Publishers / Marvel / Hero for Hire (1972) / #5
5January 1973
$0.20

Hero for Hire #5

Marvel · January 1973 · on sale 1972-10-17

First appearance: Black MariahFirst appearance: Mariah DillardFirst appearance: FleaDeath of Frank Jenks
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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
#5
Publication date
January 1973
Key date
1973-01-00
On-sale date
1972-10-17
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 Black Mariah - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Death on record for: Frank Jenks.

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
0Don't Mess with Black Mariah!cover1pencils: Billy Graham; inks: Billy GrahamLuke Cage, Black Mariah First, Mariah Dillard First
1Don't Mess With Black Mariah!comic story20script: Steve Englehart; pencils: George Tuska; inks: Billy Graham; colors: Mimi Gold; letters: John CostanzaAl First, Bob First, Carl First, Flea First, Phil Fox, Frank Jenks First, Mimi Jenks First, Luke Cage, Black Mariah First
2Irrelevant Info and Inane Items, Illustrated and Inscribed by an Infinite Number of Monkeys!in-house column1script: Stan Lee
3-letters page1letters: Gaspar Saladino

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

‹ #45 of 16#6 ›

Sources

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