The Transformers #49 - First Appearance of Spike Witwicky, Printings and Contents

Identification plate

Series: The Transformers (Marvel, 1984 series)
Issue: #49
Publication date: February 1988 [February 1989]
Key date: February 1988
On-sale date: October 27, 1988
Indicia publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $1.00; 1.25 CAD; 0.50 GBP
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 Spike Witwicky - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance (cover) of Skullgrin - the earliest appearance on record is a cover, not an interior story.

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

First appearance (cover) of Bomb-Burst - the earliest appearance on record is a cover, not an interior story.

First appearance (cover) of Squeezeplay - the earliest appearance on record is a cover, not an interior story.

First appearance (cover) of Bugly - the earliest appearance on record is a cover, not an interior story.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First appearance of Piranacon - 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.

Seq	Story	Type	Pages	Credits	Characters
0	Decepticon Fights Decepticon! ... While Starscream Conquers All!	cover	1	pencils: José Delbo, John Romita; inks: Danny Bulanadi, John Romita	Apeface, Bomb-Burst First, Bugly First, Octane, Ratbat, Razorclaw, Skullgrin First, Soundwave, Squeezeplay First, Starscream, Buster Witwicky
1	The Underbase Saga! Part Three: Cold War!	comic story	18	script: Bob Budiansky; pencils: José Delbo; inks: Danny Bulanadi; colors: Nel Yomtov; letters: Bill Oakley	Apeface, Astrotrain, Blaster, Blitzwing, Bomb-Burst First, Bugly First, Buzzsaw, Headstrong, Headstrong, Horri-Bull First, Laserbeak, Lord Zarak, Mindwipe, Nautilator First
2	Chase	character profile	1	script: Bob Budiansky	Chase
3	Freeway	character profile	1	script: Bob Budiansky	Freeway

Printings and variants

Edition	How to tell
Newsstand	price 1.00 USD; 1.25 CAD; barcode 07148602379102

Where to read it

Collection	Year
Transformers Compendium #2 ISBN 9781534331976	2025	On eBay ›

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

Before you buy

Confirm the UPC box: a publisher mark instead of a barcode means direct edition, a barcode means newsstand.
Glossy covers of this era show edge chipping easily. Check black edges closely in the photos.
Check the staples and centerfold; heavily read anniversary and key issues loosen there first.

Series context

‹ #4849 of 80#50 ›

Sources

Grand Comics Database, issue record (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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