Publishers / Marvel / Fantastic Four (1961) / #178
178January 1977
$0.30

Fantastic Four #178

Marvel · January 1977 · on sale October 26, 1976

First appearance: Abe BeameOrigin: Reed Richards1 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
Fantastic Four (Marvel, 1961 series)
Issue
#178
Publication date
January 1977
Key date
January 1977
On-sale date
October 26, 1976
Indicia publisher
Marvel Comics Group
Price
$0.30
Pages
36
Barcode
0714860246201
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 Abe Beame - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

Origin story on record for: Reed Richards, The Brute.

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
0The Showdown with the Frightful Four!cover1pencils: John Romita; inks: Joe Sinnott; letters: Gaspar SaladinoThe Brute, Ben Grimm, Human Torch, Invisible Girl, Flint Marko, Mister Fantastic, Peter Petruski, Reed Richards, Sandman, Susan Storm Richards, Johnny Storm, The Thing, Trapster, Wizard
1Call My Killer -- the Brute!comic story17script: Roy Thomas; pencils: George Pérez; inks: Dave Hunt; colors: Dave Hunt; letters: Joe RosenAbe Beame First, The Brute Origin, Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, Galactus, Galan, Ben Grimm, High Evolutionary, Human Torch, Impossible Man, Invisible Girl, Flint Marko, Mister Fantastic, Greer Nelson
2-letters page1script: Roy Thomas
3Of Ugsome Usurpers, Utopic Uncos, and Unearthly Utterances!in-house column1script: Stan Lee; pencils: John RomitaMs. Marvel; Peter Parker [Spider-Man]; Mary Jane Watson; J. Jonah Jameson; Scorpion [Mac Gargon]

Plus 2 pages of advertisements and other matter across 2 sequences, as published.

Printings and variants

EditionHow to tell
Britishprice 0.10 GBP

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Fantastic Four Visionaries: George Pérez #1
ISBN 0785117253		2005On eBay ›
Essential Fantastic Four #8
ISBN 978-0-7851-4538-7		2010On eBay ›
Marvel Masterworks: The Fantastic Four #17
ISBN 978-0-7851-9192-6		2015On eBay ›
Counter-Earth Must Die
ISBN 978-1-302-95544-1		2024On eBay ›
Fantastic Four Omnibus #6
ISBN 978-1-302-96233-3		2025On 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

‹ #177178 of 416#179 ›

Sources

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