Publishers / Marvel / The Human Torch (1940) / #3
3Winter 1940-1941
$0.10

The Human Torch #3

Marvel · Winter 1940-1941 · on sale 1940-12-10

First appearance: Steve RogersFirst appearance: Captain AmericaFirst appearance: Bucky BarnesFirst-appearance dispute on file
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.
  • Buy links are eBay affiliate links. They never change what the record says.

Identification plate

Series
The Human Torch (Marvel, 1940 series)
Issue
#3
Publication date
Winter 1940-1941
Key date
1941-01-00
On-sale date
1940-12-10
Indicia publisher
Timely Publications
Price
$0.10
Pages
68

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

Why this issue matters

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

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

First appearance of Bucky Barnes - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character. An independent public reference points at Captain America Comics #1 instead - the dispute is on file, not hidden.

First appearance of Bucky - 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: Alex Schomburg; inks: Alex SchomburgJim Hammond, Human Torch, Namor, Thomas Raymond, Sub-Mariner, Toro
1Beware! Captain America Is Coming!promo (ad from the publisher)1pencils: Joe Simon; inks: Joe SimonBucky Barnes First, Bucky First, Captain America First, Adolf Hitler, Steve Rogers First
2Toro's Parents--Alive?, Part 1comic story20script: Carl Burgos; pencils: Carl Burgos; inks: Harry SahleJim Hammond, Human Torch, Thomas Raymond, Toro
3Marvel Mystery Comics #16promo (ad from the publisher)1pencils: Alex Schomburg; inks: Alex SchomburgAarkus, The Angel, Thomas Halloway, Jim Hammond, Human Torch, Namor, Sub-Mariner, The Vision
4Toro's Parents--Alive?, Part 2comic story20script: Carl Burgos; pencils: Carl Burgos; inks: Harry SahleJim Hammond, Human Torch, Thomas Raymond, Toro
5Hot and Wettext story2pencils: Carl Burgos; inks: Carl BurgosHuman Torch; Sub-Mariner; Toro
6Call for Volunteerspromo (ad from the publisher)1pencils: ? [traced Jack Kirby figure of Captain America]; inks: ? [traced Jack Kirby figure of Captain America]; letters: typesetBucky Barnes First, Bucky First, Captain America First, Steve Rogers First
7Namor to the Rescuecomic story20script: Bill Everett; pencils: Bill Everett; inks: Bill EverettBetty Dean, Dorma, Jim Hammond, Human Torch, Namor, Thomas Raymond, Sub-Mariner, Thakorr, Toro
8Introducing the Most Sensational New Character in Comic Magazine-- the Black Marvelpromo (ad from the publisher)1pencils: Jack Kirby; inks: Jack KirbyBlack Marvel; Super Slave (head-view); Moon Man (head-view); Sub-Earth Man (head-view); The Fin (head-view); The Terror (head-view); The Black Widow (head-view)

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Human Torch #1
ISBN 0-7851-1623-0
2005On eBay ›
Golden Age Captain America Omnibus #1
ISBN 978-0-7851-6807-2
2014On eBay ›
Decades: Marvel in the '40s - The Human Torch vs. the Sub-Mariner #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-302-91658-9
2019On eBay ›
Timely's Greatest: The Golden Age Human Torch by Carl Burgos Omnibus #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-302-91933-7
2019On eBay ›
Timely's Greatest: The Golden Age Sub-Mariner by Bill Everett - The Pre-War Years Omnibus #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-302-91935-1
2019On eBay ›
Marvel Masterworks: Golden Age Human Torch #1
ISBN 978-0-7851-6777-8
2013On eBay ›

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

Before you buy

  • Golden-age paper is brittle. Ask about page suppleness and check edges for chips in the photos.
  • Check for trimmed edges, married covers, and clipped coupons - all common on books this old.
  • Confirm the indicia matches this plate; many golden-age titles changed names mid-run.

Series context

Sources

  • Grand Comics Database, issue record (CC BY-SA 4.0)
  • Wikidata, Q28006858 (Bucky Barnes), first-appearance property (CC0)

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