Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Human Torch, Jim Hammond
2nd appearance of Namor the Sub-Mariner - 8 pages of the 12-page story reprinted from Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1
1st appearance of Dorma, Namor's cousin
1st appearance of Ka-Zar, David Rand
1st appearance of Angel, Thomas Halloway, a private detective and vigilante
1st appearance of the Masked Raider, Jim Gardley
1st comic book published by Timely, later becomes Marvel
Retitled Marvel Mystery Comics after this issue
80,000 copies were produced of the first printing with an October 1939 date on the cover
The second printing could be identified by the October 1939 date blacked out, replaced with November 1939
The first printing sold out within a week and was quickly reprinted at a quantity of 800,000, the same as Superman #1
Although published in October, the cover date was changed to have a longer on-sale period at newsstands
💰 In March 2022, a 9.2 known as the Pay Copy due to publisher notations that tracked creator payouts sold for $2.42 million
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Human Torch, Jim Hammond
2nd appearance of Namor the Sub-Mariner - 8 pages of the 12-page story reprinted from Motion Picture Funnies Weekly #1
1st appearance of Dorma, Namor's cousin
1st appearance of Ka-Zar, David Rand
1st appearance of Angel, Thomas Halloway, a private detective and vigilante
1st appearance of the Masked Raider, Jim Gardley
1st comic book published by Timely, later becomes Marvel
Retitled Marvel Mystery Comics after this issue
80,000 copies were produced of the first printing with an October 1939 date on the cover
The second printing could be identified by the October 1939 date blacked out, replaced with November 1939
The first printing sold out within a week and was quickly reprinted at a quantity of 800,000, the same as Superman #1
Although published in October, the cover date was changed to have a longer on-sale period at newsstands
💰 In March 2022, a 9.2 known as the Pay Copy due to publisher notations that tracked creator payouts sold for $2.42 million
Key Facts
Introduction of the Daily Bugle newspaper, seen on the first page of this issue with the headline 'Peace-Time Draft In Full Swing'
1st appearance of the Cat's Paw, a female criminal
Key Facts
Introduction of the Daily Bugle newspaper, seen on the first page of this issue with the headline 'Peace-Time Draft In Full Swing'
1st appearance of the Cat's Paw, a female criminal
Key Facts
First written work in the comic book industry by Stan Lee
Two-page text story with a couple of illustrations by Kirby
3rd appearance of Captain America
3rd appearance of Bucky Barnes
2nd appearance and 1st cover of the Red Skull, George Maxon
Key Facts
First written work in the comic book industry by Stan Lee
Two-page text story with a couple of illustrations by Kirby
3rd appearance of Captain America
3rd appearance of Bucky Barnes
2nd appearance and 1st cover of the Red Skull, George Maxon
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of the Destroyer, the first superhero created by Stan Lee
Origin of the Challenger
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of the Destroyer, the first superhero created by Stan Lee
Origin of the Challenger
Key Facts
Premiere issue of the first Marvel horror title
Title numbering continues from Sub-Mariner Comics #31
Key Facts
Premiere issue of the first Marvel horror title
Title numbering continues from Sub-Mariner Comics #31
Key Facts
Premiere issue of a series that introduced many popular characters including Dr. Strange and Nick Fury
Key Facts
Premiere issue of a series that introduced many popular characters including Dr. Strange and Nick Fury
Key Facts
Series that introduced popular characters including Ant-Man and Giant-Man
Key Facts
Series that introduced popular characters including Ant-Man and Giant-Man
Key Facts
Premiere issue of a series that introduced characters including Iron Man and Black Widow
Key Facts
Premiere issue of a series that introduced characters including Iron Man and Black Widow
Key Facts
1st team appearance and origin of the Fantastic Four: Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, The Thing
1st appearance of Mole Man
1st appearance of Giganto, a Deviant Mutate from Monster Isle
1st appearance of Tricephalous
Landmark issue that launched the Marvel Age of comics
💰 In April 2022, a 9.2 sold for $1.5 million
💰 In September 2024, a 9.6 sold for $2,040,000
Key Facts
1st team appearance and origin of the Fantastic Four: Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, The Thing
1st appearance of Mole Man
1st appearance of Giganto, a Deviant Mutate from Monster Isle
1st appearance of Tricephalous
Landmark issue that launched the Marvel Age of comics
💰 In April 2022, a 9.2 sold for $1.5 million
💰 In September 2024, a 9.6 sold for $2,040,000
Key Facts
First annual format issue published by Marvel
Key Facts
First annual format issue published by Marvel
Key Facts
First team-up of two super-villains in the Marvel Universe, Doctor Doom and Sub-Mariner
2nd appearance of Doctor Doom
2nd appearance of the Sub-Mariner in the Silver Age
Key Facts
First team-up of two super-villains in the Marvel Universe, Doctor Doom and Sub-Mariner
2nd appearance of Doctor Doom
2nd appearance of the Sub-Mariner in the Silver Age
Key Facts
First title crossover issue with Tales of Suspense #80
Key Facts
First title crossover issue with Tales of Suspense #80
Key Facts
Milestone issue #100
Iconic cover art by John Romita Sr.
Key Facts
Milestone issue #100
Iconic cover art by John Romita Sr.
Key Facts
First original graphic novel published by Marvel Comics, co-published by Simon & Schuster imprint, Fireside Books
Final collaboration by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
132-page story that takes place in an alternate reality where the Silver Surfer rebels against Galactus to save the planet from destruction
In 1976, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were approached by movie producer Lee Kramer to create a comic book that would serve as a pitch story for a rock opera feature film starring Olivia Newton-John and bodybuilder, Frank Zane
Painted cover art by Earl Norem, based on a sketch by Jack Kirby
The only other story that takes place in this alternate reality is the two-issue, 1988 Silver Surfer story titled 'Parable'
Key Facts
First original graphic novel published by Marvel Comics, co-published by Simon & Schuster imprint, Fireside Books
Final collaboration by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby
132-page story that takes place in an alternate reality where the Silver Surfer rebels against Galactus to save the planet from destruction
In 1976, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were approached by movie producer Lee Kramer to create a comic book that would serve as a pitch story for a rock opera feature film starring Olivia Newton-John and bodybuilder, Frank Zane
Painted cover art by Earl Norem, based on a sketch by Jack Kirby
The only other story that takes place in this alternate reality is the two-issue, 1988 Silver Surfer story titled 'Parable'
Marvel ⋅ 1982
Key Facts
First limited series published by Marvel Comics
1st appearance of Blitzkrieg, able to summon lightning
1st full appearance of the Collective Man, six brothers who can merge into one
1st appearance of Shamrock, a hand-to-hand combatant
1st appearance of Defensor, possessor of a Vibranium suit of armor
1st appearance of Peregrine, utilizes a flight suit in battle
1st appearance of Talisman, an Australian magic user
Key Facts
First limited series published by Marvel Comics
1st appearance of Blitzkrieg, able to summon lightning
1st full appearance of the Collective Man, six brothers who can merge into one
1st appearance of Shamrock, a hand-to-hand combatant
1st appearance of Defensor, possessor of a Vibranium suit of armor
1st appearance of Peregrine, utilizes a flight suit in battle
1st appearance of Talisman, an Australian magic user
Key Facts
First Marvel title to reach issue #500
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!