Publishers / Marvel / The Defenders (1972) / #97
97July 1981
$0.50

The Defenders #97

Marvel · July 1981

First appearance: MayaFirst appearance: AvarrishFirst appearance: Fashima2 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
The Defenders (Marvel, 1972 series)
Issue
#97
Publication date
July 1981
Key date
1981-07-00
Indicia publisher
Marvel Comics Group
Price
$0.50
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 Maya - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

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

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

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

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

First appearance of Unnthinnk - 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
0Menace Of... The Messiah!cover1pencils: Ed Hannigan, Luke McDonnell; inks: Al Milgrom; colors: George Roussos; letters: Ron ZalmeBrunnhilde, Devil-Slayer, Gargoyle, Hellcat, Daimon Hellstrom, Nighthawk, Kyle Richmond, Son of Satan, Doctor Strange, Stephen Strange, Valkyrie, Patsy Walker, Eric Payne, Isaac Christians
1Slouching Toward Bethlehemcomic story22script: J. M. DeMatteis; pencils: Don Perlin, Joe Sinnott, Sal Trapani, Jack Abel; inks: Joe Sinnott, Sal Trapani, Jack Abel; colors: George Roussos; letters: Diana Albers, Rick Parker, Joe RosenAvarrish First, Bruce Banner, Brunnhilde, Devil-Slayer, Fashima First, Gargoyle, Hellcat, Daimon Hellstrom, Hulk, Hyppokri First, Asmodeus Jones, Man-Thing, Maya First, Mephisto
3-in-house column1script: Jim Shooter

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

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Newsstandbarcode 0714860215207
Britishprice 0.20 GBP

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Essential Defenders #5
ISBN 978-0-7851-4537-0		2010On eBay ›
The Six-Fingered Hand
ISBN 978-0-7851-9599-3		2016On eBay ›
Marvel Masterworks: The Defenders #9
ISBN 978-1-302-95534-2		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

‹ #9697 of 152#98 ›

Sources

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