Key Collector Comics

Many Firsts

Featuring Key Issues that introduce more than 5 characters that had, or still have, a continued presence in comics

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Runaways #1

Marvel ⋅ 2003

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Runaways #1
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$45

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Runaways: Alex Wilder, Karolina Dean aka Lucy in the Sky, Molly Hayes aka Bruiser, Nico Minoru aka Sister Grimm, Chase Stein aka Talkback, Gertrude Yorkes aka Arsenic

1st team appearance of the Pride

[July 2022 - Marvel trademarked the title Runaways: New Era]

Four Color #990

Dell ⋅ 1959

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Four Color #990
 
Low
$45
Mid
$135
High
$450

Key Facts

1st appearance of Yogi Bear

1st appearance of Boo Boo Bear

1st appearance of Huckleberry Hound

1st appearance of Dixie and Pixie

1st appearance of Mr. Jinks

Star Wars: The High Republic - Shadows of Starlight #1

Marvel ⋅ 2023

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Star Wars: The High Republic - Shadows of Starlight #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$6

Key Facts

Four-issue limited series that bridges the gap between Phase 1 and 3 of the High Republic

1st appearance of Jedi Master Ada-Li Carro

1st appearance of Jedi Master Xo Lahru

1st appearance of Jedi Master Teri Rosason

1st appearance of Jedi Master Soleil Agra

1st appearance of Jedi Master Ry Ki-Sakka

1st appearance of Jedi Master Adampo

1st appearance of Jedi Master Govena

1st appearance of Jedi Knight Ady Sun'Zee

1st appearance of Jedi Youngling Toko

1st appearance of Jedi Youngling Jon

1st appearance of Jedi Youngling Bree

1st appearance of Padawan Amadeo Azzazzo

Action Comics #276

DC ⋅ 1961

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Action Comics #276
 
Low
$120
Mid
$400
High
$1.2k

Key Facts

1st appearance of Sun Boy, a solar-powered member of the Legion of Super-Heroes

1st appearance of Phantom Girl, a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes who has the ability to phase through objects

1st appearance of Triplicate Girl, a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes who can split into three identical bodies

1st appearance of Bouncing Boy, a density-changing member of the Legion of Super-Heroes

1st appearance of Shrinking Violet, a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes who can shrink to sub-atomic size

1st appearance of Braniac 5, a genius and time-traveling member of the Legion of Super-Heroes

Supergirl joins the Legion of Super-Heroes

Green Lantern #25

DC ⋅ 2007

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Green Lantern #25
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$35

Key Facts

1st full appearance of the Scarred Guardian, a Guardian of the Universe

1st cameo appearance of Atrocitus and the Red Lantern Corps

1st cameo appearance of Larfleeze and the Orange Lantern Corps

1st cameo team appearance of the Blue Lantern Corps

1st cameo appearance of Munk and the Indigo Lantern Corps

1st cameo team appearance of the Black Lantern Corps

Death of Anti-Monitor

Cameo appearance in background of an Alien Xenomorph, Predator and the Pale Man from Pan's Labyrinth as various Lanterns

Dark Reign: Young Avengers #1

Marvel ⋅ 2009

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Dark Reign: Young Avengers #1
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30

Key Facts

1st appearance of the second Enchantress, Sylvie Lushton

1st appearance of the second Melter, a mutant

1st appearance of Big Zero, a white supremacist with size-altering abilities

1st appearance of Egghead, an android accomplice of Big Zero

1st appearance of Executioner, son of Princess Python

1st appearance of Coat of Arms

1st team appearance of the Young Masters of Evil: Enchantress, Melter, Big Zero, Egghead, Executioner, Coat of Arms

New Gods #1

DC ⋅ 1971

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New Gods #1
 
Low
$18
Mid
$65
High
$180

Key Facts

1st appearance of Orion, son of Darkseid

1st appearance of Highfather, Leader of New Genesis

1st appearance of Metron, Boom Tube inventor

1st appearance of Orion's half-brother, Kalibak

1st appearance of Lightray

1st team appearance of the Parademons

Introduction of New Genesis and Apokolips

Debut of the Mobius Chair

Spider-Verse #6

Marvel ⋅ 2020

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Spider-Verse #6
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$35

Key Facts

1st appearance of Sea-Spider

1st appearance of Sun-Spider

1st appearance of Spidair

1st appearance of Spider-Requiem

1st appearance of Spider-Sting

1st appearance of Garden-Spider

1st appearance of White Widow

1st appearance of V

Characters introduced in this issue were previewed in bios created by Spider-Man fans

