Publishers / DC / Sword of the Atom (1983) / #1
1September 1983
$0.60; 0.25 GBP; 0.75 CAD

Sword of the Atom #1

DC · September 1983 · on sale 1983-05-31

First appearance: LaethwenFirst appearance: TarenFirst appearance: Caellich2 variants
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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
Sword of the Atom (DC, 1983 series)
Issue
#1
Publication date
September 1983
Key date
1983-09-00
On-sale date
1983-05-31
Indicia publisher
DC Comics Inc.
Price
$0.60; 0.25 GBP; 0.75 CAD
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 Laethwen - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

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

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

First appearance of Paul Hoben - 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
0-cover1pencils: Gil Kane; inks: Gil Kane; letters: Todd KleinThe Atom, Ray Palmer
2Book One: Stormy Passagecomic story23script: Jan Strnad; pencils: Gil Kane; inks: Gil Kane; colors: Tom Ziuko; letters: John CostanzaThe Atom, Caellich First, Paul Hoben First, Laethwen First, Jean Loring, Ray Palmer, Taren First
8"When the Law Is Not Enough… My Justice Begins."promo (ad from the publisher)1script: ? (promo copy); letters: typeset
9-in-house column1script: Dick Giordano, Bob Rozakis
10Action Pin-Up No. 1illustration1pencils: Gil Kane; inks: Gil Kane; colors: Tom ZiukoThe Atom, Laethwen First, Ray Palmer

Plus 9 pages of advertisements and other matter across 9 sequences, as published.

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Newsstandprice 0.60 USD; barcode 0709893111209
Canadianprice 0.75 CAD; barcode 0709893111209

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Sword of the Atom #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-4012-1553-8		2007On eBay ›
Justice League: Cry for Justice #22009On 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

1 of 4#2 ›

Sources

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