Publishers / Marvel / Hero for Hire (1972) / #12
12August 1973
$0.20

Hero for Hire #12

Marvel · August 1973 · on sale 1973-05-22

First appearance: Curtis CarrFirst appearance: Chemistro
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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
#12
Publication date
August 1973
Key date
1973-08-00
On-sale date
1973-05-22
Indicia publisher
Marvel Comics Group
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 Curtis Carr - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

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

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-cover1script: Steve Englehart; pencils: Billy Graham; inks: Billy Graham; letters: Danny CrespiCurtis Carr First, Chemistro First, Luke Cage
1Chemistro!comic story19script: Steve Englehart; pencils: George Tuska; inks: Billy Graham; colors: Petra Goldberg; letters: Charlotte JetterNoah Burstein, Curtis Carr First, Chemistro First, Phil Fox, J. Jonah Jameson, Luke Cage, Peter Parker, Spider-Man, Claire Temple
2More Miniaturized Mouthfuls of Marvel-ous Mutterings! (Or: Not Only Is Dracula Alive and Well - But He's Got Company!)in-house column0.5letters: typeset
3FOOM!promo (ad from the publisher)0.5
4-letters page0.5script: Steve Englehart
5Savage Tales Is Coming Back!promo (ad from the publisher)0.5Conan

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Power Man #361976On eBay ›
Essential Luke Cage, Power Man #1
ISBN 0-7851-1685-0		2005On eBay ›
Marvel Masterworks: Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1
ISBN 978-0-7851-9180-3		2015On eBay ›
Retribution
ISBN 978-1-302-92831-5		2020On eBay ›
Luke Cage Omnibus #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-302-94496-4		2021On 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

‹ #1112 of 16#13 ›

Sources

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