Copies ordered by retailers: 19,178

Thor #129

Marvel ⋅ 1966

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Thor #129
 
Low
$40
Mid
$120
High
$400

Key Facts

1st appearance of Ares, Greek god of war, in Marvel continuity

1st appearance of Hermes (Mercury), messenger god

1st appearance of Hera, the wife of Zeus

1st appearance of Dionysius, god of wine

1st cameo appearance of Artemis (Diana), goddess of hunters

1st cameo appearance of Hephaestus (Vulcan), weapons-maker of the gods

1st appearance of Harokin, a deceased Asgardian adversary to Thor

1st appearance of Tana Nile, a Rigellian colonizer in disguise

Ghost Rider #28

Marvel ⋅ 1992

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Ghost Rider #28
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

1st cameo team appearance of The Nine aka the Midnight Sons: Ghost Rider (Ketch), Johnny Blaze, Morbius, Blade, Hannibal King, Frank Drake, Sam Buchanan, Victoria Montesi, Louise Hastings

1st appearance of the Caretaker

1st appearance of Lilith, mother of demons

1st appearance of Meatmarket, offspring of Lilith

[July 2021 - reports that Marvel registered the LLC, Richmond Street Productions for a streaming series leading speculators to believe that it is a reference to the location of the cemetery where Dan Ketch was resurrected as the Ghost Rider / July 2022 - Midnight Sons was trademarked by Marvel along with other titles that are proven to be official / May 2023 - Mia Goth confirmed to portray Lilith in Blade]

Deathmate Black

Image ⋅ 1993

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Deathmate Black
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$5

Key Facts

1st team appearance of Gen 13: Caitlin Fairchild, Burnout, Freefall, Grunge, Lynch, Rainmaker

G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #44

Marvel ⋅ 1986

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G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #44
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$5

Key Facts

1st appearance of Dr. Mindbender, as Dr. Brainwave

1st appearance of Crank-Case, driver of the Striker

1st appearance of Bazooka, missile specialist

1st appearance of Airtight, high-conflict specialist

1st appearance of Heavy Metal, tank operator

1st appearance of B.A.T.S, Cobra android trooper

Immortal Iron Fist #8

Marvel ⋅ 2007

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Immortal Iron Fist #8
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Immortal Weapons

1st appearance of Fat Cobra

1st appearance of The Bride of Nine Spiders

1st appearance of Dog Brother #1

1st appearance of Prince of Orphans

1st appearance of Tiger's Beautiful Daughter

Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns #1

DC ⋅ 2008

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Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

1st appearance of Bleez

1st appearance of Dex-Starr

1st appearance of Zilius Zox and other Red Lanterns

1st appearance of Saint Walker, Blue Lantern

Cover appearance of Atrocitus

Thor #300

Marvel ⋅ 1980

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Thor #300
 
Low
$1
Mid
$3
High
$12

Key Facts

Origin of Odin

Origin of Thor, revealed that Gaea is the mother of Thor

1st appearance of Yu Huang, the Jade Emperor

1st team appearance of the Council of God-Heads: Ammon Ra, Anu, Baiame, Buddha, Buluku, Itzamna, Izanagi, Manitou, Nuada, Okonorote, Ukko, Ulgen, Tezcatlipoca, Tomazooma, Vishnu, Viracocha, Zeus

1st cameo appearance of Kiana aka Moonstalker

Venom: Lethal Protector #4

Marvel ⋅ 1993

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Venom: Lethal Protector #4
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

1st appearance of Scream

1st cameo appearance of Agony

1st cameo appearance of Lasher

1st cameo appearance of Phage

1st cameo appearance Riot

[April 2023 - Juno Temple’s casting in Venom 3 will likely cause speculation that she will portray Scream]

X-Force #116

Marvel ⋅ 2001

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X-Force #116
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30

Key Facts

1st team appearance of X-Statix: Coach, Anarchist, Battering Ram, Gin Genie, La Nuit, Plazm, Sluk, Zeitgeist, Doop and U-Go Girl

Black Cat Annual #1

Marvel ⋅ 2021

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Black Cat Annual #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$18

Key Facts

1st full team appearance of Tiger Division: The General, Luna Snow, Mr. Enigma, Gun-R II, Auntie Ante aka Lady Bright, White Fox

Mighty Avengers #13

Marvel ⋅ 2008

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Mighty Avengers #13
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$8

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Secret Warriors: Nick Fury, Phobos, Slingshot, Quake, Stonewall, Hellfire and Druid

1st appearance of Stonewall, son of the Absorbing Man

1st appearance of Druid, son of Doctor Druid

1st appearance of Hellfire, descendant of the Phantom Rider

1st appearance of Yo-Yo Rodriguez aka Slingshot

Cover art inspired by Avengers #16

Stormwatch #1

Image ⋅ 1993

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Stormwatch #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

1st team appearance of Stormwatch: Battalion, Strafe, Diva, Fuji, Hellstrike and Winter

