Publishers / Marvel / Hero for Hire (1972) / #1
1June 1972
$0.20

Hero for Hire #1

Marvel · June 1972 · on sale 1972-03-21

First appearance: Willis Harold StrykerFirst appearance: DiamondbackFirst appearance: Noah BursteinOrigin: Luke Cage
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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
Hero for Hire (Marvel, 1972 series)
Issue
#1
Publication date
June 1972
Key date
1972-06-00
On-sale date
1972-03-21
Indicia publisher
Magazine Management Co. Inc.
Price
$0.20
Pages
36
Rating
Approved by the Comics Code Authority

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

Why this issue matters

First appearance of Willis Harold Stryker - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

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

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

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

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

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

Origin story on record for: Luke Cage.

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
0Sensational Origin Issue!cover1pencils: John Romita; inks: John Romita; letters: Sam RosenLuke Cage
1Out of Hell -- A Hero!comic story23script: Archie Goodwin; pencils: George Tuska, John Romita; inks: Billy Graham, John Romita; letters: Skip KohloffNoah Burstein First, Comanche First, Diamondback First, Luke Cage Origin, Albert Rackham First, Shades First, Willis Harold Stryker First

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Giant-Size Power Man #11975On eBay ›
Essential Luke Cage, Power Man #1
ISBN 0-7851-1685-0		2005On eBay ›
Hero for Hire No. 1 [Marvel Legends Reprint] #[nn]2006On eBay ›
Marvel Firsts: The 1970s #1
ISBN 978-0-7851-6380-0		2011On eBay ›
Marvel Masterworks: Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1
ISBN 978-0-7851-9180-3		2015On eBay ›

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

Before you buy

  • Check the price box: Marvel ran 30-cent and 35-cent test-market price variants in 1976-77.
  • Canadian and Whitman editions exist for many bronze books; match the barcode area to the plate.
  • Look for Mark Jewelers inserts and date stamps - they affect collector preference, not authenticity.

Series context

1 of 16#2 ›

Sources

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