Publishers / Marvel / Machine Man (1978) / #1
1April 1978
$0.35

Machine Man #1

Marvel · April 1978 · on sale 1978-01-24

First appearance: Machine ManFirst appearance: Peter SpaldingFirst appearance: Joseph Kragowski
Buy it now on eBay ›Graded copies ›
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
Machine Man (Marvel, 1978 series)
Issue
#1
Publication date
April 1978
Key date
1978-04-00
On-sale date
1978-01-24
Indicia publisher
Marvel Comics Group
Price
$0.35
Pages
36
Barcode
0714860261304
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 Machine Man - the earliest non-flashback appearance on record for this character.

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

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

First appearance of Colonel Kragg - 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: Jack Kirby; inks: Frank Giacoia; letters: Gaspar SaladinoMachine Man First, Aaron Stack
1Machine Mancomic story17script: Jack Kirby; pencils: Jack Kirby; inks: Mike Royer; colors: Petra G.; letters: Mike RoyerColonel Kragg First, Joseph Kragowski First, Machine Man First, Peter Spalding First, Aaron Stack

Where to read it

CollectionYear
Comic Reader #1521978On eBay ›
Marvel Firsts: The 1970s #3
ISBN 978-0-7851-6382-4		2012On eBay ›
Machine Man by Kirby & Ditko: The Complete Collection #[nn]
ISBN 978-0-7851-9577-1		2016On eBay ›
Marvel Zombies 3 #[nn]
ISBN 978-0-7851-3526-5		2009On eBay ›
Kirby Returns! King-Size #[nn]
ISBN 978-1-302-91823-1		2019On 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 19#2 ›

Sources

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