1st appearance of Henry Bendix, the Weatherman

Marvel Graphic Novel #4

Marvel ⋅ 1982

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Marvel Graphic Novel #4
 
Low
$10
Mid
$30
High
$100

Key Facts

1st team appearance of New Mutants: Cannonball (1st), Psyche (1st), Wolfsbane (1st), Sunspot (1st), Karma

Psyche aka Dani Moonstar later becomes Mirage

1st appearance of the White Rook, a member of the Hellfire Club

Strange Academy #1

Marvel ⋅ 2020

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Strange Academy #1
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50

Key Facts

1st appearance of Emily Bright, a girl who has been aware of her magical powers since birth

1st appearance of Doyle Dormammu, the illegitimate son of Dormammu

1st appearance of Shaylee Moonpeddle

1st appearance of German Aguilar

1st appearance of Zoe Laveau

1st appearance of Alvi and Iric Brorson, sons of Asgardian, Bror

1st appearance of Guslaug, a Frost Giant

1st appearance of Toth, a crystal warrior

1st appearance of Calvin Morse and Dessy

The Strange Academy preview was featured in multiple issues but the first four titles that went on sale with the preview on January 29th, 2020 were Thor #2, Ravencroft #1, Doctor Strange #2, Avengers #30

[December 2024 - a Strange Academy TV series is rumored to be in development for Disney+]

Uncanny X-Men #107

Marvel ⋅ 1977

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Uncanny X-Men #107
 
Low
$18
Mid
$60
High
$180

Key Facts

1st full team appearance of the Starjammers: Corsair, Ch'od, Hepzibah, Astra and Raza

Debut of Wolverine's Fang costume

1st team appearance of the Shi'ar Imperial Guard

1st appearance of the M'Krann Crystal

1st appearance of Gladiator, leader of the Imperial Guard

1st full appearance of D'Ken Neramani, a Shi’ar royal

Young Avengers #1

Marvel ⋅ 2005

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Young Avengers #1
 
Low
$10
Mid
$30
High
$100

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Young Avengers: Kate Bishop, Patriot, Asgardian aka Wiccan, Hulkling, and Iron Lad, who is later revealed to be a young variant of Kang

Uncanny X-Men #120

Marvel ⋅ 1979

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Uncanny X-Men #120
 
Low
$20
Mid
$80
High
$215

Key Facts

1st cameo team appearance of Alpha Flight: Sasquatch, Aurora, Northstar, Shaman, Snowbird

[June 2020 - Alpha Flight rumored to make an appearance in the MCU]

Avengers: The Initiative #1

Marvel ⋅ 2007

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Avengers: The Initiative #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$8

Key Facts

1st appearance of Komodo, a girl who experimented with Dr. Connors' Lizard serum

1st appearance of Trauma, a shapeshifter who can sense what people fear

1st appearance of Hardball

1st appearance of Cloud 9

1st appearance of Tactigon, an Omega Level alien weapon

1st appearance of The Gauntlet, drill instructor for The Initiative

Avengers Arena #1

Marvel ⋅ 2013

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Avengers Arena #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$3
High
$12

Key Facts

1st appearance of Death Locket aka Rebecca Ryker, a teenage version of Deathlok

1st appearance of Kid Briton, an alternate reality version of Captain Briton

1st appearance of Cullen Bloodstone, brother of Elsa

1st appearance of Anachronism, a boy whose soul had been merged with the spirit of a Celtic warlord

1st appearance of Nara, an Atlantean

1st appearance of Apex, a bio-engineered superhuman

Death of Mettle

War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #1

Marvel ⋅ 2019

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War of the Realms: New Agents of Atlas #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the new Agents of Atlas, a superhero team of Asian descent: Shang Chi, Jimmy Woo, Amadeus Cho, Crescent, Io, Luna Snow, Aero, Silk, Sword Master and Wave

1st appearance of Luna Snow

[June 2023 - Jennie, a member of the Korean K-pop group Blackpink is rumored to be cast in the role of Luna Snow in an upcoming MCU project according to allkpop.com]

1st appearance of Crescent & Io

1st appearance of Aero

1st appearance of Wave, a female Filipino superhero

1st cover appearance of Sword Master, not in the story

Avengers Academy #1

Marvel ⋅ 2010

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Avengers Academy #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

1st appearance of Hazmat, a woman confined to a hazmat suit who exudes radiation and other deadly substances

1st appearance of Mettle, a skinless, armored mutant

1st appearance of Striker, fame-obsessed mutant

1st appearance of Veil, a young woman with the ability to transform into a gaseous state

1st appearance of Finesse, a polymath with powers similar to Taskmaster who is suspected of being her father

[July 2022 - Marvel recently trademarked the title Avengers Academy]

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