Publishers / Marvel / The Defenders (1972) / #15
15September 1974
$0.25; 0.25 CAD

The Defenders #15

Marvel · September 1974 · on sale 1974-06-18

First appearance: AlphaFirst appearance: Jean Claude Pennysworth1 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 Defenders (Marvel, 1972 series)
Issue
#15
Publication date
September 1974
Key date
1974-09-00
On-sale date
1974-06-18
Indicia publisher
Marvel Comics Group
Price
$0.25; 0.25 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 Alpha - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

First appearance of Jean Claude Pennysworth - 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
0Panic at the Earth's Core!cover1pencils: Sal Buscema, John Romita; inks: Mike Esposito, John Romita; letters: Gaspar SaladinoGunther Bain, Bruce Banner, Blob, Fred Dukes, Hulk, Erik Lehnsherr, Magneto, Nighthawk, Kyle Richmond, Doctor Strange, Stephen Strange, Unus the Untouchable
2Panic Beneath the Earth!comic story18script: Len Wein; pencils: Sal Buscema, Klaus Janson; inks: Klaus Janson; colors: Glynis Wein; letters: John CostanzaAlpha First, Aragorn, Gunther Bain, Bruce Banner, Blob, Captain America, Fred Dukes, Hulk, Erik Lehnsherr, Lorelei, Magneto, Mastermind, Nighthawk, Barbara Norriss
8-letters page1.67pencils: Sal BuscemaDefenders [Doctor Strange [Stephen Strange]; Silver Surfer [Norrin Radd]; Sub-Mariner [Namor]; Valkyrie [Barbara]]; Hawkeye [Clint Barton]; Red Ghost [Ivan Kragoff]
9The Marvel Age of Kung Fu Thrills!promo (ad from the publisher)0.33Shang-Chi
12Mighty Marvel Becomes Electrified, Hyborianized, and Ape-ified!in-house column1script: Stan Lee; pencils: John Romita

Plus 14 pages of advertisements and other matter across 11 sequences, as published.

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Britishprice 0.07 GBP

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Essential Defenders #2
ISBN 0-7851-2150-1		2006On eBay ›
Marvel Masterworks: The X-Men #8
ISBN 978-0-7851-4222-5		2010On eBay ›
Marvel Masterworks: The Defenders #2
ISBN 978-0-7851-4216-4		2010On eBay ›
Comic Reader #1071974On eBay ›
It's Always Darkest before the Dawn
ISBN 978-1-302-91603-9		2019On eBay ›
The Defenders Omnibus #1
ISBN 978-1-302-92859-9		2021On eBay ›
X-Men: The Lost Years2019On eBay ›
Enter - The Headmen
ISBN 978-1-302-95531-1		2024On 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

‹ #1415 of 152#16 ›

Sources

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