Publishers / Marvel / Hero for Hire (1972) / #3
3October 1972
$0.20

Hero for Hire #3

Marvel · October 1972 · on sale 1972-07-18

First appearance: Gideon MaceFirst appearance: Owen RidgelyDeath of Gideon Mace
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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
#3
Publication date
October 1972
Key date
1972-10-00
On-sale date
1972-07-18
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 Gideon Mace - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

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

Death on record for: Gideon Mace, Owen Ridgely.

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
0Mace Is His Name! Murder Is His Game!cover1pencils: Billy Graham; inks: Billy Graham; letters: Morrie KuramotoLuke Cage
1Mark of the Mace!comic story20script: Archie Goodwin; pencils: George Tuska; inks: Billy Graham; letters: John CostanzaLuke Cage, Gideon Mace First, Carol Ridgely, Owen Ridgely First
2-letters page1letters: typeset

Where to read it

CollectionYear
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

‹ #23 of 16#4 ›

Sources

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