Ka-Zar
Creation & Design
Ka-Zar was created as a homage to Tarzan, reflecting the themes of adventure and survival in a prehistoric setting.Early Years
Ka-Zar first appeared in the 1960s, quickly becoming a staple character in Marvel's jungle-themed stories, often crossing paths with the X-Men and other heroes.Character Development
Over the years, Ka-Zar has evolved from a simple jungle hero to a complex character with deep ties to the Marvel Universe, often grappling with his dual identity as a protector of the Savage Land and a hero in the broader world.Cultural Reception
Ka-Zar has been well-received as a unique character within the Marvel Universe, often praised for his adventurous spirit and connection to nature.Character Details
Real Name:
Kevin Plunder
Aliases:
Ka-Zar the Savage, Lord of the Savage Land
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
X-Men, Avengers, Savage Land Mutates
Abilities:
Enhanced strength, Agility, Animal empathy, Expert tracker
Equipment:
Spear, Various weapons from the Savage Land
Weight:
180lbs
Height:
6' 0"
Eye Color:
blue
Hair Color:
blonde
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Key Facts
1st appearance of Ka-Zar, David Ryan, in a Pulp Magazine
Key Facts
1st appearance of Ka-Zar, David Ryan, in a Pulp Magazine
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
1st appearance of Ka-Zar in the Silver Age
1st appearance of Zabu, Ka-Zar's saber-toothed tiger sidekick
Introduction of the Savage Land
[Feb 2021 - rumored that Disney is developing a Savage Land project]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Ka-Zar in the Silver Age
1st appearance of Zabu, Ka-Zar's saber-toothed tiger sidekick
Introduction of the Savage Land
[Feb 2021 - rumored that Disney is developing a Savage Land project]
Key Facts
1st appearance of Anti-Metal, a variation of Vibranium
Origin of the Plunderer
Origin of Ka-Zar
Key Facts
1st appearance of Anti-Metal, a variation of Vibranium
Origin of the Plunderer
Origin of Ka-Zar
Key Facts
First meeting of Spider-Man and Ka-Zar
Key Facts
Solo story featuring Ka-Zar
Key Facts
Double-feature concept with separate stories starring Ka-Zar and Doctor Doom
Key Facts
Double-feature concept with separate stories starring Ka-Zar and Doctor Doom
Key Facts
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)
Key Facts
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)
Key Facts
Origin of Ka-Zar and Zabu
Key Facts
1st appearance of Belasco, a powerful sorcerer who rules over the Limbo dimension
Origin of Zabu the saber-toothed tiger
Key Facts
1st appearance of Belasco, a powerful sorcerer who rules over the Limbo dimension
Origin of Zabu the saber-toothed tiger
Key Facts
Marriage of Ka-Zar and Shanna
Key Facts
1st official team appearance of the X-Babies, childlike clones created by Mojo
Previous appearance of the X-Babies were the actual X-Men de-aged by Mojo
Origin of the High Evolutionary
1st cameo appearance of Matthew Plunder as a baby, the son of Ka-Zar and Shanna the She-Devil
Key Facts
1st official team appearance of the X-Babies, childlike clones created by Mojo
Previous appearance of the X-Babies were the actual X-Men de-aged by Mojo
Origin of the High Evolutionary
1st cameo appearance of Matthew Plunder as a baby, the son of Ka-Zar and Shanna the She-Devil
Key Facts
1st team appearance of the Agents of Wakanda: Black Panther, American Eagle, Fat Cobra, Dr. Nemesis, Ka-Zar and Zabu, Gorilla Man, Odin, Wasp, Okoye and Rosalind Solomon
1st cameo appearance of Shadow Colonel, later revealed to be Xarus
Blade joins the Avengers
Key Facts
1st team appearance of the Agents of Wakanda: Black Panther, American Eagle, Fat Cobra, Dr. Nemesis, Ka-Zar and Zabu, Gorilla Man, Odin, Wasp, Okoye and Rosalind Solomon
1st cameo appearance of Shadow Colonel, later revealed to be Xarus
Blade joins the Avengers
Key Facts
Debut of Ka-Zar new powers
1st cameo appearance of Domovoy
Back-up story commemorating the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with Captain America and Spider-Man revisiting Ground Zero
Key Facts
Debut of Ka-Zar new powers
1st cameo appearance of Domovoy
Back-up story commemorating the 20th anniversary of 9/11 with Captain America and Spider-Man revisiting Ground Zero
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