Publishers / Archie / Zip Comics (1940) / #1
1February 1940
$0.10

Zip Comics #1

Archie · February 1940 · on sale 1940-01-02

First appearance: Steel SterlingFirst appearance: John SterlingFirst appearance: The Scarlet AvengerOrigin: Jim Kendall
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How to read this file
  • Every claim on this page traces to a public bibliographic record; the sources are listed at the bottom of the file.
  • A first-appearance badge means this is the earliest non-flashback appearance on record in this database.
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Identification plate

Series
Zip Comics (Archie, 1940 series)
Issue
#1
Publication date
February 1940
Key date
1940-02-00
On-sale date
1940-01-02
Indicia publisher
M. L. J. Magazines Inc.
Price
$0.10
Pages
68

Match the book in your hand against this plate before paying an edition-specific price.

Why this issue matters

First appearance of Steel Sterling - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of John Sterling - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of The Scarlet Avenger - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Jim Kendall - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Zambini the Miracle Man - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Mr. Satan - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Kalthar - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Dudley Bradshaw - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Captain Valor - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

Origin story on record for: Jim Kendall, John Sterling, Kalthar, Steel Sterling, The Scarlet Avenger.

The evidence

Claims here come from the story records for this issue, listed under Sources at the bottom of the file. Character hubs with full evidence tables are coming to this site.

Contents

SeqStoryTypePagesCreditsCharacters
0-cover1pencils: Charles Biro; inks: Charles BiroSteel Sterling First, John Sterling First
2-comic story12script: Abner J. Sundell; pencils: Charles Biro; inks: Charles BiroSteel Sterling First, John Sterling First
3-comic story1script: Kin Platt; pencils: Kin Platt; inks: Kin PlattMugsy (a dog); Joe
4-comic story6script: Harry Shorten; pencils: Irv Novick; inks: Irv NovickJim Kendall First, The Scarlet Avenger First
5The Rustlers of South Valleycomic story6pencils: Frank Volpe; inks: Frank VolpeNevada Jones (introducion); Irene Cox; A gang of Mexican rustlers (villains, introducion, most dead)
6-comic story6script: Harry Shorten; pencils: Lin Streeter; inks: Lin StreeterKalthar First
7The Devil's Flying Twinscomic story8pencils: Ed Smalle; inks: Ed SmalleThe Devil's Twins [Tim Shane; Tom Shane] (introduction); Anton Schultz (villain, introduction); Captain Rex; Helen Carter
8You Can't Win!text story2pencils: Mort Meskin; inks: Mort MeskinWilliam Edward Hickman (murderer)
9The Pirates of Ho Tsincomic story8script: Abner J. Sundell; pencils: Mort Meskin; inks: Mort MeskinCaptain Valor First
10The Eye of Oglucomic story6script: Abner J. Sundell; pencils: Edd Ashe; inks: Edd AsheDudley Bradshaw First, Mr. Satan First
11Lou Amberscomic story1script: Irwin Hasen; pencils: Irwin Hasen; inks: Irwin HasenLou Ambers (Lightweight boxing champion); Henry Armstrong
12The Ritania-Hundania Warcomic story8script: Joe Blair; pencils: Elmer Wexler; inks: Elmer WexlerZambini the Miracle Man First

Plus 3 pages of advertisements and other matter across 3 sequences, as published.

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Lancelot Strong, The Shield #21983On eBay ›
Zip Comics -- Volume 1
ISBN 978-1545064665		2017On eBay ›
The Golden Age Firsts of MLJ Comics: Volume 1
ISBN 978-1721232918		2018On eBay ›
Zip Comics Giant #1
ISBN 979-8506811374		2021On eBay ›
The MLJ Companion #[nn]
ISBN 9781605490670; 1605490679		2016On eBay ›

Reading the story costs a fraction of owning the issue. Both routes are on every file.

Before you buy

  • Golden-age paper is brittle. Ask about page suppleness and check edges for chips in the photos.
  • Check for trimmed edges, married covers, and clipped coupons - all common on books this old.
  • Confirm the indicia matches this plate; many golden-age titles changed names mid-run.

Series context

1 of 47#2 ›

Sources

Found an error in this file? corrections@comicrecord.com