Bronze Age

Origin and first appearance of Iron Fist in “The Fury of Iron Fist!” Script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Gil Kane, inks by Dick Giordano.

First appearance of Dracula in a Marvel comic in “Dracula.” Script by Gerry Conway, art by Gene Colan. First appearance of Frank Drake. Neal Adams cover.

FROM THE HARLAN ELLISON COLLECTION!

“Dark Genesis.” While working on a restorative formula (that can make forests out of deserts) in the Louisiana swamps, scientist Alec Holland is killed by a bomb set off by Mr. E., who wants the formula. Shortly thereafter, a humanoid plant being rises from the swamp, created from the body of Holland, the chemicals in the formula, and the strange forces in the swamp. 1st appearance of Alec and Linda Holland. 1st appearance of Matt Cable. (Swamp Thing himself first appeared in House of Secrets 92). Script by Len Wein, art and cover by Berni Wrightson. Includes brief bios of Wein and Wrightson.

Captain Marvel battles a Kree Sentry in “Out of the Holocaust–a Hero!” Script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Gene Colan, inks by Vince Colletta. Colan/Colletta cover.

“Out of Hell–a Hero!” Script by Archie Goodwin, pencils by George Tuska, inks by Billy Graham. NOTE: Roy Thomas and John Romita are credited for their “considerable creative contributions.” When Lucas, an innocent man, is sent to jail for a crime he did not commit, he decides he has nothing left to loose. Subjecting himself to unorthodox experiments, this inmate is endowed with great physical strength and nigh-unbreakable skin. No walls and bars on Earth can hold him. Now, as Luke Cage, he is known as the Hero for Hire, and he’s here to clean up the “Mean Streets,” one criminal at a time.

Cover pencils by Barry Windsor-Smith, inks by John Verpoorten. First comic book appearance and origin of Conan. The Coming of Conan!, script by Roy Thomas, pencils by Barry Windsor-Smith, inks by Dan Adkins; Conan battles at Vanaheim and sees his future; Tara returns to her dimension 1st comic book appearance of Kull (cameo). The letters page contains a map of Conan’s world of the Hyborian Age drawn by Windsor-Smith (based on Robert E. Howard’s own version) and a short essay on The World of Conan.

FROM THE HARLAN ELLISON COLLECTION!

Two new stories: “In the Beginning” and “The World’s Wickedest Plan.” Scripts by Denny O’Neil, art by C.C. Beck. Reprint back-up: “The Endless String” (from Captain Marvel Adventures 55 in 1946). One-page text feature by E. Nelson Bridwell–a history of Captain Marvel. New C.C. Beck cover (with Superman, who does not appear inside).

Re-introduction of Ant-Man (1st appearance since 1960s) in “The Incredible Shrinking Doom!” Script by Mike Friedrich. Art by Herb Trimpe. Cover by Herb Trimpe. Beginning of a 7-part solo run.

FROM THE HARLAN ELLISON COLLECTION!

1st appearance and origin of Kamandi. “The Last Boy on Earth.” Script and pencils by Jack Kirby, inks by Mike Royer. Cover by Kirby and Royer. A series that borrows many concepts from Planet of the Apes, Kamandi takes place in an alternate future where animals have mutated into bipedal beings of intelligence and where humans are treated like savage beasts. Kamandi avenges the death of his grandfather, who was killed by wolves, but is then captured by a tiger named Caesar, who turns him over to dog-scientist Dr. Canus. Canus proceeds to help Kamandi, and this is where the so-called last boy on earth hooks up with Ben Boxer, a mutated human who can turn to living metal.

First Frank Miller Daredevil. First 40-cent cover price. Cover pencils by Frank Miller, inks by Joe Rubinstein. A Grave Mistake!, script by Roger McKenzie (Death-Stalker origin on page 7 plotted by Marv Wolfman), pencils by Frank Miller , inks by Klaus Janson.; Matt is captured by the Ani-Men and has a final showdown with Death-Stalker in a graveyard; the Unholy Three (Ape Man, Bird Man, Cat Man) appearance.

THE KARL KESEL COLLECTION! Sold exclusively through BLASTOFF, every book from the Karl Kesel Collection comes shipped with a CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY, signed and dated by Karl himself!

SHIELD origin retold in “And Now It Begins!” Script by Roy Thomas, art by Frank Springer. Tony Stark (Iron Man) appearance. Jim Steranko cover.

**HUNDREDS OF BOOKS FROM THE KESEL COLLECTION WILL BE ADDED ON A REGULAR BASIS! PLEASE CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR THE LATEST ADDITIONS TO THE SITE. WE ARE ALSO FILLING BACK ISSUE REQUESTS OFF-SITE, SO FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US WITH YOUR WANT LISTS.**

THE KARL KESEL COLLECTION! Sold exclusively through BLASTOFF, every book from the Karl Kesel Collection comes shipped with a CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY, signed and dated by Karl himself!

First appearance of Scorpio in “Who is Scorpio?” Script and pencils by Jim Steranko, inks by Joe Sinnott.

**HUNDREDS OF BOOKS FROM THE KESEL COLLECTION WILL BE ADDED ON A REGULAR BASIS! PLEASE CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR THE LATEST ADDITIONS TO THE SITE. WE ARE ALSO FILLING BACK ISSUE REQUESTS OFF-SITE, SO FEEL FREE TO EMAIL US WITH YOUR WANT LISTS.**