Publishers / DC / Adventure Comics (1938) / #493
493November 1982
$1.25; 1.50 CAD

Adventure Comics #493

DC · November 1982 · on sale 1982-07-20

First appearance: Black MantaFirst appearance: David HydeOrigin: Ace Morgan2 variants
How to read this file
  • Every claim on this page traces to a public bibliographic record; the sources are listed at the bottom of the file.
  • A first-appearance badge means this is the earliest non-flashback appearance on record in this database.
  • Buy links are eBay affiliate links. They never change what the record says.

Identification plate

Series
Adventure Comics (DC, 1938 series)
Issue
#493
Publication date
November 1982
Key date
1982-11-00
On-sale date
1982-07-20
Indicia publisher
DC Comics Inc.
Price
$1.25; 1.50 CAD
Pages
100

Match the book in your hand against this plate before paying an edition-specific price.

Why this issue matters

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

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

Origin story on record for: Ace Morgan, Prof Haley, Red Ryan, Rocky Davis.

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.

Contents

SeqStoryTypePagesCreditsCharacters
0-cover1pencils: Keith Giffen; inks: Romeo Tanghal; colors: Anthony Tollin; letters: Gaspar SaladinoBrainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Reep Daggle, Rocky Davis, Prof Haley, Thom Kallor, Clark Kent, Lana Lang, Ace Morgan, Red Ryan, Star Boy, Superboy, Querl Dox
1Presenting Another Sensational Issue of Adventure Comicstable of contents1script: Carl Gafford
2When Destiny Calls!comic story9script: Bob Rozakis; pencils: George Tuska; inks: Andy Mushynsky; colors: Carl Gafford; letters: Milt Snapinn; editing: Carl GaffordRocky Davis Origin, Prof Haley Origin, Ace Morgan Origin, Red Ryan Origin
3Lana Lang and the Legion of Super-Heroes!comic story13script: Otto Binder; pencils: George Papp; inks: George Papp; colors: Carl Gafford; letters: Joe Letterese; editing: Mort WeisingerImra Ardeen, Brainiac 5, Chameleon Boy, Cosmic Boy, Reep Daggle, Thom Kallor, Clark Kent, Jonathan Kent, Rokk Krinn, Lana Lang, Sarah Lang, Lewis Lang, Lightning Lad, Garth Ranzz
4Is This My Foe?..comic story23script: Steve Skeates; pencils: Jim Aparo; inks: Jim Aparo; colors: Bob LeRose; letters: Jim Aparo; editing: Dick GiordanoAquababy, Aquagirl, Aqualad, Black Manta First, Arthur Curry Jr., Garth, David Hyde First, Mera, Tula, Aquaman, Arthur Curry
5A Nightmare Called Gorgonuscomic story5script: Len Wein; pencils: Dick Giordano; inks: Dick Giordano; colors: Tom Ziuko; letters: Milt Snapinn; editing: Joe OrlandoZatanna
6Supergirl's Three Super Girl-Friends!comic story12script: Jerry Siegel; pencils: Jim Mooney; inks: Jim Mooney; colors: Carl Gafford; editing: Mort WeisingerImra Ardeen, Bouncing Boy, Brainiac, Brainiac 5, Cosmic Boy, Salu Digby, Luornu Durgo, Jerro, Koko, Rokk Krinn, Krypto, Lori Lemaris, Lightning Lad, Dirk Morgna
7Captain Marvel and the Twisted Powerscomic story9script: Otto Binder; pencils: Pete Costanza; inks: Pete Costanza; colors: Nansi Hoolahan; editing: Wendell CrowleyBilly Batson, Captain Marvel, Zeus
8And Now a Word from Our Library...text article1script: Carl Gafford
9The Ghost of Ace Chance!comic story24script: Gardner Fox; pencils: Murphy Anderson; inks: Murphy Anderson; colors: Jerry Serpe; letters: Gaspar Saladino; editing: Julius SchwartzJim Corrigan, The Spectre
10The Story Behind the Storiestext article1script: Paul Levitz
11-illustration1script: Carl Gafford; pencils: Keith Giffen; inks: Romeo Tanghal; letters: Gaspar SaladinoImra Ardeen, Billy Batson, Black Manta First, Captain Marvel, Jim Corrigan, Luornu Durgo, David Hyde First, Phantom Girl, Saturn Girl, The Spectre, Supergirl, Triplicate Girl, Tinya Wazzo, Zatanna

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Newsstandprice 1.25 USD; barcode 0709893170911
Canadianprice 1.50 CAD; barcode 0709893170911

Before you buy

  • Check the price box: Marvel ran 30-cent and 35-cent test-market price variants in 1976-77.
  • Canadian and Whitman editions exist for many bronze books; match the barcode area to the plate.
  • Look for Mark Jewelers inserts and date stamps - they affect collector preference, not authenticity.

Series context

Sources

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