Publishers / Marvel / Marvel Comics (1939) / #1
1October 1939
$0.10

Marvel Comics #1

Marvel · October 1939 · on sale 1939-08-31

First appearance: Jim HammondFirst appearance: Human TorchFirst appearance: DormaOrigin: Human TorchDeath of Anthony Sardo1 variant
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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.
  • Buy links are eBay affiliate links. They never change what the record says.

Identification plate

Series
Marvel Comics (Marvel, 1939 series)
Issue
#1
Publication date
October 1939
Key date
1939-10-00
On-sale date
1939-08-31
Indicia publisher
Timely Publications
Price
$0.10
Pages
68

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

Why this issue matters

From the editorial file The book Marvel is named after, October 1939. Carl Burgos introduces the original Human Torch, and Bill Everett's Sub-Mariner makes his first newsstand appearance, the strip having been created earlier for a promotional weekly. Timely's whole line grew from this issue.

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

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

First appearance of Dorma - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character. An independent public reference records the same first appearance.

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

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

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

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

First appearance of Phineas T. Horton - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character. An independent public reference records the same first appearance.

First appearance of The Masked Raider - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

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

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

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

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

First appearance of Paul de Kraft - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of N'Jaga - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

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

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

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

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

Origin story on record for: Human Torch, Jim Gardley, Jim Hammond, Ka-Zar, Namor.

Death on record for: Anthony Sardo.

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: Frank Paul; inks: Frank PaulJim Hammond First, Human Torch First
1Now I'll Tell Onecartoon1script: Fred Schwab; pencils: Fred Schwab; inks: Fred Schwab; letters: Fred Schwab
2-comic story16script: Carl Burgos; pencils: Carl Burgos; inks: Carl Burgos; letters: Carl BurgosJim Hammond First, Phineas T. Horton First, Human Torch First, Anthony Sardo First
3-comic story8script: Paul Gustavson; pencils: Paul Gustavson; inks: Paul Gustavson; letters: Paul GustavsonThe Angel First, Thomas Halloway First
4-comic story12script: Bill Everett; pencils: Bill Everett; inks: Bill Everett; letters: Bill EverettDorma First, Fen, Namor Origin, Sub-Mariner Origin, Thakorr
5-comic story8script: Al Anders; pencils: Al Anders; inks: Al AndersJim Gardley First, The Masked Raider First
6Jungle Terror: A Complete Adventure Storycomic story6pencils: Art Pinajian; inks: Art PinajianKen Masters; Professor John Roberts; Tim Roberts; John Crafton (villain, death); Mike (villain, death); Slug (villain, death)
7Burning Rubbertext story2script: Ray Gill; pencils: Sam Gilman; inks: Sam GilmanBill Williams; Fred Turner; C. G. Clark; Ruth Clerk; Ann
8-comic story12script: Ben Thompson, Bob Byrd; pencils: Ben Thompson; inks: Ben ThompsonChaka First, Paul de Kraft First, Ka-Zar First, N'Jaga First, Nono First, Quog First, David Rand First, Sha First, Trajah First, Zar First

Plus 2 pages of advertisements and other matter across 2 sequences, as published.

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Second PrintingSee the GCD record for identification notes.

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Fantasy Masterpieces #91967On eBay ›
1917-1940
ISBN 1-56685-006-1		1997On eBay ›
Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Marvel Comics #1
ISBN 0-7851-1609-5		2004On eBay ›
Marvel Milestones: Dr. Strange, Silver Surfer, Sub-Mariner & Hulk #[nn]2005On eBay ›
Golden Age of Marvel #2
ISBN 0-7851-0713-4		1999On eBay ›
Sub-Mariner Comics 70th Anniversary Special #12009On eBay ›
Human Torch Comics 70th Anniversary Special #12009On eBay ›
Marvel 70th Anniversary #[nn]
ISBN 978-0-7851-3743-6		2009On eBay ›
Marvel Comics #1 #[nn]
ISBN 0-87135-729-1		1990On eBay ›
Marvel Comics #1: 70th Anniversary Edition #[nn]2009On eBay ›

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

Before you buy

  • Two printings exist, with October and November dates. They are distinct books to collectors, so confirm which one is being sold before comparing copies.
  • 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 1

Sources

  • Grand Comics Database, issue record (CC BY-SA 4.0)
  • Wikidata, Q3543851 (Dorma), first-appearance property (CC0)
  • Wikidata, Q3901568 (Phineas T. Horton), first-appearance property (CC0)

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