #1

Fox ⋅ 1939

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$1.9k

Mid

$5.8k

High

$26k

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Key Facts

1st and only appearance of Wonder Man

A lawsuit was filed by DC against Fox to protect their intellectual property against characters too closely associated to Superman in likeness and abilities

1st appearance of Tex Dawson

Key Facts

1st and only appearance of Wonder Man

A lawsuit was filed by DC against Fox to protect their intellectual property against characters too closely associated to Superman in likeness and abilities

1st appearance of Tex Dawson

Key Facts

1st appearance of Motormouth, a British street kid recruited by Mys-Tech

1st appearance of Hell's Angel, a character’s name Marvel agreed to change to Dark Angel and donate $35,000 to a children's charity after the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club filed a lawsuit for trademark infringement

Key Facts

1st appearance of Motormouth, a British street kid recruited by Mys-Tech

1st appearance of Hell's Angel, a character’s name Marvel agreed to change to Dark Angel and donate $35,000 to a children's charity after the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club filed a lawsuit for trademark infringement

	Publisher	Low	Mid	High
X-Men Adventures #1	Marvel	$1	$5	$18
Eerie Adventures #1	Ziff-Davis	$200	$800	$2k
Zap Comix #4	Print Mint	$5	$15	$60
Panic #1	EC	$80	$200	$800
Saga #1	Image	$10	$30	$100
Anything Goes #5	Fantagraphics	$1	$5	$15
Simpsons Comics #39	Bongo	$1	$2	$5
Boiled Angel #1	Michael Hunt Publications	$0	$0	$0
2000 AD #72	Rebellion	$5	$15	$55
LCD: Kieron Dwyer's Lowest Comic Denominator	Independent	$4	$12	$40
The Weeknd Presents Starboy #1	Marvel	$4	$12	$45
Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #15	Marvel	$1	$5	$15
Total Eclipse #4	Eclipse	$1	$2	$8
Air Pirates Funnies #1	Hell Comics	$25	$60	$135
Guardians of the Galaxy #5	Marvel	$1	$5	$15
Marvel 1602 #1	Marvel	$1	$2	$8
Blade #1	Marvel	$3	$9	$30
Destroyer Duck #1	Eclipse	$5	$15	$50
The Walking Dead #7	Image	$5	$15	$55
Captain Marvel #1	M.F.	$5	$18	$70
Shazam #1	DC	$6	$20	$75
Mystery Men Comics #13	Fox	$300	$1k	$3k
Spawn #6	Image	$1	$2	$3
Dead Rabbit #1	Image	$1	$2	$10
Detective Comics #46	DC	$1	$2	$3
Master Comics #1	Fawcett	$800	$2.4k	$10k
Wonder Comics #1	Fox	$1.9k	$5.8k	$26k
Overkill #1	Marvel UK	$1	$2	$3

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