Publishers / DC / The Legion of Super-Heroes (1980) / #281
281November 1981
$0.60; 0.20 GBP

The Legion of Super-Heroes #281

DC · November 1981 · on sale 1981-07-28

First appearance: The Molecule Master1 variant
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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.
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Identification plate

Series
The Legion of Super-Heroes (DC, 1980 series)
Issue
#281
Publication date
November 1981
Key date
1981-11-00
On-sale date
1981-07-28
Indicia publisher
DC Comics Inc.
Price
$0.60; 0.20 GBP
Pages
36
Rating
Approved by the Comics Code Authority

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

Why this issue matters

First appearance of The Molecule Master - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

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
0Trapped in the 20th Century!cover1pencils: George Pérez; inks: Bruce PattersonImra Ardeen, Val Armorr, Blok, Dawnstar, Karate Kid, Clark Kent, Lightning Lad, Phantom Girl, Garth Ranzz, Saturn Girl, Superboy, Tinya Wazzo
1Madness Is the Molecule Mastercomic story27script: Roy Thomas, Paul Levitz; pencils: Steve Ditko, Bruce Patterson; inks: Bruce Patterson; colors: Gene D'Angelo; letters: Ben OdaGim Allon, Imra Ardeen, Val Armorr, Blok, Bouncing Boy, Drake Burroughs, Colossal Boy, Dawnstar, Lar Gand, Thom Kallor, Karate Kid, Clark Kent, Lana Lang, Lightning Lad
3-letters page1script: Paul Levitz

Plus 1 page of advertisements and other matter across 1 sequence, as published.

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Newsstandbarcode 0709893067011

Where to read it

CollectionYear
The Steve Ditko Omnibus #2
ISBN 978-1-4012-3235-1		2012On eBay ›
Adventures of Superman: George Pérez #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-77950-012-0		2020On eBay ›
Legion of Super-Heroes: Before the Darkness #2
ISBN 9781779510778		2022On eBay ›

Reading the story costs a fraction of owning the issue. Both routes are on every file.

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

‹ #28023 of 55#282 ›

Sources

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