Red Raven #1 - Marvel Comics One Issue Wonder

In October of 1939 Timely Comics, the publishing company that would one day become Marvel Comics, released their first superhero based title called Marvel Comics #1. They followed up this high selling comic with among other titles Red Raven Comics #1, which was released in August 1940. It was the first and only issue under this title, issue #2 was renamed after one of their most popular characters The Human Torch.  Red Raven Comics was in fact the first Marvel superhero to have his own title and it contains Jack Kirby 1st work at Marvel but Red Raven wouldn't be heard from again until 1968. This issue #1 became extremely rare and somewhat impossible to find. It is valued at around $500,000 in CGC high grade.

Along with Red Raven a number of other characters were also introduced in this issue, the Human Top, a character named Mercury,  originally presented as the Roman god but later revealed to be one of the Eternals.  Also introduced were Magar the Mystic, the all-seeing Eternal Brain, space adventurer Comet Pierce, and hapless policeman Officer O'Krime. None of these characters would appear in the Human Torch title.

Red Raven

A small child is the only survivor of a crash on the floating island of the Bird-Men. Their King raises him and on his 21st birthday sends him back into his world with a gift of artificial wings as the Red Raven. Once in the human world, he fights the demons Zeelmo and Ratoga who are draining the world of its gold. Red Raven would not appear in a comic book again until 1968 when he appeared in X-Men #44, which in itself is a great issue to add to your collection.

The most well known copy of this issue comes from the Edgar Church Collection sold by Mile High Comics.

This is another one of those historic comics that I would just like to see in person and take a photo of. Very few issues are known to exist. If you see one and can afford it pick it up it is truly a piece of comic book history.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt 

Marvel Comics #1 - The Start of Mighty Marvel Comics

The powerhouse that has become Marvel Comics all started with a single comic released in October of 1939. The comic titled Marvel Comics #1 would feature two of its most popular early characters, The Human Torch (not from the Fantastic Four but seen in Captain America) and the Submariner ( why hasn't he had a movie yet).

The comic was published by Martin Goodman who was looking to profit from the popularity of comic books it featured the first appearance on the Human Torch and the Submariner along with some content from Funnies, Inc which had Ben previously published. Stories included Ka-Zar the Great, the Masked Raider and the Angel.

Human Torch Easter Egg in Captain America 

Marvel Comics #1 quickly sold out 80,000 copies, so Goodman quickly produce a second printing, this one is cover-dated November 1939 and identical to the first printing except for a black bar in the inside-front-cover indicia over the October date, and the November date added at the end. The second print sold  approximately 800,000 copies. Goodman knew he had a hit and could make more money by producing more comics so he built Timely Comics up by assembling an in-house staff, hiring Funnies, Inc. writer-artist Joe Simon, Jack Kirby and Syd Shores.  

The comic is valued at around $420,000 for a high CGC graded copy and lesser copies for about $20,000, ComicConnect sold a 3.0 for $19,000 in a recent auction. These copies are primarily second printing version , very few first printings are known to exist. This issue is extremely undervalued considering its importance.

I would truly like to just see a copy of this historic issue, Marvel Comics #1 was the first brick to be set in place to build Marvel comics, they even would in time name the company after this issue. It should hold a place in every comic collectors heart and if you can afford it, in your collection.

Good Luck on Your Hunt!
#jointhehunt