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Top Shelf ⋅ 2005

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Key Facts

First published written work in the comic book industry by Robert Venditti

Adapted into a film starring Bruce Willis (2009)

Rebellion ⋅ 1989

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First published written work in comics by Mark Millar in a Tharg's Future Shocks story titled 'The Foreign Model'

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First professionally published work in comics by writer Gail Simone

Simone is credited for writing two stories in this 84-page oversized anniversary issue

Wraparound cover

DC Vertigo ⋅ 1991

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Revealed that John Constantine has lung cancer

First U.S. published work in comics by Garth Ennis

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First written work in comics by Jim Shooter, revealed in the letters page of Adventure Comics #349 that 'One of Us Is a Traitor' was written by a 14-year-old Jim Shooter

1st appearance of Ferro Lad

1st appearance of Karate Kid

1st appearance of Princess Projectra

1st appearance of Warlord Garlak

1st appearance of Nemesis Kid

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First written work in comics by Dennis O'Neil

Marvel ⋅ 1973

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First written work by Chris Claremont in comics

Claremont received credit on prior issues for years with plot assists as early as X-Men #59 but this issue is his first official, credited scripted story

Ashtray Press ⋅ 2005

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First self-published written and illustrated work in comics by Jeff Lemire

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1st appearance of Doctor Occult, one of the earliest superheroes in history

First artwork by Joe Shuster, co-creator of Superman

First written work by Jerry Siegel, co-creator of Superman

1st appearance of a vampire in comic books

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First written work in the comic book industry by Stan Lee

Two-page text story with a couple of illustrations by Kirby

3rd appearance of Captain America

3rd appearance of Bucky Barnes

2nd appearance and 1st cover of the Red Skull, George Maxon

DC Vertigo ⋅ 2013

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First written work in the comic book industry by Tom King

Previous published work 'A Once Crowded Sky' had illustrations but was not a graphic novel

Funk-O-Tron ⋅ 2000

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1st appearance and origin of Battle Pope

First written work in the comic book industry by Robert Kirkman

First artwork in comics by Tony Moore

Image reprinted this issue in 2005 with a nearly identical cover

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First written work in the comic book industry by Roy Thomas

Roy Thomas was one of the chief architects at Marvel introducing Conan the Barbarian into comics, serving as Editor-in-Chief after Stan Lee and contributing to the Avengers, X-Men, Thor and others over the course of decades

Western ⋅ 1978

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First professional written and illustrated work in comics by Frank Miller

Three-page story titled 'Royal Feast'

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First written and illustrated work in comics by Don Rosa

Nominated for a Harvey Award

Later, Rosa won an Eisner for 'Best Serialized Story' for a 12-chapter contribution to Scrooge history with The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck

Future Quake Press ⋅ 2005

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First written work in the comic book industry by Cullen Bunn (U.K.)

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First written work in the comic book industry by Ta-Nehisi Coates

1st appearance of Zenzi, a mutant with the ability to affect emotions - two versions of Zenzi have been introduced by Coates

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First written work in the comic book industry by Joseph Hillstrom King aka Joe Hill, the son of Stephen King

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First written and illustrated work in comics by Jonathan Hickman

6-issue series written, illustrated, lettered, inked and colored by Hickman

2008 Eisner Award nominee for Best Limited Series

Preview ⋅ WildStorm ⋅ 2008

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First written work in the comic book industry by J.J. Abrams

San Diego Comic Con 2008 exclusive given away to promote the TV series Fringe

5-page preview with character bios, 12 pages total

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First professionally published work in the comic book industry by Mark Waid

Dark Horse ⋅ 2013

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First written work in the comic book industry by Donny Cates (officially) in a story called 'Armageddon Outta Here'

Key Facts

First written work in the comic book industry by Geoff Johns

Preview of Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E., later known as Stargirl, Courtney Whitmore in yearbook pictures and a character profile

Rebellion ⋅ 1986

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First written work in the comic book industry by Neil Gaiman in a story titled 'You're Never Alone with a Phone'

Caliber ⋅ 1991

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First written work in comics by Brian Michael Bendis

First artwork in comics by Brian Michael Bendis

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