Publishers / Marvel / Tales to Astonish (1959) / #81
81July 1966
$0.12

Tales to Astonish #81

Marvel · July 1966 · on sale 1966-04-05

First appearance: James BondFirst appearance: Fred MyersFirst appearance: Boomerang1 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.
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Identification plate

Series
Tales to Astonish (Marvel, 1959 series)
Issue
#81
Publication date
July 1966
Key date
1966-07-00
On-sale date
1966-04-05
Indicia publisher
Vista Publications Inc.
Price
$0.12
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 James Bond - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

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

First appearance of Boomerang - 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-cover1pencils: Jack Kirby; inks: Bill Everett; colors: Stan GoldbergBruce Banner, Boomerang First, Hulk, Rick Jones, Fred Myers First, Betty Ross, Glenn Talbot
2When a Monarch Goes Mad!comic story12script: Stan Lee; pencils: Gene Colan; inks: Dick Ayers; letters: Sam RosenDorma, Krang, Namor, Sub-Mariner, Vashti, Neptune
3Incredible, Indubitable, Interminable Items to Startle Your Sense and Soothe Your Soul!in-house column1letters: typesetFantastic Four [Invisible Girl [Sue Storm]; Human Torch [Johnny Storm]; Thing [Ben Grimm]; Mr. Fantastic [Reed Richards]]; Spider-Man [Peter Parker]
7Last Chance!promo (ad from the publisher)1script: ? (promo copy)
10The Stage Is Set!comic story10script: Stan Lee; pencils: Jack Kirby, Bill Everett; inks: Bill Everett; letters: Sam RosenRomulus Augustulus, Bruce Banner, Boomerang First, Harvey Elder, Hulk, Rick Jones, Mole Man, Fred Myers First, Betty Ross, Thaddeus "Thunderbolt" Ross, Glenn Talbot, Tyrannus, James Bond First
16-letters page1script: Stan Lee; pencils: Bill Everett, Marie Severin; inks: Bill Everett, Marie SeverinSub-Mariner [Namor]; Hulk [Bruce Banner]

Plus 10 pages of advertisements and other matter across 14 sequences, as published.

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Britishprice 10d [0-0-10 GBP]

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Marvel Super-Heroes #361973On eBay ›
Essential Hulk #1
ISBN 0-7851-0712-6		1999On eBay ›
Marvel Masterworks: The Incredible Hulk #3
ISBN 0-7851-2032-7		2006On eBay ›

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

Before you buy

  • Check spine ticks and cover gloss in the photos; silver-age Marvels chip at the edges easily.
  • Look for tanning at the page edges and transfer stains on the inside covers.
  • Confirm the cover price against the plate; higher prices can mean a later or foreign printing.

Series context

‹ #8081 of 101#82 ›

Sources

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